Page 112 of Love on Tour
Christine’s head snapped up. She couldn’t form words, but she pointed at Phoebe, moaning.
“Itisyou,” Austin said, standing up and walking toward her. “All along it’s been you.” He was pointing at Phoebe.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Phoebe said.
“Maybe you’re misreading it, Austin,” Julianna said.
“I’m not misreading shit. You’re Christine’s stalker,” he said.
“Me? Are you out of your fucking mind?” Phoebe said. “Why would I stalk Christine?”
“You’re jealous. You’re jealous because of me, and you’ve been harassing her all along,” he said, pointing his finger at Phoebe but not touching her.
“I’ll break that damn finger if you don’t put it down rightnow. You are freaking losing it, Austin. You’re not so great that I’d stalk anyone over you,” Phoebe said.
“You just called her a sissy right after this hit socials,” he said, showing Phoebe the video.
She grabbed the phone. “You think I posted that?” Phoebe said.
“Well, someone did, and it’s damned ironic you’d use that same word mere minutes after this posted,” he said.
“Christine, look at me,” Phoebe said.
Christine shook her head no.
“Christine. Please, look at me,” Phoebe said again. She stooped down and put her hand on Christine’s shoulder. Christine shrugged it off. “Christine. Please.”
Christine looked up, barely able to see through the tears.
“I did not post that. I have not been stalking you. I would never do this to you,” Phoebe said.
Christine nodded, not because she believed her but because she was afraid not to.
Suddenly, Matt’s voice erupted from behind the closed production room door. “You freaking bitch. It’s you!”
“Matt’s never called anyone a bitch as long as I’ve known him,” Austin said.
Austin offered Christine his hand, and she accepted. He pulled her up. The four of them moved closer to the door.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” a female voice said.
“I think that’s Alicia,” Austin said.
“You know damn well what I’m talking about. I just watched you type that, and so help me God, if you post it, I won’t be responsible for my actions.” Matt’s voice was strained, carrying a harsh edge.
“It’s not me,” the female said, her voice quivering.
“Yeah, itisyou. Has it been you all along? It makes sense. You always knew where we were. You know where Christinelives, what she drives, when she’s on the road with us, and when she’s not. My only question is why?” Matt yelled the last sentence.
“Why? You want to know why? Because she fucking got between Austin and me. Yeah, that’s right. Look surprised. We were starting a relationship. He flirted with me. He’d always seek me out, tell me jokes, check in on me when we were on the road. And the touching. He hugged me a lot, and he even kissed me a couple of times. And then, he just stops. Right after he met Christine. And it’s never been the same. I just needed her to go away and give me time to get him back,” she said, her voice catching, choking up.
“Why Christine when he’s dating Phoebe? This whole thing has made absolutely no sense.”
“He doesn’t love Phoebe. She’s a plant or something to get attention off Christine. You can see the difference in how he looks at them. It’s Christine he wants. Not Phoebe. I had to get Christine out of the way,” Alicia said, her voice rising, pushing her theory.
“And that’s how you chose to do it? You didn’t talk to her, explain it to her, or talk to him—or even me? What the hell is wrong with you? You’ve spent the last year abusing the most wonderful, kind person on the planet. Someone who would have bent over backwards if you’d needed her help. Christine is the best of the best. How could you be so cruel?” Matt said.
“Sounds like Austin isn’t the only one in love with her,” Alicia said, a biting tone to her voice.
