Page 65 of Love on Tour
“He can hear you, Christine. This may have been the straw. She’s going to the police again tomorrow.”
“Are you staying with her?” he asked.
“Yes. This is a funny turn of events.”
“What is?”
“Usually, you’re the one everyone is holding together during drunken escapades.”
“Ha. Ha. Thanks for being there with her.”
“You got it. Y’know, she was my best friend before she was yours,” Julianna said.
“It’s not a contest, Julianna. Let’s not make it one. We have Phoebe for that,” Austin said.
“Damn, just when I start to not like you, I like you again.”
“I do that to people. Can you at least sleep in the same bed and tell me about it?”
“Goodbye, Austin,” Julianna said.
“BYE, AUSTIN!” Christine yelled from the couch.
“Later, ladies.” Austin disconnected the call.
“Damn. I don’t want to like him, but I keep finding myself doing it,” Julianna said.
“Yep, he’s like a stray cat. Welcome to my world.”
Julianna plopped on the couch next to Christine. They posed for a selfie in their sweatpants and sent it to Austin.
He texted back,That’s a start!
“The Proposal?” Christine asked, picking another of their favorite movies.
“Yes.”
Half an hour into the movie, Julianna started talking.
“Christine, I have a confession. I can’t stop thinking about Austin. Ever since that night he flirted with me at the awards. I mean, I know he’s with Phoebe and he cares about you, but his call tonight was so sweet . . . Christine? Hello? Did you hear me?”
“Uh-huh. Austin. Sweet. Good night.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t repeat that when you’re sober. Some things are better left unsaid,” Julianna said.
“Mmmmmm,” Christine said.
Partway through the movie, they fell asleep on the couch.
ON HER WAY TO WORK, CHRISTINEstopped by the police station and filed another report. They took her information and kept the letter, pot, and stuffed bunny. They also asked for a list of people who might have an issue with her.
“All of Austin Garrett’s fans.”
The police officer raised his right eyebrow—only his right one—fascinating Christine for just a second. They asked for Austin’s phone number, and she hesitated before realizing it was the police. They could find the number if they wanted to.
She had avoided looking at any social media, not wanting to see what had been said about her, but once she got to the office, she couldn’t stand not knowing. She pulled it up. It was worsethan she expected. Christine had hoped that after seeing Phoebe on his arm at the awards, Austin’s fans would move their anger toward her. Phoebe was strong. She could handle it. But the anger was still targeted at Christine. There was an entire thread stating that Phoebe was a plant, a hired date to take the attention off Christine, and that’s why Austin mentioned Christine from the stage rather than Phoebe. Even Austin dating someone was not enough to make the haters quit harassing Christine. It made no sense. But when has irrational behavior ever made sense? By its very definition, it’s not logical or reasonable.
Christine shut down socials. “Enough.”
