Page 21 of Wish You Once More
No. No, we can’t talk. We tried that and it didn’t work.
“I was going to head home. Early start in the morning.” I turned away, busying myself by tidying up a pile of something which didn’t need tidying. Anything to stop me looking at Mat.
“Me too, I’m rehearsing with Jonny.”
“I wouldn’t have thought you’d need to.” It seemed odd to think of Mat playing with his brother’s band again, like he did when we were teenagers.
“A good musician always practices.”
I could almost see him smiling at me, even though I wasn’t facing him. “Is that what you are? Good?”
Dangerous territory, engaging in conversation.
“Someone seemed to think I was. Otherwise I guess I wouldn’t be where I am now.”
Mat had never been one to blow his own trumpet. He never came with the built-in self-confidence-bordering-on-arrogance that was Scott Lincoln’s speciality.
“Do you want a drink?” Mat asked.
Suddenly, I was gagging for something alcoholic. And I had promised Darla I’d enjoy myself.
“Please.” I gestured over to one beer tent which appeared to still be serving. “You should be able to get something from there.”
Mat turned to go.
“Wait.” I dug my hand into the back pocket of my jeans and came up with two crumpled drinks vouchers. As a committee member, we had certain privileges, and this was one of them. “Use these. Tell them they’re mine.”
“Got it.” He walked across the field, winding his way through the few remaining groups thronged there.
I couldn’t stop staring after him.
What the hell was I doing?
Mat Redmond was back in town for five minutes and I was already running after him like a puppy dog, tongue lolling out in adoration.
It’s one drink.
It’s not as if I’m about to drop my knickers for him again.
I cursed my weakness for even having that thought.
Less than five minutes later, Mat came back with two beers.
“It’s all they had left.” He handed me the unused vouchers. “Keep these. You’ll probably need them tomorrow after you hear me play.”
“Thanks.” I shoved them back into my pocket. “And I doubt it. You can only have got better since I last heard you play.”
“When was that?” Mat’s brow furrowed. “Probably at The Matchbox.”
I didn’t want to think about it. The night where everything went wrong between us. The night we both said things that could never be taken back. Words imprinted into my brain as if they’d happened yesterday, not four years ago. My silence clearly spoke volumes.
“Let’s get away from here.” Mat jerked his chin towards the exit. “I don’t much want to talk where anyone could hear us.”
My conscience pricked. I’d sworn I would never let Mat get close to me again. But if he was going to explain the reasons behind his decision, well, I’d be stupid not to at least hear him out. Then we could both move on, even if it seemed he had already.
I guess that meant I could move on—at last.
“Sure. Let me finish here first.”
