What Happens on the Cruise

35. I Wanna Make You Feel Wanted

"Yeah, we're just getting our bags now," Tim said and pointed to the baggage carousel. Austin scrambled to grab his suitcases before they disappeared, still a little paranoid of losing then. "Mmhm. Yeah, we'll meet you out front in ten."

"What's up?" Austin asked as Tim ended the call.

"Ericha's feeling a little under the weather, so he got started a little late, and then there was a wreck right in front of him at that one intersection, so he stopped to make sure everyone was okay."

"If Ericha's sick maybe we should just stay in a hotel."

"You know she'd feel worse putting us out," Tim countered.

"I suppose so. I'm starving. Could we grab a quick bite?" Austin asked, gesturing toward the McDonald's.

"Give me your big bag. Meet me out front."

"Okay. Anything for you?"

"The usual," Tim answered, then headed in the direction of the exits.

***

"Where's Austin?" Adam asked as he opened the back doors of the van for Tim to load his luggage.

"Getting Micky D's."

"Think he could get me something?" Adam asked, then spotted Austin. "Ope! Too late."

"Hey, man," Austin said, giving Adam a one-armed hug. "I picked you up something, just in case." He set the drink holder and McDonald's bag in the front seat then handed his over-the-shoulder bag to Tim.

They all got in, got the food and drinks distributed, and set out for Mankato.

"What's the itinerary?" Austin asked, stealing a slurp from Tim's shake. Tim gave him a raised eyebrow, but Austin just smiled and crinkled his nose in that disarming way he had.

"We're pulling the back seats out of the van tonight and going to Goodwill to pick up five easy chairs Chris has already paid for." Adam paused to pop a couple fries in his mouth. "Then tomorrow we're filming at Minneopa State Park. It's really pretty this time of year."

"And cold," Tim added.

"Hope you packed warm."

"We did," Austin said. "Don't know what we're doing with all that when we fly down to Tampa."

"Leave 'em here," Adam suggested. "You'll be back in town to prep for the Christmas tour anyway."

"That's true."

"Anyhow, day after tomorrow we'll be filming at the airport--"

"In Minneapolis?" Tim asked.

"No. Mankato Regional Airport," Adam replied. "Chris found someone who's letting us use their plane for the shoot."

"We're not flying in it, are we?" Austin asked.

"No. Just filming in the hangar. And then in the evening, we're eating at Number 4 and staying after they close to film."

"Oh, I love Number 4," Austin said.

Tim nodded. "Good food."

"Chris figured you wouldn't mind." Adam took a bite of his burger while watching the road. "Then we're spending the next two days reviewing staging and set lists, and filming The Sing-Off announcement."

"Then we're off to Tampa," Tim concluded.

"Yup."

"I'm looking forward to being on a cruise with you again," Austin said to Tim.