Twenty minutes later Savannah managed to slip in and relieve me just as I was setting Daniel and Sarah’s plates down on the table. Atlas’ eyes never left me as I dropped his ticket off with them.
“Are you coming with me?” I asked returning with Daniel’s change.
“I’m waiting on my ticket.” He raised his eyebrow.
“It’s already been taken care of.” I said matter of factly with my hands on my hips.
“Oh no, no one is paying for all that food.” Atlas stood up, brushing off the front of his Service uniform.
“Too late,” I crossed my arms, “Daniel here already did.” I nodded to the elderly man with thinning patches of snow white hair. Atlas crossed his arms, mimicking me, and walked over to the table I was standing next to.
“Thank you sir, ma’am,” Atlas nodded at each of them, “You really didn’t have to do that.”
“No son we did. Thank you for your service.” Daniel extended his tan wrinkled hand to Atlas who shook it smiling. “Be good to our Ellie Mae.”
“Yes sir, I would be nothing but.”
“If you two are going to talk about me then I’m leaving.” I pulled off my apron and grabbed my purse from the coat rack next to the door.
“You two have a good day, I have one wild woman to chase.” Atlas grinned as they laughed.
“Good luck with that son.” Daniel called as I waved to them over my shoulder.
“So is your name really Ellie Mae?” Atlas asked as he followed me out to cherry red 1970 Mach 1.
“No that’s just what Daniel calls me.” I shrugged unlocking the door. “Follow me if you dare.” I slid inside and started the car, feeling the engine rumble through my seat.
Atlas ran over to his black Harley Blackline, pulling on his helmet and nodded. He revved the engine, backing up as I pulled to the edge of the lot. I looked both ways then left the diner and headed for the beach.
I rolled down my window letting the ocean breeze blow through my hair. With the sound of the motorcycle engine roaring behind me, I smiled. Dad’s truck was still in the driveway as I pulled in causing anxiety to blanket over me. Atlas parked behind me, cutting the engine, and hanging his helmet on the handlebar.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked once again.
“Yes, I’m not going to be happy until I at least try. One date, that’s all I’m asking.” Atlas spoke as he followed me up the worn white wooden stairs of the beach cabin.
“Here goes nothing.” I mumbled pushing the door open. “Daddy?” I called out as I dropped my purse on the curved leather couch. “I’m home, and um... I have someone with me.”
“Hey Darcy.” Dad’s voice rang clear from the second floor.
“It’s not Darc. It’s a young man who would like to speak with you.” I tried to stop my giggling as I imagined the bulging vein in my dad’s forehead. In no time flat he was coming down the spiral wrought iron staircase in worn grey sweats and a dark green tee. Fresh from the shower by the smell of Old Spice lingering in the air.
“Sergeant Ryker, what a surprise. Can I help you with something?” He shook Atlas’ hand and I couldn’t help but feel hopeful.
“Master Gunny, I’ll get straight to the point. I met your beautiful daughter a few weeks ago when I stopped for breakfast. I was hoping, sir, that with your permission, you would allow me the privilege of taking her on a... date?” Atlas gulped as my dad stepped back from him, crossing his arms.
“It takes a lot of balls to come into a man’s home and ask his permission to take his baby, his princess, his daughter, out on a date. Did you stop with those on? No wonder she likes you.” Dad was teasing him, Atlas’ face paled in what I could only think was a look of intimidation. Dad looked at me as I gave him my pleading big green eyed pout. “Don’t look at me like that Penelope.”
“Come on Daddy.” I nudged him with my shoulder, watching his face fall. He was putty in my hands and I knew it. “We’ll come here, you can chaperone the first one and if he’s good...” I pointed to Atlas, “We can go out by ourselves after that. If he decides he wants to put up with all your crap that is.” I smiled sweetly at my father.
“You know I do this for a reason.” He lowered his voice and narrowed his eyes at me. I was probably the only person on planet Earth who wouldn’t back down from this look.
“I know that but he doesn’t so mind yourself.” I shot back, crossing my arms defiantly.
“Fine,” he conceded, “But I’m checking you out.”
