Protecting Her

By Mia Ford

The war was my fu*king nightmare. Veronica is my salvation.

I'll do everything to protect her.

Even if it means going back to that hellhole to bring her home. 

I just got home from the war. 

My nightmare is over, but a new one is just starting.

Veronica waited for me, but now she's leaving on a sh*t assignment. 

Our second chance is fading fast, but I won't let it go.

Losing my life is nothing.  It's losing Veronica that scares me.

Sweet and beautiful… she doesn't belong anywhere near Afghanistan.

The military trained me to fight. Veronica trained me to love.

If she goes… then I go. 

When my worst predictions come true,

I'll go after the ba$tards who took her from me.

I'll fight for her… and the baby she's carrying.

And I won't come home again without my family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mia Ford
• Release date: Dec 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393262176

Book preview

Chapter One – Veronica

Anervous shake trembles through my body as I stare up at the beautiful brown bricked building standing before me. My new home. Or at least, it will be for the next three years while I learn, grow, and hopefully become a much better-rounded person. This is what I’ve been yearning for forever, I’ve been waiting for the moment I could finally start college for the last couple of years because I’m sure it’s where I’ll finally thrive.

It’s safe to say I haven’t had the best time in high school. I didn’t hate it, I wasn’t lonely or anything, but it wasn’t the easiest time. My flame red hair made me an easy target and while I wasn’t bullied, I was definitely picked on for it. ‘Carrot top’, ‘ginger nut’, ‘strawberry... all those names I fully intend to leave behind me now. I was awkward in high school, still trying to get used to my body as it blossomed into womanhood. I didn’t know – or much like – who I was. I always held onto the belief that I wasn’t quite good enough.

Well, I’m determined not to feel that way anymore. College is the time to finally reinvent myself as the person I’m so desperate to be. I can shake off the awkwardness and unease and just be me. It’s been a long time coming.

Now, all I need to do is work up that courage to get inside and everything will be fine. Once I’m all sorted and I’ve met my roommate, then I can begin. I just need to get my legs moving which is somehow easier said than done. They’re frozen, stuck to the spot, they won’t move however desperately I need them to.

Come on, this is it, my brain screams down to my legs. Just get walking already.

Thankfully, the crowd brushed past me, kinda forcing me along with them or I would have been stuck there all day long, just waiting for my body to snap into action. I get dragged along all the way to the reception desk where there are people ready to show us to our dorm rooms. It’s exciting really. If I can just grasp hold of that thrilled sensation rather than the damn anxiety darting through me, then I’ll be just fine.

Here you are, the bored looking third year tells me while popping her gum loudly in my face. It’s a bit rude actually, but my throat’s too dry to even think about commenting on it. Room Twenty-One, this is yours.

Th... thank you... I stammer while grabbing my bag. Is my roommate already in there, or am I first?

Dunno. She shrugs, clearly totally unbothered by my internal dilemma. I want to ask her if she’s forgotten how nerve wracking this moment is, but I can’t because she’s already walking away from me. I’m alone with only this door in front of me. The Great Wall of China that I somehow need to climb over.

It’ll be fine, I try my hardest to convince myself. Honestly, it’s going to be okay.

I suck in a deep breath and force the door to swing open. If I stand around much longer, I risk my new roommate catching me standing here like a freak. That isn’t conducive to the brand new me, not at all!

Oh, hey there. I’m relieved to see a friendly looking girl sitting on one of the beds. She has shoulder length raven colored hair, black wide rimmed glasses on her eyes, and the nicest smile ever. I’m Rachel.

I’m Veronica. I extend out my hand to her which she gives a slightly puzzled look to before she shakes it. I suppose that is a bit formal really. I need to cover it up. I’m studying English, how about you?

Oh, drama. My heart pangs a little. I’m going to miss drama, I was one of the theatre kids in school. I never took on any major roles though, I was always too shy for that, but I liked doing smaller parts. However, that shyness is what led me towards the written word rather than acting. But English sounds fun.

