Page 59 of Twice Bitten (Love, Lust & Magic #1)

“Now, we invite all members of the homecoming court to the stage at the center of the field in preparation for the announcement we’ve all been waiting for,” the stadium announcer’s voice echoed.

“Excuse me, bitches!” commanded Ada as she pushed through a sea of cheerleaders on the sidelines and made her way to the stage. The action sent Diana hurtling to the ground, an uneasy look on her face.

“Good luck, Ada!” shouted several of the girls as she departed.

“It’s all you, Mondamin,” Pruitt’s coach—a stoic man of about fifty with a thick black mustache—said as he patted him on the back. “Don’t forget to take the helmet off.”

Pruitt nodded as he tugged it off and placed it on the bench next to him. “Thanks, Coach Landis. I’ll be back.”

and Darcy watched all of this unfold from their stellar stadium seats.

“We really get the full experience, huh?” Darcy chuckled between handfuls of popcorn.

“Are you nervous eating?” asked as he grabbed a fistful, too. Darcy nodded. “Me, too.”

A smile found its way to ’s lips as he watched Pruitt take the stage. Conveniently, it wasn’t more than twenty feet from the reserved seats was now sitting in. “Cute,” he said under his breath as Pruitt waved at him. He waved back.

Watching all of it, Ada rolled her eyes. “Can we get this over with?” she said under her breath.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to introduce you to the man who will announce this year’s king and queen. Some of you may know him as the president of Mystic Hollow University, but I like to call him Ted. Let’s give a warm welcome to MHU President Edward Gore!”

The audience erupted.

“Thank you, thank you,” said Mr. Gore as he joined Pruitt, Ada, and three other couples on the stage. A tall, handsome man in a suit, Mr. Gore surveyed those on the stage before turning his attention to the audience. “It’s a blessing to have you all here tonight. And it’s an honor to announce this year’s homecoming king and queen.”

“Here we go,” said as he nudged a preoccupied Darcy. He swore he heard his roommate chanting something just under his breath.

“Shit!” cursed Darcy, dropping a piece of paper he held in his hands.

“Were you just whispering something?” asked.

“What? Huh? No.”