Free Goddess Secret by M. W. Muse Page A

w-with the cold t-t-tension in the air.” She wanted to be sarcastic, but her chattering teeth hid her attempt at a clipped tone.
    River looked down the bleachers, saw Adin running back up, and shifted to a more upright position.
    “Here.” Adin handed her the sweatshirt as he took his seat.
    She stood up so she could put the sweatshirt on without accidentally hitting either one of them. As she pulled the thick cotton over her head, a gust of wind caused her to lose her sense of balance. She didn’t understand why. It wasn’t like she was actually moving.
    “Whoa,” she muttered as her arms flailed around, trying to keep her vertical. She didn’t want to go crashing into Ellen and Kate, which was exactly where she was headed.
    She felt two sets of hands grab her, and she yanked the sweatshirt down so that she could see.
    “What happened? Are you okay?” Adin asked as she sat back down.
    “I’m not sure. I just got a touch of vertigo, I guess. But I’m fine.”
    Adin started to slide his hands off, but River’s hands were still locked onto her. Adin shot him a look as he let go of Legacy. River grunted and slid his hands off her, too.
    Once she was free, she pulled the sweatshirt all the way down and then leaned into Adin’s side. He put his arms back around her and rubbed his hand along her arm, keeping her warm.
    “Thanks,” she murmured.
    Adin leaned down and kissed her forehead. “You’re freezing .” He held her tighter.
    “I’m s-starting to w-warm up.” She shivered forcefully and relaxed into Adin’s embrace. She sighed as her shivering slowed.
    From the corner of her eye, she saw River stand up. “It’s almost halftime,” he said, looking at her. “I’m going to the concession stand now since it’ll be packed when the quarter’s over. Plus, I don’t want to miss Calli’s routine. Do you want anything?”
    “Yeah, can you get me some hot cocoa?”
    “Sure.”
    “I’m going to get something to drink for Calli, too,” Zach said, standing up.
    “We’ll walk down with you,” Ellen said, and she and Kate stood up. They followed Zach, River, and Paul down the bleachers.
    Adin turned his head so his lips were at her forehead. He kissed her there and continued to rub her arms.
    “I could’ve gotten you some cocoa,” he murmured.
    “No. I didn’t want you to move. You’re already keeping me warm. This,” she paused, squeezing him against her, “is better than cocoa.”
    Adin chuckled, holding her tightly. “I can do other things to warm you up,” he whispered in her ear.
    Her heart galloped, and she felt her blood rushing through her veins. “Mmmmmm …it’s already working.” She slid her hand up his chest and around his neck.
    “I haven’t even done anything yet.” Then he traced his lips from her ear down her cheek.
    “It doesn’t take much for you to warm me up.”
    Adin slid his lips to hers. “I’m glad you’re warming up, but I want to make sure you’re nice and toasty,” he breathed against her lips, and then he kissed her softly.
    “Yummy…that tasted much better than cocoa, too,” she said as he pulled away.
    Adin laughed, leaning his forehead against hers. “I’m glad you liked it.”
    “I didn’t like it. I loved it.”
    Legacy caught a glimpse of Ellen walking up the stands, so she pulled away. The girls were leading, and the guys were trailing behind them. Once they got back to their seats, River handed Legacy her cocoa.
    “Thanks,” she said, smiling.
    “No problem.”
    The buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the quarter, and the cheerleading squad ran out onto the field.
    Calli was right. Their routine was awesome. Everyone in the stands jumped up and cheered when they finished.
    Since the cheerleading squad got third quarter off, Calli came up and sat with them, taking her seat on the other side of Zach, so Legacy leaned over Adin, and Calli leaned over Zach while they talked to each other.
    “Why are you wearing a sweater?” Calli