Chapter Thirteen
“ Y ou just left?” Julianna asked on Monday morning.
“Yep.”
“And didn’t even say goodbye to him?”
“Austin? Nope.”
“Is he pissed?” Julianna asked, sitting on the edge of Christine’s desk, swinging her long legs.
“Yup.”
“Can you string more than one word together?”
“I don’t know what to tell you. They showed up with Phoebe acting all smug and demanding. And as sweet as Cait seems to be, and she really does seem sweet, I couldn’t be on the bus with her and Matt in a bunk together. I’m strong, but not that strong.”
“Does Matt have any idea how you feel about him?”
“No, and he’s not going to.”
Julianna raised her eyebrows.
“Julianna, I don’t know what you’re thinking about doing, but don’t do it. I’ve never agreed with going after a guy who’s already spoken for.”
“They’re just dating. He should know his options.”
“If he wanted to go out with me, he’d ask.”
“It’s not that simple, Christine.”
“Why not?”
“To begin with, you have a very odd relationship with his boss. Just because you haven’t done the deed doesn’t mean there isn’t something between you and Austin that is strong. That would have to confuse another guy.”
“Austin flirts with everyone, but . . .”
“But what?” Julianna asked.
“You could have a point about Matt being confused.”
“What does that mean?”
Christine told Julianna about the moment in the dressing room that Matt witnessed. “But it was nothing,” she insisted.
“Matt sees you in a dressing room with Austin, who happens to have his hands on you, and Matt is supposed to assume it’s nothing?”
“Austin was just making a point,” she insisted.
“The point being he thinks you’re hot!”
“He never said that. Although . . .”
“What?”
“He kissed me again. And wanted to do more.”
“Wait. What? Did you?”
“No, although I was tempted. He is a hell of a kisser,” Christine said, touching her lips.
“Why didn’t you, then? God knows you need it.”
“’Cause it would close the door on Matt and me.”
“You’re really choosing an outside chance with Matt over Austin?”
“Sex with Austin would be amazing. But do I see us married with kids? No. And I want that. Having sex with him would screw up a great friendship and working relationship. And Matt doesn’t seem like the type of guy to take sloppy seconds after Austin.”
“I haven’t heard that term since high school,” Julianna said.
“So, I’m passing on Mr. Right Now in the hopes of getting Mr. Right.”
Julianna stood to leave. “Did you ever think you’d be stuck between two men like Austin and Matt?”
“Not in a million years.”
“Just play it smart, Christine. You could end up with neither.”
Julianna’s words lingered long after she left Christine’s office.
CHRISTINE HADN’T HEARD FROM Austin in a week. She knew he was mad, so she gave him his space. When he did call, it was to tell her he was being interviewed on a national radio show.
“You’ve got to listen, Chrissy.”
“You’re not mad at me anymore?” she asked.
“I still think it was a lame thing to do, but no, I’m not mad anymore.”
“Okay, I’ll listen. What time?”
“Tomorrow at six.”
“In the morning?” Christine’s voice rose. She was not a morning person.
“Yep. Morning shows have the biggest audience. Set your alarm.”
Christine set it for exactly five minutes before six, not willing to get up one second before. The morning team consisted of Billy and Carly.
“Welcome to our new studio,” Billy said.
“This is nice. You used to kind of be in a . . .” Austin said.
“Dump?” Carly said.
“Ha. Yeah, thanks. I didn’t really want to say it. But this is state of the art. Everything is so clean. And there are so many microphones.”
“It works well for having guests. Especially when we have a band in here. They used to have to share microphones. How awkward, right?” Billy said.
“Definitely awkward. Nobody enjoys sharing a mic,” Austin said.
“You’ve had three number one hits and just came off a Canadian tour. Then there’s the award nominations, TV shows, and you recently won a CMA award. It’s been a big couple of years for you,” Carly said.
“Yeah, it has. I’m crazy fortunate. But there’s a lot left to do.”
“Let’s talk about the situation surrounding your personal life,” Billy said.
“What situation?”
“He’s being coy,” Billy said.
“Like a fish,” Carly said.
“So?” Billy asked.
“I’m not sure what you’re asking me,” Austin said.
Billy hit a loud buzzer, causing Austin to jump.
“What the—”
“Don’t say it!” Carly said.
“What was that noise for?” Austin asked.
“It’s a dodge buzzer. You’re dodging the question. Every time that happens, we hit the buzzer.”
“We had one artist, who will remain nameless, where we had to hit the buzzer so much it got stuck,” Carly said.
“Buzzed through the entire interview. Was pretty horrible actually,” Billy said.
