Liam and Archer slid over the table and hit the floor as silverware and dishes clattered to the linoleum. Cheyenne pulled me back as Archer rolled over Liam, landing a solid hit to his jaw, but Liam didn’t give in that easily. Twisting his body, he got back on top and landed a few hits of his own with his left hand as Archer pushed Liam’s injured wrist away from his body.
“Stop it!” I shouted, trying to get through to the guys, but it was like they didn’t even hear me.
“Let’s go!” Cheyenne urged, tugging on my arm, but I yanked myself away from her and charged at the men destroying public property.
“Liam, knock it off!” I shouted, grabbing his arm.
He jerked his body away from mine, and the momentum sent meflying into him, landing on Archer, who was just taking the opportunity to use the distraction to his advantage.
A hard fist landed against my cheek, and the hit sent me flying into Liam’s chest. Stars burst in front of my eyes as pain ricocheted through my head.
“Bailey!” Liam shouted, grabbing me by the arms, but two other hands enclosed my arms and dragged me away from the fight.
My brother was pissed as hell when he turned me in his arms and stared at the damage done to my face. His hand gently brushed against my cheek, and his eyes flamed with anger as I winced at the touch.
Liam and Archer were on their feet in seconds, both of them staring at me in horror.
“Get the fuck away from her,” Brody growled, shoving me behind him.
I felt Cheyenne tuck me into her side, and thankfully, was holding me up since my head felt like it had been kicked around a few times.
“Haven’t you two done enough damage?” Brody snapped.
I winced at the statement. Technically, Archer hadn’t done anything wrong, but I wouldn’t argue about Liam’s part in all this. He never should have attacked Archer.
The door opened again, and this time, Maverick stepped in, whistling under his breath as he caught sight of the mayhem. “What the hell happened here?”
Ruthie Kearns came running out of the back, staring in shock at the state of her diner. Guilt washed over me that I had played any part in the destruction. This diner was her home, and we had destroyed it.
My brother stepped forward, shoving Liam and Archer toward her. “Ruthie, we’re sorry about this. These two will make sure your diner is cleaned up, and they’ll pay for the damage.”
“And they’ll wash dishes the rest of the day,” Ruthie snapped.
“Yes, ma’am,” they both answered at the same time.
Brody was beside me the next second, his fingers turning my chin from side to side as he inspected the damage to my cheek. “Are you okay?”
“Who the hell put that shiner on your face?” Mav snapped.
“It’s nothing?—”
“It is not nothing,” Brody argued.
“Just drop it!” I snapped, storming out of the diner.
“Bailey!” Brody shouted, running after me. “Bailey, stop!”
I didn’t stop until the diner was out of sight. I couldn’t believe what had just happened, and on top of my miserable night, I was ready to go home and sleep off the rest of the day.
“Bailey, look at me!” Brody shouted, grabbing me by the arm and spinning me around. “Would you just hold on a minute?”
“What?”
I could already feel the tears pricking my eyes as he studied my cheek. I hated to cry, and even worse, in the middle of town where anyone could see.
“I can’t believe he fucking hit you.”
“It was an accident,” I huffed. “I never should have gotten involved.”
