Something Worth Fighting For (5 page)

“What? Never seen a little girl get shit done before?”

“I think I’d like to go through your Dad if I got to date you, you feisty mama.” Hernandez laughed.

“You really don’t. Besides Atlas already called dibs and to be honest? You are so not my type.” Another chorus of “Oh!” rang through the empty diner as I laughed.

“What’s so scary about your Dad? Is he a cop? Mayor or something?” Montes asked. I looked at Atlas who was chuckling to himself. “I don’t see what could be so scary about this little girls Daddy.”

“Go ahead and tell ‘em beautiful or they’re not going to shut up.” Atlas smiled at me.

“My name is Ellie Grant and before you ask, no, I’m not a barrack rat or a base bunny.” I looked at the four clearly confused men.

“Yeah and I’m Theodore Ackart, what’s your point?” The man next to Hernandez said. He was the last one to actually speak to me, his nearly black eyes narrowing in my direction.

“Master Gunnery Sergeant Benjamin Grant is my father and I’m his only daughter.”

“Oh fuck.” Ackart’s mouth fell open as they sat up a little straighter.

“Don’t even starting acting like you guys have any manners now.” I laughed catching Atlas staring at me. I walked over to his end of the counter, leaning over toward him. “What are you staring at Ryker?” I spoke only loud enough for him to hear.

He leaned forward, his mouth inches from mine. I held my breath as he moved even closer. “You,” his breath was on my lips, “That I know what you look like under those clothes. How fantastic your ass looks in those tight jeans. But mostly how beautiful you are when you laugh.” His lips pressed lightly against my forehead for a brief moment before he leaned back in his chair.

My knees were shaking underneath me.
“Thank God he can’t see behind this counter...”
I thought to myself, sitting down on a barstool. I looked down at the worn linoleum floor, hiding my bright red face.

“Order up. There’s the first three tickets, almost done with the rest.” Shep nodded as I gathered as many plates as I could carry at once.

“Thanks,” I muttered passing food out according to order. Once Shep was finished he slunk back to his hole, digging through a mound of empty bottles. I returned to my stool, rubbing my forehead.

“You okay, Ginger?” Atlas voice was the only noise I heard.

“I’m fine, just tired,” I admitted with a weak smile, “I don’t sleep well.”

“You off tomorrow?” I nodded as I continued to rub my face vigorously.

“Yeah, I have to go grocery shopping when I wake up. Some guy I know really likes Mexican food.”

“Ryker?” Montes asked eavesdropping on our conversation.

“Nope, hate the stuff,” Atlas snorted, “Yes, idiot.”

“You’re cooking for Ryker? No fair.”

“Montes shut up.” Atlas sighed.

“No one ever cooks for me.” He pouted, stabbing at his eggs.

“Montes, it’s a date.” I laid my head on the counter, laughing.

“Oh... Fine then, another time.” Montes took another bite, smiling.

“So glad I invited you!”

“Don’t listen to Montes, again, he’s an idiot. I think he’s our
Private Gump
.” Atlas smirked.

“That explains him so much better.”

“What time you get off?” Atlas took my hand in his, brushing the top with his thumb.

“Six unless Savannah comes in early.”

“Is Savannah hot? I’ll stick around if she’s hot.” Hernandez spoke with his mouth full.

“Didn’t anyone teach you any type of manners? You’re never going to get any sort of woman talking with food in your mouth.” I admonished him.

“Yes Mom.”

“Good boy.” I closed my eyes listening to the guys sling insults back and forth.

“You’re going to fall asleep.” Atlas voice was in my ear as I smiled sleepily at him.

“I know. Darcy woke me up too early. I think she called me not ten minutes after I fell asleep.” I opened one eye looking up at Atlas, noticing a fine stubble was grazing his jawline.

“Hm... I’ll have to talk to her about that.” He ran his hand through my hair, wrapping a curl around his index finger.

“Good luck with that. There’s no reasoning with that woman.”

“What are you two smitten kittens talking about?” Ackart called from down the counter.

“Smitten kittens? Seriously? Are you sure you’re a man?” I teased.

“I can prove it.” Ackart jumped up grabbing the crotch of his pants.

“If you want to keep it, I would sit your ass back down.” Atlas growled.

“Okay, too much testosterone for me.” I stood up stretching my arms above my head. “You guys done with these or you want to eat the plates too?”

“Are they edible?” Montes asked seriously.

“Yeah, go ahead.” I rolled my eyes as he stared at the plate with a look of fascination. I snatched it from his nose before his half a brain actually decided it was a good idea to bite it. “I’ll be back.”

Balancing at least eight plates I carefully stepped over Shep’s legs making sure not to disturb the sleeping giant and sat them down in the dirty industrial sink. Sighing, I turned on the water and let it fill while running back for the rest. Shep’s incessant snoring was making it hard to listen to the guy’s conversation as I washed the plates and silverware.

“She’s nice, I like her.” Montes’ voice carried the best.

“Yeah she’s not bad to look at either.” Hernandez said laughing, fully knowing it would get under Atlas’ skin.

“I’ll pluck your eyes out and keep them as a trophy, Eddie.” Atlas snapped. “That’s
my
girl.” I smiled at the thought of Atlas wanting to be protective of me. It was kinda sweet, a change from Dad or my brothers watchful eyes.

Scrubbing away dried on syrup I couldn’t stop my mind from drifting. Ever since I had the conversation with dad about Atlas not being like Spencer it was getting harder to avoid. It’s like laying in bed at night and you can’t stop from thinking,
“You know what’s a movie that I never want to watch again? Human Centipede.”
then you’re wide awake worrying about who is going to kidnap you and sew you ass to mouth with your best friend.

