The Maine Attraction

3. Fries

I had to practically force myself out of bed around 11am. I was already over the time difference and wanted to adjust. 3 hours didn't seem like a lot, but it was totally killing me. I changed into a pair of black leggings and a tank top before walking out of the room and into the bathroom. I quickly used the bathroom and brushed my teeth. I pulled the hair tie out of my hair and combed my fingers through the waves caused by the braids. Once satisfied, I walked out of the bathroom and made my way downstairs. I was hoping to see my brother or Dani, but when I walked through the living room and into the kitchen I was met with neither of them. Instead, I was met with a shirtless Sawyer.

"Good morning." I said quietly.

His shoulders tensed just slightly before he turned to face me. I took the opportunity to take him in, looking at the boy... man I hadn't seen in 3 years. He looked the same, but older, more mature. The last time I'd seen him he was my age. But 3 years can do a lot to a person when it comes to maturing, I would know.

I think he was doing the same, taking me in and seeing all of the things that had changed in the last 3 years. "Morning, Ave."

I couldn't help but smile when he called me by my nickname. I have no idea what last night was all about, but it was nice to hear the voice that I'd recognized. "Where's Callum?" I asked.

Sawyer leaned against the counter and folded his arms over his chest. I couldn't help but notice the muscles flex as he moved, my eyes wandering over the tattoos that painted his olive skin. I recognized a couple of them, but some of them were new.

"He went into town to grab lunch with Dani. They will probably be back soon." He responded.

I nodded, tearing my eyes away from his arms and back to his face. "Cool."

I watched Sawyer's eyes as they looked me over again, taking in his best friend's little sister. I wondered what was going through his mind.

Did he think I looked older?

Did he think I looked prettier?

Did he even care what I looked like?

So many questions were running through my mind, none of which I would be able to ask him. He probably wasn't even thinking about anything that I was thinking about, so in reality it really didn't matter that much.

"How's it feel to be back?" He finally asked, which gave me no indication of what he was thinking about the way that I looked.

I leaned my hip against another counter, still facing him. "It's weird. It feels like it's been longer than 3 years. It feels weird being here but not being at my dads house." I answered honestly. It was weird, being here but not being in my home. It was weird that I didn't have the ability to go to my dads house and be in the room I grew up in. Instead, I'm staying in Sawyer's old room. "It's kind of strange being in your house. Feels like I'm not supposed to be here." I added with a laugh.

Sawyer let out a soft chuckle that went straight to my belly, making it erupt in another wave of nerves. "It's a bit weird having my best friend's little sister sleeping in my room-- my old room." He corrected.

My best friend's little sister.

There it is.

"Trust me, it feels weird sleeping in the same bed that my brother's best friend used to sleep in." I retorted, making it a point to call him my brother's best friend. I know that it didn't affect him the same way that it affected me, but I needed to say it anyway. "I can only imagine the things that used to go down in that room. Why are you living in your parents house anyway?" I asked, curious as to why he lived here and his parents didn't anymore.