Page 17 of Switch

“Guys,” I call out as we approach. Both of them glance up, and Blade’s face breaks into a grin when he sees the three women trailing behind me.

“Well, well,” Blade says, setting down his beer. “Didn’t know you were bringing company, Jax.”

Rev straightens, giving a nod of acknowledgment. “Ladies.”

I ignore the smirk on Blade’s face as I grab a couple of chairs from a nearby table and gesture for Bella and her sisters to sit. “You want a drink?” I ask, looking at Bella.

“Sure,” she says, then glances at her sisters.

“Beers all around,” Brooke says, leaning back in her chair like she owns the place.

I nod, heading toward the bar. As I grab the beers, I catch myself glancing back at them. Bella’s laughing at something Brianna said, her smile bright enough to light up the dim room.

Carrying the drinks back, I set them on the table and take my seat, the easy rhythm of the club and the noise around us fading into the background.

A half hour later, I’m leaning against the edge of the pool table, chalking my cue. Rev lines up a shot, squinting dramatically like he’s trying to calculate some kind of rocket trajectory. Blade’s cracking jokes, as usual, and the sisters—well, they’re already running their mouths about how they’re going to wipe the floor with us.

“You boys sure you’re ready for this?” Brooke teases, spinning a cue stick in her hand like she’s in a trick-shot competition.

“We’ve been ready,” Blade fires back, grinning. “Question is, can you handle losing gracefully?”

“Oh, we don’t lose,” Brianna pipes up, winking as she leans over the table for a practice shot. “You might want to take a picture when this is over—it’ll be the last time you see us let you win.”

Bella, quieter than her sisters but with a sly smile, steps up beside me. “They talk big, don’t they?”

I smirk. “They’ve got to. It’s their only chance to psych us out.”

“Game on, boys!” Brooke announces, pointing her cue stick at me. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

The game starts, and it’s chaos from the first break. Rev, who claims to be a “precision shooter,” somehow scratches on his first shot, earning him a round of groans from Blade and me.

“Really, Rev?” I say, shaking my head. “You practicing for a trick shot or trying to lose on purpose?”

“Shut up, Jax,” he grumbles, brushing chalk onto his cue. “Just warming up.”

“Yeah, well, warm up faster,” Blade says, laughing. “We’re not losing to the Pin Sisters.”

“Don’t hate the name!” Brooke fires back, her eyes gleaming as she lines up a perfect shot. The solid ball rolls smoothly into the corner pocket.

“Damn,” Blade mutters. “I didn’t think she’d actually make that.”

“Oh, you’re in trouble now,” Brianna says, her turn up next. She circles the table, her gaze like a hawk. “What’s that sound? Oh yeah, it’s the sweet sound of victory.”

The sisters are good—better than I gave them credit for. Brooke sinks another shot, then Brianna gets two in a row, sending Blade into a spiral of fake excuses.

“That table’s slanted,” he says, gesturing dramatically.

“It’s regulation,” Bella points out, laughing.

“Yeah, regulation for cheaters,” Blade grumbles, though he’s smiling.

By the time Bella takes her turn, the room’s filled with the kind of easy laughter that makes it hard to care who’s winning. She leans over the table, her focus sharp, and taps the cue ball. It rolls cleanly, knocking one of their balls into the pocket.

“Nice shot,” I say, unable to keep the admiration out of my voice.

She looks up at me, a flicker of surprise in her eyes before she smiles. “Thanks. You might want to start taking notes.”

Blade lets out a loud laugh. “Oh, she’s got jokes!”

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