Chapter Eleven #2
“It would be in my book. But I know you, and as long as Cait’s in the picture, you won’t do it.”
“Ugh. I hate my moral standards sometimes.”
“Yeah, they are a tad annoying.”
“What do I say?” Christine asked.
“Ask if he’s finished his shopping yet. Maybe you’ll get a hint of where he’ll be doing it and when,” Julianna said.
“Okay. Maybe.”
“No maybe. Just freaking do it.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Let me know how it goes.”
Christine hit the END button and decided to practice what she was going to say. It came in the form of, “Hi, Matt. It’s Christine. I, um, just, you know, wanted to say Happy Christmas. I mean, Merry Christmas.” Geez, Christine. How hard is it to say “Merry Christmas”?
Christine heard giggling and realized her phone hadn’t hung up . . . again. She put it back to her ear. “You’re still there, aren’t you?”
“Happy Christmas? Seriously?”
“My damn phone. I think something’s wrong when I hit END . It hasn’t been hanging up like it should.”
“Maybe Santa will bring you a new phone for Christmas.”
“I need one. Austin heard me singing the other day.”
“That’s ugly. You can’t sing worth a damn.”
“I know. And now, so does he.”
“Call Matt. And it’s Merry Christmas.”
“It’s a good thing I like you. I’ll call you later.”
Christine lost the nerve to call Matt but decided a quick text wouldn’t hurt. She texted, Hey, just wanted to say Merry Christmas.
She stared at the unsent text for five minutes. She double-checked the spelling, made sure there was nothing weird about how it sounded, and then berated herself for it. It was a simple Merry Christmas . She hit SEND , then waited and waited.
Three hours later, she texted Julianna. He never texted back.
Julianna asked in a return text, When did you send it?
Three hours ago.
Another text came from Julianna: Give him time. Maybe he’s at the movies or something.
With Cait!!
Patience, my friend.
The next morning, Christine was drinking her tea and wrapping some presents when her phone chimed. It was a text from Matt. Hey, Christine. I forgot to charge my phone and it died. I got your text this morning. Whatcha doing?
She texted back, Wrapping gifts. You?
Getting ready to go shopping.
Yeah, I have some more to buy, too. Where ya going?
Galleria. You?
Same. Christine had no intention of going to the mall but would make the trip if Matt was going to be there.
If I don’t run into you, text me and let me know where you are. We can say Merry Christmas in person.
OK.
Christine took a screenshot of the conversation and sent it to Julianna with an eeek! Julianna sent back a thumbs-up.
Christine took a quick shower, put on makeup and her favorite sweater, and left for the mall. She said a quick prayer to the relationship fairy that Cait wouldn’t be with him and pulled into a parking space.
Christine didn’t want to seem too eager, feeling like a chance meeting would be better than texting him right away.
She tried to think like a guy and figure out where he might be.
Sporting goods store, Hallmark, or one of the anchor department stores?
The mall was a big place, and it was impossible to know.
Forty minutes later, she was still wandering around aimlessly, not really shopping but trying to pretend she was.
“Christine?” She heard Matt’s voice and then saw him coming her way, shopping bags in hand.
“Hey. It looks like you’ve had a successful venture so far.” She pointed to his bags.
Matt glanced down at her empty hands. “You haven’t been so fortunate, huh?”
Christine berated herself. She should have purchased something so it looked like she was here for the intended purpose.
“Uh, yeah. I only have my mom left to shop for, and she’s always the tough one. A bit picky in her choice of clothes,” Christine said, embarrassed at the bald-faced lie.
“I was about to grab a bite to eat. Care to join me?”
“I’d love to,” she said.
They grabbed a table at the crowded food court and opted for slices of pizza.
“You’d think I get enough pizza on the road. It seems to be what every venue serves. But honestly, I just love pizza.”
“Who doesn’t?” Christine said.
“Have you heard from Austin?” Matt asked.
“Some texts. He wants me to visit, but I think it’s a very bad idea, so I said no.”
“It’s unfortunate you have to hide your relationship.”
“No wonder famous people get tired of all the rumors in rag mags and on the internet. People can make up anything they want.”
“I’m a big believer in freedom of speech, but there should be a limit to freedom of lies,” Matt said.
“Agreed. Especially now that I’m on this side of it. Where are you spending the holidays?”
“Back home with my family in Ohio. My brother and sister are still living there, and my parents love it when we’re all together. Typical Midwestern family. You?”
“I’ll spend it with my folks as well. Central Pennsylvania. There’s something calming about going home and letting Mommy and Daddy dote on me.”
“So true. Austin doesn’t hit the road until mid-January, so I’ll probably stay until after the first.”
Christine felt a surge of hope at the realization that Matt and Cait wouldn’t be together on New Year’s Eve. She knew it was ridiculous. What was one night? But it was an important night in a relationship, so maybe they weren’t that serious.
They finished their lunch and stood to throw away their trash.
“Here. I’ll take that.” Matt reached out and took her empty plate and cup.
“Chivalry. Such an attractive trait.”
“Remind me to throw away your trash more often,” Matt said with a wink.
They left the food court together and came upon Santa posing for photos.
“Shall we?” Matt asked, a twinkle in his eye.
“Seriously?”
“Oh, why not? Let’s send it to Austin and make his head spin.”
“Why would his head spin over a photo with Santa?”
“It’ll drive him crazy that I’m here with you.”
