Page 80 of Love on Tour
“You’re only the best merchpersonaround. How’s that?”
“Better,” she said with an uncharacteristic blush.
Christine was impressed by how important Austin could make his staff feel. He’d clearly given Alicia a thrill.
As they posed for the photo, Christine wondered how she could ask for one with just Matt. The moment passed before she could figure it out.
They stayed for the fireworks. Bright lights burst over the falls, raining color down on the already colorful water.
“I didn’t think it could get any better,” Austin said.
“Yet it did,” Christine said. Matt was behind her and she scooted back slightly, bumping into him. He put his hand on her waist. Neither moved away.
THE TOUR’S FIRST SHOW KICKEDoff with ear-shattering applause. The Canadian audience’s appreciation was obvious from the first note. Nobody knew for sure if it was because they loved the music or because they were happy to have a reason to go outside and do something.
Austin convinced Christine to stop looking at social media, and she had done well for two days. But on day three, she couldn’t resist. Sure enough, there were pictures of her along with nasty messages. “It’s like they try to take bad pictures of me,” she said when they were backstage in the dressing room. “These weren’t even taken this week. They’re posting old ones.”
Austin had been playing her some songs and stopped in the middle of one. “Why do you pay attention to that shit?”
Christine shrugged. “I don’t know. Why do we look at accidents when we pass them on the road? We all have the macabre in us. Or maybe I’m hoping not to see more mean posts. Or bad pictures. Like it will magically disappear.”
“The only person you’re hurting is yourself. It’s time to tell that sixteen-year-old bully to shut the hell up,” Austin said.
“You want me to go find the people who bullied me?”
“No, you’re the bully.”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“It makes perfect sense. Those high school people are long gone, living their lives, working jobs, getting married, making babies, and going to PTA meetings or whatever they’re doing. You’re the one who continues to bully yourself, convincing yourself these cyberpeople have a right to tear you down. You have to squash that inner bitch and stand up to her.”
“What would you know about it?” she said. She wanted to say,Give me a break. You’re the hottie everyone wants.But she didn’t.
Austin grabbed his backpack and pulled out an old, worn photo. “See that short, chubby kid right there? That’s me in ninth grade. Seniors threw me in lockers every day. Girls blew me off when I tried to talk to them. I keep that photo to remind myself I’m not that guy anymore. When he rears his head, I squash him.”
Christine stared at the photo, not believing her eyes.
“So how did you get past it?”
“I grew four inches in one summer. I started running and lifting weights. Walked into tenth grade a lean, mean, ready-to-fight machine. Bullying over.”
“Well, Mr. Adonis-Since-High-School, that never happened to me.” She gave him a head shake and an eye roll.
Austin stood up and reached out his hand to Christine. “Stand up.”
“What? Why?”
“Just do it,” he said. “Please.” His eyes turned down like a puppy dog’s.
She stood up.
He gently turned her around until her back was to him and they faced a full-length mirror. He let go of her arms. He spoke quietly, tenderly, and she couldn’t deny the stirring she felt with his mouth so close to her ear. He reached up and ran his hands through her thick hair.
“You know what I see here? I see long, thick, wavy hair. Women spend thousands of dollars buying extensions to get hair like this. Yours is natural.”
“But—”
He shushed her. “I’m not finished. He moved his hands to her hips, and she gasped. He gave a little squeeze. “You know what I see here?”
