Something Worth Fighting For

by McNiel, Ashley

  “Stella!” Katie scolded her.” Don’t mind Miss. Jealousy she’s been holding out for Atlas for years.”

  “Well if he does I wish you the best of luck.” I smiled sweetly at her but secretly wanted to stab her with the knife I was holding.

  “Good girl,” Katie giggled, “So how did you and Atlas meet?”

  I went on to tell her about where and how, things we had done, and plans we had made. Every now and then peeking over my shoulder catching him staring at me. I blew him a kiss which he pretended to catch, falling back dramatically into the hay. Jacks and Micah helped him up, laughing.

  “That man looks at you like you’re the only light he’s ever seen.” Katie had turned to watch our interaction.

  “You think so?”

  “I’ve known Atlas Quinn since second grade. He ain’t never looked at a woman the way he looks at you. We were sure he’d marry Charlotte but when that went south to you know where in a handbasket we had no clue. He’s always been kind of a mystery. What he just did?” she shook her head, “that never would have happened for anyone else.” Katie sighed contently. “He loves you more than the day is long.”

  “It’s funny to hear about Atlas before. He’s always been like this with me.”

  “We need to start referring to his life as before Ellie and after Ellie from now on.” Katie teased.

  “There is no before, Katie. I had no real life before her.” Atlas encircled his arms around my waist. Dropping the knife, I reached around behind me, holding onto his sweaty sides.

  “Atlas you have it bad, sweetie.” Katie teased with glassy eyes. “Excuse me,” she walked off, sniffling, muttering under her breath about stupid hormones.

  “Mmm, shirtless,” I turned around in his arms, “Eye candy,” I ran my hands down his chest and abs, licking my lips.

  “Didn’t get enough last night?” Atlas teased.

  “Of you? Is that even possible?”

  “Good answer.”

  “That’s my line.”

  “Then it’s mine to tell you how fantastic your ass looks in those tight little jeans.” Atlas grinned, kissing my neck.

  “Don’t start something we can’t finish, lover boy.”

  “We’ll go out to the truck and finish it.”

  “Like Hell we will. Although this counter might do.”

  “I could pin you to the wall if that’s the case.”

  “Promises, promises.” I laughed at Atlas’ wide smile.

  “Ryker get back to work ya’ sandbagger.” Micah yelled at him.

  “Gotta go, I’m in trouble.” I grabbed his arm as he pulled away.

  “Wait.”

  “What?”

  “This,” I pulled him down to me, my lips crashing into his, his tongue invading my open mouth. Reaching down he picked me up, hooking my legs over his hips, as my nails dug into his shoulders.

  “Whoa now!” Micah laughed.

  “I didn’t know Atlas had it in him.” Jacks snorted. I shot him the finger behind Atlas’ back causing both guys to fall out laughing.

  Atlas pushed me into the table, the wood jostling under the added weight. His pelvis pressed into mine as his hands gripped my thighs. “Wow, okay you two. Break it up or I’m getting the hose.” Katie fanned herself, giggling.

  “Is it cold ‘cause after that I may need it too.” Micah said from across the barn.

  “We’re putting on a show.” I mumbled against Atlas.

  “I couldn’t give two fucks less.” He growled.

  “Cowboy as much as I want you right now I might take you up on that truck offer.”

  “I have a serious pants tent going right now.”

  “I noticed. I might go camping if that’s what I get to use.”

  “Good Lord, Ginger.” Atlas sat me back on the ground.

  “Just admit it and get it over with.”

  “Fine, alright, yes, I have a boner.” Atlas raised his hands in defeat as us girls laughed.

  “Yeah, bro, me too.” Micah spoke up.

  “Hell, I have a semi myself.” Jacks jumped in for backup.

  “What a sausage party.” I smirked as Atlas’ jaw hit the floor. There was a stunned silence before the guys doubled over in laughter, gripping their sides, and wiping their eyes.

  “God, she’s awesome.” Jacks punched Atlas’ arm as he walked by.

  “I know, man, I know.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  There was at least seventy five people give or take at the barn by seven. I had spotted Ares who assured me the guitar was in the back of Andy’s SUV and he would get it to Jacks for me. People were introducing themselves and pulling Atlas in all different directions. I slipped away through the crowd to get some water and be able to just breathe.

