Page 118 of Love on Tour
She drew a lazy circle on the window.
“Christine?”
She turned to look at him. “My limited experiences with men have not turned out well.”
“I’m not going to hurt you, Christine.” Matt reached for her hand and caressed her palm.
“It’s not that I think you will. But Austin didn’t mean to hurt me either. We may not have been romantically involved, but we do have a strong relationship. And it led to so much agony. And there was an incident in high school where I got hurt. It left me badly scarred.”
“Oh my God. Were you . . .? I mean, never mind. It’s none of my business.”
“I wasn’t raped if that was your question. But I was sexually assaulted. And it’s taken me over a decade to realize it was a sexual assault. I never came to terms with that. My point is, I justseem to have bad luck when it comes to guys. And I’m scared. I mean, really scared.”
“I’m kind of scared, too. I’ve never been in love. I’ve had a couple of girlfriends, but I’ve never felt the way I feel about you. But, Christine, the level of fear you lived with this last year is going to affect every aspect of your life. I get that.”
Christine turned his hand over, brought it to her lips, and kissed it.
“I don’t know, Matt. I have a lot to sort through and deal with.”
“I know you do. Have you ever heard of the Healing Trauma program at Oasis? It’s right outside of Nashville.”
“I went to a fundraiser for them once. I’ve heard they do great work.”
“It’s an intensive program to help people deal with an experience that overwhelms them. You’ve had two major traumas in your life. I think you should consider going.”
Christine nodded.
“I’ll call in some favors and try to get you into the next session if you’re interested,” Matt said.
Christine’s eyes met Matt’s. “I love you. You know I do. But I don’t know if the time is right. And I can’t even believe I’m saying that since I’ve wanted this for so long.”
“You don’t have to know now. When you feel like you’re ready, I’ll be here.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you.”
ALL CHRISTINE WANTED WAS TOcollapse in her condo and be alone. But once she was there, she felt lonely.
She texted Julianna.Just got home. You?
About an hour away. What an experience the tour bus is. No wonder you stress about it.
It’s a moving boy’s dormitory. A lot of testosterone and odors.
How are you?Julianna asked.
Christine texted a frowny face.
Call ya when I get in?
How about you just stop by? And bring wine. Lots and lots of wine.
Uh-oh. You got it.
Later, when Christine and Julianna were settled on the couch with a bowl of popcorn on the table and wineglasses in hand, Julianna asked Christine what had happened the night before.
“It was great. I mean, everything I’d wanted happened. My stalker was arrested and no longer a threat, and Matt was with me.”
“With you, with you?”
