“So, you ladies going to the game?” Coral nodded toward the stadium. “We were going to head in there soon. Maybe we can sit together.”
“It’s really nice being around other supernaturals.” Amethyst smiled. “We’ve always believed we should be one with shifters. You guys are half-humans, after all.”
“Well, princess here has special seats.” Beth pointed at me.
Hey, babe? I doubted there was anything he could do, but it didn’t hurt to ask.
You here? he answered immediately.
Yeah, we’re about to come in. Do you think I could get four more people in our section?
Four more people? There was something in his tone that I’d never heard before. Who are they?
Some witches who go here. I wasn’t sure how he would respond. Beth wanted to come out to the tailgate area, and we made some new friends.
Oh, yeah. He sounded relieved. Just tell the ushers they’re with you. It’ll be fine. Let me know when you get here so I can see you in that jersey. I’m glad Prescott’s mom made some for us. I won’t lie, though. I wish you were still on the sidelines.
He kept pushing the issue, and it was starting to piss me off. Nope, sorry. If it’s that important to you, then we’re going to have a problem.
No, it’s fine. Sounding a little regretful, he turned on the waterworks. I just liked you being there and close by. That’s all.
I’m not that much farther away. Beth and I had been to every game, and the cheerleaders were right in front of us most of the time. You’ll be fine.
“He said it should be fine if you sit with us.” We didn’t have assigned seats per se, but we were at the front of the student section. The stadium staff knew who to let inside at the very front.
“Sweet. I wished witches could mind link like pack wolves,” Amethyst said. “But it’s still cool to watch. Let’s go.”
We headed through the students who were packing up to move into the stadium. When the six of us got in line, an uneasy feeling once again coursed down my back. I turned around but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.
“What’s wrong?” Beth glanced at me from the corner of her eye.
“Just feel like we’re being watched.” I had to stop being paranoid. Lately, I’d been getting this feeling pretty often. Well, ever since I’d gotten to the university.
She scanned the area. “I don’t see anything.”
“Yeah, I’m probably imagining things.” I decided to brush it off.
Inside the stadium, the six of us headed down to our normal section right at the bottom. The usher turned and nodded without checking my ticket.
I pointed to the group behind me. “They’re with me.”
“Not a problem.” He moved to let us all through the small gate.
“Wow. This is amazing.” Amethyst scanned our seats. “How did you get these seats?”
Beth snorted and shook her head. “The jersey doesn’t tell you that loud and clear?”
“Wait… Rogers?” Finn’s eyes went straight to the field where the football team was warming up. “The quarterback?”
“Yeah, he’s my…” The word still didn’t feel natural on my lips. “… boyfriend.”
“I told you he was one of them.” Finn stuck his finger in Samuel’s direction.
“Fine, you win.” Samuel went over and sat in a chair that put him close to midfield.
It was almost as if Jacob had heard us talking about him because he turned toward us and waved.
I waved back, feeling like an idiot, but I knew I should be nice.
Coral sat next to Samuel and asked, “So how long have you two been dating?”
“Over two years.” I didn’t want to talk about our relationship right now, especially when that uneasy feeling hadn’t gone away. “I’m going to go grab a Coke before the game starts. Do you all need anything?”
“Nope, I’m good.” Amethyst smiled while the other three shook their heads.
“Mind getting me a drink too?” Beth asked as she sat next to Coral. She knew I was trying to get away from the conversation.
“Will do.” I headed back up the stairs to the concession stands. At the top, my skin began to buzz.
Aidan
Like a creeper, I couldn’t stay away, and now I was pissed.
I stood at the gate, watching Emma talk with her new witchy friends. What was the point of leaving her if she was going to wind up as a target anyway?
To make matters worse, she looked hot as sin and was wearing that idiot douchebag’s jersey. I’d never felt so damn hurt or angry before.
She walked past the others and headed up the stairs. She was being pulled in my direction, which made this whole idiotic dance we were doing even worse.
I had to get through to her.
Emma
Suddenly, a hand yanked me into a strong chest.
Every part of my body was on fire.
“Dammit.” Aidan released me and stumbled several feet back, putting distance between us.
Even with the space between us, his eyes went to my lips.
Without thinking, I stepped into him, and his head lowered as if he might kiss me.
Even though I was desperate to feel his lips, I couldn’t do it, not after the way he’d been treating me and not while I was with Jacob.
Right before his lips could touch mine, I stepped back. Instead, I focused on the fact that he was being an ass. “What the hell are you doing?” He hadn’t talked to me in weeks, and now he’d grabbed me. That’s not how this worked.
“No, it’s me who should be asking that question.” His nostrils flared as he eyed the group I’d just left.
“What are you talking about?”
“Why are you hanging out with witches?” He asked quietly, and his breathing increased.
“We just met them.” Wait, I didn’t need to explain a damn thing to him. “And it’s none of your business.”
“Like hell, it’s not.” He took one step toward me and stopped. “You don’t need to be around those crazies.”
“Oh, that’s right.” How had I forgotten? “Your pack hates them. Well, mine doesn’t. And they’re nice. Who I hang out with is none of your concern.” I turned around to go get the drinks. “So fuck off.”
“Do you think you get to walk away from me?” He nearly growled.
I spun around and glared at him. I hoped he felt how much I hated him. “Well, I did learn from the best.”
Something crossed his face, but it was so quick I wasn’t sure what. “Fine.” He began to turn away but paused. “By the way, that jersey looks like shit on you.”
Asshole. “Thanks. I’ll make sure to wear it more often.” I forced my feet to move forward and leave him behind. Maybe he’d finally feel a fraction of the hurt he’d caused me.
Chapter Eight
The usher allowed me inside, and as I walked back to the witches and Beth, I forced a smile on my face. I must have been more distracted that I realized and came down the wrong row since Finn now sat beside Samuel closest to midfield. So I continued past them, Coral, and Beth to sit on the other side of Amethyst.