When her combat brother is K.I.A former Marine Constance "Connie" Bonilla suffers from survivors guilt. She spirals into a deep depression, deeper than anybody realizes. She tries to fade into the background but soon catches the attention of a man.
...
I rolled my eyes in disgust. I've been stationed with these men for 18 months and I still get disgusted when they talk about women in front of me. We have two more months left of our deployment and I can't wait. I love my country, it's the reason why I joined the Marines fresh out of high school. Six years later, it still feels as if I never left high school.
"What I would give to see Bonilla in a tight little dress."
"Shut your fucking mouth Jacobs before I cut your tongue out and fed it to Jones."
"Guys, we've got movement."
Instantly we were all back into combat mode. For two weeks we had been ordered to stake out a remote location. Not much information was given except to shoot on site. Jones held his position as our sniper. I'm more of a hand to hand combat kinda girl myself, but I'm pretty good with guns as well.
"Okay Bonilla, let's move out, watch my six." Jacobs ordered.
"Yes sir."
We quickly and quietly make our way towards the building. Not a soul in sight which starts to worry me.
"Jacobs, something isn't right." The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. "We need to take cover now!"
It seemed to happen in slow motion, Jacobs was standing in front of me and the next minute he was pushing me. Blood poured from the bullet hole in his chest as he collapsed to the ground. Jacobs was gasping for breath. I quickly ducked and dragged him to cover as more shots rang out.
"You fucking idiot, that should've been me!" I weeped. I placed his head on my lap and held one of his hands.
"I couldn't let you die knowing that I could've prevented it." He gasped.
He's dying, he's fucking dying and it's all my fault!
"Constance, give this to Emily." He puts out a note and picture and takes off his dog tags. I take them from him with bleary eyes. He lets out a final breath before the life leaves his eyes.
I jolt awake to a start. My chest heaves as I attempt to bring air into my lungs. I have been having this nightmare off and on for almost two years but it feels as if it just happened yesterday.
3:33am
Knowing that I won't be able to get any sleep I throw on some running clothes. I make sure that the door is locked and I start to run towards the park. My feet pound on the pavement as the music fills my ears.
Not too long after Jacobs died, a bomb detonated several yards in front of us scarring my left side and parts of my arm. A piece of debris cut straight down my right eye like Scar from Lion King. I was placed on an indefinite leave after that, unfit for combat. Being a Marine was all I knew and without it, who was I?
My hip ached a little about an hour into my run so I decide to turn back. I walked back into my apartment to the kitchen where I was met with a guy in his boxers digging through my fridge.
"Um, hello?" The guy jumped up, effectively smacking his head on the fridge and spun around, clutching his head.
Never mind the fact that he was practically naked, he was also very attractive. Dirty blonde hair that was sticking up a little and the brightest blue eyes that I've ever seen. He had a nice six pack too and he wasn't too much muscle, just the right amount.
"Who are you?"
"Shouldn't that be my line? I'm the one that lives here buddy." He smiles and pointed at me.
"You must be Roxie's roommate."
"Great deduction skills." I was tired now, I didn't have time for this. "Still doesn't explain why you're still here." I walk next to him, grabbing a water bottle and take a few sips out of it. "If you're going to sneak out, use the back door and hop the fence."
"She's cute and funny." He chuckles making his biceps move.
"Well I'm assuming you plan on sneaking out, it's just easier to go through the back."
"Maybe I've just found my reason to stick around."
An unattractive snort came out of my mouth. "So you think that now that you've boned my roommate, you have a chance with me? Crawl back into her bed and keep dreaming." I walked past him, to my room.
"I didn't catch your name." He called.
"That's because I didn't give it. Have a good day."
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
