Page 96 of Love on Tour
“Does my safety mean nothing to you?”
“It means everything to me. I’ve thought a lot about it, and I don’t want to leave you behind in Nashville. You’ll be safer moving around the country with me than staying home.”
“I doubt that,” Christine said, giving a huff.
“Whoever it is clearly lives in Nashville. Nobody will touch you out on tour. I’ll make sure of it. I have security around me at all times at the venues.” Austin’s tone had become pleading.
“Nothing has happened since the note weeks ago. If I stay away from you, I’m safe. Going out on the road doesn’t feel like the right decision.”
“Just one run. The first week. We can listen to new songs,and you can pitch me anything you want. Maybe I’ll cut three of yours,” Austin said, a teasing lilt to his voice.
“Now you’re playing dirty. You know too much.”
“Yep, and I will use it to my advantage,” Austin said.
He had a point about her stalker being in Nashville. She’d never received one note or threat anywhere outside of Nashville. She probably was safer on tour.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU’RE CONSIDERING IT,”Julianna said later that afternoon, kicking back in Christine’s office.
“I’m nuts, right?”
“Pretty much. You know the crazies will cyberbully you again. You’ll be trending. Again.”
“I know. But I feel like flipping the bird to the haters. I’m tired of living in fear. Hell, I haven’t even gone back to the Bluebird in months. And I love songwriters’ nights. Maybe if I show strength, they’ll back off.”
“You believe that?” Julianna asked.
“I have to. Otherwise, I would never leave my apartment. I can’t become agoraphobic over this. I have to hold on to something, and I’m trusting that this person isn’t out to harm me but just harass me.”
“God, I hope you’re right.”
“Me, too, Julianna. Me, too.”
Christine berated herself the entire time she packed her bags, questioning her sanity for going on the road. But the minute she climbed onto the bus, she felt like she was right where she belonged. The guys were watchingVikings. She smiled. These were her people, and she’d missed them. She couldn’t go back to life before she knew them, and she didn’t want to. She dropped her bags and squeezed between Cat and Kennedy, her eyes not leaving the TV.
“You watchVikings?” Kennedy asked.
“I watch Bjørn Ironside,” Christine said. “Hot-tie!”
Austin walked up from the back of the bus and saw her. “Chrissy!”
She stood, a little reluctant to be pulled away from the show. Austin grabbed her in a bear hug. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” she said, noticing that Matt was standing behind Austin. “All of you.”
“Give someone else a chance, Austin,” Matt said, hugging Christine and sending chills down her back . . . and her front.
“We’ve all missed you,” Cat said.
“Thanks, guys. I can’t let fear rule my life.”
“We’ll keep you safe,” Kennedy said. “We all have your back.”
“As long as none of you jokers have her front. Or you’ll have me to answer to,” Austin said.
“Party pooper,” Cat said.
Matt helped Christine put her bags in her bunk.
