Page 22 of Love on Tour
Christine appreciated the sentiment but felt like she was in the way. This was a major production. Tori was typing on her computer, Drew was stuffing envelopes, and Jake took a phone call. Christine thanked them for their hospitality and turned back to Matt, bumping into him. Chill bumps raised on her arms. She smiled. Something about this man made her feel both comfortable and stimulated.
He handed her two laminates. One was All Access for Austin and one was All Access for Jackson.
“Why both?”
“Austin’s identifies who you’re with. Jackson’s allows you access backstage,” Matt said, his musky scent dancing around her nostrils.
Focus.
“Makes sense.”
“Austin will probably sleep until noon, so you have a couple of hours . . .”
With you?Christine imagined the two of them roaming the grounds holding hands.
“Catering is open if you want breakfast, or I can ask a runner to go get you something. I have one about to go to Starbucks if you need anything.” Matt ushered her out of Jackson’s production room, the crew’s politenice to meet youstrailing behind them.
“I’d kill for a chai latte,” she said to Matt, very aware of how close he was.
“I think we can handle that without a murder charge,” he said, putting his hand on her back. She reached around and placed her hand over his. Their eyes met. Was he feeling whatshe was? She thought maybe he was. Then he broke eye contact and took his hand away. Maybe he wasn’t.
“Our production room is down this hall,” he said. They walked into a much smaller room with one round table and two chairs. A single light bulb hung from the ceiling, and there was a floor lamp in the corner that didn’t work. The floor tiles were cracked and the walls needed a new coat of paint.
“Cozy,” she said.
“That’s a nicer word than I would use. Feel free to kick back in here. Sound check is at three o’clock. Otherwise, I’m just getting things set up this morning.” Matt laid out his computer, files, and envelopes.
“Can I help? I know very little about the touring world but would love to learn.”
“Sure. When you’re the opening act’s tour manager, you’re a one-man show. I’ll take the help.” Matt gave her a stack of tickets, meet-and-greet passes, and envelopes. Directions were printed on the envelopes explaining where people needed to line up to meet Austin. Matt then gave her a list of names designating who got tickets, who got passes, and who got both.
Christine stuffed the envelopes accordingly. She was meticulous, not wanting to mess up. After she had checked and cross-checked every item, she handed them back to Matt. It was eleven o’clock when Austin stumbled into the room.
“What’s up, Matt? Chrissy?”
“Christine,” Christine and Matt said in unison. Her eyes met Matt’s. He seemed to really get her. It was as if he knew the name thing was important to her, so it was important to him, too. That had to mean something.
Austin grinned. “How about we go to the bus and listen to some songs?”
“That’s what I’m here for. Matt, I think I have everything taken care of.”
“You’re the best,” he said.
She blushed and then felt stupid for it. A woman shouldn’t blush over a simple statement, even when it comes from her crush.
“Thanks for your help. I like this one, Austin. Can we keep her?” Matt leaned back in his seat and put his hands behind his head. He looked so sexy. Like he was just waiting for her to sit on his lap. Her stomach did a flip and her heartbeat raced. The feeling spread to areas south. It was something she hadn’t felt in a long time.
“Hands off! She’s mine,” Austin said. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. His eyes danced, making it look like a joke, but she wasn’t sure it was.
Christine’s head snapped around.
I’m his?Is that how he and Matt saw her?
“Yeah, yeah. Aren’t they all,” Matt said.
Christine wanted to argue the point of Austin’s ownership but didn’t know how. She didn’t want to offend Austin or make it sound like she preferred Matt. In her head, she responded with, “I’m no man’s property.” She even saw herself doing the finger wag, but felt it was like saying, “Oh no you didn’t.” In her head, neither fit. Besides, the opportunity to speak up was gone. Matt had turned back to his computer, ending the discussion.
Austin and Christine had just gotten settled in the back lounge of the bus, ready to listen to some of Austin’s new songs, when a text caused her phone to chime.
