Page 41 of Switch

I nod. “Yeah, I met her once at that dinner for the club officers. She seemed cool.”

Bri grins. “Sheiscool. And she had nothing but nice things to say about you.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Really?”

Bri smirks. “Oh yeah. She also said she’s never seen Jax like this with anyone before.”

My stomach twists—not in a bad way, but in thatwhat-the-hell-do-I-do-with-this-informationkind of way.

Brooke tilts her head. “And how exactly is Jaxlike this?”

Bri shrugs, but there’s something knowing in her eyes. “She just said he’s different with Bella. Like, softer. More… invested.”

I shift uncomfortably. “She's probably just being nice because I don’t know about all the club stuff.”

Bri gives me alook. “Mmmhmm. Keep telling yourself that.”

Brooke isn’t smiling anymore. “Look, Bella,” she says, voice softer now. “I’m not saying he isn’t a great guy. We’ve met him, and from everything I know, he seems genuine. That doesn’t mean his life is for you.”

I stiffen, irritation creeping up my spine. “You think I haven’t already thought about that?”

“Iknowyou have,” Brooke says. “But I also know you, and when you fall for someone, youfall hard. And this? This isn’t some guy with a nine-to-five who’s going to be home for dinner every night.”

I shake my head. “I’m not expecting that.”

Brooke studies me. “Aren’t you?”

The question lands like a punch to the gut. I swallow, looking away. “I know his life is different. I know the club comes first.”

Brooke nods. “And how do you feel about that?”

I don’t answer right away becauseI don’t know.

Brooke sighs. “Bella, I’m not trying to talk you out of this. I just want you to be honest with yourself. Can you really handle the late-night calls? The secrecy? The way he has to drop everything at a moment’s notice? Because that’s not going to change.”

I rub my temples, the weight of her words pressing down on me. “I don’t know, okay? Iwantto say yes, but when he leaves like that, when I don’t know where he is or what he’s doing… itsucks.”

Brooke nods like she expected that answer. “That’s why I’m asking. You don’t just have to likewhohe is. You have to likewhathe is.”

I bite my lip, frustration curling in my chest. Because I don’t know if I do. I don’t know if Ican. And that scares me more than anything.

SEVENTEEN

JAX

Perdition is packed—thekind of night where the air is thick with cigarette smoke, the music pounds just hard enough to rattle your skull, and the drinks never stop flowing.

Blade, Rev, and I are posted up at the bar, whiskey in hand, shooting the shit like always. Or at least,theyare. I’m barely listening, my mind tangled up in club bullshit and the fact that Bella’s been pulling away.

I don’t know why. I don’t know what the fuck changed. But it’s eating at me, and no amount of whiskey is dulling the edge.

Rev eyes me over the rim of his glass.“You good, man?”

I grunt, taking another sip, but it doesn’t go unnoticed.

Blade smirks, but there’s curiosity behind it.“You’re about as fun as a funeral tonight. What the hell’s up with you?”

I shake my head.“Nothing.”

---