  “Atlas looks good, huh Charlie?” A girl with short black hair nudged a blond with board straight hair.

  “Yeah, definitely.” She said dismissively.

  “Excuse me.” I smiled politely reaching around them for a bottle.

  “Oh I’m sorry.” Charlie stepped aside.

  “No problem.”

  “I’m Charlie, this is Delta, are you from here? You don’t look a bit familiar.” Her accent was thick like molasses.

  “No, I’m Ellie and actually I live in North Carolina, I’m just visiting.”

  “Enjoying yourself?”

  “Yeah, it’s beautiful.” I nodded taking a long drink from my bottle. Atlas came in, our eyes locking through the crowd like magnetic forces. He waved and as I raised my hand Charlie flipped her hair waving her chubby fingers at him.

  Atlas smirked as I stifled my laughter. “Ellie Ryker would you please come to the stage area?” Micah’s voice boomed through the speakers.

  “That’s me. Nice to meet you, Charlie, Delta.” I acknowledged both of them as Atlas walked over.

  “Mrs. Ryker what are you up to?” Atlas kissed my forehead.

  “A surprise.”

  “Oh lord,” he chuckled, “Hello Charlotte, Delta.” Atlas nodded to the two girls.

  “Charlotte?” I asked finally putting two and two together. “Oh... Oh! You’re the ex.” Atlas hid his laugh by coughing beside me.

  “Only if he wants me to be.” Charlotte whose nickname was apparently Charlie, cooed.

  “I’m sorry, you must be mistaken, you just met my wife, Ellie.”

  “Wife?”

  “Ellie Ryker, she’s my wife.” Atlas explained as I tried not to roll my eyes.

  “It was a pleasure but I really have to go.” I leaned up kissing Atlas’ cheek.

  “Wait, I’m coming baby.”

  “You were last night.” I winked over my shoulder sashaying my hips. It was a total marking my territory statement and Atlas did nothing more but laugh.

  “It... No, it wasn’t good to see you. Say hi to Dylan for me.” Atlas sneered then ran to catch up.

  “You’re awesome, thank you.” He slipped his arm around my waist.

  “The look on her face was worth it.”

  “Wait right here,” Atlas left me by the side of the stage and came back a few minutes later. “Tonight you are Mrs. Ryker.” He took my hand, slipping a large princess cut ring on my finger. “It’s my Ma’s but she said you can borrow it.”

  “Wow,” I held up my hand examining the ring.

  “It looks good on you.” Atlas smiled.

  “That it does. Go find yourself one.” I kissed him quickly sending him back out into the crowd.

  Jacks was holding Ares’ guitar, smiling at me. “You’re so good to my boy.”

  “He’s even better to me.” I answered honestly.

  “Go get ‘em.” He nodded to the stage. I took a deep breath and walked out onto the wooden platform.

  “Hey everyone,” I said nervously, clearing my throat. “Most of you don’t know me but you’re all here for my man tonight.” A few laughs came from the quieted crowd. Atlas stopped and turned on his heel walking back through the throngs of people. “My name is Ellie
and I’m going to sing a few songs. I would say for you guys but lets be real, it’s for Atlas.” I smiled down at him. “Alright, so I’m pretty damn nervous, forgive me.” I took a deep breath, “Lets do this.” I threw the guitar around my shoulder. “This is “Nine in the Afternoon” and one of my favorites so let’s hope I don’t screw it up.”

  My fingers started moving to the upbeat tempo. I smiled at Atlas who was wide eyed with Ares and Micah at his sides. I sang the song to him, it didn’t matter that there were other people it was all for him.

  I stepped back as people started clapping. “Thanks,” I rubbed my hands together. “Another one?” I asked to the response of more applause. “Okay, okay. This kind of hits hard for us. More so since Atlas is deploying again soon. I recorded this song for his iPod to take with him and it took me at least four tries to do it without crying.” I laughed as Atlas gave me a crooked grin. “This is “Come Home.”

  My heart was racing as Jacks jumped up hitting the old upright piano. My voice was breathy, shaking as I started to sing. Butterflies were in my stomach doing a trained acrobat routine. I closed my eyes, gripping the microphone in both hands, and poured myself into the song.