“Now back to the question,” Carly said.
“I haven’t really heard a question yet,” Austin said.
“Don’t you follow social media?” Carly asked.
“Sure I do.”
“He’s going to make us just ask it outright. Okay. Tell us about Christine,” Billy said.
“Ah, Chrissy.”
“What is she to you?” Carly asked.
“Chrissy is very special to me. She’s a friend, a confidante, and a colleague all wrapped up in one.”
“And Phoebe?” Billy asked.
“Phoebe and I hang out from time to time,” Austin said.
“Is Phoebe your girlfriend?” Carly asked.
“I don’t have time for a girlfriend.”
Billy hit the buzzer.
“Geez. It’s early, dude. Quit hitting that thing,” Austin said.
“Quit dodging questions,” Carly said with a singsong voice.
“I’m not. My world doesn’t allow for a girlfriend right now. I’m always on the go. The idea of leaving a woman behind isn’t appealing. Now isn’t the time for personal relationships.”
“So, Phoebe isn’t your girlfriend?”
“No.”
“And Chrissy isn’t your girlfriend?”
“Can we talk about my music?” Austin said. Christine could tell he was getting angry. His words were clipped and his voice had lowered.
Someone hit the buzzer again.
“He didn’t answer the question,” Carly said.
“I noticed,” Billy said.
“Seriously?” Austin asked.
Christine was yelling at the radio. “Tell them I’m not your girlfriend. Please, Austin. For the love of God, tell them.”
He didn’t tell them and the interview continued.
“Okay, okay. About your next album. How do you follow up an album that had three number one singles? Are you worried about the sophomore album curse?” Billy asked.
“No, not really. I have some great friends who are incredible songwriters, and I’m taking them on the road and writing with them.
And now that I’m a bit of a proven entity, A-list writers are sending me their best songs.
So, I have a lot to choose from. I also have the best song plugger in all of Nashville.
I’m excited about taking this album to the next level. ”
“The best song plugger being Christine?” Billy asked.
“Yes.”
The interview went on for another five minutes, all questions about Austin’s music and touring.
It was over by six fifteen. Christine tried to fall back to sleep but couldn’t.
Austin had the chance to put an end to it and get rid of her stalker and her cyberbullies.
Instead, he egged it on. She got ready and left for work.
Listening to music always made her feel better, and after that interview, she definitely needed something to make her feel better.
She arrived at work and was digging into her day when Rick stopped down.
“How’s it going with Austin picking a song? Preferably one with our publishing company?”
Christine felt her chest constrict. Her breathing shallowed as the heaviness set in. Classic panic attack.
“I’m working on it. He’s narrowed it down to three songs. Two are ours, one is with another publisher.”
“We need his next single, Christine.” Rick sat back, arms crossed against his chest.
“I know, Rick. I’m doing the best I can. He’s an artist. He’s going to pick the song that’s best for him whether it’s mine or not.”
“I realize that, Christine. But you can sway him. One song only does so much for us for so long. ‘Promises to Me’ was big, but we need more of those.”
“Right. I’ll check with him again tonight. Is that why you stopped down?” Christine was trying to keep her breathing even, not wanting the starting panic attack to escalate into a full-blown one.
“No. We just got information that a big artist is looking for a classic country song. Something that may have been written years ago that he could make relevant to today’s sound. Weren’t you listening to some of the older songs recently? Going back as far as cassettes?”
“Yes. I took a box of them home one weekend. Would you like me to recommend something?”
“Is the box still at your apartment?”
“It is.”
“Hmmm . . .”
“I should have brought it back, but nobody has touched those songs in years, and I don’t have a cassette player here. I’ve been slowly making my way through them in the evenings. I’ve taken notes on every song. I’ll bring them in tomorrow.”
“We need them here by this afternoon. I’m going to split them up between you and two other pluggers, and we need to move fast. Superstars don’t always come calling, and I want to have something of quality in their hands tonight.
Can you run home and get them?” Rick stood up and started for the door.
“Sure. I’ll leave right now.” Christine grabbed her purse and came around her desk, following him.
“Thank you. And by the way, nice press in Austin’s interview this morning. Not sure what’s going on with the two of you, but every time he mentions you, it gives our company a boost. We appreciate it.”
“Absolutely, sir. Glad to help,” Christine said, thinking how the interview might have helped the company but most likely hurt her.
Her cell phone chimed in a text from Phoebe: Nice. Sounds like he’s more into you than he is into me. And we know that’s not true ’cause I woke up in his bed this morning. How do you always manage to steal the show?