Page 70 of Love on Tour
When the barista called the names Chandler and Monica, Austin got up to grab their drinks and breakfast sandwiches.
Christine pointed at the cups when he sat back down. “Chandler and Monica?”
“Did you want me to say Austin and Christine?”
“No, but Chandler and Monica?”
“Can you think of two people who describe us any better?”
She thought about Chandler’s character on the TV showFriends. He’s a hard worker, quirky, lovable, and a bit of a frat boy at heart. Then she thought about Monica’s character: type A personality, a bit OCD, takes life too seriously most of the time.
“Fair assessment,” she said. Austin asked for an update on her stalker situation and apologized yet again for what she was going through.
They finished their sandwiches and were standing to leave when two young men approached their table.
“Aren’t you Austin Garrett?”
“I am.”
“Dude, I’m a huge fan. I wasn’t sure it was you in that ball cap. I love your music. Caught one of your shows in Knoxville last year. You nailed it.” The guy pumped Austin’s hand up and down in an exuberant handshake.
“Thanks.”
“And this must be Ugly Christine,” he said, letting go of Austin’s hand and waving to Christine.
Christine’s eyes narrowed.
“What?” Austin said. Christine reached for his arm to hold him back.
“No offense. It’s what everyone on social media calls her. I thought it was, you know, like, your shtick or something.”
“No offense? Are you freaking kidding me? There’s no way to take that other than as offensive.” Austin had raised his voice, which made Christine nervous. Other people were starting to stare.
“Austin, please don’t make a scene. It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine, Christine. It’s not fine at all. Look at her. Does she look ugly to you?”
Christine visualized how she must look: hair askew, baggy jeans, an old T-shirt, and no makeup. “Now might not be the best time to ask that, Austin.”
Austin took a step toward the guy. The guy had a good few inches in height on Austin and at least thirty pounds. Christine did not want this to become a fistfight.
The guy’s friend stepped up and grabbed his friend’s arm. He said, “Come on—let’s go. I think you did enough damage here.”
The guy pulled his arm out of his friend’s grasp but didn’t argue. He turned and walked away, leaving Austin and Christine standing there.
“I have totally screwed up your life, haven’t I?” he asked her.
“It has become challenging. Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
They traveled the rest of the way in silence. No more Willie Nelson songs, no more funny stories, just two people ready to be out of the car.
“Am I taking you home or to the bus?” she asked when they came into Nashville.
“The bus. Same Kroger parking lot. Thanks.”
Christine prayed she wouldn’t see Matt. She looked bad and felt worse. She just wanted to go home. She pulled up beside the bus, grateful not to see anybody.
