Twice Bitten (Love, Lust & Magic #1)

Griff

Blankets of steam rolled through ’s dormitory shower as a welcome wave of warm water soothed and invigorated his skin. Using his fingers to pull back his drenched bangs, turned so that the pressure of the showerhead enveloped his forehead and tickled his face.

The small bathroom, shared between and Darcy and the neighboring dorm room, provided at least a temporary haven to gather one’s thoughts—when the locks worked, anyway. A vanity running parallel to the shower was flanked on either side with tiny shelves. An organized stack of clothes for the evening carefully placed near the sink, ’s necklace lay across the countertop furthest from the basin.

The freshman’s mind raced as he replayed the week’s events in his head like a best-of highlight reel. No doubt he had hoped to find some kind of camaraderie on campus in his first semester, but never in a million years did he expect to walk into the coming night’s plans. And with not one—but two unbelievably hunky guys?

Far graduated from his days of being a ‘straight chaser,’ was hesitant to let his mind race much further than it already had. But Pruitt and Uriah’s collective and curious interest in him didn’t go unnoticed. It was curious. Perhaps, in the case of these two, bi-curious.

Even though several days had passed—and even though Uriah didn’t even show up for class yesterday—he couldn’t shake this feeling. It’s almost like they’re magnetically drawn to me. I wonder… is it also the other way around?

Suds trailed down ’s narrow, smooth frame as he contemplated the question. He recalled Uriah’s compliment the night he first arrived.

“Nice necklace,” quietly repeated to himself as he grasped for what wasn’t there. He could nearly visualize Uriah’s figure pressing against his—and trembled as a result.

The sound of shuffling feet nearby jolted out of his thoughtful trance. “Hey, uh, Darcy? I’m almost done in here.”

Turning the water off, reached for the towel he had draped over a nearby hook and covered his midsection while peeking out into the bathroom to see who his visitor might be.

To his surprise, he was alone. The door was closed.

“Huh.” A confused shrugged as he unwrapped the towel from his waist and began using it to pat down his shoulders and arms. Guess it’s nothing.

“Hey! Did you call for me?”

Enough time had passed to startle , who dropped the towel once again wrapped around his hip bones in a fit of surprise as a shirtless Darcy opened the bathroom door. Instinctively, he spun around and inadvertently gave Darcy a full show.

“Wha—oh!” turned bright red as Darcy smiled. “Sorry, I thought you were in here a moment ago.” Shit, shit, shit.

“Didn’t mean to startle you,” replied Darcy after politely turning away. “Big plans tonight?”

“Uh, well, I don’t know if you would consider them big ,” said as he came to terms with the fact that his roommate just saw him completely in the buff. “I’m actually going to see some live music in Campustown tonight with a friend.”

“Oh, nice,” Darcy replied as wrapped the towel back around his waist. “Is this one of the fellas you’ve got your eye on?”

More like both of the fellas—and it’s them who have their eyes on me. At least I think.

“Uh, not so sure about that,” tiptoed around the topic, recalling Darcy’s disdainful comments earlier in the week about both men. “Someone in one of my classes invited me to come see them perform, but I’m actually going with, um, Pruitt.”

Clearly, this piqued his roommate’s interest, and with guarded eyes Darcy looked back at him. “Mondamin, huh?”

couldn’t read his reaction. “Uh, y-yeah,” he muttered quietly. And I’m leaving poor, sweet Darcy alone for the night. Darcy, who I know is at least confirmed into guys. And me chasing after two men who probably are too scared to even admit their sexualities.

As ’s hands instinctively ran across his collarbone, he turned to the counter to look for his necklace. His clothes were there, but not the pendant.

“Nice, man,” Darcy replied as he stepped out of the bathroom, pushing the door back so it was only slightly ajar. “I don’t have class on Fridays, so I’m actually thinking of heading out to, uh, visit some friends from high school for the night, so I’ll probably be out of here until at least tomorrow afternoon.”

At least ’s internal dialogue could rest easy knowing he wasn’t leaving Darcy all alone for the night. They had spent the last few evenings hanging out, learning about each other, and playing card games. But where is my necklace?

“ Oh! ” Darcy stuck his hand, curled up in a ball, through the doorway. “And I think you dropped this.” His fist opened up to reveal the missing piece of jewelry.

paused before leaning forward to grab up the necklace. “Strange,” he muttered.

Darcy poked his head back in when didn’t immediately take the pendant and chain.

“I didn’t realize I misplaced it.” hesitated a smile before taking what was his. Since it seems like it is something I need to keep track of, it’s at least good to know that Darcy’s palms are warm.

The two made eye contact—both looking like they were about to add to the conversation—just as there was a knock at their dorm room door.

Fuck, cursed ’s internal monologue.

“Well, what do you know? Must be the man of the hour.” Darcy winked as he gave a playful pat on the arm and ducked out of the bathroom. “Want me to tell him you’ll be ready in?—”

“Uh, two,” muttered. “Two minutes!”

Pulling the chain over his neck, fiddled with the clasp until the necklace securely rested against the porcelain skin of his chest. He carefully rotated the pendant while examining the purply glow of its precious gem through the reflection of the bathroom mirror. Peculiar, yet comforting , finally decided before pulling a three-quarter length baseball tee with maroon and black color blocking over his torso. He rushed to finish getting dressed.

