Page 45 of To Believe In You
Matt nodded.
The pure enthrallment on Chris’s face out in the waiting room … He couldn’t put himself in a position to jeopardize the innocent adoration, which he’d do if he rejoined Awestruck.
As Gannon opened the door to the practice room, John lingered to shake Matt’s hand.
An unexpected sign of respect.
“Pray about it.” John held an extra beat and tilted his head as if to emphasize the importance of his order, then followed Gannon out.
* * *
Gannon and Johndidn’t linger in the office, so Lina could only guess what they’d wanted with Matt.
By the time Matt’s lessons finished, Adeline had left for the day. The other teachers passed through the office area but thankfully settled into rooms with another set of students before Matt finished his notes on his sessions.
Lina swiveled her chair toward him, poised to ask.
“I said no.” He didn’t look away from the computer.
“To what?”
His eyes looked tired as he lifted them in her direction. “Awestruck.”
They’d asked him back.
Wow.
“Why would you turn them down?”
“Because I know where that road leads.”
As did she—she’d seen the luxurious accommodations, the adoring crowds, the lavish studios. For Matt, Awestruck would mean the chance to repay his family and an escape from all the odd jobs. He could spend his days on music. “To fame and fortune?”
“To death.”
She flinched. He was usually such an optimist. “What happened to your friend resulted from other choices, not starting a band.”
He rubbed his hand over his face. “I know myself. The opportunities that come with getting back into Awestruck wouldn’t serve me well.”
“And you’re okay with saying no?”
“It was harder than I expected, but there’s a reason I’ve been telling Tim for months I wouldn’t rejoin.”
Her respect for him increased with every word. When he’d changed his mind about working at Key of Hope, she’d assumed he waffled easily, but staying true to his decision about Awestruck was quite a sacrifice. One she wasn’t even sure he needed to make. Couldn’t a man as committed to sobriety as Matt handle the pressures of the life?
Maybe, but if he went, she’d no longer have his company at Key of Hope. She twisted her ring, heart tugging. Nothing could come of her feelings for him. He didn’t want kids. He’d said as much. But his skill with his students hinted he’d be great with children of his own.
Her ringtone yanked her from her reverie.
“Who is it?” Matt’s low question came from close behind her. He must’ve gotten up and stepped over.
“My dad.” She watched the screen. She’d set a boundary with Shane, and though she hadn’t warned her father of her choice, she’d determined to let voicemail screen Dad’s calls. They’d traded their weekly messages like usual ever since his initial call about selling, but Mom had already left the update for the week.
The screen switched from showing his number to reporting a missed call.
“Things are still awkward over the property?” Matt braced his hands on the side of her desktop.
“He hasn’t mentioned it in weeks.” The notification appeared, indicating Dad had left a message. She lifted the device. “Guess I’ll find out.”
