Something Worth Fighting For (6 page)

“Oh yeah, she’ll be just fine.” Another voice said, chuckling.

“Daddy?” I asked weakly, confused.

“No baby, it’s Atlas.” Atlas leaned into my fluttering eyesight. “How ya’ doin’ champ?” He grinned down at me.

“I feel like shit.” I mumbled as he gently sat me upright, allowing me to lean against him. My legs were being elevated by Thornbriar who was trying to stifle his smile. 

“So the sight of blood makes you pass out, good to know.” Atlas laughed. “You think you might be good to stand?”

“I think so?” I took his hand, pulling myself up on my unsteady feet.

“We should get you home.” Atlas draped his arm over my shoulder. “Managed to bandage your hand while you were down.” I looked down at the kitchen towel tied around my hand.

“You’re fast.”

“I’m good at thinking on my feet. I kind of have to be.”

“You’re like a boy scout on steroids.” I mused, giggling.

“Superhero sounds cooler.”

“You can rescue me any day.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Atlas grabbed my purse from the coat rack. “Do you want me to follow you to your house?” He asked taking my injured hand in his. I was lost in examining just how much bigger his hands were than mine. “Ellie?” Atlas waved his free hand in front of my face.

“Yeah, home. I should definitely go there.”

“I’ll follow you to make sure you make it there okay.” It was no longer a question.

“Let’s go then.” I leaned into Atlas as we crossed the parking lot together. Savannah passed us on her way in. “Could you close out their tickets for me? I’m not feeling so hot.”

“No problem, feel better.” She gave me a small smile before heading inside.

Atlas fished my keys out, opening the door for me. He helped me inside then dropped to a squat next to me. “Are you sure you are okay to drive?” He brushed his knuckles down my cheek.

“Yeah, I’m good. I’ll pull over if I feel... whatever.” I waved my hand dismissively. My world had started to settle down again and was already feeling clearer.

“I’ll be right behind you.” Atlas kissed my forehead. The warm, wet touch of his lips on my skin gave me chills. “Be careful, please.”

“You be careful, please.” I started the car as he stood up and shut my door. Atlas being comfortable enough to come over was a nice change. Most men would have run for the hills.

I was really hoping he was going to be around more often.
“He took care of me.”
I smiled at the thought the short drive to the house. Atlas was at my door as soon as his motorcycle engine shut off behind me.

“Is it okay if I come in?”

“Yes, I’m a big girl, I can have boys over.” I smirked as he followed me upstairs.

“I’m hoping I’m the only boy you have over.” Atlas said quietly as I opened the front door. I could hear Dad snoring from the couch as soon as I stepped inside.

“That’s not anything you have to worry about.”

“Let’s go bandage that hand.” Atlas suggested from behind me.

“Yeah, follow me.” I pulled his pinky finger so he followed me up the spiral staircase. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach as I led him through the door to my bedroom. “Home sweet home.” I smiled over my shoulder at him.

“Wow, you have a great view.” Atlas walked over to the windows as I slipped into the bathroom for the first aid kit.

“Other than the porch and my Dad’s room it’s the best in the house. I might be partial but I think it’s even better than his room.” I sat on the middle of my bed kicking my shoes onto the floor. “Come work your magic.”

I closed my eyes holding my hand out to Atlas. The bed moved under the added weight as he sat down. Holding my breath, he unwrapped my hand, I quickly peeked through my eyelashes then shut them tight again. I was, thankfully, no longer bleeding. His fingers move over my sore skin as he applied some cream and an actual bandage.

“Good as new.” Atlas kissed over the top of the bandage as I opened my eyes again.

“Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.” Atlas leaned forward staring intently at me. I was hypnotized by his mouth mere inches away from mine. “I should go,” he whispered, his breath on my cheek.

“If you must.” I pouted.

“Aw, don’t be that way, I’ll be back later. You can’t miss me that much. Besides, we have a date tonight.” He kissed my cheek softly. It took every bit of my willpower not to throw myself at him and kiss him full on the lips.

“I’ll walk you out.” I said breaking away from my fantasy, leading him back downstairs.

Atlas stopped when he reached his bike and looked over at me standing at the bottom of the stairs. “Ellie, I want to kiss you so bad it physically hurts.” He admitted with a small smile. “But I’ll wait because you deserve to have a perfect moment. I want to be the person to give it to you. I want that moment with you.” He pulled his helmet on and swung his long leg over the bike. “Sweet dreams, Ellie.”

I watched him ride away into the early morning sunrise trying to catch my breath.

“So did you see that boy again?” Dad asked as I unloaded the grocery bags he had helped me carry upstairs. I had been checking my phone obsessively for the last thirty minutes waiting for a text or anything from him.

“I did,” I admitted while trying to stifle my smile. My hand was still sore this morning but nothing I couldn’t handle.

“Still going through with that date?”

“Sure am.”

“What are you cooking for him?”

“Don’t worry I’m feeding you too.” I laughed. “Um, enchiladas with my avocado and pureed tomatillo sauce, black beans, rice, queso, and your favorite peanut butter pie.”

“I’m never going to get get rid of him now.” Dad groaned. “What happened to your hand?”

“Cut it washing dishes last night.”

“Pass out?”

“Yup.”

“Why didn’t you call me? Or that piece of shit cook you guys have?” He sighed running his hand over his balding head.

“I had help.” I left out the ingredients I would need and started prepping.

“From?”

“Atlas; he and some other guys came in.”

“Who?”

“Montes, Hernandez, who is the biggest horn dog ever, seriously, so gross, Ackart, and Thornbriar.”

“Those guys are such a motley crew. Hernandez better watch himself.” He cleared his throat, mumbling. “I’m glad he took care of you.” With my back turned to him, I rolled my eyes.

