Chapter Four #5
“It’s Christine,” she said, wondering why he’d reverted to Chrissy after twice introducing her as Christine.
“I’ll see you two later,” Austin said, returning to the woman he’d been flirting with.
“You seem like you’re having the time of your life,” Christine said.
“Aren’t you?”
“Not like you are.”
“That’s ’cause you’re not doing it right. Come on.” Brandy grabbed Christine’s hand and pulled her to the liquor table. “First, we do a shot of Fireball.”
“Oh, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” Christine shook her head, remembering how fuzzy Fireball had made her the last time.
“Which is why you’re not having as much fun as I am.” Brandy handed Christine the shot and counted to three.
They slammed it down.
“One more.”
Christine started to protest but thought, What the hell? And took it.
They slammed down number two.
“Now, you need a weed cookie. You eat those?” Brandy reached into her purse, brought out a cookie, and broke off a piece. She handed it to Christine.
“Uh, yeah. I’m not gluten free.” Christine took the piece of cookie and ate it. She wasn’t sure how it would help, but the cookie tasted good.
The music got louder and the people got friendlier. Her body moved in perfect time to the rhythm. She’d never been much of a dancer, afraid to move too much, but tonight her body was in tune with the beat. The music seemed to speed up and slow down all at the same time.
As two crew guys walked past Christine and Brandy, Christine grabbed one of them. “Dance with us.” She put her hand over her mouth. Had she just invited a guy to dance with her? When one of them stepped behind her and put his hands on her hips, she bent down and did a little hip move.
“I think I just twerked,” she said to Brandy. “But I’m not sure. I’ve never twerked before.” So this was what fun felt like? To let go and not worry who saw you. To dance like nobody’s watching.
“Having fun?” Brandy asked.
“I’ve never, ever had this much fun. Ever.”
Slowly, the room cleared out and there were only a handful of guys left. She and Brandy were still dancing, and when the song got bluesy, Christine became frisky. She jumped up on a coffee table, unbuttoned her shirt’s top button, and began to do a striptease.
Austin walked in as she was on the second button.
“What the hell?” Austin’s mouth hung open and his eyes widened as he stared at the debacle unfolding in front of him.
“Austin, come dance with me,” Christine said, reaching for him.
He didn’t move.
Matt came into the room, looked at Christine, looked at Austin, and ran up to her. He pulled her off the table, buttoning the few buttons she had undone.
Christine swatted his hands away. “Matt! Dance with me. I’m having fun.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
“What did you give her?” Matt asked Brandy, trying to pull himself away from Christine.
“She gave me Fireball and a wheat cookie. And I’m having so much fun,” Christine said, twirling around in Matt’s arms, almost falling.
He steadied her and raised his eyebrows at Brandy. Austin was now at their side.
“Wheat cookie?” Matt asked Brandy.
“I said ‘weed.’ Apparently she misheard,” Brandy said, shrugging her shoulders.
“Austin. I had Fireball . . . am having sooooo much fun!” Christine let go of Matt and tumbled into Austin.
He caught her and chuckled. He raised his eyebrows at Brandy.
“What? She said she wanted to have as much fun as I was having.” Brandy smiled.
Christine broke loose from Austin’s clutch and hugged her. “Best night ever, Brandy.”
“See! Lighten up, dude,” Brandy said.
“She’s wasted,” Matt said.
“Totally,” Austin said.
When Jackson and his band came back in, Austin looked at Matt. “Would you get her to the bus, please?”
“Consider it done. Come on, Christine. We’re going to the bus,” Matt said, wrapping an arm around her like a shield.
“Party’s over?” Christine pouted.
“Yep, party’s over.”
Christine turned to high-five Brandy, but she had moved on to talk to other people. Instead, she started singing Little Big Town’s hit “Girl Crush.”
“Stop singing and let’s go,” Matt said.
Matt took Christine out of the venue and brought her onto the bus. Cat was in the front lounge playing a video game.
“What’s up, Catmandu?”
Cat raised his eyebrows at Matt.
“Jackson’s record rep gave her Fireball and a cookie,” Matt explained.
“Two shots of Fireball. And a wheat cookie,” Christine said in a slurred melody. “You should try it, Catmandu.”
“Wheat cookie. Any chance she means weed cookie?” Cat asked.
“I’m pretty sure the answer to that is yes,” Matt said, wrestling Christine back to the bunks.
“Freaking hilarious. Let loose, Christine.”
“Later, Catmandu.”
Matt attempted to lift her into the top bunk.
When that didn’t work, he escorted her to the back lounge.
Even in her current condition, Christine knew what the back room meant.
She’d heard numerous stories about the sexcapades that happened in there.
Sober Christine would explain that she wasn’t that kind of girl.
Party Christine thought it seemed like a great idea.
She grabbed Matt’s face and planted a kiss on him.
“Slow down there,” Matt said, unwrapping himself from her arms.
“Come on. Just a kiss.” Christine tried to kiss him again, and he gently pushed her away.
“I’d love to kiss you. But I don’t think this is the time or place,” Matt said.
“You guys. You’re all talk. Always saying stuff like ‘yeah, gonna take a chick to the back room and get me some.’ Is it all talk, Matt? ’Cause I’m right here ready to give some.” Christine went in for another kiss.
Matt pulled back. “You’re wasted. I prefer my women to know who they are hooking up with.”
“I know who you are,” Christine said before giggling. “What’s your name again?” She giggled louder.
“Nice.”
“Oh, I’m just kidding. You’re Matt,” she wailed.
“Shhhh. Someone will hear you. I don’t need Austin getting mad at me.” He helped her to sit.
She pulled him down beside her and rested her leg over his. Then she straddled his lap. “Austin who?” She leaned down to kiss him again.
This time, Matt returned her kiss. It deepened, and with a groan of pleasure, Matt flipped her over and laid on top of her.
Christine wrapped her legs around his body and slowly unbuttoned her shirt.
Matt stared. He stopped saying “no” as he pushed her bra down and kissed her neck, her chest, and her breasts. She moaned and grabbed the back of his head, begging for more.
Austin’s voice broke through the sounds of their kissing.
“Christine, we have to stop,” Matt said.
“Why? No one can hear us. And even if they can, nobody cares,” she said.
“I care. Stay here.” He got up and left the room, leaving the door open. Christine peeked out.
“Hey, Matt. How’s Christine?” Austin asked, hugging the blonde chick draped on his arm.
“She’s okay. I’ve got her in the lounge. There was no way she’d make it into her bunk.”
“Damn. I was going to use that room. Oh well. We can fit in my bunk, can’t we, sweetheart?” Austin nuzzled the woman’s neck.
“Whatever you want, Austin Garrett,” she said.
Christine rolled her eyes.
“Can you keep an eye on Christine tonight?” Austin asked.
“Of course,” Matt said.
Christine watched Matt reach into her bunk.
He grabbed her pillow and blanket and started walking toward her.
She fell onto the couch and pretended to be asleep.
She knew Matt wouldn’t do anything with her now that Austin was on the bus, and she didn’t want to be turned down again.
Matt came into the back lounge, put the pillow under her head, and covered her with the comforter.
He sat down next to her, pulled her legs into his lap, put his head back, and fell asleep.