  I opened my eyes in time to see Atlas close his. I pulled the microphone off and sat down on the edge of the stage, pulling him closer to me. His arms wrapped around my waist as he hid his face in my shirt.

  As the song ended people began to clap, hollering as Atlas kissed me hard in front of everyone. “Jackson Porter ladies and gentlemen,” I stood up smiling, bowing as he waved.

  “I have one last song. The first time I sang this song for Atlas my best friend Darcy had suggested it. We were out on the beach and my brothers didn’t kill him so I figured that meant they approved... I’m rambling. Okay, this is “Reminder” by Mumford & Sons.”

  I pulled a stool over propping the guitar on my leg as I sat down. Jacks tossed me a capo as I tuned the guitar. “These guys are good, I may have to hire them as my roadies one day.” Joking as I readjusted the guitar.

  One last time my fingers strummed the guitar as I closed my eyes and opened my mouth. Moving with the music, I lost myself again. I knew behind the guitar would be my sanctuary while Atlas was gone. I had to have something to put my emotions into.

  The song ended with whistling as Atlas jumped on the stage. He threaded his hands in my hair, kissing me breathless. The crowed let loose cat calls as I laughed. “My incredible wife everyone, give it up for her.” Atlas said into the mic.

  “Thank you.” I curtsied.

  “Speech!” Someone yelled out.

  “Speech!” A chant began.

  “Okay, okay. “Atlas picked up the microphone, throwing his arm over my shoulder. “First thank you for all coming out tonight. It’s been like a highschool reunion or something out here. Some of you it was great to see and some of you I was hoping would have been hit by a car by now. Seriously though, thanks for coming and you’re welcome for me sharing my lady with you. How awesome is she?” A wolf whistle let out in the back of the barn making us laugh. “Exactly! Anyway, enjoy your night, thank you for your support, encouragement, love, and support for us troops. I love what I do and I’m proud to serve my country. Hook ‘em Horns!” Atlas raised his beer in salute.

  We headed down the stairs, handing off the guitar to Jacks. “Awesome job, Ellie.”

  “Thanks,” Atlas was dragging me outside through a hidden door. Before I knew it my body was pressed up against the side of the barn. “That was great, thank you, so much.” Atlas kissed me softly.

  “You’re welcome. It was something I wanted to do for you.”

  “I loved it,” he brushed his knuckles across my cheek. “And thank you for not getting mad when I told Charlotte you are my wife.”

  “Why would I?” I held up my hand. “Tonight I am.”

  “Hey guys.” Jacks and Katie poked their heads out.

  “Hey man, what’s up?” Atlas leaned against the barn.

  “Can we talk for a minute?”

  “Yeah come on out.” Atlas waved.

  “Ellie, I know you know but--” Jacks started before Katie blurted it out.

  “You’re going to be an uncle.” She beamed.

  “What?!” Atlas threw his arms around Jacks. “Seriously man? This is crazy, congratulations!”

  “Thanks bro. We were wonderin’ if you and of course, Miss. Ellie would be the Godparents?” Jacks gave us a hopeful smile.

  “Of course, man, we’re honored.” Atlas slapped Jacks’ shoulder.

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah!” Atlas smiled widely. “Come on Daddy lets get you a beer.” Atlas pulled Jacks inside as Katie sighed.

  “He was nervous to ask.” She smiled, relief dancing across her face.

  “He shouldn’t have been.”

  “I told him that.”

  “Thank you for including me.” I said meekly.

  “Of course, Ellie. You’re part of our family now too.” She linked her arm with mine. “Let’s go make sure our boys don’t get too crazy.”

  ❋❋❋

  Atlas was shit faced drunk and I was just as pissed off. It has taken three of us to get him out of the barn where he then pushed us off and insisted he could make it to the truck. I watched him stumble to the back seat where Ares shoved him in with a shake of his head. Silently I thanked the universe his parents had already left.

  Katie had gone back in to get Jacks leaving me alone to cool off before dealing with Atlas. I loved that man but damn, did he ever know how to push my buttons. I was pacing, watching people pairing off for the night. There was no chance I was putting up with this again. I was his girlfriend not his babysitter. Drinking was one thing but being drunk enough to call me a bitch is another.