“You’re as bad as my stalkers. He doesn’t care if we’re at the mall together.”
“Trust me, it’ll drive him crazy.”
“All the more reason to do it. He certainly drives us crazy enough,” Christine said.
They got in line to sit on Santa’s lap. When it was their turn, Christine took the right knee and Matt the left.
“Ho ho ho! Aren’t you a nice-looking young couple?”
Christine smiled.
“We sure think so,” Matt said.
“And what would you like for Christmas?”
“A nice picture with Santa to send to our good friend,” Matt said.
“That’s very nice of you,” Santa said.
“Smile,” the photographer said.
At the last second, Matt reached out and put his hand on Christine’s knee. She knew it was meant as another dig at Austin, but she was still thrilled. When they stood, her knee felt warm where his hand had been.
They thanked Santa and waited for their picture to print. It was perfect. They looked like an adorable couple posing for their Christmas photo. Matt ordered two. Once they were printed, he took a picture and texted Austin: Hey, buddy, we sure do miss you. Merry Christmas.
The reply was immediate: You’re fired.
You can’t afford to fire me, Matt texted back.
You’re right. Asshole. Merry Christmas. Give Chrissy a hug for me.
I’ll go one better and give her a kiss, too.
Suck it, Matt, Austin texted.
“Well, that was fun,” Matt said.
“You have an ornery streak.”
“He brings it out in me. I’m so glad I got to see you. Unfortunately, I’ve got to run. Shopping is finished, so I have to get home, wrap gifts, and start packing.”
“I’m glad we ran into each other,” Christine said, wishing the moment could last a little longer.
“Me, too. Thanks for texting yesterday. It was good to hear from you. Have a great time at home,” Matt said, reaching out for a hug. His bags gently hit her in the back as she returned his hug.
“Same back to you, Matt.”
He pulled back and then surprised her by kissing her on the lips. He didn’t linger, but it was definitely more than a peck.
“Oh,” Christine said.
“Sorry,” Matt said, looking away.
“For Austin?”
“Sure. We’ll go with that. Merry Christmas, Christine. See you in the new year!” Matt gave a little wave and walked off through the mall.
Christine watched him for a minute before ducking into the candle store. She needed a few minutes to regain her composure and could always use a new fragrance.
She was driving home when her phone rang. She hit SPEAKER . “Hey, Austin.”
“Hanging with Matt while I’m gone, huh?”
“We ran into each other at the mall.”
“Looked a little cozier than that.”
“Jealous, Austin?” Christine said.
“Should I be?”
Christine paused. How much should she tell him about her feelings for Matt? Was she ready to share that with Austin? She didn’t want to make their friendship awkward.
“Are you jealous?” She decided to put it back in his court.
“Hell yeah. You won’t come hang out with me.”
“You’re in Florida. Matt is down the road.”
“I offered to get you a plane ticket. You said no.”
“I’m enjoying this lack of notoriety right now. Nobody is saying horrible things about me. It’s a welcome reprieve.”
“Haters gonna hate. Can’t let it stop you.”
“For now, it’s going to stop me. If I flew to Florida to visit you, it would be nonstop harassment. Can’t do it, Austin. Not even for you.”
“All right. Not going to bug you. You still with Matt?”
“No. Hey, Austin. Have you given any more thought to the songs you’re cutting for the next album?” Christine rolled her eyes at herself. She hated asking. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t. But potentially losing her job was not normal circumstances.
“It’s all I think about. I’ll see you when I get back?”
“Of course,” she said, letting it drop. He’d tell her when he was ready, and she didn’t want to push too hard.
“And Canada is still on?”
“As of now, yes.”
“On that positive note, I’m going to go. Merry Christmas, Chrissy.”
“Merry Christmas, Austin.”
She hit END and started singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Christine heard a sound and looked down to see her phone was still connected. Austin was yelling her name.
“Austin?”
“The phone never hung up.”
“Oh, God. Did you hear me singing?” Christine said, feeling the embarrassment heat her cheeks.
“I did. Again. Your phone doesn’t always hang up,” Austin said.
“I know. I need to make a trip to the cell store.”
“Chrissy?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t give up your day job. You can’t sing worth a shit.”
“Tell me something I don’t already know. Bye, Austin.”
“Later.”
Christine hit END , making sure the call was disconnected, and then belted out “Jingle Bells.”
She lay in bed thinking about Matt. She allowed herself to have hope.
He’d wanted a Christmas photo with her. And he’d kissed her, although chaste kissing was not unusual in the music industry.
He hadn’t mentioned needing to buy Cait a gift or seeing her over break or for New Year’s Eve.
Could their relationship be over? Maybe the new year would bring an opportunity for Christine to be honest and tell Matt how she felt.
Was she ready? For the first time, she thought she might be.
Canada might be a good time for true confessions.
Yes , she thought. That’s when I’ll come clean.
THE HOLIDAY brEAK ALWAYS SEEMED so long when it started and so short when it ended.
Christine and Julianna were back in the office on January 2, sharing stories from their holiday.
Christine’s had consisted of staying with her parents, baking cookies, and going to church.
Julianna had gone to Aspen where her parents had a condo.
While Julianna took a quick call, Christine scanned her phone. She had taken a social media break over Christmas and found it refreshing. Now she did a quick catch-up. She stopped cold when she saw Phoebe’s post from New Year’s Eve.
Julianna ended her call. “Is something wrong? You just went pale.”
Christine turned her phone around.
“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.