“What the hell?” Adam jumped up. Atlas let go of my hand, spinning around on his heel, staring down at him.
“Oh shit. Yeah, sorry about that...” Adam sat back down, ducking his head.
“Knocking will save your life.” Atlas glared at him.
“I said I was sorry, damn.” Adam gave me a weak smile.
“Next time it won’t be him you have to worry about.” I winked, tugging on Atlas arm trying to break the tension. They both looked at me with a smirk.
“Taking Ellie for a ride.” Atlas picked his helmet off the coffee table. “Shit.” He ran back to his room leaving me with Adam.
“Ellie I--”
“Don’t. It was an accident. Where are you and Darcy going tonight?”
“Dinner and back to her place.”
“Well if I don’t see you tomorrow before you guys leave be careful. Make sure I get him back in one piece.”
“Don’t worry about Atlas. He’s the most careful guy I know and damn good at his job.”
“I know,” I stared at Atlas’ bedroom door waiting for him.
“He wants to marry you.” Adam said suddenly. I laughed as Atlas returned with a second very pink helmet.
“I know that too.”
“So say yes already!”
“Say yes to what?” Atlas handed me the helmet.
“I plan on it, just not yet.” I smiled at Adam whose mouth was hanging open.
“Seriously?” Adam asked, eyes darting between the two of us.
“Without hesitation.” I followed Atlas downstairs to his bike, my car right next to it. He leaned against the passenger door, staring at me.
“What did Adam say?”
“Nothing that I didn’t already know.” I shrugged pulling on the helmet.
“Which was?”
“Why are you worried about it?
“I just want to know.”
“Why?”
“Just fucking tell me.” Atlas snapped. I stepped back, taking off the helmet and thrusting it at him.
“None of your business.” I crossed my arms, challenging him.
“It’s my business if it involves you.”
“Wow, really?” I shook my head and turned around marching back up to the apartment.
“You didn’t answer me.” He called after me.
“You really want to know, Atlas? He told me you want to marry me, asked me to say yes already. I told him I would when the time comes, without hesitation. But you just gave me a good damn reason to hesitate.” I ran the rest of the way up the stairs with Atlas on my heels.
“Ellie, baby...”
“No! You don’t get to “Ellie baby” me after talking to me like that. Nope, fuck you. You wanted to know and I told you. What? I can’t have a conversation now? So what is it? Is there something you don’t want me to know? Is it you don’t trust me? Is it you don’t trust Adam? Lets hear it!” I turned around in the living room with both guys watching me. “I don’t give a fuck if your guys are scared of you but I’m damn sure not. You don’t get to talk to me like that.”
“Ellie... I... fuck.”
“Yeah, you can’t even say it.” I rolled my eyes and walked back to his room with the slam of the door. I began gathering my things with shaking hands, tears burning my eyes.
“Go fix it.” Adam’s voice carried down the hallway as he yelled at Atlas. “God you’re an idiot. Go! Before you lose her.” I was wiping the few that escaped away when Atlas walked in.
“I’m sorry.” He sat on the bed, staring at the floor with a look of defeat.
“Yeah, I’m sure.” I picked up my packed bag with a sigh.
“Ellie, please,” he reached over for my bag. I jerked away unable to look at him as I fought off more tears. “Charlotte left me for my best friend. I told her I enlisted and she used that as an excuse. Not two days later she was having sex with Dylan. I walked in on them at his house.”
“Yeah? Newsflash for you Atlas, I’m not Charlotte! Know what else? It sucks being compared to her. I don’t compare you to Spencer do I? No. That’s not fair to our relationship.”
“Are you sure you’re not comparing us?” He asked bitterly.
“I’m positive. Want to know why? Because you’re not in prison. Hurting my feelings won’t get you locked up, lucky for you. What he did will.” I turned the doorknob in my hand. “I’m sorry Charlotte hurt you. I’m not her though. I figured by now you would have figured that out.” I wiped my eyes again wanting nothing more than to fall apart. “I told him to make sure you get back to me in one piece, to be careful, what he and Darcy were doing tonight...”
