Chapter Fifteen #2
Christine stared at Phoebe’s back. Was that really all it was?
Her wanting to see her boyfriend? Or was there more to it?
Christine shook her head to clear her thoughts.
Phoebe may not be nice to her, but she was not her stalker.
She couldn’t be. But the lingering doubt sat heavy in Christine’s stomach.
They boarded the plane and Christine took the window seat, Julianna the center, and Phoebe the aisle.
Phoebe immediately put on her headphones and opened a magazine.
Christine watched people board the plane, not sure what she was looking for but wary of the fact that she was opening herself up to more danger by going to the concert.
She didn’t see anyone who made her feel suspicious.
She put on headphones, scrunched down in her seat, and listened to music. Sometimes it was best to sink into your own world on planes.
They landed in Harrisburg, grabbed their luggage, and stepped outside to meet their Uber driver.
Christine was their tour guide along the way. “If you take that exit and turn down two streets, you’re at my high school,” she said as they passed her hometown exit.
They also saw signs for Hershey. “Craving chocolate, anyone?” Phoebe laughed.
“Always,” Julianna said.
“They have an amazing arena there. I went to so many concerts when I was younger. Plus, we had the York Fair. I remember seeing Alabama for the first time. I feel like I’m stepping back in time,” Christine said.
“You kind of are,” Julianna said.
“For better or worse, we all have to do it at some point. Weddings, class reunions, funerals—there’s always something to return us to that time,” Phoebe said.
“It’s like quantum mechanics. We live multiple lives at the same time, if only in our minds,” Christine said, the weight of the past heavy on her.
When they arrived at the venue, a huge sign said AUSTIN GARRETT TONIGHT! in bold red letters.
“It’s always been a big deal to have your name in lights at this theatre. At least in our little town, it means you’ve made it,” Christine said.
She directed their driver around to the back. “Home sweet home,” she said.
“You came to a lot of concerts here, huh?” Julianna asked.
“I did. This was my haunt.”
“And now you’re here, besties with the headliner. His number one song plugger. Mi vida loca,” Julianna said.
“My crazy life.”
They hung their All-Access laminates around their necks and headed in.
Christine was nervous about seeing Matt.
She’d changed clothes at least three times before leaving Nashville and settled on her favorite blue jeans, black heels, and a white top, reasoning that it was best to go classic when in doubt.
They weren’t high heels but had a fancy mesh on the top that looked pretty.
She liked how they played peekaboo below her jeans when she walked.
Her sexiest black leather jacket completed the look.
They followed signs through the back, up the stairs, down a narrow hall, and straight to the production room. Christine knocked on the door while opening it.
“You made it,” Matt said, looking sexy in blue jeans and a fitted black T-shirt.
He stood and reached out to her, pulling her into his strong arms for a hug.
Christine closed her eyes, savoring the moment.
He didn’t usually smell of cologne, but today he did.
And his hair was damp and smelled shampoo-fresh.
Was it too much to hope it was all for her?
He let go and greeted Julianna and Phoebe with much quicker hugs.
“Good to have you here. Make sure you text Austin. He’s been driving me crazy asking when you’d arrive,” Matt said.
“Are you talking to me or Christine?” Phoebe asked.
“Oh, uh, he just said all of you in general,” Matt said with a stutter.
“I already texted him,” Phoebe said.
Minutes later, Austin came bursting through the door.
“Chrissy!” he yelled, picking her up and twirling her around.
Phoebe’s mouth dropped open and Christine saw Julianna reach for her hand.
Only when Austin put her down did he seem to realize his girlfriend was standing in the room. Phoebe’s arms were crossed over her chest and she wore a scowl.
“Hey, beautiful,” Austin said, reaching out to hug her. She kissed him on the lips.
“Hello, Julianna. Thanks for coming to help keep Chrissy safe.” He reached out to give her a hug.
“Glad to do it.”
“Here’s the plan,” Matt said. They all paid attention as he explained the night’s agenda.
“Perfect,” Christine said when he’d finished. “And thank you guys for being so accommodating.”
“Anything for you,” Austin said. Phoebe gave an eye roll but kept quiet.
They had two hours before Christine’s meet and greet.
“Let’s check out the new merchandise,” Julianna said.
“They usually set up at the main entrance. I don’t want anyone seeing me, remember?” Christine said, shaking her head.
