Page 114 of Truck Up

“Christian, no!” I yell. As much as I’m enjoying seeing Badger get what he deserves, this will only make things worse. It will anger my brothers more than they already are, and my parents will take Badger’s side. Fighting him won’t end well for any of us, even if it is satisfying to watch.

Christian punches him in the face two more times before he tosses Badger to the ground and steps back, stopping right beside me.

“Did he hurt you?” he asks.

When I look up at him, all I see is concern and worry. It causes a fresh batch of tears to well up in my eyes.

I shake my head and lift my wrist to inspect. “Not really. Just squeezed my arm too tight.”

I slide up my shirt sleeve, and my wrist is red and already bruising. Christian sees it and gently takes my hand. He lifts it closer so he can see it better. Rage instantly replaces his concern.

“Don’t,” I say. “Nothing good will come of this.”

A low moan comes for Badger as he pushes to his feet. He’s holding his hand over his blood-covered face. “You broke my nose, you asshole.”

Christian growls. “You’re lucky that’s all I broke. Touch her again and see what I break then.”

Christian and Badger stare at each other like they’re debating on taking another punch. Not that Badger got a punch in with the way Christian charged him.

“Don’t,” I say to Christian, the sound of my voice is commanding, and it causes Christian to shift his eyes to me. “Let it go. For me.”

The door to the bar flies open and Linden steps out. His eyes scan the scene. “What’s going on?” He sounds more confused than anything. His eyes shift to the way I’m holding my arm. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine,” I say too quickly. He narrows his eyes and steps closer to me.

He takes my hand and studies my wrist. “This doesn’t look fine. Who hurt you?”

He shifts his eyes between Christian and Badger. Christian looks like he’s ready to jump Badger again, and Badger is still hiding his bloody face behind his hand.

“Answer me!” Linden’s voice booms around us. He lets my hand go and steps closer to Christian.

Christian glares at my brother and sneers.

“Why don’t you ask him?” He nods in Badger’s direction.

“What?” Linden looks confused. He thinks so highly of Badger that there’s no way he’ll believe Badger would do something to hurt me.

“Don’t look at me,” Badger says. “He’s just pissed that I was talking to Lia. He’s a jealous mother fucker.”

A deep ferocious growl comes from Christian. He balls his hands up into fists and I can see the veins popping out on his neck. He nudges past Linden like he’s ready to beat the shit out of Badger all over again.

“See!” Badger stumbles backward. “He’s crazy and unstable.”

“Linden,” my voice is shaky when I say his name. All three men snap their eyes to me. “Get him out of here.” I nod in Badger’s direction.

He stares at me for a moment like he doesn’t understand what I said. His eyes are filled with concern, confusion, and anger.

“What about you?” he asks.

“I’m leaving.” I dig my car keys out of my pocket and squeeze them in my hand. “I’ve had enough of this testosterone bullshit for one night.”

“I’m going with you,” Christian says.

I hold my hand up to stop him. “No, you’re not. I’m still mad at you and need some space.”

“Lia,” he begs.

I shake my head. “Not tonight.”