Page 106 of Love on Tour
“What is she doing here?” Julianna asked.
“I’m afraid to ask. And I do mean afraid.”
“Well, this is a surprise. Where are you headed?” Phoebe asked.
Christine froze.
“Austin’s show,” Julianna said.
“Cool. Me, too. What flight are you on?” Phoebe asked.
“American into Harrisburg,” Julianna said.
“Same. Let’s go check if we can get seats together,” Phoebe said, grabbing Julianna’s hand and pulling her to the gate agent.
Christine stared at Phoebe’s back. Was that really all it was? Her wanting to see her boyfriend? Or was there more to it? Christine shook her head to clear her thoughts. Phoebe may not be nice to her, but she was not her stalker. She couldn’t be. But the lingering doubt sat heavy in Christine’s stomach.
They boarded the plane and Christine took the window seat, Julianna the center, and Phoebe the aisle. Phoebe immediately put on her headphones and opened a magazine. Christine watched people board the plane, not sure what she was looking for but wary of the fact that she was opening herself up to more danger by going to the concert. She didn’t see anyone who made her feel suspicious.
She put on headphones, scrunched down in her seat, and listened to music. Sometimes it was best to sink into your own world on planes.
They landed in Harrisburg, grabbed their luggage, and stepped outside to meet their Uber driver.
Christine was their tour guide along the way. “If you take that exit and turn down two streets, you’re at my high school,” she said as they passed her hometown exit.
They also saw signs for Hershey. “Craving chocolate, anyone?” Phoebe laughed.
“Always,” Julianna said.
“They have an amazing arena there. I went to so many concerts when I was younger. Plus, we had the York Fair. I remember seeing Alabama for the first time. I feel like I’m stepping back in time,” Christine said.
“You kind of are,” Julianna said.
“For better or worse, we all have to do it at some point. Weddings, class reunions, funerals—there’s always something to return us to that time,” Phoebe said.
“It’s like quantum mechanics. We live multiple lives at the same time, if only in our minds,” Christine said, the weight of the past heavy on her.
When they arrived at the venue, a huge sign saidAUSTIN GARRETT TONIGHT!in bold red letters.
“It’s always been a big deal to have your name in lights at this theatre. At least in our little town, it means you’ve made it,” Christine said.
She directed their driver around to the back. “Home sweet home,” she said.
“You came to a lot of concerts here, huh?” Julianna asked.
“I did. This was my haunt.”
“And now you’re here, besties with the headliner. His number one song plugger. Mi vida loca,” Julianna said.
“My crazy life.”
They hung their All-Access laminates around their necks and headed in. Christine was nervous about seeing Matt. She’d changed clothes at least three times before leaving Nashville and settled on her favorite blue jeans, black heels, and a white top, reasoning that it was best to go classic when in doubt. They weren’t high heels but had a fancy mesh on the top that looked pretty. She liked how they played peekaboo below her jeans when she walked. Her sexiest black leather jacket completed the look.
They followed signs through the back, up the stairs, down a narrow hall, and straight to the production room. Christine knocked on the door while opening it.
“You made it,” Matt said, looking sexy in blue jeans and a fitted black T-shirt. He stood and reached out to her, pulling her into his strong arms for a hug. Christine closed her eyes, savoring the moment. He didn’t usually smell of cologne, but today he did. And his hair was damp and smelled shampoo-fresh. Was it too much to hope it was all for her?
He let go and greeted Julianna and Phoebe with much quicker hugs.
