What Happens on the Cruise

19. Life Is a Highway

"I'm so proud of everyone," Chris said, looking around the table. Austin hadn't stopped smiling since Sean Stockman had complimented him, and Adam and Tim were in high spirits since Ben Folds had commented on their performance. He was so glad Ericha had been there to hear Adam being praised. "I'm not going to repeat the judges' words. Instead, I'm going to give a shout-out to Rob. Thanks for keeping the middle in place while Tim and Austin strutted their stuff."

"Hear hear," Austin said. "And thanks to you, Chris, for also holding the middle together and for the lion's share of the work on the arrangement."

Everyone else at the table made sounds of agreement.

"Thanks," Chris replied. "We've got almost two weeks till the next taping, but the other groups aren't going to be resting and neither can we. So we've got tonight to celebrate, but we're back at it tomorrow." He turned to his sister-in-law, "Also, it was great to have Ericha looking so radiant in the audience."

She blushed, and Adam leaned over and dropped a kiss on her cheek.

***

Adam lay stroking Ericha's slightly rounded belly. Her body had changed so much in the two weeks since he'd seen her last. "You're sure it's safe?" he asked.

"I already told you, silly, yes, it's safe."

Her hand slid down his torso, but he stopped her before she passed his navel. "Wait."

She raised her eyebrows and he grinned at her before brushing his lips against her throat and slowly skimming down her body with his mouth. Her breath stuttered as he pressed a kiss to her inner thigh, then shifted his attention inward.

***

"Damn," Austin whispered as Ericha's cries of pleasure reached them again.

"That's three," Tim said.

"I've never been more jealous of a woman."

"Hey!" Tim said in a mock offended voice.

Austin kissed him. "Don't get me wrong, you're fantastic, but with us guys it's one and done."

"At least for a while," Tim teased.

"Hmm..." Austin pulled him in for a kiss. "You wanna?"

"Always," Tim answered.

***

"I don't want to learn a new dance routine," Austin moaned, his head down on the table. "I just wanna sleep in."

"Adam and Ericha kept you awake last night, too?" Rob asked quietly.

"God, yes."

Tim came out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel. "Shower's free."

"Better make sure that towel's secure," Rob warned.

"Ericha and Adam already left for the airport. Some ungodly early flight," Tim said.

"At least she can sleep on the plane," Austin whined.

Tim went over to the coffee pot, poured two cups and carried them over to the table along with some creamers and sugar packets. He set one cup near Austin's head and ruffled Austin's hair. "Coffee and a shower and you'll be fine."

"Hey, where's mine?" Rob asked.

Tim slid the other cup over to Rob, dropping the handful of creamers and sugars on the table, and then headed for his room, just as Chris walked out of Rob's, yawning.

"Morning, all!" he greeted cheerily.

"If it isn't Sleeping Beauty," Tim said as they passed.

"How in the world can you be so awake?" Austin asked.