Page 15 of Switch

Maybe I am in trouble. And maybe, for once, I don’t mind.

The alley is loud with the clatter of pins and bursts of laughter as I sit at the scoring table, scrolling through my phone whileBrooke takes her turn. My legs are bouncing under the table, not from nerves, but because my phone buzzed a second ago and Jax’s name popped up.

We’re almost done with our third game—our “one more game” tradition before we call it a night—and my focus isn’t exactly on my aim right now.

I open his message, heart doing that little flip I’m starting to get used to.

Jax: Still bowling? What are you doing after?

I stare at the screen, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. What am I doing after? Going home, showering, and probably reading in bed? Not exactly thrilling. I don’t want to sound like a total bore, but I’m drawing a blank.

Before I can come up with something that sounds remotely fun, another message comes through.

Jax: You should come to Perdition. Bring your sisters.

I blink at the screen, caught off guard. Perdition. The club’s bar. He’s inviting me there? And not just me—my sisters, too?

“What’s with the face?” Brooke asks, plopping down in the seat next to me.

Brianna leans over my other shoulder, her eyes narrowing. “Is it him again? It is, isn’t it?”

I let out a groan, trying to angle my phone away, but it’s too late. They’re both peering over my shoulder like a pair of nosy kids.

“Ooooo, what does it say?” Brooke sings, a wide grin spreading across her face.

“Nothing,” I mumble, holding the phone closer to my chest.

“Liar,” Brianna says, laughing. “Come on, Bella, tell us! Did he ask you out?”

“Not exactly,” I say, sighing as I glance back at the screen.

Jax: Promise it’s not as wild as it sounds. Just good music, cold drinks, and some pool tables.

I bite my lip, trying not to smile. It’s like he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

“What did he say?” Brooke asks, nudging me.

I hesitate for a second before holding up the phone so they can see.

“He wants you to go to some bar?” Brianna says, her eyebrows shooting up. “Oh, no way. You’re not going alone.”

Brooke’s grin widens. “Good thing he invited us, too. This is going to be fun.”

“Wait, what?” I say, my head whipping toward her. “You two actually want to go?”

“Duh,” Brooke says, standing up and brushing off her hands. “When was the last time we went to a bar together? Besides, I need to see this Jax guy for myself.”

“Same,” Brianna says, crossing her arms. “He better live up to the hype.”

I groan, pulling my phone closer and typing a quick reply.

Me: We’re finishing our last game, but maybe. I’ll see if I can convince them.

His reply is instant.

Jax: You won’t have to. They’ll love it. Trust me.

Brooke and Brianna are already talking about what drinks they’re going to order by the time I set my phone down and grab my ball for the next frame. I shake my head, wondering how I’ve let them hijack this decision so easily.

---