Page 80 of Switch

I roll onto my side, staring at the ceiling for a long moment before forcing myself to get up. My jeans from yesterday are folded neatly on a chair, my sweater draped over the back. I tug both on, my body moving on autopilot, my mind still tangled in last night.

The fight. The way I walked away. The way Jax let me.

The road stretches ahead, endless and quiet, the hum of the tires against the pavement lulling me into a state of restless thought. I sit in the backseat, letting Brianna take the front, my headresting against the cool glass of the window as I stare out at the snow-covered trees blurring past.

I don’t talk much, and thankfully, my sisters don’t push. They chat about work, about their favorite songs, about some reality show they’re both obsessed with, filling the space so I don’t have to.

But my mind isn’t here.

It’s back in that country bar, with the cowboy who wasn’t Jax.

It’s back in that cabin, with Brooke’s words echoing in my ears.

"You don’t have to prove you’re strong enough for him. He has to prove he’s strong enough to let you in."

I don’t know what to do.

Icouldcall Jax. Demand answers. Force him to be honest with me.

Or I could walk away. Let go before I get hurt any worse.

Every time I think about reaching for my phone, my chest tightens. I don’t want to be the one fighting for this—not if I’m the only one willing to.

So I decide to do nothing.

I’ll wait.

If Jax wants me,reallywants me, then he’ll have to show me.

We pull up in front of Brianna’s place, and she turns in her seat to look at me.

“You okay?”

I force a small smile. “Yeah. Just tired.”

She doesn’t look convinced, but she nods. “Call me later?”

“I will.”

She squeezes my hand before getting out, waving as she heads inside.

Brooke pulls back onto the road, her hands tapping against the wheel as we near her place. When we finally pull into her driveway, she glances at me in the rearview mirror.

“What should we do for dinner?” she asks. “I’m thinking tacos. Or maybe takeout?”

I hesitate.

She’s offering me an out, a way to keep from sitting alone in my thoughts tonight. And part of me wants to take it. Wants to stay in the comfort of my sister’s home, let her distract me with food, a movie, and a long talk over ice cream.

But that’s not what I need.

I need space. I need to clear my head, to settle intomyworld again before I decide what to do next.

“I appreciate it,” I say softly, “but I think I’m going to head home.”

Brooke’s expression tightens, like she wants to argue, but she stops herself. Instead, she puts the car in park and turns to face me fully.

“You don’t have to figure everything out tonight, Bells,” she says. “Just… don’t shut us out, okay?”

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