Page 30 of Love on Tour
“Now, you need a weed cookie. You eat those?” Brandy reached into her purse, brought out a cookie, and broke off a piece. She handed it to Christine.
“Uh, yeah. I’m not gluten free.” Christine took the piece of cookie and ate it. She wasn’t sure how it would help, but the cookie tasted good.
The music got louder and the people got friendlier. Her body moved in perfect time to the rhythm. She’d never been much of a dancer, afraid to move too much, but tonight her body was in tune with the beat. The music seemed to speed up and slow down all at the same time.
As two crew guys walked past Christine and Brandy, Christine grabbed one of them. “Dance with us.” She put her hand over her mouth. Had she just invited a guy to dance with her? When one of them stepped behind her and put his hands on her hips, she bent down and did a little hip move.
“I think I just twerked,” she said to Brandy. “But I’m not sure. I’ve never twerked before.” So this was what fun felt like? To let go and not worry who saw you. To dance like nobody’s watching.
“Having fun?” Brandy asked.
“I’ve never, ever had this much fun. Ever.”
Slowly, the room cleared out and there were only a handful of guys left. She and Brandy were still dancing, and when the song got bluesy, Christine became frisky. She jumped up on acoffee table, unbuttoned her shirt’s top button, and began to do a striptease.
Austin walked in as she was on the second button.
“What the hell?” Austin’s mouth hung open and his eyes widened as he stared at the debacle unfolding in front of him.
“Austin, come dance with me,” Christine said, reaching for him.
He didn’t move.
Matt came into the room, looked at Christine, looked at Austin, and ran up to her. He pulled her off the table, buttoning the few buttons she had undone.
Christine swatted his hands away. “Matt! Dance with me. I’m having fun.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
“What did you give her?” Matt asked Brandy, trying to pull himself away from Christine.
“She gave me Fireball and a wheat cookie. And I’m having so much fun,” Christine said, twirling around in Matt’s arms, almost falling.
He steadied her and raised his eyebrows at Brandy. Austin was now at their side.
“Wheat cookie?” Matt asked Brandy.
“I said ‘weed.’ Apparently she misheard,” Brandy said, shrugging her shoulders.
“Austin. I had Fireball . . . am having sooooo much fun!” Christine let go of Matt and tumbled into Austin.
He caught her and chuckled. He raised his eyebrows at Brandy.
“What? She said she wanted to have as much fun as I was having.” Brandy smiled.
Christine broke loose from Austin’s clutch and hugged her. “Best night ever, Brandy.”
“See! Lighten up, dude,” Brandy said.
“She’s wasted,” Matt said.
“Totally,” Austin said.
When Jackson and his band came back in, Austin looked at Matt. “Would you get her to the bus, please?”
“Consider it done. Come on, Christine. We’re going to the bus,” Matt said, wrapping an arm around her like a shield.
“Party’s over?” Christine pouted.
“Yep, party’s over.”
