Something Worth Fighting For Read Online Free Page B

something close to a drowned rat.
    “You did not just do that!” I stared up at him, gawking as I pulled my hair into a ponytail.
    “I most certainly did.”
    “You are so going to pay for that.”
    “Am I? Bring it on little girl.” He teased putting his balled fists on his hips. I stepped back admiring his broad shoulders, abs, and the delicious partially exposed inverted triangle cut of his body. The water was dripping off of every toned muscle that flexed as his body moved. I had to be staring at him like he was a steak dinner and I was a starved tiger.
    “Yes, sir.” I smiled mischievously then pounced on him. He caught me laughing as we fell back into the water. I used both hands to try and push his head under water, my legs wrapping around his waist. With all my strength behind it I finally managed to dunk him.
    Atlas came up laughing, wiping his face as he kept me close to him. “You know I let you do that right?”
    “I figured.” My bottom lip poked out as I pouted. He grinned, pressing his wet face against the curve between my neck and shoulder.
    “I have a crush on you, Ellie.” His voice was soft, breath warm against my skin, causing goosebumps to rise up and down my arms. 
    “Funny, because I have a crush on you, Atlas.” I laughed, laying my arms over his shoulders. Atlas hands wrapped all the way around my forearms, holding me still. Before I could pull back his eyes jerked downward to where his thumb was brushing against the nearly arm length vertical scar.
    “I--” He blew all the air in his lungs out at once, “I’m not going to ask even though I want to, damn, do I want to. I hope one day you’ll tell me. I won’t be able to change it but maybe we can make life a little bit better for each other.” His forehead was pressed against mine but his eyes never left my arms.
    “I’d like that.” I smiled up at him, eyes squinting against the sun. By his words, I realized that maybe I’m not that only one who needed someone to be there for them when the dark times come.
    “Good. If you ever need...”
    “I know, back at ya’.” I cut him off, sighing contently as I fell back into the water.
    “You have some great tattoos.” I could feel his eyes on me, running over my arms, sides, tops of my legs.
    “Thanks, no, I won’t show you all of them.” I smirked covering my eyes from the sun.
    “That’s okay, it leaves something for the imagination.”
    “Good answer.”
    “What time do you have to work?” Atlas was now floating on his back next to me, his pinky finger hooked with mine.
    “I usually work 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the summer and it depends on my schedule come September.”
    “Good now I know when I’m allowed to come eat.”
    “The food really isn’t that good.”
    “The service is.”
    “Again, good answer.” I laughed.
    “So what should we do on this chaperoned date?” Atlas chuckled as I groaned thinking of my father.
    “How about a home cooked meal? I bet you haven’t had a decent one in a while.”
    “A girl that wants to feed me? You’re after my heart Ellie Grant.” Atlas put both hands over his chest, pretending to swoon.
    “I can bake too.”
    “I love you. Let’s get married. Right now.” Atlas threw his hands in the air as a sign of defeat.
    “Hold on to that thought, Cowboy. It could be worse than Shep’s cooking.”
    “I’ve had worse. MRE’s taste like shit but it’s food.”
    “My brothers dared me to eat one once. Only once.” Atlas laughed as I shuddered. “What’s your favorite food? Do you have any preferences?”
    “Mexican anything.”
    “Allergic to anything?”
    “No ma’am.”
    “Awesome. I’ll have to go grocery shopping.”
    “You’re seriously cooking for me?” He asked excitedly.
    “You better believe it, Cowboy.”
    “I’m definitely not a cowboy, Ginger.”
    “Ginger, really? You know it’s not nice to make fun of ginger kids. We really can’t help it. It’s practically a disability.” I