Switch by Janelle Stalder Read Free Book Online Page B

beer was pressed into his hand before he even sat down.
    “Where you been?” Trent asked, leaning in close. His older brother was constantly worried and paranoid. Pete flashed him a carefree grin.
    “Just running a bit late is all,” he said. “Not to worry.”
    “Running a bit late,” laughed Seamus. “I bet. Who was it this time, Chloe? Rebecca?”
    Pete shook his head, smiling from ear to ear.
    “Danielle,” piped in his younger brother Garrett. Pete took a large gulp of his beer, welcoming the cool slide down his throat. His brother and best friend starting laughing as he avoided their eyes.
    “Danielle?” Seamus sputtered. “Jesus, boy. I don’t know how you do it.”
    Neither did he, if he was being honest. It wasn’t like he had much to offer these girls. He just hoped Danielle was smart enough to be gone before he got back. It wasn’t that he didn’t like her, because he did. Or at least, he liked her enough not to want to be a complete ass. But there was too much going on in his life to be worrying about relationships and things. Christ, he could barely keep himself out of trouble, he’d hate to bring anyone else into his life permanently.
    “Next time,” Trent said low enough just for him to see, “you deal with personal shit after . Got it?”
    Pete turned to meet his brother’s gaze, all humour gone. “I’m here. Everything is fine. Get off my back.” They stared at each other tensely for a moment before Trent looked away. He might be older, but they both knew who was giving orders around here, and it wasn’t him.
    “Come on boys,” Seamus said, lightening the mood. “The night is still young, and we got a whole lot of fun ahead of us. Let’s not ruin it, yeah?”
    “Yeah,” Pete nodded, shifting in his chair.
    “Have you spoken to the General?” Garrett asked. Pete nodded once. “He still coming?”
    “He’ll be here,” was all he said. More guys came to join their table and soon the conversations turned to regular things. Trent even seemed to lighten up as he laughed at some ridiculous story Seamus was telling, which Pete knew for a fact was a complete lie. His best friend was notorious for stretching the truth.
    “That’s bullocks,” Garrett accused, laughing.
    “You think?” Seamus shot back, sitting up straighter.
    “Absolutely. There’s no way your measly little arms could lift a car all on their own,” his brother argued.
    “Measly?” Seamus gasped. “I’m telling you the truth. The girl was pinned under there and I lifted the damn thing right up.”
    “Sure you did,” Trent said, chuckling.
    “It can happen,” he said. “They say even women can do it when their kids are trapped.”
    “That’s not the same thing,” Trent argued.
    “Why isn’t it?” Seamus waved him off. “You guys don’t know what you’re talking about. McKay believes me, don’t you, McKay?”
    Pete shook his head with a laugh. “Seamus, you couldn’t even beat me in an arm wrestle if I challenged you. There is no way you picked up a bloody car.”
    Seamus sat back, affronted. “You don’t think I could beat you in an arm wrestle? I could win in less than ten seconds.”
    Laughter broke out around them. Pete kept his gaze on his best friend, fighting back his own laugh. “Oy! You reckon?”
    “I’m sure of it.”
    “Then it’s settled,” Garrett said happily. “The two of you, right now, right here. Arm wrestle challenge. Seamus has exactly ten seconds to beat you, or we get to beat him.”
    Seamus groaned. “It’s only fair,” Trent added. “Everyone gets a shot if you lose.”
    “Fine,” he said, conceding. “But no hits to the face.”
    “It might do you some good,” Garrett pointed out. Seamus leaned over and punched him in the arm. Pete shucked off his jacket, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt. They placed their elbows on the table, Trent holding their hands together.
    “Alright boys. On three,” he said. It was on. Pete wanted to laugh as Seamus