Page 105 of Love on Tour
Okay. Just glad you’re coming.
Please don’t tell anyone other than Matt!!!
I won’t.
She texted back.I mean anyone.
I won’t tell Phoebe.
She walked down to Julianna’s office. “Do you really think we can keep me safe?”
“I won’t lie. I’m not comfortable with it. But if you insist on going, I’m with you. What cinched your decision?” Julianna said.
“The high school quarterback asked me for tickets and meet and greets.”
“Oooh, that’s a big one.” Julianna spread her arms wide.
“Yep. I need a favor.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t tell anyone we’re going,” Christine said.
“Who would I tell?”
Christine raised her eyebrows. “Oh, no, I won’t even tell her,” Julianna said. “But Austin probably will.”
“He said he wouldn’t.”
“It’s not her, Christine.”
“Okay.”
Julianna stared hard at her. “It’s not.”
“I said okay,” Christine said.
CHRISTINE SET TO WORK ANSWERINGall the private messages. She didn’t want to say no to anyone, but after going back to Austin two more times to ask if she could include more people, she cut it off at twenty. Even her high school English teacher wanted to come.
Austin texted,As many as you want, Chrissy.
Thanks. But I think twenty is enough.
She texted Matt just to make sure he knew. She wasn’t sure Austin had thought about how much work this would be for Matt.
Matt texted,Are you kidding? Austin’s so excited. Happy to host your friends and glad you’re coming to the show.
More like acquaintances, but thank you.
Christine felt okay about this. They’d made a plan. They’d stick to it. She would stay in the background, unseen. Nobody in the audience would know she was there. Her parents were out of town, vacationing in Carmel, but she felt that was better. They were savvy enough to follow socials and knew some of what was happening. She’d stopped telling them about the notes and let them believe those had ended. They had finally calmed down and stopped asking her to move home. Christine hated worrying them, and knowing she was going to one of Austin’s concerts would upset them.
ON THE DAY OF THE CONCERT,Julianna and Christine drove together to the airport. They arrived plenty early so they wouldn’t add any stress to an already stressful day. They were in line at Starbucks when Christine gasped.
“Are you okay?” Julianna said, suddenly on high alert.
Christine pointed.
Phoebe was walking down the hall toward them. She wore thigh-high black boots over tight blue jeans and a low-cut royal blue shirt that showed off her amazing cleavage. With herconfident and lengthy stride, she looked like she was walking down a runway at a Milan fashion show.