In the other room, Darcy greeted Pruitt with what could be interpreted as a watered-down version of the parlor game twenty questions. “I’m Darcy, in’s roommate. Do you two plan to be drinking tonight?”

“Hey, Darcy,” a perplexed Pruitt responded. Sporting a dressy button-up and fitted corduroys, the football player looked as though he was expecting a handshake instead of a shakedown. “I’ve got a big game tomorrow, so I don’t plan on it.”

“So, where’s the show?” Darcy crossed his arms as he continued the conversation with Pruitt comfortably on the other side of the doorframe.

“The old cowboy show tunes bar that switched hands last year,” answered Pruitt. “It’s called, uh, Witch’s Brew Pub. Has that funky little magic shop in the back now, too.”

“Oh, that place ,” Darcy seemed to have a sudden recollection, one that prompted a shift in his attitude. “I might recommend you opt for the drink then,” he continued with a friendly laugh.

Pruitt managed a nervous laugh as their conversation died.

“Well, come on in,” Darcy broke the silence as he gestured Pruitt inside.

“Yeah,” Pruitt replied as he stepped in. “You know, you actually look kind of familiar. Did?—”

“Geology 101 together last year, yeah. Fun times,” said Darcy. “So, you and…”

Darcy’s voice drifted off as a now fully dressed popped into view.

“Hey,” waved at Pruitt before turning to his roommate. He could tell his interjection was timed perfectly, so he didn’t waste another second. “Thanks for letting Pruitt in, Darcy. We’re headed out.”

“You two kids enjoy yourselves now,” Darcy said with an indecipherable tone.

shrugged his eyebrows playfully at Pruitt before heading to the door. Pruitt followed suit with a casual wave. “See ya, Darcy.”

“Be seeing you, too.” Darcy flashed an unusually content smile at Pruitt as he disappeared behind the closing door.

There was some silence as and Pruitt got seated for their drive.

“Sweet wheels, by the way,” said with a smile as he buckled himself in.

“Ah, thanks,” Pruitt shrugged. “Not gonna lie, it’s pretty stressful to take care of anything nice like this in a college town. But the touchscreen is pretty awesome.”

Cute , thought to himself as he saw a twinkle in Pruitt’s eyes. “So, are you from Mystic Hollow?”

“Not originally,” replied Pruitt.

“Oh, why MHU then?”

“For some reason or another, it was like something clicked in my head.”

“Well, from what all the guys on my floor are saying about your college sports career, I’m guessing that ‘click’ was actually the ringing noise a cash register makes,” joked.

“You’re coming for my scholarship already, huh?” a surprised Pruitt rebuffed. A playful laugh followed.

“Well, that’s the smart thing to do,” said with a smile. “The cost of an education in this country is ridiculous.”

“Getting away from my old life is nice,” replied the jock. “So is the off-the-beaten path location. The people aren’t half bad, either.”

“Looking to get away and start anew is something I can definitely relate to,” said with a nod as Pruitt shifted the car into gear and took off.

Although his empathic ability to read the emotions and thoughts of those close to him seemed to be out of commission with this human, Pruitt could tell was studying his mannerisms. “Oh?” Pruitt prodded. “What’s home like for you?”

“I don’t know my biological parents, but my adopted mom—or, well, just mom, as I like to call her—is great. By that, I mean she’s a total ally, super relaxed, and usually filling me in on the latest episode of RuPaul as it airs. I grew up in a really small town in Minnesota, so while I love family time, there’s not a lot for me there.”

“And something for you here, maybe?” asked Pruitt with genuine interest.

“Well, you’re not the only one with a scholarship,” admitted. “I don’t think most people from back home can even find Massachusetts on a map. But a rep from the school reached out and showed me some funding opportunities. A few dreadful essay questions later, I received an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

“Oh, that’s awesome. Funny how things work out like that, huh?” Pruitt asked out loud.

“Well, let’s not get too carried away, especially considering we’re still in the first few days of the semester,” said as he comedically threw his arms back. “I haven’t even officially survived my first week of college yet.”

“Fair,” Pruitt cracked a smile. “Well, I’m sure you’ll get accustomed quickly. You seem like the type. I promise you, at the very least, that I’ll make sure you survive tonight. And speaking of school, you have a class with Uriah?”

“Yeah. Actually, it’s that theater class with Professor Quinn. You know, the one you warned me about.”

“Oh, really?” Pruitt’s mannerisms seemed to change. “Well, maybe it’s your vocally gifted classmate that should have the warning sticker slapped on him; not your teacher. But maybe it’s both of them.”

“Well, Uriah definitely doesn’t give me the theater kid vibe, if that’s what you mean,” acknowledged. “But at the same time, I think there’s something genuine about him.”

noticed that Pruitt was still digesting his words.

Looking at , Pruitt finally decided on how to respond. “Let’s just see how tonight goes.”

“Fair,” replied in his best Pruitt impression.

Pruitt couldn’t help but lean over and give a playful shoulder bump. Even though he didn’t initially plan to, after seeing ’s coy smile in response, he also accompanied the gesture with a wink.

The two missed the vibration of Pruitt’s cellphone from the cupholder.