Blake POV
I want to avoid tonight, to pretend it doesn’t need to happen. I even told myself that if Jacob didn’t settle, I’d have a good reason to skip it altogether. But he has, sleeping soundly for over an hour now, leaving me no excuse to cling to. I feel unsteady, torn between my instincts to stay and protect Jacob, and the realization that avoiding Jax won’t solve anything.
Jax stands by the door, waiting. His expression is calm, unreadable, but I can feel the weight of his patience pressing on me. My stomach twists as I hesitate, my hand hovering near the doorknob. I glance at Chase, who’s leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching me closely. He gives me a small nod, the kind that says, Go. You need this.
I sigh, swallowing the lump in my throat, and finally force myself to
