Free Life Blood: Cora's Choice #1 by V. M. Black

Lisette, who surrendered her paddle to Ross.  “I’m not even going to try against you,” she said.
    Ross and Sabrina played a couple of games while we watched, Ross spending as much time coaching Sabrina as playing against her.  After his win, Lisette insisted that Sabrina and Geoff have a final showdown, to see how much Ross’s instruction had improved her game since we’d played together last.  This time, Geoff was on his toes, lunging and jumping to return Sabrina’s volleys.  A fast one whizzed by, and he threw himself back to catch it.
    “Watch out!” Sabrina yelled, but it was too late.  He slammed into my chair, and we both went over in a tangle.
    “And game,” she said, coming around the table to help.
    Geoff put out his hand at the last minute to keep his weight from landing squarely on me, but I hit the ground hard enough to knock the wind out of me.
    “Crap, Shaw,” he said, jumping up.  He slipped an arm under mine and pulled me to my feet.  “I’m so sorry.  I forgot you were there.  I mean, I knew you were there, but I didn’t know I was that close.”
    I clung to his arm for a moment to steady myself.  He looked so guilt-stricken, his broad face earnest and intent. 
    “Really, I’m fine, Geoff,” I reassured him.  “I’m not that fragile.”  I let go of him, and a moment later, he released me cautiously.
    “Thanks for the win, Cora,” Sabrina said.  “The old stationary-chair trick gets them every time.”
    “Very funny, Sabrina,” I said, making a face at her.  “I’ve got to go anyway, guys.  I’ve got an appointment tonight, so I was planning on catching a nap before I leave.”
    “Sure, no problem,” Sabrina said casually.  She and Ross didn’t know that I was sick.
    “Good luck, and call me ,” Lisette said intently.  She gave me a worried smile.  “In case you’re asleep when I stop by and I can’t say goodbye.”
    “I’ll walk you,” Geoff said, picking up my book bag.  “I need to do some last minute reviewing, anyway.”
    “Sure,” I said.  “Bye guys.”
    “Bye,” Lisette said.  She waggled her eyebrows dramatically, looking at Geoff and back at me.  I scowled at her.  Geoff had the good grace to pretend not to notice the exchange.
    Geoff and I walked side-by-side, not exactly comfortably, but I wouldn’t say the slight awkwardness was a bad thing, either.  It was an awareness of his closeness, his golden looks, and his size, relative to mine. 
    “You sure you’re okay?” he asked.
    “I’m fine,” I assured him again.  He looked so worried that I couldn’t help myself. “All except my ankle, but I’m sure that will heal in a few weeks.”
    “Shaw—” he began, his face a mask of guilt.
    I relented instantly.  “Kidding.  Totally kidding.”
    “That wasn’t funny,” he muttered as he opened the door for me precede him outside.
    “Was to me,” I said.
    He just shook his head. 
    “Are you seriously going to carry my books for me all the way back to my dorm, like in some kind of cornball TV show?” I asked.
    “Would you like me to?” he returned.
    I smiled.  “I wouldn’t mind.”  In truth, the backpack had felt heavier than it had any right to feel, dragging at my whole body after the end of the grueling week of tests.
    “Are you going to Lisette’s place again this Christmas?” he asked, changing the subject.
    I shook my head.  “I’m starting the new therapy tonight, and staying here will give me time to recover.  Anyhow, I’ve already paid for housing over the break.”
    “I’m leaving as soon as my last final is over,” he said.  “My family’s expecting me home before dinner, too, and with rush hour traffic....”  He lived in Annapolis.
    “Cutting it close?” I asked.
    “What can I say?  I like to live dangerously.  Just yesterday, I reparked my car without fastening my seat belt.”
    Dangerous.  An image of Mr. Thorne came to me then, holding my finger to his lips.  I