What Happens on the Cruise

27. Man in the Mirror

Austin curled up next to Tim. "Feeling better, babe?"

"Yeah. Sorry I got so rough."

"It's okay. If I had a problem with it, I would have stopped you."

"Chris is going to have kittens tomorrow if you're walking funny."

"He'll probably just think it's my ankle acting up."

Tim turned and pulled Austin closer. "Do you think the producers are still pissed at us?"

"Maybe." Austin sighed, laying his head on Tim's chest and listening to his lover's heartbeat for a moment. "What do we do if they are?"

"We pull out all the stops. They want to hear you go all out in your upper range, we give it to them."

"You're thinking 'I Want Crazy'."

"I am."

"You going to drop the floor on the bass?"

"Obviously."

"I like it," Austin said.

"We're going to have to work our asses off."

"Huh-uh," Austin objected. "I like your ass too much."

Tim laughed and kissed him. "I like yours, too."

"It's definitely feeling the love tonight."

They lay in comfortable silence for a few minutes, Tim drifting toward sleep.

"Hey." Austin startled Tim awake. "Sorry. I was just wondering, do you still have your place in Beaumont?"

"Yeah."

"Can I move in with you?"

Tim blinked. He'd forgotten that Austin was essentially homeless, couch surfing between gigs. He'd even crashed at Tim's place a few times. "Sure."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. It makes sense."

"You're going to have to come out to your family."

"Yup."

"Is that--"

"Austin honey, go to sleep. We can talk about it tomorrow."

"But--"

"Sleep."

"Okay," Austin acquiesced. He kissed Tim. "I love you. Good night."

"G'night."

***

The room felt so empty with only three groups in it. The director greeted them all and glanced at her notes. "This week is the finale, so there's no theme. You get to bring your best. And there's no ultimate sing-off. However, each group will be performing a Christmas number with one of the judges. Ten, you'll be performing 'Joyful, Joyful' with Shawn. Home Free, you're doing 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' with Jewell."

"Oh, wow. That'll be awesome," Austin whispered.

The director continued, "Vocal Rush will be doing 'Peace on Earth' with Ben. Our opening number is 'Man in the Mirror' where you'll be joined by all the previously eliminated groups. We're going to start by working the basic framework of the opening number, then you'll be meeting with your judge to work on your Christmas number, and after that you'll be free to work on you own numbers."

There were murmurs of acknowledgment around the room.

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen, let's get started."