Page 107 of Love on Tour
“Good to have you here. Make sure you text Austin. He’s been driving me crazy asking when you’d arrive,” Matt said.
“Are you talking to me or Christine?” Phoebe asked.
“Oh, uh, he just said all of you in general,” Matt said with a stutter.
“I already texted him,” Phoebe said.
Minutes later, Austin came bursting through the door.
“Chrissy!” he yelled, picking her up and twirling her around.
Phoebe’s mouth dropped open and Christine saw Julianna reach for her hand.
Only when Austin put her down did he seem to realize his girlfriend was standing in the room. Phoebe’s arms were crossed over her chest and she wore a scowl.
“Hey, beautiful,” Austin said, reaching out to hug her. She kissed him on the lips.
“Hello, Julianna. Thanks for coming to help keep Chrissy safe.” He reached out to give her a hug.
“Glad to do it.”
“Here’s the plan,” Matt said. They all paid attention as he explained the night’s agenda.
“Perfect,” Christine said when he’d finished. “And thank you guys for being so accommodating.”
“Anything for you,” Austin said. Phoebe gave an eye roll but kept quiet.
They had two hours before Christine’s meet and greet.
“Let’s check out the new merchandise,” Julianna said.
“They usually set up at the main entrance. I don’t want anyone seeing me, remember?” Christine said, shaking her head.
“The public won’t be let in for another half hour. There’s just a couple of local theatre workers out there and some security,” Matt said.
“Okay. I guess that’ll be all right.” Christine nodded.
Phoebe looked reluctant to leave Austin until Matt grabbed him for a radio interview.
“Austin said they got some killer sweatshirts. They’re dark gray with a metallic blue emblem. He’s trying out some new things,” Phoebe said.
“Then can we hit catering?” Julianna asked. “I’m starved.”
They headed out to the main merchandise stand. The audience wasn’t allowed in yet, but the workers had already shown up. Christine always felt that a venue was a living, breathing thing. It was as if ghosts of concerts past had left their energy behind. You could almost feel the excitement rising from the seats even though they were empty. Vendors were preparing for the rush. The pizza stand was up and running, and the sweet smell of crust and mozzarella wafted past them.
“There’s something about the smell of pizza at a venue,” Christine said. Julianna and Phoebe nodded their agreement.
Security guards held a meeting in the main hallway. From what Christine could hear, they were figuring out how best to protect everyone against the fans who got too drunk and rowdy. Police officers were posted at each entrance. Security guards could only do so much if serious trouble broke out. Outside the main door, an ambulance was already on-site. You couldn’t be too safe when a few thousand people were going to be in a confined space.
“Hey, Alicia,” Christine said, her focus returning to the merch table.
“Hey. Long time no see, huh?” Alicia’s ponytail was pulled back behind a ball cap that sported one word: SPRINGSTEEN.
“I’ve been trying to keep a low profile.”
“I hear you have quite a posse coming tonight.” She took a stack of T-shirts out of a box and started folding them.
“A bunch of people from my high school are going to be here.”
