NICHOLAS

Beams of sunlight through tall windows warms the popular Corner Cafe on Piedmont Road NE. Professionally dressed people on their lunch breaks plan business strategies in colorful booths of striped sea-green, orange, and sunflower yellow.

Normally Nate and Wyatt would eyeball the tarts, eclairs and scones on bakery shelves that take up much of this cornerstone, neighborhood establishment. Right when you walk in, the display is hypnotic to a sweet tooth, and we’ve been here as a family many times over the years—Matthew with us. But do they give a shit about them today?

Those pastries can fucking wait.

Wyatt asks, “He here?” staring at me to see if I recognize Dane.

“Can’t see from here yet.”

The four of us are like something out of the Wild West, fists ready to whip imaginary guns from dusty holsters, moonshine still on our breaths.

And it’s only noon.

As we walk into the main dining room, on the far wall I see Dane with his smarmy smile, seated facing us in a half-booth, a single, empty chair opposite him. He’s talking to a pretty waitress.

“That’s him.”

She turns to go and Dane’s so focused on her ass that he doesn’t see me coming. He grabs her wrist like he forgot to tell her something. She doesn’t like it, and his lascivious gaze travels down her body as he says, “Get me a water, too, while you’re at it.”

“Let her go, Dane.”

His sick-fuck eyes slide to me. He drops his hand. But only because now people are watching.

“Nicholas,” he greets me with an irritated blink as he sizes up my crew. We didn’t leave on good terms and this approach isn’t friendly. But he relaxes and throws an arm over the back of the bench.

“Allow us,” Wyatt smirks as he and Nathan take hold of the table.

Matthew whips the chair out of the way, causing a bus boy to scramble in the other direction.

My brothers slide the table into the aisle and give me room.

We’ve got everyone’s attention now as I lunge forward, grab Dane Schweis by his expensive lapels and stand him up. “This is for Madison.” I punch him, but hold on with one hand so he doesn’t fall back. Rage takes him over but I dodge his reaction, and hit him again, snarling, “And this is for all the women you’ve creeped the fuck out!”

There are audible gasps, but other than that, silence. Even the music stopped playing.

I toss him backward onto the booth.

He charges at me, swearing, “Cocker, you snot-nosed piece of shit!”

Kicking him back with my shoe, I give an amused look to my crew. “Do I have a booger in my nose?”

All three of them answer with a smirk, “Nah,” shaking their heads.

“Didn’t think so.” Swatting his attempt at a punch I slam my fist into his profile as I move to the side. He falls onto his table, salt and pepper shakers sliding off. My brothers watch them go, and turn back to me.

“We’ll get those later,” Nate chuckles.

Grabbing Dane by his lapels again, I growl in his face, the entire restaurant watching. “I always hated you.” Louder I call out, “This piece of shit tried to force himself on his nanny and when she screamed and the children came running, he told his wife and their entire community that she was the one who made a pass at him! He purposefully ruined her reputation.”

Murmurs fly throughout the seated crowd.

“I also know for a fact that he cheats on his wife and thinks he can use his money to take advantage of girls who don’t have any. He says all women want is someone else to pay their way. How do I know?”

My punch comes so fast it’s a blur. He bangs onto the seat, stunned.

“Because he told me.”

Turning to the crowd I see phones pointed at us. We’re being videoed. I give the cameras a wave as we stroll out. “And now you know it for a fact, too.”

Matt raises his voice to add, “A real man stands up for good women.”

The restaurant breaks out in applause as we continue our satisfied journey to the exit.

Wyatt taps my shoulder. “Nicholas, look.”

The four of us stop to witness that pretty waitress Dane grabbed, pouring the water he sleazily asked for, right onto his head.

People whistle over more applause and cheering. And fuck if that doesn’t feel good.

Down with evil bastards.

Down with them all.