  The hand gripped around the top of my arm squeezing so tightly I yelped. “Shut up,” Micah hissed as he dragged me back toward the edge of the barn. He pushed me into the side, the splintered wood biting at my skin. I moved to walk away as he slammed me back again.

  “What the fuck is your problem?!” I yelled at him as he clasped his hand over my mouth.

  “Shut up before I really hurt you.” Micah growled as he hovered over me. “You listen to me you little bitch, Stella has waited years for Atlas to be done with Charlotte and come back here. I will not let you come in here and ruin this chance for her. They belong together and you are going to let that happen. You are going to leave him the fuck alone. You don’t deserve him, Stella does.”

  I bit his fingers as his nails dug into my cheek. He jerked back but before I could get away he had my arms again, holding me back against the barn. “Atlas has been free to leave any time he wants.” I spat the words in his face. “He’s my partner, not my prisoner. Don’t you think that if he wanted to be with Stella he would be?” I narrowed my eyes at him as his grip tightened on my arms. It felt like he was trying to crush the bones with his bare hands. “He doesn’t want her. We both know he could have any woman he wanted. That just doesn’t include Stella.”

  My head jerked to the side as the back of Micah’s open hand landed across my face. “That was for biting me.” His hand whipped across my face in the opposite direction. “That one was a warning. End it so she can have him or I’ll do a lot worse to you.”

  “You don’t scare me.” I challenged, holding my head up to look him in the eyes. Micah reared back, balled fist as someone caught him around the wrist.

  “What the hell are you doing?” I didn’t recognize the voice but took the chance to duck under Micah’s arm and ran for it.

  “Ellie?!” Katie’s voice was coming from the darkness in front of me. “Get in the car, Ellie.” She opened the back door and I threw myself inside, whimpering as it closed behind me. “That dumbass, Atlas is going to kill him.” Katie mumbled as she started the car and drove off into the night.

  ❋❋❋

  “Atlas we’ve got to get going, we need to leave soon. We’re packed up, get dressed.” I shook the pillow trying to
wake him up for the third time. “I swear if you do not wake up I’m letting Ares wake you up.” I huffed as he started to stir.

  “I’m awake. Too loud. No noise.” He spoke in clipped sentences pulling the pillow over his face.

  “You have aspirin and water or your mother graciously supplied a hangover cure. Either way get up or I’m leaving you and you can worry about being AWOL without me.”

  “Grumpy.” He pouted.

  “You haven’t seen grumpy yet. Now get up.” I threw the cover back as he whimpered. “You have twenty minutes before I tell Andy I’m ready to leave.”

  “Grumpy,” Atlas stretched rolling onto his back. “So much drinking. Why did you let me do that?” He laughed pressing his palms into his eyes.

  “You insisted you were fine. I tried to tell you no but you acted like an asshole so yeah, a little grumpy covers it.” I shook my head pulling the sleeves of my new green sweater down.

  “Shit, I’m sorry, I don’t remember.”

  “I’m afraid sorry isn’t going to fix this one.” I sighed, picking up my bag. “Just get ready, Atlas.”

  “How bad did I screw up?” He asked quietly.

  “It was bad Atlas.” I whispered.

  “What did I do?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “No we’re talking about it.”

  I snorted, rolling my eyes. “I can’t civilly talk to you about it, yet. We’ll fight right now if I do.”

  “So let’s fight. Come on, baby, fight with me.” He sat up throwing back his mom’s hangover concoction with a grimace. He pulled himself out of bed, waving his hands in a come on motion. “Lets hear it.”

  “You called me a bitch in front of your friends to start with. This was after shot four, maybe five.”

  “Fuck, I’m sorry. You know I didn’t mean it.”

  “Oh it gets better. By round eight you had pushed me off your lap and thought you and Jacks were going to go shoot guns. Katie and I were trying to get both of you to the truck.” I shook my head. “I’m not sure we can be together anymore.” The words I had been thinking slipped out.

  “What? What did I do? I mean I know what I did was stupid but breaking up bad?” Atlas was ghost white. I could feel my nostrils flare as tears stung my eyes. I stepped back from as he tried to touch me.