Page 7 of Love on Tour
“Three reasons, Chrissy, and these are important.”
“It’s Christine,” she said. “Lay these reasons on me.”
“One, you never want to show your ass in front of the record execs. Two, most of the chicks you’re considering doing the bunk bump with are either a record exec’s trophy wife, their daughter, or their niece. And last, stars leave the party early and alone. It adds to the intrigue.”
“I have so much to learn,” Christine said.
“If you’re going to hang with me, you do.”
“If I’m going to hang with you?”
“I was just talking to my producer about it. I want you to go on the road with me. I think you’ll get a better feel for my musical style if you do. Think about it.” He pulled out his phone. “Bring it in for a quick selfie.” He turned on the camera, reached out to Matt and Christine, and snapped the photo.
“Let’s go.” He grabbed her hand, and they ran to the limo.
Come on the road with me? Was he kidding?She could think of nothing worse than being on a bus with a bunch of guys for a weekend. The thought of the smells alone made her want to say no. But opportunities like tonight didn’t happen to Christine ever, much less repeatedly. She would think about it.
She desperately wanted a copy of the photo but didn’t want to ask. She was steeling her nerves when Matt spoke up.
“Hey, send that pic to Christine and me, please.”
“You got it. Chrissy, what’s your number?” Austin asked, ready to tap it in.
Christine gave Austin her number. “Please put it under Christine.”
“Got it. Now you’ll have mine. See if you can find me another big song. Maybe hit me up next week.” He sent the picture.
Not wanting to appear too eager, she decided she would look at it later.
“Where do you live?” Austin asked.
“Brentwood. You?”
“Franklin. We can drop you off on the way home or you can spend the night at my place.”
What?!
Christine’s head nearly exploded. Had Austin Garrett just invited her to his house? That’s leading lady stuff. Christine saw herself as more of a supporting actress in life. She didn’t play a bit part, but she wasn’t top-of-the-line either. A million thoughts crammed into her brain in a matter of seconds. She imagined herself talking to her friends the next day. “Did I mention that I went back to his house and we had sex all night long?” A smile crossed her face. But Christine prided herself on being pragmatic and leading with her brain, not her hormones. The next vision she had was of herself doing the walk of shame. She’d never hear from Austin again if she slept with him. And it would get around the industry.
“Hello? Are you there?” Austin brought her out of her head and back to the moment.
“You can take me home. Thanks for the offer, though.”
Christine saw a smile cross Matt’s face. Austin shrugged like he could take it or leave it. She gave the limo driver directions to the Brentwood Apartments. When they arrived, the driver came around to open her door.
Christine turned to thank Austin and found herself in his arms with his lips on hers. It happened so fast that she didn’t know how to react. Her door opened and Austin pulled away.
“Um, uh, thank you, um . . .” Christine said.
“Austin,” he said.
“Huh? Right, yes. Austin. Thank you. Sorry, I must be really, um, tired. And thank you, Matt,” she said, reaching to shake his hand.
“You remembered Matt’s name and not mine?”
“Matt didn’t just kiss me.”
“Was that an option?” Matt asked.
