Something Worth Fighting For (9 page)

“How many are you going to try on?” I whined as Darcy threw another bikini over the changing room door.

“Ellie, my darling, not all of us are blessed with your Sofia Vergara curves. But you can’t be satisfied with that, no, you have to tattoo it like you’re a canvas.” Darcy scowled.

“It adds character.”

“You’re like a coloring book.”

“My body is a temple and I choose to decorate the walls. Don’t hate, envious green isn’t a good color on you. I’m sorry your lady balls aren’t tough enough to handle the pain.” I laughed holding up the tiny purple bikini in front of me again.

“Red or black?” Darcy called out.

“Black, let’s go!”

“Okay, okay!”

We purchased our suits and headed back through the malls as I pulled Darcy away from the other shops. “We have to go get food!” I scolded her as she ogled over the new Coach purse display at the exit.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming.” She sighed longingly as we pushed out the door and stepped into the summer sun. “So who’s all coming?”

“As far as I know? Atlas, Adam, Caleb, Theo, Eddie, watch out for Eddie, total perv but mostly harmless. Theo’s fiancee Shauna, Caleb’s girlfriend Tara, and Dean if you bring him.” I shut the door to her Audi behind me, buckling up as she sped out of the parking lot. Riding with Darcy was probably more dangerous than being on the back of Atlas’ motorcycle.

“Still not getting along. I want a night out without worrying about him and his bullshit.” Darcy changed lanes without looking, receiving a long line of expletives from the person behind us. She shot them the finger without a glance backward.

“Fine with me. Guys are bringing alcohol, girls are doing food. Tara and Shauna gave us some money. I told them not to but they insisted.” I had a death grip on the bottom of the seat as she all but slid into the grocery store parking lot. Maybe in her free times she likes to think she’s part of the car drifting circuit.

“We’ll put it to good use then.” Darcy checked her makeup in the rearview mirror as she shut the car off. “I’m thinking of breaking up with Dean.” She announced as we walked into the store.

“Whoa, you two have been together a long time, that’s a big decision.” We grabbed bags of chips off the shelf, tossing them into our empty cart.

“It’s not made in haste. It’s been a long time coming, you know that. Things have been rough for a few months now.” Darcy admitted taking charge of steering the cart. “He... He just doesn’t look at me the way Atlas looks at you.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I shook my head, laughing.

“You don’t see it, Ellie. When I’ve been around the two of you, he looks at you like you were sent from Heaven just for him.”

I stopped in my tracks turning to look at Darcy. “Don’t say that. We both know it’s not true.” I dropped my gaze to the scuffed floor. “He makes me want to be better, to actually finally get better. I want to be the kind of girl that he deserves. I don’t deserve him, I know that. But I’d like to feel like I do one day.”

“Yeah well Dean just makes me want to be a bitch. Let’s cut the heavy shit until we’re drunk enough to laugh about it.” Darcy shoulder bumped me with a empathetic smile. “Let’s finish and go get set up.”

Darcy was convinced we had bought too much food, I knew better. “Trust me, we’ll be doing good if it’s enough.” I told her on our second trip up with bags hanging off our arms.

My phone was ringing loudly in pocket, singing my current favorite
Neon Trees
song. “Hello?” I answered without looking at the screen.

“Ellie?” Tobias’ voice came through on the other end of the line.

“Toby!” I squealed dropping my bags.

“Hey sunshine! What are you doing?”

“Preparing for a hostile takeover.” I joked.

“Oh? Got room for one more?”

I looked up hearing his voice. My phone fell from my hand skidding across the floor as I ran full speed to jump on him. “I can’t believe you’re here!” I laughed, swiping my hand under my eyes.

“I’m not alone.” He coughed setting me on the floor.

“Ellie Belle...” Keller exaggerated the last syllable.

“Keller?!” I ran outside taking the stairs two at a time. “Kelly!” I yelled, jumping on him next.

“God you’re all grown up!” Keller spun me around in circles while I clung to him.

