Page 38 of Love on Tour
“I didn’t know you’d be here and didn’t want to come out alone,” Christine said, feeling defensive.
Matt nodded. “I’m so sorry you’ve gotten mixed up in all of this.”
“It’s okay. It’s been boring without him around. He adds excitement to my life,” Christine said, looking away from Matt and back at Austin.
“I’m sure he does. I get it. Kind of.”
“What do we do?” Christine asked.
“Let’s get him up.” He walked over to Austin’s left side and Christine went to the right.
“Can I help?” Julianna asked.
“Sure. Grab his hands and pull him up while we push,” Matt said.
Between the three of them, they got Austin to a standing position. They half walked, half dragged him the few feet to Matt’s car and dumped him in the back.
“Christine, would you follow me to his house? I’ll need help getting him in,” Matt asked.
“Sure.”
“We may have to stay over. I don’t think he should be left alone,” Matt said.
“Okay,” Christine said.
“I can come,” Julianna said with a spring in her heels.
“Thanks, but I think we can handle it,” Matt said.
Julianna crossed her arms and stood with one foot in front of the other. Her head was tilted and she looked at Christine with widened eyes. Christine saw it for what it was. She wanted an invitation. But Christine couldn’t overrule Matt. Christine mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
“Fine. See you tomorrow, Christine?” Julianna asked.
“Yeah, see you then. Thanks for coming.” Christine gave a brief nod, barely acknowledging her friend. She was too focused on the fact that she’d be spending the night with Matt. There’d be bedrooms, not just bus bunks. And with Austin sleeping off his drunkenness, it would just be the two of them. The possibilities were endless.
They arrived at Austin’s house and Matt keyed in the gate code. After they parked in the driveway, Christine helped him get Austin into the house. He was barely able to sit up, but Matt suggested they not let him sleep for at least an hour.
“Let’s get some coffee into him and then put him in the shower,” Matt said.
“Okay.”
“In the morning, we’ll give him Pedialyte. But until then, let’s keep an eye on him through the night. The guy can drink a lot, but he may be drunker than I’ve ever seen him.”
“Pedialyte?”
“You’d be amazed at its restorative abilities,” Matt said.
“The things I’ve learned since being with Austin.” Christine shook her head.
“I’d rather not think about it,” Matt said.
They forced coffee into Austin, and when it seemed like he could stand without falling, Matt decided to get him into the shower.
“Can you help me get him out of these jeans?” Matt asked.
“I think I’ll let you handle that yourself.”
“Three’s a crowd, huh?”