“I’m sorry. God, I’m so sorry, Ellie.” Atlas’ head fell into his hands. “Don’t leave. Stay, work this out with me. Please, baby?” I had never heard Atlas sound the way he did. The desperation in his voice was unnerving. “You’re everything I have. I can’t lose you like this, not because of my own stupidity.”
“Do you love me Atlas or do you still love her?”
Atlas was silent for far too long and my heart was feeling way too heavy for my own chest. “I told you I never loved her. I never told her that I loved her. I know that I love you. I’m just worried that you will find someone better than me. Someone that will be here when I won’t.”
“Dammit!” I threw my purse against the door as it fell, scattering its contents across the floor. “I love you, jackass! You. Not anyone else. Has wearing a helmet hardened your skull?” I dropped my overnight bag, sitting next to him on the bed. “Wow, our first serious fight.”
“It sucked,” he reached over wiping my face, “I hate that I’m the reason for that.”
“Then how about you don’t do it again?”
“Only a few more times.” He took my hand giving it a squeeze.
“Oh?”
“Our wedding day, the days our kids are born, the day they graduate... A few more days. My heart melted a little as I leaned into him.
“Today has been a disaster.”
“I’ll make it up to you when I get home.”
“You can start now.”
“How? Just tell me. I’ll do anything.”
“Take me for that ride.”
“You got it,” he stood up, “jump on my back.”
I stood on the bed, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Don’t you dare drop me!” I squealed as he moved away from the bed, my legs circled his waist as I clung to him.
“I won’t drop you.” Atlas paraded around the apartment. “I was thinking, I’ll leave my key with you while I’m gone. You can come study or hide or just hang out if you want.”
“That would be great, thank you.” I kissed his cheek as he walked down the stairs.
“Anything for you. I know how important school is for you and if it’s important to you then it’s important to me.” He said matter of factly, setting me on the back of his bike. “Smile for me, Ellie.” He snapped a picture then tucked his phone away.
“Wait, helmets!” I laughed watching Atlas run back upstairs and came back out with two helmets.
“Good thinking. I was too distracted by your beautiful face.” Atlas put the helmet on me and then his own and hopped on in front of me. “Hold tight,” I moved closer, wrapping my arms tight around him. “Ready Ginger?”
“For anything.”
Chapter Eight
It was the longest two weeks of my life. I worried, I pouted, whined, and clung to my phone like a lifeline. I dreaded the thought of an actual deployment. My brothers and father had been deployed multiple times and it was the same anxiety I had felt for them. But worse in a way, because this was the man who holds me, who kisses me, who chose to love me.
I had been studying in his bed, drinking warm honey lemon green tea to soothe my sore throat. I had spent hours recording songs for his birthday present. The problem was I had a major test tomorrow and it was late. It was the last test before Thanksgiving break and I wanted to nail it.
The words on the pages were all s
tarting to run together. I knew the material front, back, and in my sleep apparently. “Focus,” I mumbled to myself, setting down my tea, and snuggling further down into the bed. My eyes were so heavy. “Maybe just a little nap...” I lost my battle with sleep.
“Shhh...” I stirred in my sleep convinced I was dreaming. “Is she here?” The door of Atlas’ room creaked open.
“Yeah, she’s here.” The book on my chest moved causing me to swat at the annoyance in my sleep. “Hey beautiful,” the edge of the bed sank down as Atlas sat next to me.
“Best dream ever,” I mumbled opening my eyes. “Atlas!” I scrambled up, throwing myself at him. Atlas laughed catching me as he fell backward.
“I missed you too, baby.”
“Please tell me I’m not still asleep.” I grabbed his arms, shoulders, face.
“You’re awake, I promise.” He held out his pinky. I hooked mine to it and kissed him; long, hard, and filled with two weeks worth of worry. “Now I’m the one worried I’m not awake.”
