Page 107 of To Believe In You
Like old times. Only better.
Did she believe that, or was the positive spin for the fans’ sake?
He skimmed comments. People were excited to have him back. Said the next tour would be the best in ages, and Lina’s replies, all from Awestruck’s account, played up the hype.
But her true feelings? Those, he guessed, didn’t skew positively. Down in Texas, if Nadia was watching, she likely felt the same.
What a fraud he was. Matt tossed his phone on the passenger seat and spotted Tim headed toward him, motioning him to roll down his window.
When the manager reached him, he braced his hands on the open sill. “I meant to ask. You didn’t buy this, did you?”
Matt shook his head. He’d rented the sedan at the airport. It would get him by until he had the mental capacity to make a purchase.
“Good. It’s ugly as all get-out.”
Not uglier than a certain brown monstrosity that was probably in a scrap heap by now, but he knew Tim wanted more for him than a run-of-the-mill sedan. And finally, the reason why he had been dedicated to seeing him succeed clicked. “All this time, it was guilt, wasn’t it?”
“Huh?”
“The reason you tried to keep peace between me and Gannon last time I was in the band. The reason you championed me this summer when I wanted to give them ‘Whirlwinds.’ The reason you found a job for me and tried to launch me as a songwriter. It was all to ease your conscience about Nadia and Axel.”
Tim lifted a shoulder, averting his eyes. “Your point?”
“Did it work? Feel better?”
“I don’t know why you’re after me about this. You’re the one putting your fortune toward a dump truck to right some old wrongs.”
It wouldn’t be his whole fortune, but since Awestruck had paid more than required for a used truck, he’d set up a call with a commercial vehicle dealer to obtain a new one. If he moved quickly enough, he might have the truck before the commercial driver’s license he’d acquired to work at the family business expired.
Delivering the truck to his father would be one of the best moments of his life. The thought of it alone almost coaxed him into laughter.
In contrast, Tim looked miserable.
“Once that’s done, my debt will be paid. When are you going to stop feeling bad?”
“I’ve got something in the works.”
“What?”
“You’ll see.” Tim crossed his arms. “Tell me. When’s your last day at Key of Hope?”
Matt squirmed. He’d meant to talk to the guys today about extending his time at the non-profit.
Tim seemed to read his expression. “Don’t worry. I talked to Lina for you today.”
“Huh?”
“She said you hadn’t put in your notice, so I did it for you. She’ll have someone new hired next week.”
So soon? “Is that really necessary?”
“It is the plan we discussed, and you’ve got a to-do list a mile long in your inbox. The sooner you start checking things off, the better.” He turned away as he spoke, starting for his own rental.
Last time Matt worked for Awestruck, he’d never been emailed to-do lists. Had he? He’d operated on the assumption that if he put things off long enough, someone else would do them. It had worked well enough.
This time had to be different, but did he really have to sacrifice Key of Hope?
Perhaps. As much as he hated to leave Chris hanging, he’d bet Lina had used the last couple of hours to dig up a new instructor. And he’d bet she’d been happy to do it.
