Page 27 of Corrupt Obsession

“I’m at the lab down the hall. Jesse told me to give this to you,” Marissa set a paper bowl on the desk before she left, giving the teacher an apologetic smile.

Violet wrapped her cold hands around the bowl, knowing without sniffing it that it would be her favorite lentil soup. When Mrs. Gindler called their attention to the board, she obeyed, but didn’t hear one word the teacher said.

“Violet.”

She jolted awake at the sound of Jesse’s voice. She raised her head to see him coming around the couch where she had been napping.

“What time is it? You’re done with practice?” she mumbled, fumbling for her phone.

“You shouldn’t have asked Georgia to give you a ride home. I would have skipped practice if you didn’t feel well.” He brushed her hair aside to feel her forehead. “What is it? Do you have a fever?”

“Migraine,” she muttered, pushing his hand away.

“Migraine? Do you have your…? No, not for another week,” he muttered.

She peered up at him through one puffy eye. “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing,” he said gruffly. “Did you take something?”

“Yes, I just need to rest. Stop fussing.”

There was a short pause, and then he asked, “Are you washing something?”

Her heart skipped. “I tossed my bedsheets in the wash. Can you hang it when it’s done?”

“Sure. Do you want anything to eat?”

“No. I just need to sleep.”

He stood over her for a moment before he pulled her into a sitting position.

“What are you doing?” she grumbled.

“Taking care of you.”

He sat and pulled her down, so she lay with her head on his lap.

“I’m not really sick.”

“If you weren’t sick, you wouldn’t be so pale. You should have stayed home today.” He absently stroked her hair. “Did Marissa drop off the soup?”

“Yes.”

“Why couldn’t I find you at lunch?”

She closed her eyes. “I got held up talking to my teacher. I decided to go to class early and get some studying in.”

“Hm.”

“Hm, what?” she said testily.

“I went by both classrooms. I didn’t see you.”

“That’s odd,” she said, words slurring a little as she unwillingly relaxed under his soothing touch.

“Must have missed you,” he said in a low voice.

“Must have.”

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