“You most definitely are.”
“Good,” he sighed, holding me close to him.
“Baby... Atlas... I love you, I missed you terribly, I am so excited you’re home but--”
“I know, I know, I smell.”
“God freaking awful. Go take a shower. Hungry?”
“Yes,” Atlas mumbled burying his face in my neck. “God I missed you.” His hands ran up my sides, down over my backside.
“Well go take care of you, I’ll feed you, and you can explore me all you want when we’re done.”
“Mmm, that’s a deal I can’t refuse.” Atlas sat me on my feet. I pulled on a pair of his sweatpants, deciding it wasn’t best to parade in my underwear with Adam home too. I watched from the doorway as he undressed. He was tired, dirty, bruised, and hungry.
Most importantly he was home.
❋❋❋
“I like your shirt.” Atlas grinned as we crawled back in bed together.
“Do you? I thought it seemed appropriate. A little silly, usually what base bunnies wear but, appropriate regardless.” I pulled down the “Be Safe Sleep With A Marine” tee Darcy insisted I needed.
“Most definitely,” he pulled me close enough to feel like we were sharing skin. “Have I mentioned I missed you?” Hiding his face in my hair as he breathed in deep.
“Maybe once or twice.”
“Hmm... Well I did.”
“I know. I’m sure Darcy will be ecstatic to not get her daily, I miss Atlas, whiny text tomorrow or I guess today.”
“Were you whining?”
“I was pitiful,” I laughed, kissing his shoulder. “I was a pouting, pitiful mess. I slept here most nights actually.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, anything to feel a little closer.”
“I love you.” He whispered sounding exhausted.
“I know. I love you, get some sleep.” I laid next to Atlas who was already snoring in my ear.
Blissful.
It was close to four in the morning and I had a test at eight thirty. Right now though I was happy, content, and exactly where I belonged.
Before I knew it the alarm was screaming in my ear. I grumbled swatting at it as Atlas laughed. “You have a big test, let me take you for breakfast.” I didn’t see how he could be so rosy posy, sunshine, and rainbows after next to no sleep.
“No you go back to sleep, you need it.”
“I’m good. That’s actually the best sleep I’ve had in two weeks. Come on. Waffles, my treat.” He was kissing all over my face causing my bad mood to quickly disappear.
“Fine, fine. Let me go shower.” I rolled out of bed, stretching my arms above my head.
“Hey Ellie?”
“Yeah?” I called from the bathroom, over the sound of the shower running.
“I love waking up next to you.”
“And I love going to sleep next to you.” I stripped stepping into the warm water. Quickly washing, soaking up the warmth, I watched through the foggy door as Atlas moved around the bathroom.
Turning off the water, Atlas reached over the door handing me a towel. “Thanks,” I wrapped it around myself, stepping out. “Going to base?” I asked as we danced around each other, getting ready.
“Yeah I have a few things to do there before we leave.” Atlas stopped, blocking my path, arms encircling around me. “Damn you’re beautiful.” His pale blue dilated eyes raked over my body hungrily.
“Keep it in your pants Sergeant we have things to do today.” Leaning up on my tiptoes, my lips brushed against his. “I’m going to get dressed.”
I shut the bathroom door and quickly pulled on my jeans, tee, and blazer. Lacing up my boots as Atlas appeared in my line of sight. “Want to take your car or the bike?”
“You take the bike, I’ll drive. I know you missed your other girl.” I picked up my backpack, shoving my scattered materials back inside.
“I’d rather be with you. Can I drive your car?” He grinned like a small boy.
“You have a crush on Max don’t you?” I handed over my keys without question.
“Max?”
“My car, that’s his name.”
“Oh, yes, yes I do. He’s a mighty fine car.” Atlas took my backpack throwing it over his shoulder. “Breakfast?”
“Yes please.” We crept through the apartment so we wouldn’t wake Adam. Atlas locked the door with the key he had given me. “What time are classes over?”