“Oh my God I’ve missed you guys so much.” I slapped his chest, wiping my eyes again.

“Surprise!” Toby called down from inside the house.

“Amazing surprise!” I jumped up and down clapping. “We’re having a party tonight. You’ll get to meet my...” I trailed off, blushing.

“Your what?” Keller asked sternly as he followed me into the house.

“Her gentleman caller? Man? Boyfriend? Her... Marine?” Darcy offered with a triumphant smile as I shot her a laser beam death glare.

“You have a boyfriend?” Toby stopped the handful of chips just short of his mouth.

“Yeah.” I nodded.

“Oh this is going to be fun.” Keller rubbed his hands together as Toby nodded in agreement.

“Be nice, I really like him!” I pouted. “Come help me get shit out of the garage.” I scowled at Darcy who was fanning herself as Keller walked by. “I’m going to kill you,” I mouthed at her.

I could hear Darcy laughing as I retreated back downstairs. “What all are we getting?” Keller was standing in front of the garage as Toby smoked by the stairs.

“Chairs, tables, fire pit, whatever looks fun?” We started pulling thing out and carting them across the yard to the sand.

“So a boyfriend, huh?” Keller was sounding as protective as ever.

“Yes Keller, a boyfriend. It’s a fairly new thing, a few months. He’s a really good guy.” I smiled faintly unfolding the legs of one of the tables.

“What’s his name?”

“Atlas Ryker.”

“And what does Atlas Ryker do?”

“He’s a Marine.” I looked up at him with an arched brow and a crooked grin.

“Hmm...”

“What?” I crossed my arms defensively.

“Nothing, just surprised that’s all. What’s he do?”

“I’ll let you two talk about that. Dad already checked him out.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.” Keller laughed.

“He even came and asked dad for permission. Poor thing, I was certain he was going to shit himself.” I laughed along with him.

“Where is Toby’s lazy ass?”

“Over here Sergeant Dick.” He waved to us carrying the fire pit, cigarette hanging delicately from his lips.

“That’s Staff Sergeant Dick, fuck you very much.” Keller grabbed his junk as I rolled my eyes making gagging noises.“Sorry Ellie I forgot I’m not around the guys.” Keller offered up his feeble apology with a smirk.

“Yeah, sure, let me remind you I’m a lady.” I waved him off. “I’m just excited that all my guys will be here together!” My phone started ringing again as the picture of Atlas and I flashed on the screen.

“Hey you.” I answered walking away from two sets of curious eyes.

“Hey baby, I miss you.” Atlas’ voice made me feel warm all over.

“Yeah? Well get your ass over here and see me.”

“I was going to ask when we should get there.” Atlas chuckled.

“Now, we’re setting up.”

“On my way.”

“Hey Atlas?”

“Yeah baby?”

“I miss you too. Be careful, please.” I hung up, shoving the phone back in my pocket. “Will you guys get the grill too? I’m going to change and help Darcy.”

“No problem.” Toby nodded as he and Keller sat on the sand putting the fire pit together.

“Thanks guys.” I started heading toward the house, walking backwards so I could watch them. I was still in shock that they were actually here. “Hey guys?”

“Yeah Ellie?” Keller looked up at me.

“I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve really missed you.”

“Us too, Ellie.” Toby winked at me and I turned around, heading into the house.

Darcy voice was carrying from the stairs as I ran up the rest of the way. “Oh yeah right! You’re being ridiculous.” I slipped into the downstairs bathroom changing into my new purple suit and putting just my shorts back on. I tugged on a sheer long sleeve bathing suit cover up, leaving the front unbuttoned.

“Fuck you so much.” Darcy was obviously taking that break up talk seriously.

The sound of Atlas’ bike stopped me from eavesdropping on her phone call. I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail and quickly walked through the house. I didn’t want to interrupt Darcy.

Toby and Keller were standing on the beach watching him like a hawk. Atlas took off his helmet, looking up at me with that smile that made my knees weak. “Wow, hey gorgeous, you look... Wow. Um, do you have more clothes? I’m not sure I want the guys to see you like that.”

