Dandelion

Five

Briar dropped the boys off at the park entrance with another mom whose kid was on the same t-ball team as Eli and Theo. She then went to find somewhere to park. She managed to get behind and leave later than she had meant but seeing that crystal rose unnerved her. After Briar talked to Eli about it, she immediately dug out the card that Detective Winters had given her four years ago. Chaos constantly followed and tried to break the small damn she had built up. Life had a funny way of making hell a walking and talking tormenter. Detective Winters didn't answer so she left a message and then called her mom. She didn't want to be alone at home that night. She couldn't shake the sickening feeling of not knowing if he was out... if he was back no matter how irrational it was. After talking with her mom, she had to rush to throw on a pair of worn-out jeans, a black-and-white long-sleeve ball shirt, and a baseball cap that she bought last year with Eli's team name on it. She pulled on a pair of her beat up converses and shouted for the boys. Trying to get them into the truck was like herding cats after that.

She hopped out of her truck and managed to drop her keys in the process. After she shut the door, she reached down for them.

"Well, well, well, we meet-"

Briar squealed and jumped, swinging on instinct, catching someone right in the gut. The person huffed and doubled over. It took her a minute to recognize who it was.

"Oh my god, you!" She shouted at him. Greyson looked up at her as he clutched his stomach.

"I would say nice to see you too, but I'm getting the feeling's not mutual," he winced and halfway smiled at the same time. Briar's cheeks started to burn.

"Don't jump out at people like that!" She shouted with her hands shaking. It was only Greyson, thank goodness. He chuckled and slowly straightened up, still rubbing the spot where she had just sucker punched him.

"Pretty sure I didn't, but I have to say, that's a hell of an arm," he chuckled more. Briar's face started to burn even more.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, pushing the thought of his compliment to the back of her mind. Was he following her? No, that's insane, he's a famous singer, what the hell would he be doing following her? Wait, what if he realized he tipped her too much and wanted the money back?

"I've got a niece playing in a softball game," he shrugged, "what are you doing here?"

"I've-"

"Briar!" Lani's voice cut her off and drew her attention. Briar looked over to see her friend running straight for them.

"Is the game starting?" Lani asked breathlessly. A moment later her eyes passed between Greyson and Briar and a small grin appeared on her face.

"Fancy seeing you here, Greyson James," she smiled brightly at him.

"Why, thank you. At least one of you seems happy to see me," he beamed boyishly. Briar rolled her eyes, but her heart skipped at the sight of him. Her stomach knotted slightly, and she had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling back.

"She's just being polite. We've gotta go, it was not nice seeing you again, Greyson," Briar snipped as she grabbed Lani's arm and they walked to the park. Her heart was slightly racing as she could feel his eyes following her. She paused and glanced back to see him still standing there, grinning.

"Goodluck on your niece's game," she shouted back, causing Greyson's grin to turn into a massive smile. Briar's heart skipped as she turned back and pulled Lani along.

"What was that?" Lani teased.

"Absolutely nothing," Briar blushed. Maybe it was the fact someone like him was giving her the slightest bit of attention, but she had to admit, it kinda felt nice.