“The public won’t be let in for another half hour. There’s just a couple of local theatre workers out there and some security,” Matt said.
“Okay. I guess that’ll be all right.” Christine nodded.
Phoebe looked reluctant to leave Austin until Matt grabbed him for a radio interview.
“Austin said they got some killer sweatshirts. They’re dark gray with a metallic blue emblem. He’s trying out some new things,” Phoebe said.
“Then can we hit catering?” Julianna asked. “I’m starved.”
They headed out to the main merchandise stand.
The audience wasn’t allowed in yet, but the workers had already shown up.
Christine always felt that a venue was a living, breathing thing.
It was as if ghosts of concerts past had left their energy behind.
You could almost feel the excitement rising from the seats even though they were empty.
Vendors were preparing for the rush. The pizza stand was up and running, and the sweet smell of crust and mozzarella wafted past them.
“There’s something about the smell of pizza at a venue,” Christine said. Julianna and Phoebe nodded their agreement.
Security guards held a meeting in the main hallway.
From what Christine could hear, they were figuring out how best to protect everyone against the fans who got too drunk and rowdy.
Police officers were posted at each entrance.
Security guards could only do so much if serious trouble broke out.
Outside the main door, an ambulance was already on-site.
You couldn’t be too safe when a few thousand people were going to be in a confined space.
“Hey, Alicia,” Christine said, her focus returning to the merch table.
“Hey. Long time no see, huh?” Alicia’s ponytail was pulled back behind a ball cap that sported one word: S PRINGSTEEN.
“I’ve been trying to keep a low profile.”
“I hear you have quite a posse coming tonight.” She took a stack of T-shirts out of a box and started folding them.
“A bunch of people from my high school are going to be here.”
“I told Matt I’d help escort them out so he could bring in the regular meet-and-greet folks. Thought it would look better for someone other than you to do it. Let you take the high road out.”
“Thank you. That’s really nice,” Christine said.
“All good. I’ve been there. Nothing worse than hometown shows to bring people out of the woodwork, huh?” Alicia said.
“Exactly. And some of these people didn’t treat me too well back then. The whole thing has my stomach twisted in knots.”
“Then why do this?”
“It’s closure on old wounds.”
“We’ve all needed closure on something in our lives. I get it,” Alicia said.
“Thanks. It helps to have people who understand,” Christine said, giving her a smile.
“Whatcha looking for, ladies? The new sweatshirt is amazeballs. That metallic blue on the dark gray. Crazy cool,” Alicia said, reaching into a box to show them.
“Austin’s been raving about them but keeps forgetting to bring me one,” Phoebe said.
Alicia pulled one out of the box and put it on the counter. “And check out that logo. It pops. Practically 3D.”
“You’ve convinced me,” Christine said, opening her purse and pulling out her wallet.
“Nope. You’re one of us. They’re on the house.”
“No, I insist on paying,” Christine said.
“Me, too,” Julianna said.
“You’re family. Austin would want it this way. If he found out I made you pay, he’d make me pay,” Alicia said, laughing.
“Thanks, Alicia. That’s very nice,” Christine said.
They looked over some of the other merchandise, but Alicia was still setting up and they didn’t want to get in her way.
They returned backstage and found catering. It wasn’t as fancy as on the big tours, but they were serving Mexican food with make-your-own tacos.
“This will definitely work,” Julianna said.
They spent the next forty-five minutes devouring their meal and relaxing in the catering area. Christine was unnerved and pushed her food around her plate.
“This is really getting to you, isn’t it? You barely ate,” Julianna said.
“Twenty people from high school? And a stalker. Uh, yeah. I wish I hadn’t eaten at all. I know it sounds foolish. I’m an adult. A successful one at that. But I’m pretty nervous.”
Her texts had already blown up four times with people confused about how to get their tickets from will call. She had repeated the instructions over and over until everyone had what they needed.
After eating, Phoebe headed in the direction of Austin’s bus and Christine assumed they wanted some private time. Christine felt a little pang. When she was on the road with Austin, he spent a lot of time with her, always wanting her close. Giving deference to the girlfriend felt odd.
Julianna watched her watching Phoebe. “You okay?”
“Huh? Yeah. I just don’t usually have Phoebe here, and it’s kind of weird. I mean, I know they’re dating, but I don’t usually witness it.”
“Jealous?”
“Not in the way you’re implying.”