“He’s a really good guy, give him a chance. Atlas already jumped his ass about me.”

“Good, I’d hate to have to hurt him. Do you want to give him a chance?”

“Yes, I think so, maybe, yes.” I nodded, keeping my shaking hands busy so I wouldn’t look as nervous as I felt about it. “I mean you already have all the dirty details you could want at your disposal. You can warn me if anything gets serious.” I said not sure who I was trying to reassure.

“This is more than a first date being the only date kind of thing isn’t it? I mean do you see him sticking around?”

“Yeah, I think it might be. He’s definitely made of boyfriend material.”

“That is not something any father ever wants to hear. Fine, I’ll be nice, if I have to.” Dad said reluctantly.

“Thank you.” I gave him a sincere smile as I put the pie in the fridge and pulled out cookie dough I had made up earlier this morning.

“Cookies too?”

“Montes was disappointed that he couldn’t come to dinner. I figured I’d send some back with Atlas.” I laughed as my phone vibrated in my pocket, stealing my attention away.

Atlas:
Hey beautiful. What time should I be there?

Ellie:
Whenever is good for you. I’m starting to cook now. It will take at least an hour.

Atlas:
Should I bring anything?

Ellie:
Just yourself. If you’re looking for brownie points the boss drinks Heineken.

Atlas:
You’re an angel. I’ll be there in twenty.

Ellie:
Be careful, please.

I tucked my phone back into my pocket and turned on the oven. Between rolling enchiladas, mixing up my sauce and queso, and baking cookies I was a mess. Trying to do a dozen things at once didn’t really give me time to make sure I looked cute.

The last batch of cookies was out of the oven when I heard Atlas’ bike getting closer. My heart started racing as his boots thumped against the stairs.
“Act casual, weirdo.”
I repeated to myself as I unloaded the cookies onto the cooling rack.

I was shoving the enchiladas into the oven when he knocked on the door. “I’ll get it.” Dad called from the living room. I tried my best to eavesdrop on their conversation from the kitchen.

“Master Gunny.” Atlas’ voice showed no sign of his admitted intimidation.

“Call me Ben in my home, Atlas.”

“Yes, sir.”

“She’s in the kitchen, thanks for the beer.”

“No problem, sir.” Atlas walked into the kitchen as I leaned against the counter. “I got these for you.” He held out a small bouquet of bright colored daisies. “I... um.. I didn’t know your favorite but my Mom loves daisies so I thought you might like them too.”

“They’re perfect, thank you.” I stood on my tiptoes, kissing his cheek. I pulled the only vase in the house from under the sink and filled it with water and my new flowers.

“It smells amazing in here.”

“Let’s hope it tastes as good as it smells.”

“I’m sure it will. I appreciate this; you cooking for me. It’s not something I get treated to often. Between Thornbriar, well Adam is his first name, and I we do okay but it’s mostly burnt grilled cheese and macaroni and cheese that looks like a brick. Nothing like this.” Atlas laughed as he slid onto a barstool. I could feel his eyes on me, watching my every movement.

“Well you’ll have to bring him over sometime. We can go to the beach and have a cookout or something.” I smiled over at him noticing how muscular his arms and shoulders were in his fitted black tee.

“I’ll have to tell him.”

“Enough about him. Tell me more about you. What are your favorites?”

“My favorites?” Atlas arched his eyebrow.

“Yeah, your favorites. Book, movie, TV show, music...”

“Oh! I like horror movies, Hitchcock made all my favorites. Book is... I can’t name one but I like classics along with Dean Koontz and Neil Gaiman. We don’t watch a lot of TV but when we do it’s Sport Center. Music is the big one. I’m a big
Metallica
fan; mostly rock and metal. Color is red.” He grinned. “You?”

I turned the burners down, waiting for the timer to go off on the oven. “Movie is
Breakfast At Tiffany’s
, I know every single word. I’m not sure on books either, I’m a reader so it changes constantly. I do love Neil Gaiman though. TV usually bores me but I do watch sports or any food related show. Music is all over the place. I’m pretty eclectic. It changes as often as my favorite book. Although I listened to
Ride The Lightning
for a few weeks straight once.” I laughed, catching the buzzer as it started.

“You know
Metallica
?” Atlas looked surprised as I pulled our food out of the oven.

“Of course.”

“I am impressed.”

“I am an impressive girl.” I smirked, pulling out a step stool to take down plates from the cabinet. “I also like
Pantera, Black Label Society, Iron Maiden, Sabbath, My Misery Muse,
and so on.”

“You’re the girl I’m going to marry.”

“Don’t let my father hear you say that.” Smiling, I nodded toward the stove. “Come fix your plate. I know you can eat enough for the entire 0317 platoon.” I led Atlas out of the french doors in the dining room onto the wrap around porch. “One of those great views I was telling you about.” I said as we sat at the glass top table.

“I have an even better one.” I looked away from the setting sun painting the ocean in shades of orange to see Atlas looking directly at me. I blushed as he gave me that heart stopping smile.

“Eat.” I pointed at his loaded plate with my fork.

“Yes ma’am.”

We made small talk, the get to know you kind of talk while we ate. Atlas turned out to be a lot funnier than I originally gave him credit for. The more he relaxed the more his personality shined through. He told me all about his younger brother who he obviously adored. How his Dad ran off when Ares was little and Atlas decided then to start hating everyone. He told me about the years he ran wild and was constantly in trouble. His run ins with the police, being kicked out of bars, and being suspended from school for fighting more than once.

In turn I told him about moving around when my Dad would be stationed somewhere new. The edited version of my mother and brothers. I told him about my obsession with old movie stars and how I wanted more tattoos. The story of how Darcy and I met and that I am deathly allergic to pineapple and how we figured that out the hard way when I was seven and spent three days in the hospital for it.