more for us | grayson dolan (book two)

twenty four

My eyes stay glued out the window of the uber the four of us are piled into. The familiar New Jersey scenery passes us by, as a knot continues to grow in my stomach. My right hand is locked with Grayson's, and he's smoothly running the pad of his thumb over my skin.

I don't take my eyes off of the houses to know he has a small grin on his face. When the driver finally turns down the richest block in town, my green orbs latch on to the very familiar black porsche and white jeep that haven't been touched in months.

There it is. The perfect Dolan mansion that I grew to absolutely adore. Compared to where we live now, I shouldn't complain about how extravagant it is. When I first laid my eyes on it I was shocked and intimidated, but now my heart feels whole to see it again. This house holds so many amazing memories.

"Here we are!" Lanie breaks me out of my trace by squealing.

"I'm so excited to see mom and dad." Ethan says with a bright smile.

The uber stops in front of the long driveway, and Grayson turns to look at me with his usual loving eyes. "Home sweet home."

"It feels good to be back." I admit while getting out of the car, gripping onto my backpack that contains my essentials for a quick overnight getaway.

Since Sean and Lisa already paid the driver to pick us up at the penthouse, we were set to hurry inside and see them after a few months apart.

"Oh my god, they're here!" Lisa's voice abruptly shouts as she rushes out of the front door. Sean trails behind her with a large grin.

"Oh, my boys!" She hugs both Grayson and Ethan at the same time, who wrap their arms around her.

"Hey mom." Ethan says with a chuckle.

"You're kind of crushing us." Grayson adds while gasping.

"I have every right to, I haven't seen you boys in forever."

"Honey, it's been a few months." Sean laughs while pulling Lanie into a hug.

Over the last two years I've come to realize that Lanie is closer to Sean, and I'm closer to Lisa. We just have a special bond over the piano that not even Laura can take away.

Once she's done suffocating her sons, she turns to me with no hesitation. "Stella, I'm so happy to see you."

She pulls me into a warm hug, and I can't help the giddy smile that takes up my entire face. "I'm happy to be here."

"Congratulations on your showcase, Grayson has told me all about it. Please tell me you brought your sheet music so you can play it for me."

"Of course, I would love your feedback on it." I giggle while pulling away from her.

"Stella, you look great." Sean says with open arms. Lanie and I switch, and now I'm being engulfed into one of Sean's usual bear hugs.

"Thank you, New York has been doing me well." I admit with a laugh.

"Let's go inside, it's chilly out here." Lisa instructs once her and Lanie let go of their hug.

I hold onto Grayson's hand as we enter the house. The minute we step through the door, a wave of memories hits me like a brick.

We walk past the room with the piano, and chills run up and down my spine as my brain replays a sweet moment that Lisa and I shared in that very spot.

"I usually don't, but I couldn't resist." She lightly chuckles. "I think now is the perfect time to tell you."

"Tell me what?"

"I pulled a few strings and officially got you into the community college." She smiles brightly as she rises to her feet. "This isn't permanent, I'm determined to get you a full scholarship into Juilliard next year."