Page 14 of To Believe In You
He focused on Adeline.
Their paths had crossed two years before, when the band had set up shop in Lakeshore. Matt had been deep in his addictions. Their stay in the small town had ended with him getting fired.
How must he have seemed through Adeline’s soft brown eyes that summer? She dressed casually, and her long brunette hair was the shiniest thing about her appearance. She hadwholesomewritten all over her, but she wasn’t foolish.
She must’ve thought of a dozen ways he could ruin this place by now—he certainly had—but she gave no sign of worry. She’d given him this opportunity at her non-profit and had taken it upon herself to train him on the material and techniques he’d need to know in order to teach ten- to seventeen-year-olds bass guitar.
It was grace, pure and undeserved.
“Thank you for this opportunity, Adeline.”
She nodded, assessing him as if she could see the regret that had him by the neck.
The night he’d gotten fired from Awestruck, before his final confrontation with Gannon, he’d come across her attempting to pick up bass guitar after setting it aside for years. He’d seen her as an enemy then. The competition. A threat to his job. After all, if the woman Gannon loved could play bass, what would stop him from firing Matt and putting her in his place?
Back then, everything except the truly dangerous things had seemed like a threat.
Turned out, Gannon fired Matt without a backup plan, and rightfully so.
“Last time I saw you,” he said, “when you were the one who needed a few pointers, I wasn’t so kind.”
The corner of her mouth quirked, showing agreement without resentment.
“I’d like to make amends for that somehow.”
“It’s forgiven, Matt.” She sealed the statement with a smile that was more in her eyes than on her lips.
“Thank you, but I’d still like to do something.” He scanned the space. Looked recently updated. “Is there some project I can do to help you out?”
Her bottom lip pushed up as she thought, then she shook her head. “All I ask is that you do a good job for the kids.”
“Helping them is important to me too. I’ll do my best.”
“Oh.” Her eyes brightened, and she thumped the table between them. “And come to the wedding.”
Matt’s jaw went slack. She wanted him at her wedding?
Her wedding to Gannon? Did Gannon want him there?
Thanks to tabloids and entertainment shows, Matt knew the event was coming up next month. Invites must’ve gone out at least a month before, and he hadn’t received one. Hadn’t expected one, given how he’d exited the band.
Making amends with the gift of a song this summer didn’t mean he expected a pass back into their inner circle. He waved the idea off. “You don’t want me there.”
“Of course.” She gave a smile and a nod. “You’ll know lots of people, and we’re working together now. Why shouldn’t you be there?”
“Does Gannon know you’re inviting me?”
“Gannon was impressed by ‘Whirlwinds.’ And he believes in forgiveness.”
Meaning what? He’d begrudgingly tolerate Matt’s presence? Matt had already caused the guy enough trouble without lurking at the wedding.
“You asked what you could do for me,” Adeline said.
Matt suppressed a groan.
“You can show you trust me—and the fact that you’re forgiven—by attending the wedding.” She tipped her chin down and leveled a look at him. “And having a good time.”
Matt rubbed his forehead. Attending the wedding would be better than disappointing Adeline. Besides, the heartfelt invitation oozed redemption. “Okay.”
