more for us | grayson dolan (book two)

six

My eyes focus on the sheet of music in front of me. I have a few song books that perfectly sit on the beautiful grand piano in our dining room. I thought the one at Grayson's parents house was large, but this puts it to shame. Everything about it is perfection. The glossy texture, the perfect keys, and the fact that it's all mine.

During the move in process, Grayson made sure to set me up in a spot so I can de-stress. It's placed in front of one of the many glass windows, so the view is incredible. It gives me inspiration to write songs or play my favorite classics.

As I try to pick a song to play, my mind keeps drifting off to Laura. Without her influence, I wouldn't be in New York. I wouldn't have an interest in playing the piano and I would have no desire to better my future.

She may be an evil woman, but because of her talent I'm able to showcase mine. It's been such a conflicting week. My thoughts have been overpowering my brain.

Life is seriously so weird. It's a rollercoaster of emotions that constantly goes up and down. Moving here to live with the love of my life and best friends was such a high, and now being confused about my mother is a low.

My deep thoughts are interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming up from behind me. Grayson is out looking at more jobs that I could apply to, and Lanie is still on her campus.

"Figured you were down here." Ethan slowly walks up behind me.

"It's my spot." I shrug while turning to look at him.

"How are you holding up?" He shoves his hands into the pockets of his shorts.

"Weird. I don't really know how I'm feeling." I honestly answer.

"Any word on Jake?"

I scoot over and motion for him to sit down next to me on the bench. He picks up my signal and slowly lowers his body next to mine. "He claims he's busy with work."

"Do you want to talk about it?" He looks back at me.

"Jake is upset that I called Laura my mom." My voice is small, barely coming out a whisper.

"But, she is your mom." Ethan points out.

"That's why it's so hard. I've hated her all these years, but now that she's around I find myself starting to feel a small bit of curiosity about her."

Growing up without a mother was hard for me, even if I hate to admit it. Sure, Jake was always around to help, but it wasn't the same. I had nobody to guide me when I first got my period, no mother figure to give me advice about boys or school. Maybe I would have been more feminine if she was around. We could have gone shopping all the time. I watched everyone in school talk about how amazing their mom was while I lied about mine.

Ever since Lisa got me back into the piano, my mind would always drift off to Laura Monroe. When I first started to study music sheets again, I started to wonder if she would be happy that I reconnected with my passion for playing the instrument.

"It's okay to feel that way. You've been through a lot and you've come such a long way. If you want a relationship with her then don't let Jake stop you." Ethan says, which slowly snaps me out of my ongoing thoughts.

"She's not worth losing my brother over. He's my life, my family. She has her own family to worry about." I shake my head while looking at the keys.

"They aren't her family." He states.

"Yeah, they are. She has a husband and has been with his children for a whole decade."

"But you're her real child. There's no changing that. It sucks that she's been a shitty mother but maybe she-"