As she pulled into her driveway, Georgina allowed herself a moment of weakness. She rested her head on the steering wheel and let the tears flow freely. The scent of Matt’s aftershave clung to it, a bittersweet reminder of the connection she'd just severed.
Eventually, Georgina wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. She had made her choice. Now she had to live with it. As she walked into her house, she tried to convince herself that she'd done the right thing, that keeping Matt at arm's length was the only way to protect her fragile heart.
But as she settled into the quiet of her empty home, Georgina couldn't shake the feeling that in trying to protect herself, she might have made the biggest mistake of her life.
Her phone pinged with a text alert, and she eagerly fished it out of her bag, her heart racing as she expected to see Matt’s name.
Instead, it was from her boss at the petrol station asking if she could cover the afternoon shift. She was supposed to have another practice session with Matt that evening, but she needed time to process what just happened. She texted her reply and forced herself to her feet. Working the shift at the petrol station would cut into the time they were supposed to practice. At least it gave her a valid excuse not to make it.
She texted Matt to tell him.
Sorry Matt. I can’t make
Practice tonight; I have to
cover a shift.
His reply was instantaneous.
No worries. We still have
tomorrow night .
Community centre
Already booked.
All she could manage as a reply, was a thumb’s up.
Chapter fourteen
The community centre loomed before Georgina, its weathered brick facade a silent witness to countless gatherings, celebrations, and now, her own internal turmoil. The setting sun cast long shadows across the parking lot, painting the world in hues of orange and purple. Georgina took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp evening air tinged with the salt of the nearby sea.
Her hand hovered over the door handle, hesitation gripping her heart. Inside, she knew Matt would be waiting, his guitar probably already tuned, his warm brown eyes likely to be filled with questions she wasn't sure she was ready to answer.
The memory of their last encounter at the garage washed over her, bringing with it a fresh wave of regret and uncertainty. Had she made the right decision in pushing him away? The doubt gnawed at her, as persistent as the waves eroding the nearby cliffs.
With a sigh, Georgina pushed open the door, the familiar scent of wood polish and old books enveloping her as she stepped inside. The sound of gentle guitar strumming reached her ears, guiding her towards the main hall.
Matt sat on the edge of the small stage, his fingers dancing across the strings of his guitar. He looked up as she entered, his face lighting up for a brief moment before a guarded expression took its place.
'Hey,' he said softly, setting the guitar aside. 'I wasn't sure you'd come.'
Georgina forced a smile, trying to ignore the way her heart clenched at the uncertainty in his voice. 'I said I'd be here, didn't I? We have a performance to prepare for.'
Matt nodded, his eyes searching her face as if trying to unravel the mystery of her sudden withdrawal. 'Right. The performance. Shall we get started then?'
As they began to practice, Georgina found herself hyper-aware of every movement, every glance. The easy rapport they had shared just days ago seemed to have evaporated, replaced by an awkward tension that made her skin prickle.
Their voices, once blending in perfect harmony, now seemed slightly off-key, as if reflecting the discord between them. Georgina stumbled over lyrics she knew by heart, her concentration shattered by the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air.
'Sorry,' she mumbled after flubbing a line for the third time. 'I guess I'm a bit distracted tonight.'
Matt's expression softened, concern replacing the guarded look in his eyes. 'It's okay, Georgie. We can take a break if you need to.'
The use of her nickname, spoken with such gentle familiarity, sent a pang through Georgina's chest. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, the door to the hall swung open with a dramatic flourish.
Veronica sauntered in, her lithe figure encased in the same form-fitting dance attire. Her eyes lit up as they landed on Matt, a predatory smile curving her perfectly painted lips once again.