“You won’t be disappointed, sir.” Atlas looked relieved as Dad stomped back upstairs, mumbling under his breath.
“Sorry, he’s a bit overprotective.” I laughed, shrugging.
“I can handle overprotective. I would be too if I had a daughter as beautiful as you. He is rather intimidating though.” Atlas shook his head, checking his cell phone. “I really need to go get some sleep. Can I get your number? I’ll text you.”
“Promise?” I looked up at him through my eyelashes, holding out my pinky finger.
“When you look at me like that how could I not?” Atlas hooked his finger with mine, grinning. Without hesitation he handed me his phone. I went into his contacts and added my number.
“I’m a little shocked. A man that willingly hands over his phone? That’s not common.” I laughed, returning his phone. After unlocking my own I tossed it to him.
“I don’t have anything to hide.” He answered honestly. “Later, promise.” Returning my phone he wrapped his pinky finger with mine again and brought it to his lips planting a light kiss on my knuckle. A stupid schoolgirl smile spread across my face, ear to ear, face splitting. Atlas just grinned right back at me.
“Go get some sleep.” I nodded toward the door, following behind him.
“Yes ma’am.” He waved and I shut the door, listening as the motorcycle engine revved and disappeared into the distance.
“Penelope Noelle,” my dad’s voice was soft, “he’s a Marine.”
“He’s more than that Dad. You of all people should know.” I knew what was coming. I had been mentally preparing for it since Atlas agreed to follow me back to the house.
“I also know how young men can act, specifically those young men..”
“Yeah? I think I have a pretty good idea of that too.” I practically growled as I poured myself a cup of coffee. Plopping down at the bar, I spun my phone around on the smooth granite countertop. “What is it Dad? Is it just that he’s a man or is it that he’s a Marine as well?”
“Both,” he admitted honestly.
“I’ll have you know the three best men I know are Marines.” I looked over his shoulder at the picture of my father and two of my brothers all in their Dress Blues.
“Touché.”
“Just give him a chance. Not every man I meet will be like... Spencer.” Saying his name out loud made my stomach churn. I rubbed my eyes refusing to let my mind to go there.
“I’m not sure I’m willing to risk finding that out.” Dad was standing against one of the exposed wooden beams across from me. His stare was straight ahead in my direction but I knew he wasn’t looking at me. His eyes always glazed over whenever Spencer was mentioned.
“What am I supposed to do exactly then? Finish school, have a career, get twenty-five cats, and not date until I’m married?” I sighed, exhausted of the conversation already.
“Is that an option?” He chuckled. “Look Ellie I just can’t handle the thought of someone hurting you again. I won’t let that happen. We all had to get over a lot of guilt and blame. I won’t do it again.”
“It was years ago...”
“You still have nightmares.” He said, challenging me. I was too tired to fight with him any more.
“Fine, but here’s the deal, Dad, I want to get to know Atlas. Do whatever super spy shit you deem necessary but I want to take this chance with him. I’m going to take a nap.” I poured the rest of the now cold coffee in the sink and rinsed the cup.
“It’s
because I love you, Ellie Belle.” He kissed the top of my head as I stopped in front of him.
“I know, Daddy.” I hugged him tightly, patting his chest. “I love you too, but one day I’m going to have to get married so at least one of your kids will make you a grandfather.” I laughed as he shook his head.
“You just leave that up to Keller. God knows he’s promiscuous enough.”
“Watch out it might be Tobias, it’s the quiet ones, ya’ know.” I smirked. Tobias had come out to Keller and I over two years ago. He was still too scared to tell dad. Keller and I had tried to tell him that it would be fine but Toby remained guarded. As far as we knew dad had no idea about him or his boyfriend.
Upstairs, I flipped the light switch to the bathroom, slipping out of my work clothes and into my second shower of the day. In and out as fast as possible, just clean enough to not smell like diner food. I pulled on my favorite sweats and plugged in my phone. After closing the black out curtains that draped the curved floor to ceiling windows, I finally crawled into bed.
I had a mission: I was not going to dream.