I dump my bags on the empty bed and sigh at the prospect of having to unpack all my stuff. I was all excited bagging it all up, but now looking at this small room around us, it seems like too much. I might have to send some of it back. Mom will be so pleased to have packages of my stuff coming home. Honestly, I think she’s glad to see the back of me. I’ve always felt a bit like the problem child. Not that I’ve caused any issues, just because I’m the child from the first marriage, the baggage as it were. I’m sure it’ll be easier for Mom and Patrick now with just the twins and the baby around. The family that only belongs to them.

I don’t know what my plans for the future are, but I cannot go back home. Not a chance in hell.

So, I was just talking to the third-year girl who, like, monitors our dorm, I suppose, Rachel continues. And she said there’s a big party tonight to celebrate us all joining the college or whatever. Should be fun, right?

The idea of a party fills me a bit with dread, but I suppose that’s because I wasn’t ever invited to the high school events. I wasn’t close enough to the inside circle. Not even for the graduation celebration. But that’s not me anymore. Everything has changed now, I can go wherever I want, do whatever I want.

Sure. My face breaks out into a grin. Sounds awesome. Let’s get unpacked and get ready for tonight.

I’m sure it’ll be important, a chance to meet new friends, the first night of the rest of my life. Now that I at least have Rachel by my side, it shouldn’t be so daunting. It might even be amazing...

THE MUSIC SOUNDS SO loud my ears actually hurt, there are far too many people here making the crowds too thick, and I lost Rachel about an hour ago. Not being acclimatized to parties really isn’t helping me right now. I’m too panicky and filled with sickness to really enjoy myself. I also don’t like being alone.

Rusty! I hear my old nickname being called out behind me, making my eyes slide closed in shock. I cannot face all of that again, aren’t we supposed to be older now? More grown up? Who would be so childish as to call me a name now that we’re in college? It actually really infuriates me. Hey, Rusty, it’s you!

Huh? I spin on my heels with wide, shocked eyes. I run my eyes up the body of a guy that I surprisingly do know. I mean, not well. That isn’t to say this person is my friend, but it’s someone from my old life. Half of me feels saddened to see someone from high school, I want this to be a clean break, but the other half of me is so utterly relieved to have a familiar face that I could cry. This night might not be a bust after all.

Jordan? I gasp out. Jordan Miller, is that you? I didn’t know you were coming to this college.

There’s no way I would, we didn’t exactly run in the same circles. He’s someone who’s definitely been to a lot of high school parties, but still, it’s really weird to see him here. It makes me feel all odd inside.

Hey, Rusty, I know right! It’s crazy to see you here too. He throws his arm over my shoulder like we’re old buddies or something. But it’s pretty cool to see someone I know. It’s a bit weird with all these strangers.

Veronica, I tell him firmly, earning myself a furrowed eyebrowed look. My name is Veronica.

Oh, right of course. He shakes his head as if this is obvious. Veronica, right. Veronica Best, I know you.

But yes, it is really strange. I came here with my roommate but I lost her a while back...

I do another quick scan of the room but it’s pointless. Rachel is in among those dancing, partying bodies somewhere. I doubt I’ll see her again until tomorrow morning now. She’s off having fun. I do like the girl a lot, from what I’ve seen so far, she seems really awesome, but she’s quite wild too. That’s really coming out.

Yeah, I lost the guy I’m living with too and I can barely remember his name. Do you want a drink?

You want to hang out with me? Even though he’s been really nice to me, it still seems odd.

Of course, I do! We need to have each other’s backs now, don’t we? We’ll have to be friends.

Being friends with Jordan Miller isn’t something I ever thought would happen, nor would I desire it too. I wasn’t everyone who needed to be in the popular crowd, but still, there’s an odd sense of pride now that he actually wants to spend time in my presence. I just need to remember that this is my brand-new start, and I’m becoming another person, a much more confident than who I was in school. I can’t let Jordan derail that.

Sure, why not. Let’s go and get a drink.

For a second, he fixes his eyes upon me and I shiver under the weight of his gaze. It’s almost like he’s really seeing me for the very first time and it feels nice. Especially because he is a good-looking guy. He’s strong, he’s got big muscles rippling all over his body that comes from being a jock. His cropped black hair is nice too, combined with his sparkling green eyes and awesome dimples, he looks very pleasing.