“Hey yourself.” I laughed as I climbed down the stairs right into his waiting arms. He barely lifted me off my feet, kissing my lips softly. “I need to warn you..” My lips moved against his. “That.. Um... Crap you’re making it hard to think.” He sat me back down on the ground as my head became a little more clear. “Darcy is on a warpath and my brothers are here.” I blurted out all at once.

“Oh boy...” Atlas turned around to see both Toby and Keller standing behind him.

“Atlas these are my brothers, Tobias and Keller.” I rocked back and forth on my heels nervously. Atlas extended his hand toward Keller first who was staring him down.

“Keller Grant,” Keller shook his hand as I held my breath hoping like hell he wouldn’t do something stupid like punch him in the face.

“Atlas Ryker.” Atlas nodded, shaking Toby’s hand next. “Nice to meet you guys.”

“Yeah, likewise,” Keller draped his arm over Atlas’ shoulder, “Let’s go talk.” He nodded toward the beach.

“Keller Benjamin Grant you bring him back to me in one piece and still liking me or so help me God I will dig your heart out with a spoon.” I narrowed my eyes as Atlas burst into a fit of laughter.

“I’ll be fine, Ginger.” Atlas shook his head, kissing my cheek. “Like a stick of dynamite.”

“Isn’t she?” Keller smirked. “I’ll make sure he comes back, kid.” They turned away walking down toward the water.

“Ellie?” Darcy called from inside the house.

“Yeah, I’m comin’ babe.” I ran back into the house to find Darcy crying. I threw my arms around her as she laid her head on my shoulder. “Over isn’t it?”

“He broke up with me, calling me terrible things.” She said between sobs.

“Oh sweetie, we know it’s not true. He’s just an asshole. Besides you were thinking of breaking up with him anyway.” I rubbed her back soothingly.

“Most guys are assholes.” Adam’s voice came from the doorway. We both looked over at him as Darcy laughed. “In my opinion, whoever this loser is deserves to have his ass kicked for making such a beautiful girl cry.”

I let go of Darcy as she wiped her eyes. “Darcy, Adam Thornbriar, Adam, my best friend Darcy Thomas.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” Adam shook her hand.

“Yeah, you too.” She flushed for possibly the first time in her life. “I’m going to go get cleaned up and get a drink.”

“We’ll go get your stuff and I’ll burn his house down tomorrow.” I called after her, “To the fucking ground!”

“You’re a good friend. Not many would commit arson for someone else.” Adam laughed, hugging me briefly.

“He’s going to be lucky if that’s all I do.”

“Atlas said you were a firecracker.”

“Explains the red hair.”

“Redheads always have the worst tempers.”

I flipped him the bird.

“So your friend...” Adam paced back and forth looking around the house.

“Adam her boyfriend of four years just broke up with her!” I admonished him.

“I know, I know! She’s just... It’s just that... I’ve never seen a girl look so pretty when she cries.” He let out a long breath, rubbing his hands over his face.

“Aww...” I smiled and started gathering up things to bring down to the beach. “Adam Thornbriar is a romantic!”

“Oh please, that doesn’t touch the way Atlas talks about you. Poor guy has it bad.”

“Does he now?”

“You really don’t see it do you?”

“That seems to be the question of the day...” I snorted thinking of mine and Darcy’s earlier conversation.

“He would lay his entire world at your feet, Ellie. All you would have to do is say the word.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” I mumbled, picking up grocery bags.

“Why are you afraid?”

“I’m afraid I don’t deserve it, him in general, anyone for that matter.” Adam’s eyebrows shot up a I walked quickly past him.

“Ellie.” He called after me. I bolted down the stairs as fast as I could. “Ellie! Goddamnit, Ellie!” Adam huffed in defeat and went back inside.

I wanted to cry. The day had started so well with my brothers being here. But it was quickly turning out to be rather overwhelming. I held my breath wanting nothing more than to squash the growing amount of anxiety causing my chest to constrict. The thought of someone loving me outside of my family was unfathomable.