Chapter Two
My phone was buzzing next to my head. I vaguely remembered tossing it to the side after I checked it for texts at least half a dozen times before finally falling asleep. I rolled over grabbing for it, shaking myself from a dream that was destined to wake me up screaming at any minute. “Hello?” I mumbled half awake, wiping the sweat from the back of my neck.
“Wake the fuck up! It’s beach time!” Darcy’s loud, cheerful vulgarity answered.
“Well I’m up now thanks to you. Get your ass over here.” I pressed my palms into my eyes, yawning.
“Be there in twenty.” The phone went silent as I stretched out like a cat. I glanced at the screen, the text message icon was blinking in the toolbar.
Atlas: Good morning beautiful
I felt myself smiling that smile Atlas seemed to have a habit of putting it on my face without even trying.
Ellie: Good morning yourself handsome. How did you sleep?
Atlas: Like the dead. You think I’m handsome? What are you up to?
Ellie: Obviously. Going to the beach. Cooking, laundry, work. Life is glamorous.
Atlas: Beach huh? Bikini?
I couldn’t help but laugh as I pulled out my black and white polka dot bikini. Laying it out on my bed I snapped a quick picture and hit send. My phone was vibrating not even a minute later.
Atlas: Can I come to the beach too?
Saturday afternoon beach time had been mine and Darcy’s summer ritual for the last three years. She had brought along her boyfriend, Dean, a few times but we tried to keep it just us girls. I thought about Atlas shirtless and automatically changed my mind. Darcy would just have get over it.
Ellie: You just want to see me in that bikini!!
Atlas: Yeah that’s undoubtedly part of it lol
Ellie: Fine but you better be showing some skin yourself
I changed into my bikini, pulling my Victoria’s Secret hoodie on over it. I was self conscious about my scars; not that my tattoos didn’t cover a good portion of them. Darcy had seen them before and knew the story. She teased me that I could cover it with ink as much as I wanted but that wouldn’t make it go away. I wasn’t sure I was ready to share that part of me with Atlas yet.
Atlas: Deal. Master Gunny still there?
Ellie: No he went out for a while. You’re safe.
Atlas: See you soon.
Ellie: Be careful, please.
“Ellie my darling love!” Darcy called out from the living room. Dad had given her a key after a break down my freshman year that left her calling him from base to rescue me.
“Upstairs, be down in a few.” I unplugged my phone, pulled a hair scrunchie around my wrist, and ran downstairs. “We’re going to have company today.” I blurted out upon seeing Darcy.
“We are?” She looked around the open downstairs area.
“He’s not here yet.” I gushed.
“He? He?! You met a boy?! Glory, hallelujah!” Darcy clapped. She had been dating Dean for four years and was always hoping, pushing me to double date with them. “Have you told Pops?”
“Dad met him this morning about, oh six or seven.”
“I can’t wait to meet him. He can meet us at the water. I need Vitamin D, stat!”
“I’ll text him.” I fished my bag from the hall closet, shoving fresh towels in as the rumble of a particular motorcycle grew increasingly louder. “No need, he’s here.”
“He rides?” Darcy’s perfect eyebrows shot skyward.
“Yeah,” I opened the front door waving to him from the porch, “Need a towel or anything?” I called down to him.
“If you have an extra.”
“I might can find one.” Darcy grabbed another towel from the closet as I went downstairs to get our chairs.
“Need a hand?” Atlas’ voice was in my ear as I opened the garage door.
“If you don’t mind,” I smiled, turning around I found myself pressed against his chest. “S-Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he spoke softly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I placed my hands on his chest feeling his well sculpted muscles under the thin material of his shirt.
“The two pink ones are ours, you can take the blue one. Unless you want pink then I’ll consider trading.” I ran my hands down his chest as he laughed.
“Like what you see?” His tone was low, seductive, and made my mouth water.
“As a matter of fact...”
“If you two are done eye fucking one another I’d like to go to the beach.” Darcy reached around us taking one of the pink chairs. I scowled at my crude best friend as Atlas grabbed the other chairs and closed the garage door behind us.
