Dandelion

Twenty-Three

Greyson stood there, unable to process what the hell had just happened. His chest was tight, his hands shook. He wanted to hit something, no someone, but as badly as he wanted to, he could never hit his sister. Briar said that it was the truth, but it couldn't be further from the truth. He was trying to figure out how to get her to go with him. He wanted her... no, he needed her by his side. Life without Briar wasn't a life at all. How had the day gone from the best day of his life to the worst?

"Grey, man, are you okay?" Myrick came around. Greyson's breathing came short as he spun around and went back to the house. He walked up on the porch where Haley stood with a paper towel up to her nose.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Grey asked through gritted teeth. Ada was standing right there, but right then, Greyson didn't care.

"What do you-"

"Don't play stupid with me right now! What all did you say to her?" Greyson could feel the tears like small pin pricks at his eyes.

"I told her the truth," Haley shouted back.

"What truth Haley? Yours? Briar is nothing like Riley was, she is nothing like anyone else. If you would've gotten your head out of your ass for about ten fucking seconds you would have seen that!" He shouted; Haley shrunk back slightly.

"She's only after your money, Greyson, anyone from a mile away could see it," she said exasperatedly. Greyson huffed a laugh.

"Do I look like I care! I chased her! I went after her! Not the other way around! And you know what? You're one to talk about going after someone's money. What is that? Chanel?" Greyson spat, Haley's eyes widened.
"Oh what, think I wouldn't know a four-thousand dollar dress when I see one? You're out here going after old men for their money and want to sit there and judge me for actually pursuing someone who..." Greyson huffed as his chest ached, he shook his head, "I love you Haley, but just know I will choose that woman who just left me, until the day I die, over you."

Greyson shoved past his sister and went inside. He ran up the stairs and quickly changed his clothes. He grabbed his keys off his bed and ran back downstairs. Haley was gone as well as their dad's truck. Greyson jumped off the porch, but he heard his mother call his name, he stopped in his tracks, but didn't turn to face her. She walked around and looked up at him.

"I don't think you should go over there tonight," she said softly. Greyson shook his head.

"Don't tell me you're buying into Haley's crap, mama," Greyson looked at her confused. Ada shook her head.

"No, I heard what your sister said to Briar, and one day she's going to have to face that. I also heard what Briar said to you and she was right about a few things. You almost gave up your passion," Ada shook her head. Greyson opened his mouth, but Ada held up her finger.

"No son, I'm sorry, but what are you thinking? What did you plan to do when you went back? She has a life here, her son is here. What was your plan? If you have one, then by all means, go after her, but if you don't? All you're going to do is break her heart more. I like Briar, I truly do. She brought out the old you, my son who is kind, and gentle and always smiling. I've seen how you look at her, and I know you love her, and I can see she loves you, but you two are both playing with fire. Say she did go back with you, they both did, do you think she could handle the life of living front and center of the entire world?

"Or say you did give up singing to be here with her. Don't get me wrong, having you home again, I've loved it, and if you stayed you will always have a place here, but you would grow to resent her for making you leave this life you've worked so hard for. Then where will that leave the two of you? Right back here, only now you've both invested more time, more love, more memories that will be plagued with one thought... you gave up everything for her. Maybe you won't, but son..." she paused and reached for his hand, "that maybe is small."