Not really feeling hungry anymore, Aria pushed her food around her plate and half-listened to the conversation going on around her. She had slipped into a world of her own, when Brax raised his voice and she flinched as he stood up abruptly.

"You come back spurting all this crap about having changed, but the truth is you'll never change and you will keep dragging us into the messes you cause," Brax stated.

"Braxton's stick together," Cheryl replied.

"We do, mom, which is why these guys are here and not with you because I want better things for them."

"So you're going to turn your back on your own dad after everything I've done for you," Danny added, causing Aria to scoff and roll her eyes, "Something to say Aria?"

"Not to you," Aria said, turning her attention to Brax, "Can I go?"

"Going to run to that Barrett boy," Cheryl spat, "Can't sink much lower than dating a Barrett... what do you think about that Darryl?"

"I think that Aria is smart enough to make her own judgments," Brax replied, "Go ahead, Ari, you don't need to be here and that goes for you two as well."

Without a moment of hesitation, Aria, Kyle, and Casey all left the room. They didn't need to be told twice, they knew Brax and could read him like a book. Andy was already waiting when she reached the beach, making her way over and smiling as he greeted her with a hug.

"How're you feeling?" he asked as he entwined their fingers.

"Better now that I'm out of the house," Aria admitted, "Cheryl and Danny turned up during dinner, asking for our help with whatever trouble Danny's got himself into this time."

"Surely Brax won't get involved."

"I don't know anymore."

"Why don't we go get some milkshakes... my treat?" Andy suggested, changing the subject and Aria couldn't be more grateful.

Stood at the counter in the diner ten minutes later, Aria placed their order and looked up as Andy wrapped his arms around her from behind. It wasn't long, before Leah placed their milkshakes on the counter and they thanked her as they made their way back down to the beach.

They had been messing around for nearly an hour, when Aria spotted Danny walking towards them and let out a shout of surprise as his fist connected with Andy's jaw.

"If your dad thinks that he can use my daughter to get to me, he can think again..." Danny growled.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Andy argued, straightening up and wiping the blood from his face, "My relationship with Aria has nothing to do with my dad."

Danny landed another blow, knocking Andy to the sand and laying into him. Now knowing what to do, Aria tried to get Danny off of him and quickly found herself reeling back as he brought his elbow back into the side of her face.

"Ari," Andy shouted in concern, managing to push Danny away from him and rushing to her side, "Are you okay?"

Unable to find the words to answer, Aria simply nodded in response and grabbed Andy's arm as he took a threatening step towards Danny. It was a few moments, before she saw Andy relax slightly and watched as Danny debated his next move.

Danny wasn't known for his common sense, but after a few minutes, he turned and walked away without a word.

Author's Notes: Happy reading guys How will Brax react when he finds out what Danny has done? Find out in the next installment :)