Page 89 of Switch

“Yeah, I’ll be there.”

He ends the call and drops his phone on the side table, exhaling heavily.

“You gotta go?” I ask, already bracing myself.

He shakes his head. “No. I’m staying.”

Something warm blooms in my chest at that, but I push it down. “Everything okay? Did someone get hurt?”

Jax sighs, dragging a hand over his face. “Carlie was out with the twins when one of the old guys who left the club approached her. He was an asshole, got aggressive, but didn’t touch her. She was shaken up and called Mason. He’s pissed.”

My stomach drops. “Oh my god. I’m glad she and the boys didn’t get hurt.”

He nods. “Yeah, but this shit’s escalating.” His jaw flexes, his hand still holding mine. “I should’ve known those fuckers wouldn’t just walk away. But now they’re making it personal, and I can’t let that slide.”

I squeeze his hand. “What’s Mason going to do?”

Jax exhales sharply. “Not sure yet. But I’ll be there tomorrow to figure it out.”

I watch him carefully, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. I can see it—the tension in his shoulders, the storm in his eyes.

And maybe I shouldn’t, maybe I should hold back, but I shift closer anyway, resting my head against his shoulder.

Jax doesn’t move for a second, like he’s waiting for me to change my mind, but then he tightens his grip on my hand, his thumb brushing slow circles over my skin. He exhales, the sound deep, almost relieved, before pressing his lips to my hair.

“I love you,” he murmurs, his voice low, rough around the edges. “I hope you know that.”

Something about the way he says it—like he doesn’t expect me to say it back, like he justneedsme to hear it—hits me right in the chest.

I close my eyes for a second, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing, the warmth of his body pressed against mine. Idoknow he loves me. That was never the problem. The problem was whether love alone was enough. I shift, tilting my head so I can look up at him. His eyes meet mine, and for once, they’re completely open—no walls, no guarded edges, justJax. I squeeze his hand. “I love you, too.” His breath stutters, just barely, but Ifeelit. “But Jax…” I hesitate, trying to find the words. “I need more than words. I need to know this isn’t temporary. That I’mnot going to wake up one day and feel like I’m on the outside of your life again.”

His jaw tightens, his fingers flexing around mine. “You won’t.”

I hold his gaze. “Then show me.”

Something flickers behind his eyes—not hesitation, not doubt, butdetermination. He nods once. “I will.”

After the third episode, Jax stretches, then sighs. “I should go, baby. Gotta let Oreo out.”

I nod, knowing this was coming. The night was always going to end, and no matter how much I want to keep him here, I’m not ready to take that next step yet.

He stands, pulling on his boots, then shrugs into his cut, adjusting it over his shoulders like the second skin it is. I get up and follow him to the door, my mind racing the whole way.

Ihatethat he’s leaving. I don’t want him to go. But I also don’t know if I’m ready to go back tohisplace—ourplace. And what do I do about my stuff? Do I just leave it there like I’ll eventually come back? Iguesswe’re still together, right? I mean, he’s here. We’re here. But it’s not like things just snap back into place overnight.

Jax pauses at the door, watching me, and I know he sees me thinking too hard. His fingers brush under my chin, tilting my face up to his. “What’s going on in that pretty head?”

I hesitate for a second before answering. “I’m not ready to come back yet.”

He nods, no hesitation, no frustration. “I get that.” His voice is low and steady. “I’m not rushing you, baby. But know that I want you home as soon as you’re ready.”

Something about the way he says it settles the unease in my chest. He’s not askingifI’ll come back. He’s just waiting forwhen.

I nod. “Okay.”

Jax leans in, kissing me slow and deep—like he’s telling me without words that he’ll be back, that this isn’t the end of the night, just a pause. Then he pulls away, his fingers lingering at my waist before he steps back.

Watching him leavehurts.

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