Switch by Janelle Stalder Read Free Book Online Page A

everyone would already be there. Figures he’d be late – again. A vibration in his pocket had him pulling off into an alley. He looked around before reaching in and extracting the small cell phone.
    “Hello?”
    “Where are you?” the voice demanded.
    “Easy, mate. I’m on my way,” he assured him.
    “Is Bridgette with you?”
    “No,” he answered, quickly reassuring him. “But not to worry, she said she’s willing to meet later tonight. She just can’t come to the pub.”
    “She working?”
    Pete cringed at the distaste lacing those words. “Uh, yeah.”
    An angry sigh filtered through the phone. “Fine. Get your ass over there now.”
    “I’ll see you in a few.” He shut the phone, stuffing it back, deep into his pocket. The amount of shit he could get in for having one was not something he liked to think about. No one, especially not one of the lower casts, were to have a cell if they weren’t in the army. His contacts made sure to drill that into his head. ‘Keep it a secret’ was one phrase he’d heard more times than he could count.
    He stepped out of the alley, picking up his pace. How in the world was he going to get these guys to a meeting with Bridge? At first he had contemplated bringing them to her work, maybe getting a room upstairs so no one would see them. But after hearing the way the General just sounded he didn’t think it was such a great idea anymore. Not that he didn’t understand where he was coming from. Since Bridge had taken that job it had pissed the hell out of him. Sure there were worse places, or so she continually reminded him, but that didn’t make it any better.
    Bridge had been his friend since he was young. He could hardly remember a time that he didn’t know her. For years now she’d been alone, making her own way, and even though Pete wasn’t family, he felt it was his duty to keep an eye out for her. He knew how lonely it could get without family, even though technically he still had most of his.
    Her sister, Charlotte, had been three years younger than him, so he never really knew her, but he could tell it was her loss that troubled Bridge the most. They had been close, as close as sisters can be. He recoiled at the thought of losing one of his brothers, especially back when they were younger.
    “How’s it goin’, McKay?” He looked up to see Tommy Boy walking toward him. He had no idea what his real name was, unless of course it was actually Tommy Boy, though he highly doubted it. Tommy was a regular scam artist, but didn’t give Pete much trouble. For some reason he liked the guy.
    “Tommy, mate,” Pete greeted, grasping hands. “Where you off to this lovely evening in New Berlin?”
    Tommy smiled. “Got me some cash, so I’m headed over to the Red Lounge. Want me to say hi to Bridge for you?”
    “Yeah, let her know I’ll see her later,” Pete replied.
    “You snogging that yet?”
    “Watch your mouth, mate.” He gave him a quick slap on the shoulder and started walking again.
    “Where you headed?”
    “The pub,” he called back without looking.
    “Tell the boys I say hi, yeah?”
    He waved his hand in the air in reply. How Tommy Boy got enough money to go to the Red Lounge wasn’t something Pete wanted to know, but he knew it couldn’t be good. Turning the corner, he sped through a back alley, coming out the other side right next to the pub. Loud voices and the clinking of glasses could be heard from the street. A few men outside smoking called out greetings as Pete made his way inside.
    The pub was packed. Music played in the background, drowned out by the sound of raised voices and the clack of balls from the pool tables. The air was stuffy but at least it was dry. Pete shook out the damp cold sticking to him, pushing his way through the crowds. Greeting people as he went, he finally reached the back table where the boys all gathered.
    “‘Allo, ‘Allo,” he called out.
    “McKay!” a few voices hailed in return. A full pint of