Twice Bitten (Love, Lust & Magic #1)

Griff

“Let’s hear it for homecoming, everybody!”

Mystic Hollow University’s outdoor sports arena, Mystic Stadium, and the streets and parking lots surrounding it echoed with the sound of hundreds of students, alumni, and community members. Vendors shouted out their offerings as the cheerleading team riled up the crowd. The excitement was almost contagious.

Almost, thought to himself as he sat in Pruitt’s parked car just outside the stadium. His date for the night squeezed his leg before leaning in for a parking lot kiss. Okay, that’s better .

“Go MHU Devils!” came the howl of a pair of drunk college students passing by their car. One of them used Pruitt’s car as leverage as they suddenly kneeled over and vomited on the ground.

“Sexy,” said as he pulled away from Pruitt’s kisses to the sounds of someone upchucking.

“All I know is that better not have gotten on my car,” Pruitt immediately jerked forward to investigate through the windshield. “Anyway, are you sure you’re gonna be cool in the stands?”

“Oh, totally, yeah. I’m going to meet my—uh?—”

“Friends?”

“Maybe?”

“Well, what about your roommate?”

“Darcy? Oh,” nodded in realization. “Yeah. I suppose I could find Darcy. That is, if he’s not busy necking on whoever he had over at the dorm last night.” He pulled out his phone and sent him a text message.

“I’ll do my best to motor just as soon as everything’s wrapped. Does that sound okay?” Pruitt asked as he squeezed both of ’s hands in his.

“You’re fine, really,” said . “I’m happy to see you having fun and to be here to support you. Let’s just hope I don’t have another awkward encounter with your ex-girlfriend.”

“Huh? Wait, which one?” Pruitt asked.

“Oh!” exclaimed . “I didn’t tell you. I saw Ada in Wheaton Hall. Didn’t say a word to me. Just stared.”

“Oh, wow.” Pruitt’s stomach sank.

“Any idea what that could mean?”

“Oh, man. From stone cold bitch to evil ice queen, she’s got a whole range of looks. I can’t even begin,” Pruitt laughed. “But—I guess there’s one thing.”

“If she wins her crown tonight, you have to be her king?” asked.

“Uh, yeah,” Pruitt said as he gripped his steering wheel. “Look, she tried to reach out to me today. I may have left out the fact that I’m feeling some kind of way about the new kid in town, but I told her I’m moving on. However, it’s my other ex that I’m most concerned about.”

“Oh, you mean my Great Auntie O, huh?” asked .

“Yeah,” Pruitt said with a nod. “I don’t suppose you?—”

“Actually, I went back to Witch’s Brew and met the owner. She’s a witch, too.”

“Huh,” Pruitt shrugged. “I suspected as much, but she smells?—”

“Nothing like me?” asked. Pruitt nodded. “She told me a lot. She’s got like a permanent cloaking spell that some witches use to keep from being tracked. And then there’s this whole thing about?—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Mr. Magician,” a surprised Pruitt replied. “You’ve been studying up, I take it?”

“Yeah! What’s interesting is…” ’s phone vibrating interrupted the conversation. “Well, looks like I’ll have my strapping roommate to protect me while you and all your teammates go play with balls.”

Pruitt rolled his eyes as he got out of the car. “Don’t remind me. Was there something else you wanted to tell me about your little coven meeting?”

“Um, well,” hesitated as he followed Pruitt out of the car. Is now the time? Do I tell him he’s my familiar? That Odessa wants to kill us to get her powers back? He’s got so much on his plate. “Nothing to worry about right now. What I do want to tell you, though, is good luck!”

“I won’t need it. It’s a full moon,” Pruitt said with a wink. As he walked around the front of the vehicle to inspect it for human bile, met him for one last goodbye.

“Oh, and before I forget!” exclaimed Pruitt as his eyes lit up. “I know how big of a sports fan you are, so let me give you the tickets to the seats reserved for me. All the players get them. You know, usually for their parents or, uh, girlfriends. But I’d love for you—and Darcy, too—to take these.”

Pruitt handed over two tickets.

“ Hey now, I’m a fan! Now that I know you, anyway,” said with a chuckle as he tucked the tickets carefully into his jeans. “Thanks, Pruitt. I appreciate it.”

“This may sound a little corny—or sad or creepy, I don’t know—but since no one’s ever really used ‘em before, I know just where the spots are so I can keep an eye on you. You know, in case Darcy gets frisky.”

“Oh, yeah?” teased as he gently nudged Pruitt’s side.

“Well, more specifically if Odessa does,” clarified Pruitt as he leaned in to . “And wait, you didn’t clarify. Corny, creepy, or sad?”

“I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and go with a fourth option: cute.” As felt Pruitt’s breath on his skin, he hesitated to lean up for a kiss. He could tell the werewolf was just as hyper aware of sharing a smooch in public. Now would be a great time for that whole mind link limbo , thought to himself as he remained frozen. Wonder why it hasn’t kicked in yet.

“Maybe I’ll save the kiss for after my big win?” Pruitt whispered, his eyes darting around the parking lot. “And without the big audience?”

Even as Pruitt spoke, the sounds of students tailgating and football fans chattering filled ’s ears. “Of course,” he replied. “PDA isn’t my strong suit, anyway.”

“Please stay safe, G,” said Pruitt as he discretely rubbed ’s hand with his own. “And not that we’re expecting her to make an appearance, but I just gotta say this. Whatever you do, if she—if Odessa possesses either one of us like she did those vampires back at Witch’s Brew, you run, okay?”

A million scenarios ran through ’s head as he digested Pruitt’s words.

“I’ll see you soon, okay, G?”

nodded. “Noted on all fronts. Good luck, dreamy.” The freshman watched as Pruitt reluctantly walked off before disappearing through a special entrance to the stadium.