Chapter 6: Bryn

“You helped him, didn’t you?”

As soon as Sawyer went up to his room I went to mine and called my sister.

“I’m sorry but he’s been calling me nonstop, and Milly has barely been sleeping! I was confused!” She whines.

Truthfully, I’m not that angry about it. I’ve been sad and angry for too long and I moved on to acceptance long ago, but why was Sawyer asking Poppy about me?

“What did he ask you exactly?”

“He asked what school you were going to and when. I swear I didn’t mean to get involved but I was so tired I didn’t realize I’d blabbering until the next day.”

“It’s okay. I just don’t get why he would come here. What happened that he had to transfer schools?” I’m not asking her specifically, but she seems to know everything related to Sawyer.

Thank you, Zach!

“Apparently, he burned all his bridges, and they offered him one last chance to play at another college because of how good a player he is. This is supposed to be his last chance at being drafted.”

Wow. Things were that bad?

“He didn’t seem upset though.”

“He’s been distant with Zach, but I think he’s numb right now. How is it going so far?”

I blow out a breath and lay back on my bed. “It’s awkward but it also feels familiar. I don’t want to hate him forever but how can I just let all that stuff go? He hurt me.”

“I know B, but maybe this is a chance to heal. Even if that means never being able to be friends again.”

“Yeah. Oh, and he did something so weird! I was talking to the delivery guy who brought us food from the vegan place. He was really nice and seemed to be flirting with me, but then Sawyer walked up and called me Babe. He put his arm around me and basically told the guy we were dating! I was furious.”

She doesn’t say anything, and I wonder if maybe she’s fallen asleep again. That has happened many times.

“Poppy? Hello? Did you fall asleep?”

“If I did fall asleep, how would I be able to answer that question?” She asks starting me.

“I don’t know! Why did you go quite like that?”

“I was thinking. He really called you babe?”

“Yes. Why?”

“It’s just….it sounds like he was jealous that guy was flirting with you.”

“What? Why would he be jealous? We haven’t seen each other in years. It doesn’t make sense.”

Poppy’s quiet again and I don’t like it one bit.

“Maybe he doesn’t want to see you dating anyone. Like you said he hasn’t seen you in a long time. Maybe seeing you has pulled up some old feeling for him.”

Feelings?

“What on earth are you talking about? We never…you know…shared those kinds of feelings. At least he never did. He dated a ton of girls after he broke off from me. Why would he do that if he had feelings for me? No. That’s crazy.”

I shake my head even though I know she can’t see me.

“I’m just saying it’s possible. You’re gorgeous and smart. Why wouldn’t he be interested in you?”

“Because I’m me…not someone he would date, I’m sure. He’s a hockey player, they have all those girls that follow them around constantly. He has a ton of choices.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. In fact, you should try doing some dating around yourself. That one guy was a total sleazebag so I don’t think that whole situation can he considered dating.”

She’s talking about my quick fling with one of my fellow nurse study students down in Ecuador. He was charming and sweet and talked me into a night out. We had a good time, and I was a little drunk when he asked if I wanted to go to his room. We kissed and one thing led to another. When I woke up the next day, he told me he had fun but wasn’t into relationships.

I gave him my virginity and he treated me like some hook-up. Of course, I didn’t tell him I was a virgin because I didn’t want to ruin our date. Anyway, he ended up sleeping with half the girls in the program and ended up knocking one of them up. Her dad was a cop and basically forced them to get married by scaring the guy. It was crazy but he learned his lesson. The pull-out method does not work! Idiot.

“I want to focus on my classes, but it might be fun to try and put myself out there more. I’ve gotten better at making friends since Ecuador so now I just have to muster the courage to do that again.”

“Exactly! Get some friends and a new boyfriend. Make sure you enjoy your time there. I’m proud of you baby sis.”

“Thanks! Well, I’m pooped so I’m going to try and sleep. Love you!”

“Love you too B. Talk to you soon.”

I end the call and stare up at the ceiling for a while trying to think over this weird situation. Poppy is right though; I need to find my people here. Sawyer might be back in my life but I’m not the girl he knew, and I need to make sure he knows it. I don’t need his protection and I don’t want it.

Slamming sounds outside my door has me startling awake. I hadn’t noticed I’d fallen asleep, and my dinner is forgotten on my desk. Which means I haven’t eaten in a while, and I’ll crash soon if I don’t eat soon. I push myself into a sitting position and rub the sleep from my eyes. It’s my first day at college! A whole new start. I walk into the bathroom and jump into the shower. When I come back out, I dig through one of my bags for my hair products and line them up on the counter.

My curly hair is always unruly, but I make a reasonable attempt at trying to tame it. I thread some anti-frizz stuff and then a soft to the touch putty. Once it’s evenly brushed through my hair, I do a twisted bun to let it absorb and pull on a basic t-shirt and shorts combo. I’ll finish getting ready once I’ve eaten and had my morning Macha Tea Latte. From the sounds Sawyer is already up, so I take a moment to get my head together. I want to move out, but he might be right, and it could be too late now.

With a few extra breaths I muster up some strength and step outside of my room. I make it to the end of the small hall and stop in my tracks to find Sawyer in the kitchen with nothing but his underwear on. I let out a small scream and cover my eyes.

“What the heck Sawyer? Why are you naked?” I yell and as always, a hiccup follows.

“I’m not completely naked! You don’t have to cover your face.” I startle when I feel him wrap his hands around my wrists and pull my hands away from my face.

I squeeze my eyes shut and try to push the image of his muscular back out of my mind. The effort is commendable to ultimately unsuccessful. His shoulders are so broad and just muscles everywhere!

“Bryn stop acting immature. I’m sure you’ve seen a guy’s chest before.” He’s patronizing me but I’m not giving in.

“Yes I have but-“

“You have? Who?” His voice sounds tight, and I finally open my eyes to get a look at why.

His face is tight and the muscles in his jaw are flexing. Is he actually jealous? What the heck?

“I’m not a blushing virgin Sawyer, but you’re not just anyone. We were friends once!” I say.

He looks away and is quiet for a minute before turning his head to look at me again. “If it makes you that uncomfortable, I’ll put a shirt on.”

He starts walking away but I call out to him. “And pants!”

All I get in return is a shake of his head, but I swear if doesn’t have pants on when comes back down then I’m out of here. While he’s out of the kitchen I get to work on making my breakfast. I see a bowl of half-eaten cereal and his phone on the counter. Now if anyone asks, I will swear that I didn’t mean to look at his phone, but it was unlocked and sitting there. I glance at it casually and see messages to Tabitha’s boyfriend. I don’t know much about the guy other than his name and only slightly more about Tabitha. They are still strangers to me, but Sawyer seems to know them well.

Apparently, there’s a party tonight and Sawyer asked about the sort of girls will be there. A weird feeling churns in my stomach but u don’t get a chance to fully digest it before I hear Sawyer coming down the stairs. I quickly move away and start looking through the fridge for something to eat.

“How’s this?” He asks from behind me.

I turn and swallow at the sight of him. He’s wearing one of those tank tops for men that shows a whole lot of his arms and some thin sports shorts. I mean thin because I can see…things. Somehow this is way worse!