Page 115 of Love on Tour
“In a minute,” Matt said, looking at Christine.
Julianna’s eyes moved between Matt and Christine. “Uh, yeah. I need to . . . um . . . do something. I’ll be back.” She turned and followed Austin.
Once Christine was alone with Matt, her heart rate quickened. Was there a chance he had said that part about being in love with her just to steer Alicia in another direction, away from what she perceived Austin’s feelings to be? She held her breath, afraid to speak first.
“I guess you heard what I said?” Matt asked, reaching for Christine’s hand. She laced her fingers through his.
“I did. Did you mean it?” She peered up at him from under her lashes.
“Every word,” he said, looking into her eyes and pushing a stray curl off her forehead.
“What about Cait?” she asked.
“Oh, we broke it off a while back. It wasn’t going anywhere. Hard to move forward when you’ve got feelings for someone else,” he said. “Did you mean what you said?”
“Since the night I met you.” She tightened her grip on his hand.
“Why didn’t I know that?” he asked.
“I thought you had a girlfriend. Why didn’t you tell me how you felt?” she asked, her eyes boring into his.
“I thought you and Austin had a thing.”
“How could you think—” She stopped and thought about all the times Matt had come across them. When she’d spent the night at Austin’s house and he found her there in the morning. When he saw her in the dressing room with Austin’s hands all over her. The many times Austin had laid claim to her. “But he was with Phoebe.”
“And he’s never been a one-woman man. Women seem to accept that crap when it’s a famous singer. I wasn’t going to put myself out there and risk the discomfort all of that would have brought. I had visions that I’d tell you how I feel, you’d friend-zone me and tell me you’re holding out for Austin, and I’d have to quit my job due to extreme embarrassment. Not a good visual.”
“But you did today,” she said. “Why?”
“So Alicia would know that you’re worthy of love. Not just Austin’s, but mine, too.”
“Austin doesn’t love me,” Christine said, snorting. She found the idea hilarious.
“I wouldn’t be so sure.” He paused. “We need to talk more, but I’ve got to get him to the stage. I’d really like to spend time with you after the show.”
“Julianna and I are staying nearby at a hotel, but you’re heading out on the bus tonight, right?”
“Hmmmm. Maybe I don’t have to.” He put his hands on either side of her face and drew her in for a kiss. “I’m sure Austin will understand.”
The kiss wasn’t long, but it was thorough. Christine’s entire body tingled. She leaned in, wanting more.
His walkie-talkie crackled with the countdown to the show. “You have to go,” she said, pulling back.
“I do. See you side stage?”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” she said.
He left the room and Julianna walked in.
“So . . .” she said.
“Yeah. So.” The smile on Christine’s face was so big she couldn’t see past her cheeks.
THE SHOW WAS THE BEST CHRISTINEhad ever seen. The stress of the past year had lifted off all of them. Austin waselectric, connecting with the audience even more than usual. He was at ease, natural, laughing when he forgot lyrics and encouraging fans to post his bloopers. They loved it. The people in the pit rushed the stage, singing along with him. They reached out to touch him, and he reached back.
Christine stood beside Matt, her love, and Julianna, her best friend, the three of them watching the person who personified their crazy lives. A star, an artist, someone whom millions adored. In some way, they all depended on him—but it was more than that. They loved him. Not because he was famous but because he was their friend, and they liked him for who he was. Now, Christine could openly express her affection without it being a source of fear and pain. The future was looking bright.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
