Twice Bitten (Love, Lust & Magic #1)

Griff

Man, feelings suck. Witches suck, too. And so do Friday morning classes. could hardly mask his general discontent.

“You sure you wanna go back in there?” Pruitt asked as they watched the morning rain land on his windshield. “The completely not-creepy invitation to stay at my place is a permanent offer.”

smiled half-heartedly as he turned to his handsome driver. “Pruitt, I really appreciate it. Even though most of the other freshmen still haven’t figured out proper hygiene, I think I’ll be safe here.”

Pruitt bit his lip as he thought through what he was going to say next. “Okay, well, look. I’m gonna talk to Uriah. I think he’s just—I don’t know. A little freaked out by everything.”

“ By me , you mean,” said .

“No,” Pruitt put his hand on ’s.

wanted to squeeze it back, but he couldn’t overcome some subconscious feeling of guilt for the whole situation. “I would be mad, too, if someone took me and made me into a vampire or a werewolf, had me do their bidding, and lord knows whatever else.”

“That someone wasn’t you,” Pruitt determinedly huffed. “Had nothing to do with you.”

“But the same magic does.”

Silence.

“Okay,” said Pruitt. “So, then let’s forget about the spells, the curses, the things that go bump in the night. At least for now. Give me a chance to show you I’m not into you just because a witch willed it.”

I’m listening , thought to himself.

“I know this might not be your cup of tea—and you’re also potentially being hunted by the most powerful witch in all creation—so you don’t have to say yes, but tonight’s a pretty big game for me and the rest of the football team. I have special reserved seats and everything if you wanted to come. We could hang after, too. That way, um—I don’t know—I guess I can keep an eye on you.” Pruitt looked down as he wiped his clammy hands against his jeans.

“You know, my gut is telling me to stay back at my dorm and try to figure out what to do next,” said . “And I don’t mean to be too forward or anything, but I have to say, Pruitt Mondamin, I really enjoy spending time with you.”

“I-I enjoy it, too,” said Pruitt. “And scout’s honor, it’s not the magic talking. Not even the wolf.”

“Well, magic and wolves aside, I guess I’m still interested in showing a little school spirit,” replied, his face lighting up.

Pruitt quickly leaned in and pressed a kiss on his cheek. “Can I pick you up then?”

“Oh, hey, you’re— you’re alive! ”

came face-to-face with a baffled Darcy as he approached the door to their dorm room. It was almost as though Darcy, shirtless and looking like he was caught in the act of something, was expecting someone else.

“Fortunately or unfortunately,” quipped in response. “Didn’t think you’d be here.”

“Surprise, surprise. Long night, eh?” Darcy asked, pulling the door to their room tight against his torso as though to block ’s entry.

“Uh, yeah,” said . “I was actually just coming in to grab a few things for today’s classes.”

“Oh?” asked Darcy. “Ah, of course. World History and Intro to Theater?”

nodded.

“Uh,” Darcy swallowed. “I’m not really sure how to say this without making things weird, but—I may or may not have had late-night plans that turned into early morning plans with someone, too. And they—uh, may or may not still be in here.”

Despite being a bit surprised, smiled. “ Oh ?”

“Would you hate me if I grabbed your books for you and promised to have everything, uh, cleared out of here before you get back?”

Suspicious, but… thought to himself. “Sure. That works. I think the books I need are?—”

“Right here,” Darcy interjected, pulling two textbooks and a notebook from behind his back as though he had them ready for this very moment.

“ Weird ,” said . “Thanks.”

“I appreciate it, ,” Darcy said as he gave him an awkward playful punch on the shoulder.

Before either of them could even reflect on the weird interaction they just had, Darcy slammed the door shut.