Something Worth Fighting For by Ashley McNiel Page B

ended.
    “Excuse me?”
    “My middle name, it’s Quinn.”
    “Atlas Quinn Ryker, I like that.” I smiled, lacing my fingers between his on the gear shift.
    “Yours?”
    “Noelle, it’s where they get Ellie. My first name is Penelope, which I guess you already knew. They could have got Ellie from Penelope as well but my mother always said it was from Noelle. Whatever, rambling.”
    “I have a cousin named Penelope.”
    “No kidding?”
    “No kidding.”
    “That seems like destiny to me.” I leaned my head back in the seat staring out the window.
    “You think so?”
    “I know so.”
    “Well I’m certainly not one to mess with destiny.” Atlas laughed as he pulled into the waterfront cafe parking lot.
    “Exactly, she’s related to karma and that could screw up everyones positive energy flow or something.”
    “I didn’t realize they were related.”
    “Oh, cousins at least.”
    “Is this place okay? The guys suggested it.” Atlas opened the door for me, helping me out.
    “They have good taste in food at least. Darcy is the manager here.”
    “Unfortunately that’s where it ends for most of them.” We walked through the open doors and to the hostess table. “Inside or outside?”
    “Outside, it’s nice out.”
    “You’re an outdoors kinda girl aren’t you?”
    “Most definitely,” I nodded as the bubbly brunette waitress walked up, beaming at Atlas.
    “Hey guys, two?” She asked in a nasally high pitched voice.
    “Yeah, just the two of us.” Atlas answered.
    “Inside or out?”
    “Out.”
    “Right this way then.” Bubbly led us outside, seating us against the railing. “Molly will be your waitress. She’ll be with you shortly. Enjoy your meal.”
    “Thank you.” Atlas nodded, his eyes never leaving mine.
    “You got that poor lady all in a fluster there, Cowboy.” I laughed loudly.
    “It’s the base bunny tracking device, it’s like a sixth sense for some girls. I tend not to notice anymore but the guys like to point it out for me.”
    “Well all the incredibly handsome men I know wear uniforms.” Atlas shook his head, smiling behind the cover of his menu.
    Molly was a short round girl with a platinum blonde pixie haircut. She obsessed over Atlas’ every need. He was growing frustrated with her continuous questions and I’m not sure which amused me more. His being annoyed with the poor girl or her admiration.
    She took our orders, waddling away with a longing sigh. “I do believe she’s quite caught up with you as well Sergeant Ryker.”
    “That one was unavoidably noticeable. She reminds me of Charlotte.” He shuddered.
    “Who is Charlotte?” I asked toying with the straw in my glass of water.
    “My ex, that’s what she looked like. She was usually sweet as she could be, too sweet really. Turned out in the end it was a cover up of the massive bitch she actually was.” Atlas snorted in disgust.
    “What happened?” I asked curiously.
    “She wanted to stay in Granbury. She thought she could change me, I guess. Fascination of making the bad boy change for her or whatever. She wanted to make me into her pastor father.” He scoffed running his hands along the table top. “She wanted to get married, have kids right after she graduated high school. I wanted to join the Marine Corp, have a career, see the world, live a little. That wasn’t anything she was interested in. So instead of making a clean break she spread nasty rumors that had everyone thinking she broke up with me because I cheated on her. I didn’t, I never did. No matter how many opportunities I had, I stayed faithful.” He sighed, running his hand over his growing hair. “I damn sure didn’t love her but I didn’t cheat on her either. I’d rather tell someone I’m miserable than cheat. I saw what it did to my Ma and I just can’t do that to another person. Anyway, what about your ex?” He was clearly trying to change the subject.
    I felt my throat close up, stomach turn as I looked over his