Page 108 of Love on Tour
“I told Matt I’d help escort them out so he could bring in the regular meet-and-greet folks. Thought it would look better for someone other than you to do it. Let you take the high road out.”
“Thank you. That’s really nice,” Christine said.
“All good. I’ve been there. Nothing worse than hometown shows to bring people out of the woodwork, huh?” Alicia said.
“Exactly. And some of these people didn’t treat me too well back then. The whole thing has my stomach twisted in knots.”
“Then why do this?”
“It’s closure on old wounds.”
“We’ve all needed closure on something in our lives. I get it,” Alicia said.
“Thanks. It helps to have people who understand,” Christine said, giving her a smile.
“Whatcha looking for, ladies? The new sweatshirt is amazeballs. That metallic blue on the dark gray. Crazy cool,” Alicia said, reaching into a box to show them.
“Austin’s been raving about them but keeps forgetting to bring me one,” Phoebe said.
Alicia pulled one out of the box and put it on the counter. “And check out that logo. It pops. Practically 3D.”
“You’ve convinced me,” Christine said, opening her purse and pulling out her wallet.
“Nope. You’re one of us. They’re on the house.”
“No, I insist on paying,” Christine said.
“Me, too,” Julianna said.
“You’re family. Austin would want it this way. If he found out I made you pay, he’d make me pay,” Alicia said, laughing.
“Thanks, Alicia. That’s very nice,” Christine said.
They looked over some of the other merchandise, but Alicia was still setting up and they didn’t want to get in her way.
They returned backstage and found catering. It wasn’t as fancy as on the big tours, but they were serving Mexican food with make-your-own tacos.
“This will definitely work,” Julianna said.
They spent the next forty-five minutes devouring their meal and relaxing in the catering area. Christine was unnerved and pushed her food around her plate.
“This is really getting to you, isn’t it? You barely ate,” Julianna said.
“Twenty people from high school? And a stalker. Uh, yeah. I wish I hadn’t eaten at all. I know it sounds foolish. I’m an adult. A successful one at that. But I’m pretty nervous.”
Her texts had already blown up four times with people confused about how to get their tickets from will call. She had repeated the instructions over and over until everyone had what they needed.
After eating, Phoebe headed in the direction of Austin’s bus and Christine assumed they wanted some private time. Christine felt a little pang. When she was on the road with Austin, he spent a lot of time with her, always wanting her close. Giving deference to the girlfriend felt odd.
Julianna watched her watching Phoebe. “You okay?”
“Huh? Yeah. I just don’t usually have Phoebe here, and it’s kind of weird. I mean, I know they’re dating, but I don’t usually witness it.”
“Jealous?”
“Not in the way you’re implying.”
CHRISTINE AND JULIANNAwere hanging in the production office, scanning their phones and watching the minutes tick by, when five thirty hit. Time for the doors to open and let the throng of fans in.