“Apparently Ellie has misplaced her manners. I’m the best friend, Darcy.” She said as we walked through the sand toward the water.
“I was getting to it, damn you’re not that special. Darcy this is Atlas, Atlas this bitch is Darcy.” I nodded in her direction as she unfolded her chair, sticking her tongue out at me.
“Darcy Thomas.” She held her hand out to him.
“Atlas Ryker.” He shook her hand briefly.
“So what do you do Atlas Ryker?” Darcy plopped down in her chair. I took a seat next to her, inwardly rolling my eyes at the rant I knew was coming.
“I’m a Sergeant in the Marine Corps. I am part of a two person sn--”
“Sergeant?” Darcy cut him off, “You’re a Marine? Oh that’s golden, Ellie. Miss. I will never, ever, in my entire life date a Marine because I’m surrounded by them and they are always up to no good. I swear you are absolutely ridiculous. I can’t believe you would even consider it. No offense, Atlas, you’re good looking at all but you do not know how many times I have heard her say no to guy after guy once she found out he was in the military.”
“Enough, Darcy. Besides, what’s one more to add to my collection?” I chunked my sandals behind my head, digging my toes into the sand.
“More than just your Dad?” Atlas asked.
“Both of my brothers are enlisted. You’ll fit in perfectly.” I shrugged, smiling at him.
“Where are they?”
“Quantico and Pendleton.”
“And Staff Sergeant Keller Grant is one fine piece of man meat.” Darcy smacked her lips together. “I’d love to sink my teeth into that.” She moaned appreciatively.
“Gross, I’ll tell Dean.”
“Go right ahead. Dean’s good looking and all but Keller... I’d throw my panties at that man in a heartbeat, climb his fine ass like a tree.”
“Christ Darc!” I rolled my eyes as Atlas snorted beside me. He was running his thumb over the back of my hand. Delicate designs that didn’t match the man they were coming from.
“Just the truth, girl.”
“Anyway...” I turned my attention to Atlas “How old is Ares?”
“Sixteen.” The side of his mouth quirked upward as he answered.
&nbs
p; “I bet he’s one proud guy.”
“He practically lives in my too small clothes. Determined to follow in my footsteps.” He nodded, staring out at the crashing waves. His eyes reflected off the ocean changing them to a deeper blue that took my breath away.
“You’re a good role model to have.”
“I try to be. He really doesn’t have anyone else.” Atlas admitted loud enough for only me to hear.
“Well you’re doing a damn good job.” I squeezed his forearm gently.
“So what did Pops say after he left?” Darcy interrupted, obviously feeling left out of the conversation.
“The same speech he gives me almost every time I leave the house. Penis is how the Devil gets to you. Semen is poison and once you’ve had it it corrupts you and you eventually die.” I laughed. “No, just that he doesn’t want to see me hurt and he knows how young men can act.”
“What did you say?” Darcy asked. I watched Atlas perk up next to me, leaning closer to me to hear what we were saying. His hand had slid over top of mine covering it completely.
“That all the best men I know are Marines. That I wasn’t going to live with twenty-five cats by myself and only date after I’m married.” I moved my hair away from my face, huffing with mock disgust. “Yes, he actually asked if that was an option.” I sighed feeling defeated once again. “I’m going to cool off.”
“One day, Ellie, one day.” Darcy promised, rolling over onto her stomach. I stood up, stripping off my hoodie, and headed for the water.
“Oh, dear sweet Jesus.” Atlas said loudly enough for me to hear him as he stared after me.
“Go get her, lover boy.” Darcy laughed as Atlas jumped to his feet, pulling his own shirt over his head and ran after me. I watched over my shoulder as he closed in. In one quick move he picked me up, tossing me over his shoulder, and carried me into the water.
“Put me down!” I threw my head back laughing, kicking my legs wildly.
“Only in the water, beautiful. I don’t want anyone else getting to enjoy you in that lack of bathing suit.” Atlas chuckled carrying me until he was waist deep then dropped me with a splash. I came up wiping my eyes and wet hair away from my face resembling something close to a drowned rat.
Something Worth Fighting For Page 2