Page 78 of Love on Tour
“You hadn’t seen that already?” Julianna asked.
“Nope. Took a break from socials during the holiday.”
“Oh, Christine. I assumed you knew. I’m sorry.”
“And the way Phoebe writes it. ‘What a sweetie I’m dating. Austin flew Matt, Cait, and I to Florida to chill on the beach and ring in the New Year. Here’s to the four of us. Cheers.’”
Christine looked at the photo again. “The four of them look quite cozy.”
“You knew Matt was dating her.”
“He made it sound like he was spending New Year’s in Ohio. Maybe this was last minute, I don’t know. But he was kind of flirtatious at the mall before Christmas. And he didn’t mention her at all. I guess I was hoping it was over.”
“Did he post about New Year’s with her?”
“No. I looked at his account before I saw Phoebe’s and didn’t see anything. He never posts about her. I thought about telling him how I feel when we’re in Canada. Oh well. Back to square one.”
“There’s still no ring on it. Keep hope alive. I’m jealous that they were in Florida. I hate Nashville in winter. If it’s going to be cold, I want snow. Snow, I love. We get ice,” Julianna said.
“I’ll send pictures,” Christine said, dread in her voice.
“You’re really dreading this Canada trip, aren’t you?”
“Yes and no. I know social media is going to go crazy again, and I’m just not ready for it. Do you know an entire Facebook thread claimed Phoebe and Austin were fake dating as a cover for him dating me? It went on and on about how she and I have been friends for years and planned the whole thing to keep the haters away. They say it’s why I’m not more upset about them being a couple and why I’m still being seen out with Austin.”
“Yeah, Phoebe mentioned it,” Julianna said.
“Why is the public so brutal? Would it be that awful if Austin fell for someone like me?”
“Yeah, someone who is smart, pretty, and fun. Horrible,” Julianna said with an eye roll.
“If only the world could see me through your eyes.”
“Your world does. It’s only you who doesn’t.” Julianna got up, blew Christine a kiss, and walked out the door.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Austin was the direct support act on the Canadian tour, a more prestigious slot than opening. His name would be a major ticket seller, and his time slot lasted a full hour. He needed a bigger crew and more equipment, so he traveled with two buses and a truck. This meant there was more room to spread out; the crew was on one bus and Austin, Matt, Christine, and the band were on the other. They met in the Kroger parking lot at four o’clock on a Monday afternoon, and an hour later, Christine was already looking at a social feed about news of her trip to Canada with Austin.
“How in the hell do they always know where I am?” she asked.
“Sometimes I feel like someone injected a GPS under my skin,” Austin said.
“We meet the bus in the same public parking lot every time. It doesn’t take a genius to go online and figure out our schedule. Anyone can see us,” Matt said.
“Good point,” Christine said.
The downside to the long bus rides was boredom. Christine could only watch so many movies and read so many books before she started going stir-crazy. It took two long, laborious days tomake it to the Canadian border. The crew bus had gotten ahead of them by an hour and Matt told them to wait at the border. Christine, Austin, and the band were watching a movie when they heard Matt yell.
“Shit. Are you freaking kidding me?” He’d been taking a nap, and when he emerged, his hair was sticking up as if he’d tried to pull it out.
“What’s wrong?” Kennedy asked.
“Freaking Stan. I know I was very clear about not bringing anything that resembled a weapon, toy or otherwise. He brings a toy gun that looks so realistic they pulled them over at the border. Idiot had it sitting out on the front seat. Border patrol couldn’t miss it. They’re searching the entire bus and have him inside being questioned.”
“What do they think we’re going to do? Take over Canada with a squirt gun?” Austin asked.
“Doesn’t matter. Other countries think we’re all crazy gun-toting rednecks.”
