What Happens on the Cruise

16. Bridge Over Troubled Water

"You nervous?" Tim asked.

Austin shrugged. "A little."

He'd been doing concerts with them since October and had officially joined full time in January. Their harmonies were good, he knew, but they had been good before when they'd been passed over. It was difficult to know what television shows were looking for. He just knew -- they all knew, honestly -- that they needed a break if they were going to get on the radio and get album distribution.

"Home Free," a staffer called and they walked out onto the stage.

"Hi," they were greeted. "I see it says here you're a country a cappella group. I remember auditioning your group before, but I don't remember the country element. Tell me how you got here."

"Well, as you can see we've got a new member," Chris said. "This is Austin Brown. He's from Tifton, Georgia. And of course Tim Foust, our bass and second newest member, is from Texas. We've always done some country music in our sets because it's a style of music we all love, but when we added Tim and then Austin it felt natural to move our focus in that direction."

"So what are you singing for us today?"

***

"So they're encouraging us to grow our beards out, all except for Austin, to kind of look the part," Chris said.

"I could do chin scruff," Adam answered. "But you know I can't do full beard and mustache without affecting my beatboxing."

"Right. I don't think that'll be a problem. Anyhow, I've got to call the other guys. Talk to you later!"

"Bye," Adam said and hung up the phone. He heard Ericha walk into the kitchen and turned to her, grinning. "We made it onto The Sing-Off!"

She threw her arms around him and kissed him. Then pulled back and smiled at him. "I guess it's the morning for big news."

"Oh?" he asked.

She released him to show him the pregnancy test she'd been holding. There was a distinctive + sign. "We're expecting."

He wrapped her up in his arms. "I love you so much."

She nodded against his chest. "It's going to be okay this time. I just know it."

"Of course it is," he said, pulling her close to stave off the sense of dread that was already starting in the pit of his stomach. "Of course it is."

***

"So we're going to want some songs lined up that we might be able to use," Chris said. "I'm thinking something more country pop to make it more relatable. Rascal Flatts, Florida-Georgia Line, something like that."

"I like that," Rob said as Tim and Austin nodded.

"I think our big advantages," Chris continued, "are Tim's bass, Austin's strong upper register and belting--"

"And looks," Tim added.

Chris nodded. "His looks certainly don't hurt. And, Tim, neither do yours or Adam's -- sorry, Rob."

"Rob is an adorable teddy bear," Austin said, "and if he weren't straight and engaged..."

"I'm okay with not being the heartthrob of the group," Rob said. "You don't need to worry about hurt feelings."

Chris patted him on the shoulder, then went on, "As I was saying, our last and probably best secret weapon is Adam's beatboxing. So I think we want songs and arrangements that strongly feature those three elements." He looked at his brother who was staring out the window. "Adam, are you with us?"

Adam blinked and looked at the group. "Yeah, sorry. Tim's bass, Austin's... everything, and my beatboxing. Got it."

"Everything okay, buddy?" Rob asked.

"Yeah... I mean, probably... probably everything will be fine..."

"What's going on?" Tim asked, scanning his face.

Adam shook his head.

"Come on, man, talk to us," Austin said.

Adam seemed to shrink under their scrutiny. Chris laid his hand on Adam's arm, then looked up at the clock on the wall. "It's almost lunch time. Let's take a break."

The others looked at each other, then acquiesced. "I'm thinking pizza," Rob said.

"Sounds good," Chris said, tugging Adam out of his seat. "You know what we like." He pulled his brother into the bathroom and shut the door. He placed his hands on Adam's shoulders and looked him in the face. "Is everything okay with you and Ericha?"

"I... I don't know," Adam answered.

"What's going on?"

Adam took a deep breath and stood thinking for a moment. "Ericha's pregnant."

"Oh," Chris said. "Is that... a surprise?"

"Well, we did decide to try again, but it, ah, didn't take very long."

"So maybe you hadn't quite gotten your head around it yet."

"Yeah. Basically. But it's... I'm just really... scared."

"Mmm," Chris nodded. "That's completely understandable."

"Ericha says she feels good about it this time," Adam said, shaking his head, "which is funny considering how bad her morning sickness has been. But she wants to make a big announcement at church and ask for prayers and I just..." He sighed.

"You're afraid to."

"What if... it happens again? I just can't..."

Chris leaned against the sink and crossed his arms, thinking. "You know I love you, bro, but I think I have to go with Ericha on this. You need to trust her that she knows what's going on with her body. And you need to step out in faith with her."

Adam nodded, looking miserable. "I know, I know."

"What do you think about starting out small and telling the guys?"

"Yeah. I'd like to. But I want to call Ericha first."

Chris squeezed his arm. "Good idea."

***

"So I can't guarantee that I won't be an absolute mess off-stage, but when we hit that stage I'm going all in."

"We all have faith in you, man," Austin said.

"And we're all going to keep you both in our prayers," Chris said.

Adam nodded. "I appreciate it."

The doorbell rang. "That must be the pizzas," Rob said. He headed for the door as Austin and Tim made for the kitchen.

Adam let out a slow breath.

"You okay?" Chris asked.

"Yeah. I'm feeling... lighter."

"A burden shared," Chris said, squeezing his arm.

Adam smiled, as the others set out the pizzas, plates, and drinks, seamlessly working together as a team. "Yeah," he nodded. "A burden shared."