Sydney Sommer's world fell apart after senior prom. Since then, her life had become a constant loop of unfortunate scenarios that kept her in constant fear of what might be lurking around the next corner. Her trust in others was at a standstill. Even those who were closest to her were held at a distance.

After serving active duty overseas, Jaxon Triggs moved away from his hometown, hoping the change in scenery would help him build a new future for himself. What he wasn't expecting was to fall for a girl who was broken.

From the first moment Jaxon laid eyes on Sydney, he was curious. He became determined to do everything he could to break through the armor Sydney held around her so securely. His instinct to protect her and keep her safe kicked in as the dangers she encountered became more personal.

With dread always looming close by and secrets discovered, would Sydney be able to handle the new changes in her life yet heal at the same time?

Excerpt

I took a seat in my philosophy class, and Billy came in and gave me a chin lift before he sat down beside me.

“Hey, Syd.”

“Hey, what’s happening?” I asked, starting to unpack my notebook.

“Nothing. You working tonight?”

“Yeah,” I replied, digging into my bag for a highlighter.

“I hear it might get rowdy. The Tigers basketball team is the visitor tonight. You know how crazy those boys are.”

“Great,” I said, disgruntled. I hated when visiting teams came in and beat us. The boys got territorial. Winning away was always sweet, beating the team on their own turf, but losing at home was the pits.

Class began as the professor came in and started his lecture. I loved looking down at my notes and seeing it all organized and highlighted. It gave me such joy. I was such a geek.

My next class was across campus. Billy and I left class together with a few other friends who were all pumped for the game.

“Are you going to the game tonight, Sydney?” my friend Diana asked.

“Nah, I have to work.”

“Bummer,” she responded, not really caring if I was there or not.

We all went our separate ways once we reached the building my next class was in. They walked toward the parking lot, and I headed to class, waving good-bye.

“See you later, Billy!” I shouted out as he veered toward the lot.

“I’m not working tonight, but I might come in for a drink later. I’ll let you know how the game goes,” he shouted back.

My next class was cut short due to the professor being sick with some flu bug. The TA gave a short lecture then handed out the homework. We were out in thirty minutes.

I headed out to the parking lot and was thinking of all the extra time I had when I spotted my Jeep in the distance. As I got closer, I could see a paper underneath my wipers, flapping in the light breeze. Students were always promoting Friday pub nights or a keg party at one of the frat houses.

Getting closer, though, I noticed it wasn’t a flyer, but an envelope. My stomach dropped. I tried to ignore the feelings creeping up, but I knew better.

I lifted the wiper and picked it up as if it had a disease on it. My phone chimed to let me know I had a text just as I was about to open the envelope. I quickly lifted my phone out of my bag, hoping it would be Shannon to drag my thoughts away from the envelope that felt like a brick in my hand.

The text read, “Love your outfit, beautiful. Xxx,” and then it disappeared.

I could feel the blood draining from my face, and I felt like I was in quicksand. It took me a few minutes to move before I quickly jumped into my Jeep and threw all my stuff and the envelope onto the passenger side. I put my keys in the ignition, turned the key, locked the door with my elbow, and peeled out of the parking lot.

I didn’t look back. I didn’t pay attention to anything as I raced home. I just needed to get home.

I was halfway home when I felt my skin start to crawl. I pulled over on the side of the road and started to pull my sweater off over my head and then shimmied out of my skirt. Once I got them off, I threw them over to the passenger side. I couldn’t stand having those clothes touching my skin.

I didn’t even stop to think for a second what I was doing. I simply kept telling myself over and over again, “No one is gonna mess with my head, not anymore.”

I arrived home, grabbed my skirt and sweater, ran into the garage, and found a can of starter fluid and the long barbeque lighter.

My bare feet felt the light warmth from the afternoon sun when I ran from the paved driveway to the soft grass as I headed over to the backyard where the fire pit awaited me.

I tossed my sweater and skirt straight in and flipped open the starter fluid then turned it over. Long liquid trails covered my clothing. I made sure I drenched enough fluid all over the clothes that there would be no delay in watching them go up in flames. Then I took the lighter and lit it. My hands were shaking, so it took me a few tries to ignite the lighter.

I bent down and watched my clothing start to be engulfed in the red and orange flames with a sense of relief. I really liked that skirt, but I would have never worn it again.

I stood there, staring at the flames heating up my face and watching as each piece of material curled up and lost its color, turning black and disintegrating into nothing.

Barefoot in only my tank top and panties, slouched down on my knees, watching the flames, I had no thoughts, no feelings, no nothing. I was hollow.

“Sydney?” I could hear my name being called. “Sydney…? Syd…? Babe?”

It was all in a tunnel, far away.

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About the Author

Diane Zparkki - I was born and raised in the greater Toronto area and raised my own family in the suburbs of the city. I'm a busy working mom with writing being my second full time job. With my husband, we have raised three great kids. Who constantly keep me on my toes and laughing. I enjoy planning themed parties and traveling with my family creating memories. Thrill seeking of some sort is always on the menu which I usually drags my family along with me. Going to the movies is always a good night out or curling up with a book and a steaming cup of tea. I have been known to do some Netflix binge watching.

I was never a big reader or writer in my youth-Coles Notes were my best friend throughout college. My enthusiasm for reading came later in life when I joined a book club. I enjoyed reading those initial books that got me hooked into the literary world, but I wanted raw, simple, and happily ever after with a bit of get down and dirty. That was when my love for Alpha bad boys on a Harley was set in motion.

After becoming an avid reader, my mind started to create my first story, and I needed to get it out.

Fixing Sydney and Holden's Regrets are the first two of Branson's Kind of Love Trilogy. I hope you enjoy Sydney and Holden's stories with Logan's coming in the near future.

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