Page 39 of Sinful Professor

“Yes,” she purrs. “You will be.”

When I figure out where I’m going, I part ways with her after a too brief kiss. Then we gather together for a rundown of how things are going to go. The session band has run through our songs exactly as we submitted them, so there will be no in the moment changes. Something that doesn’t surprise me in the least. As it goes, I’m the second to last to perform. John is six people ahead of me.

We pass the time chatting with the other contestants and cheering them on. As I follow John onto the stage when he’s called up, someone shouts out from the front row. It’s Lee Smith, the lead singer of Roll With It.

“Excuse me Mr. Adams, but who’s your piano player?”

“Dr. Brock Rush,” he answers.

“Dr. Rush?” he laughs. “Isn’t he also a contestant?”

“He is,” John laughs. “But he’s also my professor. I asked him to be on stage with me.”

“Very well,” Lee nods. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Once he’s set, he counts us in and we’re off. I’m delighted at his performance, which was practically perfect. The crowd roars with approval when we finish, and John happily takes a bow and waves. I clap him on the shoulder when we walk off.

“That was fucking awesome,” I tell him.

“It felt good,” he sighs. “It really did.”

As the others walk out to perform, I’m more than impressed with what I hear. And although I feel like I have an edge because of my profession, that doesn’t mean what I have to offer is what they’re looking for. Even so, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. Because I owe that to myself, and to Sadie.

When my name is called, I walk out and scan the front row. My sweet Sadie is over toward the left, so I can easily see her when I play. Once I’m settled, I blow her a kiss and wink. Then I count the band in and set us playing. I look away from Sadie only when necessary. As the song builds, I get lost in the sound. Never once tuning in to the backing vocals to see if they’re being sung correctly. No, the only important thing in this moment is me and my goddess.

During the bridge, my emotions get the best of me, and I have to fight back tears as I sing about my love. But when I look out and see tears in her eyes as she holds her hands over her heart, my voice rings out with renewed strength. After I sing the last line and the band lets the final chord fade, I watch with delight as Sadie is the first one to shoot to her feet and scream for me. Laughing, I stand and acknowledge the band first. Then I turn to my audience, barely hiding my shock at the sight of every member of Roll With It also on their feet. I give them a bow before blowing another kiss to my Sadie and walking off.

Cloud nine might be one way to describe this. But whatever it is, I’ll take it. I’m so lost in my euphoria; I never notice Bianca approach. So, I’m caught off guard when she rises up and presses her lips to mine. She slips her hands into my hair but I’m quick to break contact and push her away.

“What the fuck was that?” I gasp.

“That was amazing, Brock,” she breathes. “You have to work with me on my new album.”

“The answer is no,” I tell her. “And it always will be.”

With that, I brush past her and into the green room. With only one more contestant to go, it won’t be long until the waiting game begins. We were told that they’d make a decision today. So, when the last contestant is finished, we’re asked to rejoin our family and friends while the band deliberates. I happily make my way back out to Sadie. But what I’m not prepared for just ten minutes later is to be escorted into a room where all of them are waiting for me.

With Bianca.

Twenty-Seven

“Dr. Rush,” Lee says. “Please, have a seat.”

I do what he asks, my anxiety damn near through the roof at their expressions. Even so, I remember my manners.

“Please, call me Brock.”

“Very well,” he nods. “Do you have any idea why we asked you back here?”

“No,” I say slowly.

“How long have you been writing songs?”

“Several years now,” I tell him. “I taught composition for a time and made sure I created my own songs alongside my students.”

“What do you mean you taught composition for a time?”

“I asked another professor to take over the class when I lost my muse.”

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