The next couple of weeks were quiet, allowing Aria to focus on school and her relationship with Andy. She was taking an early walk along the beach, when someone called her name and she turned to see Jake walking towards her.

"What do you want?"

"I just want to talk," Jake said, stopping a short distance away, "Out of all the Braxton clan, you seem to be the most level-headed and I could use that if I'm going to deal with Danny."

"Wait, you want my help?" Aria inquired with a frown.

"We both want the same thing," Jake replied, looking at something over her shoulder and tensing, "I'll give you some time to think about it... you know where to find me."

With a nod, Aria watched as Jake walked away and turned around to see Danny standing up near the diner with Cheryl. Although she didn't want to see them, she had arranged to meet Andy for breakfast and took a deep breath before continuing on. She had just reached the doors, when Danny spoke and she sighed as she turned around.

"Does Brax know about your secret rendezvous with Pirovic?"

"Yeah, tomorrow he's inviting Jake over for dinner," Aria stated sarcastically.

"Drop the attitude," Cheryl snapped with a glare, stepping forward and grabbing Aria's wrist, "Let's go."

"Get off of me."

Aria pulled her arm out of Cheryl's grip, taking a few steps back and noticing the shift in Cheryl's demeanor. It was one that she'd seen plenty of times in the past and so, she wasn't surprised when a hand connected with her cheek.

"For once, just do as you're told..."

Not wanting to upset her anymore, Aria sent Andy a quick text and followed her parents over to Angelo's. They had just walked in, when Brax emerged from the back room and frowned as he approached.

"What happened?"

"Caught this one meeting up with Pirovic down on the beach," Danny told him.

"You saw Jake harassing me," Aria mumbled.

"I was referring to the red mark on Ari's face," Brax stated angrily, glancing over at Cheryl and Danny knowingly, "Ari, why don't you go get a drink?"

Glad for the chance to get away from Cheryl, Aria went behind the bar and got herself a bottle of coke. It wasn't the first time she'd been hit by Cheryl, or Danny for that matter and it definitely wasn't the first time Brax had had to handle it.

Jake's proposition was starting to sound really good and, despite knowing how hard it would be, she was beginning to think that it would be worth it. Danger, lying, it was something that she'd grown up around and had seen how easily it could destroy people.

"What are you thinking about?" Kyle asked as he joined her.

"How much easier life would be without them in it," Aria admitted, motioning to where Danny and Cheryl were still arguing with Brax.

"Life was definitely different with Danny in prison."

With a nod, Aria drank her drink and listened to the argument that Brax was having. Laid on her bed later that night, she stared at the ceiling and made the decision to stay away from Jake. She hated Danny and wanted him out of her life more than anything, but she knew that getting involved with Pirovic would only lead to more trouble.

Author's Notes: As always thanks for reading Did Aria make the right decision or is Pirovic her only real option?