❋❋❋

“Where is your brother anyway?” Sarah turned to look at me over her shoulder. Her blond hair shining under the glow of the street lights, heels clicking cadence as we paraded down the sidewalk.

“He was in his room. It’s on the third floor so it was easy to leave without him knowing.”

“Probably jerking off.”

“Yeah, to pictures of you.”

“Disgusting!” She shuddered. “What about your mom?”

“Supposedly working another overnight.”

“In other words fucking her boss?” Sara snorted.

“More than likely,” I sighed, it was an unavoidable truth. Dad had been sent to Lejeune months ago and it was like as soon as his seabags hit the car she was off sleeping with someone else.

Sara had begged me to sneak out to see her new boyfriends band play tonight. I had chalked it up to she wanted to get drunk and start a fight and would probably need back up. It always happened that way. She would cause a scene, I’d end up hitting someone, and her and whoever she was sleeping with would break up a week or so later. Although I had to give it to her, drinking mine and Spencer’s big breakup away didn’t seem like a bad idea.

“I hope bitches aren’t going to try and be all over Jamie. I’ll flip. I’ll totally lose my shit.” Sara was talking mostly to hear the sound of her voice. She was one of those people that always talked no matter if anyone was actually listening or not. She would just assume they were and carry on.

Spencer had been off at college for three months and we had only seen each other a handful of times since. He had been pressuring me for sex for the last six months and I had yet to give it up. He kept saying after a year together that I was just being a prude, a tease, and he deserved a little something for all his hard work.

I had told him to go fuck himself instead.

I wanted sex to mean more than just something to do because everyone else was or it was because that’s what he wanted. And to do it just because Spencer wanted it was not an option for me. At this point we weren’t even speaking despite his three or more phone calls a day. I knew he was going to be home for Thanksgiving any day now. Seeing him was going to be something I would have to deal with sooner or later. I’d just rather it be a lot later.

Sara and I snuck into the back of the club through the band entrance. She was sitting on Jamie’s lap, holding on to every word he was saying. She acted like he had put the stars in the sky just for her or something. Batting her eyelashes, giggling, and slamming back shots like it was her job; that had sealed my decision to stay sober. She was going to need babysitting later on when she was praying to the porcelain Gods.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was either Joaquin figuring out I had snuck out or Spencer. Neither of which I particularly cared to speak to right now. Flipping open the top, I opened the text.

Spenc:
Where r u?

I sighed rolling my eyes. He must have called the house. Just one night away from all the drama would be awesome. But no, it follows me everywhere!

Ellie:
Out w/ Sara

Spenc:
Where? @ ur house

Ellie:
Concert her new b/f band

Spenc:
Where?

Ellie:
Leave me alone

Spenc:
No coming 2 get u

Ellie:
I’m turning my phone off

I did just that, stuffing it deep into the back pocket of my jeans. Slipping through the side door I took my spot in front of the stage next to a slurring, swaying Sara. Together we danced, sang the covers the band played, and screamed for the guys just like good groupies were supposed to do. They were actually a decent band for being unsigned. A little lighter than what I usually preferred but a solid rock sound regardless.

Sara casually dropped the information she was leaving with Jamie after their set. Which yet again left me to find a way back home, across town, at one in the morning. Rather than getting to go back to Sara and her mom Lorraine’s apartment six blocks away.

Fantastic, thanks for that Sara.

“Ugh,” I groaned walking through the alleyway more than pissed off at my so called friend. With my head hung down I pulled out my phone, turning it back on, determined to call for a cab. I dodged drunk people puking next to the dumpster before turning back down another alley to use the phone.

“Be quiet,” I heard Spencer’s voice in my ear before his hand clamped hard over my mouth. His arm snaked around my waist, holding me tight against him. He reeked of alcohol. “I was lucky Sara is an idiot and posted on Facebook where you two would be tonight.”

I threw my elbow back as hard as I could connecting with Spencer’s ribs. He grunted, constricting his hand, squeezing my face until I yelped. His nails were cutting my skin causing tears to well up in my eyes.

Spencer began to dragging me backward. Further down into the dark cramped alley. I wasn’t going down without a fight, the guys had trained me better than that. I flailed, kicked, swung my arms wildly trying to make any contact with his body.

But mostly, I screamed.

And screamed.

And screamed.

Over and over until I thought my lungs would give out. Until my throat was raw. All I could hear was the sound of my voice and Spencer yelling at me to shut up.

I screamed the entire time Spencer’s fists laid into my face, splitting my lips, bruising my eyes.

I screamed while the world went hazy, blurring in and out.

I screamed while he plunged the knife into me over and over again.

I screamed until no more sound would come out.

❋❋❋

“Ellie?” Atlas’ voice startled me, jerking me back to the here and now. My breathing was rapid, heart racing, sweat formed on my top lip as my chin trembled. With shaking hands I dropped the blade of steak knife I didn’t know I had been gripping in my balled fist.

“Fuck,” I groaned, clutching my bleeding hand. “Blood...” The air left my lungs as my world began to spin. “Blood makes me...” My voice was hoarse as I watched with blurry vision as Atlas stepping over Shep.

“Oh shit. You okay?” Atlas face was pale, masked in concern.

Tears were forming in my eyes as he took my hand. I bit my bottom lip feeling nauseous as the metallic smell filled my nostrils. The room started to spin, my vision in and out again as I looked at the blood running down my hand, dripping between my fingers to the concrete floor. My knees buckled as my eyes rolled into the back of my head and the world went black.

“Is she going to be okay?” I could hear a male voice trying to break through the haze that surrounded me.