What Happens on the Cruise

23. Pretty Woman

"Oh, dear, what happened?" the director asked as soon as she saw Austin limp into the rehearsal.

"I stepped in a pothole and turned my ankle last night. It's not too bad."

"Hmm. I'm getting the on-set doctor to look at it. Can I get a chair over here?"

As Tim had predicted, Austin was immediately flocked by the teenage girls of Vocal Rush and a few of the women from Ten. Even a few guys checked on him. Tim stood and watched his lover be gracious, cheerful, and flirtatious until the doctor arrived and shooed everyone away.

Tim drifted over as the doctor removed Austin's shoe, sock, and ankle brace. "Not too swollen."

"We iced and elevated it right away," Austin explained.

"Good. Tell me if it hurts." She carefully manipulated the foot, feeling around the ankle.

Austin gasped a couple of times and said, "There."

After a while, the doctor sat back. "I want you to stay off it today. Keep it elevated and ice it tonight. After that I want you to go easy on it, and keep wearing that brace. Okay?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Did you fall when you turned it?"

Austin shook his head.

"So no other injuries?"

"Just the ankle."

"I'll talk to the director. Can you get everything back on?" the doctor asked.

"I'll help him," Tim volunteered.

"Good." She patted Austin's knee. "Don't be a macho man. Stay off it."

As she walked away, Tim knelt in front of Austin and started gently putting his sock on his foot. "Sounds like you're going to have to sit and watch instead of dancing today."

"Yeah. This is going to be frustrating."

Tim slipped the brace over Austin's ankle. "Yeah, but better to let it heal."

"Can I help with anything?" a female voice behind Tim asked.

"I'm going to need another chair or something to elevate my foot," Austin answered, smiling warmly.

"Sure! I'll be right back."

"Do you really have to flirt so much?" Tim asked quietly.

"I'm not flirting."

"You are."

"I'm just being friendly and grateful for the help," Austin defended.

"Whatever," Tim growled, putting Austin's shoe on.

"Ow," Austin gasped.

"Sorry." Tim realized he was getting a bit aggressive in tightening Austin's shoelaces. He finished up and laid a hand on Austin's knee. "Good?"

"Yes. Thanks."

***

Tim turned, expecting Austin to be center stage for his duet, but of course he wasn't, he glanced to the side of the room where Austin was sitting with his foot elevated, then stumbled as he saw Peaches sitting in his boyfriend's lap singing their duet. Honey grabbed his arm.

"Stop, stop," the director called. "Tim, are you okay?"

"Yup. Sorry. It's that whole walking and chewing gum thing."

Everyone chuckled.

"Okay. Reset. Let's run it again."

Tim walked to his opening position, glancing back at Austin and Peaches, who appeared to be chatting while everyone else got into places.