“I am all yours at noon. I did promise Dad dinner tonight though. He wants you to come.” I got in the car as he held the door open for me.
“I’ll be there.”
“We’re doing our Thanksgiving. The guys are coming Wednesday night so I’m leaving them instructions.” I laughed as he pulled out of the apartments. “We’ll see if they actually follow them and get it right.
“Wow a family dinner with your Dad.”
“Don’t sound shocked.”
“Frankly I am.”
“Atlas my father likes you.” I squeezed his knee reassuringly.
“I wasn’t so sure.”
“Trust me you’ve passed his test. At least so far.”
“There’s more?” A worried look flashed across his face.
“If you want to marry me one day there is.” Atlas pulled into a small breakfast dive not far from the school.
“Lets get you fed so you can murder that test.”
I let myself out much to Atlas’ disapproval. He held open the diner door being greeted with appreciative looks from their female patrons. A tired looking blond with a large pregnant belly sat us in a booth next to the window. She was quickly replaced with an older woman with graying hair who introduced herself as Patricia.
We placed our orders and thanked her as she walked away. “I need your help,” I told him as reality hit me.
“What’s up?” He ran his fingers down mine looking worried.
“We’re leaving tomorrow... I haven’t packed!” I threw my hands up dramatically.
“I thought girls needed at least a six weeks advanced notice to be packed properly.”
“Darcy, maybe, me, not so much.” I took a drink of coffee, grimacing. Atlas slid the creamer and sugar over to me.
“I should have known that. Jeans, short sleeves, jacket, dress for Thanksgiving.” Atlas shrugged.
“Easy enough.” We smiled and thanked Patricia again as she sat down our food in front of us.
“You’re not eating much, feel okay?” I teased pointing at Atlas’ three plates.
“This fantastic girl got up at two in the morning to make me grilled cheese. I’ve been fed more recently so no need for six plates.”
“Ah, she sounds like good people.”
“The best.” He smiled taking a bite of oatmeal.
“You flatter me.”
“Part of my job description, paragraph two, line six.”
“Touché.”
“We better hurry if I’m going to walk you to class.” Atla
s waved Patricia over for the ticket. I quickly ate my last two bites of whip cream and strawberry covered waffles at once. “Ready to go?” He asked, taking my hand. I nodded with a mouth full of food. Dropping cash on the table, he led me out.
“Thank you for breakfast.”
“Any time,” Atlas pushed me up against the car kissing the corner of my mouth. The soft, sweet feeling of his mouth on mine made my knees shake. “Whip cream,” he grinned, tongue brushing back and forth over his bottom lip. I couldn’t say anything from fear of stuttering. Atlas opened the door and I slipped inside. I would never be able to concentrate now. My mind was all caught up in the thought of him naked and whip cream.
Atlas started the car and drove the five miles to the college in silence. I pointed to the student parking lot where he stopped the car. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, not even close.” I laughed, picking up my bag.
“You were quiet. Nervous?”
“A little.” I admitted.
“Don’t be, you’re the smartest girl I know.” He pulled me to his side, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
“Thanks. You left me flustered after that kiss.”
“Flustered, huh? Just wait.” He smirked.
“Don’t be cocky.” I elbowed him in the ribs.
“I’ll make your toes curl.” He whispered seductively in my ears causing my cheeks to burn.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“Oh I can keep it.” He stuck his pinky finger out to me. I looped mine around it, giggling.
“I’ll hold you to that.” I stopped outside the classroom door.
“Is this you?” He poked his head inside looking around.
“Sure is.”
“Where do you sit?”
“Over there.”
“By yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Less distractions.”
“Are you going in?” He raised both eyebrows at me.
“Trying to get rid of me? Fine.” I pouted walking into the class and took my seat. Atlas stood by the door for a minute rocking on his heels. I waved to him from my seat, acknowledging a couple of my classmates as they walked by. Atlas started to walk away then ran inside, up the stairs to my desk.
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