I bet others are wondering what he’s doing with the girl in jeggings and a grey dress, plus minimal make up... if anyone is looking our way, of course. Chances are no one cares one iota.

Jordan takes my arm and leads me towards the bar where he orders me a drink. My heart thunders in my chest as I feel an odd sense of electricity prickling up and down my arm where he touched me, it’s weird. I don’t get why it’s there. I run my hand up and down it, willing it to go away, but it remains.

Shall we go somewhere a little quieter? Jordan asks as he hands me my drink. I can’t really hear you in here. That music is just, like, crazy loud.

Hmmm, not so used to parties after all! I nod eagerly, grateful for the chance to get away from the racket. I’m also excited to find out more about what Jordan’s doing here and whether he intends to use this time to grow and change too. Maybe we can find some common ground to actually build a friendship on... this life change!

Jordan takes me into one of the side rooms where there are games set up for students to play. It’s much quieter which is a relief, and there’ll be something for us to do to stop it getting awkward. But Jordan doesn’t head to any of the games, he finds a small intimate table for us to sit around.

So He leans his elbows on the table and smiles up at me. Tell me all about yourself, Veronica. If we’re going to be friends then I better get to know everything about you.

Oh God, being put on the spot isn’t my strongest suit, I don’t know how I’m going to share anything about me, but I have to admit there’s a little piece of me that’s so intrigued to learn about him, I’ll try.

Erm, well I’m here to do English, that’s one thing. What else do you want to know?

Everything. He smiles and makes a sweeping gesture with his hands. Absolutely everything.

Chapter Two – Jordan

Iwipe the sweat from my forehead feeling good as the pain of a great work out tears through my body. Football in college is very different to high school. I’ve gone from being the big fish in the small pond, to a tiny fish in a giant ocean, but actually, it’s okay. I don’t mind the challenge, it’s helping me to grow.

Good game, one of the guys from the team – I’m struggling to remember all of their names at the moment – pats me on the back and makes me feel good. We all worked well together as a team which was awesome. It’s weirdly much less competitive in college too. We all work as one which is nice. I like it so far. Are we all headed out to the student bar later on tonight? We need to celebrate how well the season’s going so far.

Yeah, sounds good. I glance at the clock on the wall. But only for a while.

Oh yeah? You got a hot date? That’s the only way you can get out of drinks.

I feel an odd blush fill my cheeks. It isn’t that at all, but I don’t want to invite more questions in. Mine and Veronica’s friendship is just that, but I have a feeling these guys wouldn’t understand that. Much as they’re much more mature on the playing field, when it comes to the female species they’re like kids in a candy store. They won’t get that me and Veronica are friends from high school, well sort of, and we’re supporting each other.

Something like that, yeah, I shoot back gruffly. I have plans but I definitely have time for a drink.

I strip my clothes down and hop into the shower to effectively end the conversation. As the hot jets of water stream over me, I think about Veronica and how it’ll be when we meet later. I didn’t ever get to know her in high school, but that was because I found myself trapped in the popular kid’s bubble. I couldn’t see anything other than the other football players, the cheerleaders, and the people who partied all the time. I barely even knew there were other people in my classes... and now I regret that because it made me miss out on people like Veronica.

The more I get to know her, the more I like her. She’s a good person to have around. Kind, funny, sweet. I’m so glad that I can connect with someone from my past, it helps to bridge that gap between this life and the last. Tonight, we’re going to grab some food from the canteen and then she promised to check over my last essay for me. It isn’t exactly hot date material, but the other guys don’t need to know that. Actually, I haven’t had any sort of date since starting college two months ago, which is shocking since I always had a girl on my arm in school... but I have other things to focus on now. It isn’t the top of my priority list. I just don’t feel like I need a woman on my arm when I’m so busy studying, socializing, just getting used to this new life.

Or maybe there’s another reason I’m not quite willing to admit yet. But that’s for another day...

I SLUG BACK THE DREGS of my second drink, glad to leave the bar. It’s been fun, I love hanging out with the guys, but the closer it gets to the time I’m going to meet Veronica, the readier I am to leave. Just as I’m about to say my goodbyes to the boys from the team, my roommate, Liam, grabs onto my arm to get my attention.

