Dangerous smiles

For Better or For Worse

*Ashton's POV*

Kat and Daniel had already sat down at the table and I knew I couldn't avoid it. I got out of the car and slowly walked to the table.

The boy from the bridge, now officially named Sawyer, transfigured his face into a look of pure shock and disbelief. Everyone was looking at me and before anyone noticed his look he masked it into a poorly conceived happy smile.

"Wait a minute! I know you!" Josh exclaimed.

You have got to be kidding me. First I find the boy from the bridge, and his brother is the one kid who tries to be my friend at school.

Sawyer quickly whispers into his ear and Josh loses a bit of resolve.

"Aren't you from Jefferson high school too?" He asks. I nod, grateful for whatever Sawyer said. I don't know his reasoning but clearly he doesn't want to show that he recognizes me. Good thing we're on the same page on that.

They ask a ton of questions and me and Daniel politely smile and answer. Corbyn is blonde and decently tall. He's a musician and has a good voice. Jonah is in a band with Corbyn but currently didn't have any songs nor were there any other members. Sawyer was like a freaking love sick puppy. Whenever Kat talked he couldn't stop smiling and every few seconds he would glance at her, and then at me to see if I noticed. I didn't let on that I did.

After a while Daniel needed to go to the bathroom. I stood up to go with him but so did Sawyer.
"I'll show you where it is." He said.
Clearly implying he wanted to talk to me, we walked together and around the corner to where the bathroom was. Daniel entered and me and Sawyer stared at each other.

"At least I know your name now. Sawyer." I said.
"You're Kat's brother?!"
"That surprises you how? Small world dude." I mocked.
"I don't know what I did to you, I was trying to help you that night." He told me.
"I can take care of myself."
"You passed out into the snow with very few layers. You probably would have froze to death. And who do you think washed your grimy clothes and wrapped your bandages?"
I blushed as I realized he was right. It was embarrassing that I had been naked in front of him as he washed my clothes.

"Don't give me that look. Don't worry I gave you a pair of my boxers and I didn't look down there." He said as his face grew hot in realization.

"Thanks for that. But that doesn't mean I trust you." I told him as my face turned redder in embarrassment.

"And what about your back? It's hard to wrap your chest when I first have to pull of a dirty shirt and then keep you upright as I wrap."

This guy has intentionally, unintentionally seen all my scars. That in itself made me want to punch him. But he was right. He did help me, even though I never asked him to. Maybe, just maybe I could trust him.

"So what should I know about you? Because clearly what I know about Kat might not even be real..."

I just laughed.

"You like my sister!" I told him.

His stance shifted and he flushed. He couldn't avoid nervously grinning, despite trying to find it.

"Fine. You seem like you could be trustworthy."
I took his phone and put my number in it.
"Text me. I want to get to know you a little bit."

He smiled and tried to hug me. I couldn't avoid it and get pinned. Damn. For a twig he was strong.

"I will. You seem like an awesome person to know" he said with a grin as he pulled away.

I looked down and then stared him in the eye.

"You've already got a large enough bulge though. If we talk about my sister at all I don't want to see it get any bigger." I scolded him.

His face burned with a fiery red and he moved around sheepishly. Good. He was... he was attractive, but I still didn't know much about his relationship with Kat. Though from what he knows about me and his interest in my sister, I would hold any ace over his head. Only if he proved trustworthy then I might show my cards. Until then? All he was is someone that knew too much about me and had an interest in my sister.

As Daniel walked out and we started walking back, I shivered. Sawyer and Josh could become the closest I've ever become to anyone. They could be one of the best things that has ever happened to me and Daniel. Or they could tell everyone my secrets. My scars.

They could help remake me. Or they could be the end of me.

"Hey! We're going back to my place! Corbyn and Jonah have to go practice and Josh said he had something he wanted to work on. So you can drop him off and then come over!" Kat yelled with a giant smile. Sawyer brightened up and vigorously nodded.

Everyone started walking to the cars with me and Sawyer in the back. I punched him in the shoulder.

Gonna be nice to really see what you're like. I signed to him.
He smiled at me and shyly nodded.
Just one thing. Don't let your bulge get any bigger.
His face went rosy as all I could do was laugh.