Dandelion

Twenty-One

"Briar, this is my sister, Haley," Greyson said happily. Briar's face was guarded as she nodded. Greyson looked at her confused for a moment.

"Your mom introduced us earlier," Briar said softly. Haley didn't answer at first but then she turned to Greyson with a giant smile.

"So, tell me big bro, how's the life of fame and fortune? Loving it yet?" She asked happily. Greyson shrugged.

"Eh, maybe the first year or two, but I needed a break," he chuckled.

"What? You're living your dream! Music, women, money? What more could you ask for?" She asked almost passively. She glanced over to Briar who was clearly uncomfortable.

"I've learned recently taking a step back is better when it comes to doing something you love," he grinned as he looked back at his sister.

"I heard you were dating older men now?" He scolded. Haley waved her hand dismissively.

"As if that's as juicy as you being with Carrie May. What's that about?" His brow furrowed as she asked.

"It's a lie," Greyson grumbled.

"Uh-huh, and I'm a hot pink, polka dotted chicken," she rolled her eyes. Greyson looked at his sister strangely. Why was she being so weird? Not to mention rude.

"Hey, I'm going to go find Eli before we go up there," Briar remarked and walked off. Greyson turned, but Haley stopped him. He looked at her confused.

"What in the hell are you doing with something like that?" She chastised and pointed to Briar. He felt his temper rise.

"What the hell are you talking about?" That? Did he really just hear her call Briar... 'that'?

"A single mother with nothing to offer? What does she want from you, money?" Haley said bitterly.

"You're one to talk about wanting money from men. Secondly, I love that woman and you will not talk about her like that in front of me," he instantly corrected her, trying to reign in his temper. She snorted.

"Love her? Greyson you can't be in this business and love someone like her. How long have you even actually known her? Who the hell is she?" Haley asked rudely. Greyson stepped back from the woman that stood in front of him.

"Who the hell are you and what have you done with my sister? Because my sister isn't some shallow bitch to down someone she doesn't even know," Greyson snapped.

"Greyson," Ada said next to him, he jumped. He looked over and she was furious.

"Mama, I'm-"

Ada held up her hand to silence him and she turned on his sister.

"That woman and her family are my guests as are you and if I hear one more bitter word come out of that mouth of yours' child, you will be asked to leave. I have no problem with it. I raised you better than that," Ada bit out placing herself in between Greyson and Haley. Haley scoffed and walked off. Ada shook her head disappointed then turned around to Greyson. She reached up and grabbed the bottom of his ear.

"And if I ever hear you call someone that again, whether or not they deserve it, I will beat you until you are black and blue," Ada threatened with a vicious glint in her eye.

"Ow, yes ma'am. I'm sorry," he winced as she held him in place with a death grip. She nodded and released.

"Now, go find Briar and get back up there, we have people to please," she said with a perfectly placed smile as she turned and walked off. There were only three people he was utterly terrified of and his mother ranked number one on that list. She was small, proper, and every bit of a bulldog when she wanted to be. Greyson remembered a time she switched him up and down their driveway for sneaking out of the house. He was seventeen. He turned and went to find Briar, she sat next to her mother and Eli laughing and smiling. She had a beautiful blue and black butterfly painted next to her eyes. His heart was becoming full with every moment he spent with her and he had no idea how the hell he was going to be able to keep her when he went back to Nashville.