Hey. He stuffs his hands into his pocket, looking as awkward as he always does. There’s something about Liam that I can’t quite connect with. I really want to, so damn badly, but I find it hard to get there. You okay?

I nod slowly, wondering why he’s talking to me now. Usually, we only speak when we’re in our room and we kinda awkwardly nod at one another in public. This is strange, I don’t know what’s going on here.

Yeah, all good thanks, Liam. He doesn’t say anything, I need to ask. Are you...?

Erm, oh yeah. Actually, I’m just talking to you on behalf of my friend, Sandi. He points behind himself towards a smiling blonde who’s looking at me like she wants to eat me. She wants to know if you’re dating that red-haired girl because if not she’s one hundred percent going to ask you on a date. If that’s okay with you.

It’s so awkward, so childish, I almost want to scream with laughter. How has Liam managed to make some girl having the hots for me weird? It leaves me with only one answer. Yeah, I’m sort of with Veronica, sorry.

Liam’s eyes light up as he nods. That makes me wonder if he likes this girl. If so, I need to teach this guy to not be a push over! Asking someone out for the girl they like isn’t something anyone wants to do.

Oh right, I’ll tell Sandi that then. Thanks, Jordan. I guess I’ll see you later on then.

I pat him on the back and walk off shaking my head. Today is weird... a lot about the whole college experience is pretty crazy, actually. It’s a bubble, nothing like real life, I want to enjoy every damn minute of it. But for now, I need to run away before things get odder, and I need to get to Veronica. She’s always normal, the one constant, the person who grounds me when everything else messes me up. I cannot wait to see her.

I quickly spot her standing in our meeting place, leaning up against the wall with that gorgeous red hair of hers spilling down her back. She has dark trousers on and a bright green tee shirt which is really eye catching. I don’t think she realizes how everyone looks at her when they walk by. She probably believes herself still to be as invisible as she was in high school. I honestly am shocked at how I managed to miss her. Now that she’d become such a massive part of my world, it’s impossible to think of all the times I just walked past her...

I don’t think I’d mind it if she were on my arm, I think with a smirk. She’s so beautiful, it’d be lovely.

Almost as if she senses my looming presence, Veronica turns to face me and her face breaks out into an adorable smile. She always looks so pleased to see me, it tugs at each one of my heart strings.

Hey, Jordan, she says softly to me. You’re late. I was just about to abandon you.

She wouldn’t. I’ve been late before, much later than this, and she always remains. That’s another thing I like about her, she’s so reliable, I don’t ever have to worry about her letting me down.

Sorry about that, I got caught up with Liam. He was acting like a crazy person. I roll my eyes dramatically. Oh, and he was trying to set me up with one of his mates so if he asks, we’re together."

She giggles and blushes brightly while tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Making her blush has become a secret habit of mine. I love to see her face flame like that, it’s adorable and makes my pulse rate speed up in a way it hasn’t ever done before. My whole body reacts in a crazy way to her.

Shall we go to dinner already? I rub my stomach in a jokey manner. I’m starving here.

We make our way to the college canteen which doesn’t exactly have the nicest food around, but it’s sustenance which is enough. While we walk, me and Veronica laugh loudly the whole way, sharing jokes and mock insults. I’ve even taken to calling her ‘rusty’ again every now and then. Luckily, she knows it’s just an affectionate, endearing term now. It was probably that before, but magnified by the horrible atmosphere of high school, it probably didn’t seem that way at all. I feel bad for ever saying anything mean at all.

So, if I’m your fake girlfriend, do you expect me to act that way in front of Liam?

The thought of her behaving like my partner makes me shiver violently. I’m sure she notices it but thankfully Veronica is much too cool to say anything about that. She breezes past it easily without hesitation.

Do I have to... hold your hand? She takes it teasingly. Or hug you? She does that too, still ignoring me when I stiffen under the odd sensation of her hands around me. Or kiss you?

As she lifts herself up onto her tiptoes, I suck in a shocked breath. My whole body becomes utterly consumed by the idea that she might actually press