What Happens on the Cruise

17. Cruise

Nick Lachey: Ben, you feeling a little bit country tonight?

Ben Folds: I'm feeling a little bit of bass in my butt.

Jewell: Yeah.

***

"Everybody ready?" Chris whispered as they waited to be introduced.

They all nodded.

"Adam?"

"Ready to rock it out."

"Good."

"Home Free, you're on," the stage manager said.

"Let's do this!" Austin said, then fell silent as they made their way out to the chairs set up and waiting for them.

***

They were still giddy as they arrived back in their hotel suite. Tim set the cold six pack of beer on a side table, flopped down on the couch and opened one.

"Man, I am so exhausted, but so wound up," Rob said.

"Me, too," Austin said. "Your parents were adorable, by the way," he said to Adam and Chris, "and I absolutely love your mom," he added to Tim.

"It was good to have them here in the audience," Chris said.

"Yeah," Tim said with a soft smile.

"Felt that bass in my butt." Austin danced around the room.

"They definitely liked Tim's bass," Chris said. "We need to exploit that more in the future."

"Anyone want to hit the hot tub?" Rob asked.

"I'm going down to the fitness room," Adam said, "but I might join you later if no one else does."

"All that dancing and you're still going to work out?" Rob asked.

Adam shrugged.

Austin started humming the melody to "Cruise" and then started singing to the tune, "Bass in my butt, bass in my butt..."

"I'll put some bass in your butt if you don't knock it off," Tim growled.

"Oh, Timmy, I thought you'd never ask!" Austin retorted.

Everyone cracked up laughing.

"So, hot tub?" Rob asked. "I really don't want to go by myself, but I could use some relaxation."

"I'll go with you," Chris volunteered.

"Austin? Tim?" Rob asked.

"I'm gonna go give my mom a call," Austin said, "and then hit the hay."

Tim raised his half full beer. "Just going to relax for a while."

***

"So what did she do then?" Austin asked.

Tim walked into their shared bedroom, pulling off his jacket as he entered. He gave Austin a wave, as he opened the closet and hung it up.

"Uhuh. No! She didn't!"

Tim took off his earrings, then turned, considering Austin for a moment. He stepped over to Austin's bed and patted Austin's leg. The tenor gave him a confused look, but moved his feet to give Tim room to sit. Tim sat and then shifted Austin's feet into his lap.

"Um. Sorry, momma, I missed that. Tim just came in clattering around," Austin said, raising a questioning eyebrow at Tim. "Momma says hi."

"Hi, Momma Brown," Tim said, loud enough for Austin's mother to hear it. He slowly started stroking the sole of Austin's foot.