What Happens on the Cruise

55. All About That Bass

"Seriously, you guys, you couldn't check to make sure Austin's zipper was zipped before you went on stage?" Chris asked as they stepped off during Adam's drum solo. The question sounded half mocking and half serious.

"Dude, we were visiting with Tim's mom, remember? We might indulge in the occasional quickie, but we're not that quick," Austin responded, handing Tim a water bottle and opening one for himself.

"Besides, we have plans for later tonight," Tim said and gave Austin a leer.

Rob covered his ears. "I don't need to know this."

"I mean, it's Tim's birthday," Austin pointed out, gesturing with his water. "You know it whether you know you know it or not."

"I'm not sure what you just said there."

"Me either," Tim agreed.

"Okay, quick, do we know the order of the second half?" Chris demanded.

"We're good."

***

The autograph line was petering out. Tim's mom was chatting with Allen and a couple locals who'd helped out.

Someone flitted by Rob and Chris, stopping in front of Adam. "Hi, Adam!" It was a tenor voice with a soft, almost feminine inflection.

Adam looked up from where he'd been speaking to Tim, his eyes lighting up. "Jaim?!"

"It's me!"

"Wow! It's been forever!" Adam vaulted the table as if it were nothing, to give the person a hug.

Tim caught a disapproving frown on Chris's face before turning his attention to the person Adam was hugging. Short curls in an unnatural shade of plum topped one side of their head, while the other side was buzzed short. Their eyes and lips were highlighted with charcoal eyeliner and purple lipstick. There was the hint of a five o clock shadow. They sported a Hello Kitty crop top, distressed blue jeans, and a pair of pink Chuck's and matching pink bag. They stood a couple inches shorter than Adam. But what struck Tim immediately was how emaciated the person looked -- sunken cheeks, thin bony arms, hollow abdomen, like a zombie halfway to their skeletal form.

Hello Kitty broke the hug to hold Adam at arm's length. "You look amazing."

"Thanks! You, uh... look like you've been sick."

"No empty compliments from you, Adam?"

"Sorry."

"It's okay. Introduce me to your band."

"Oh, yeah, sorry." Adam turned, hand still on Hello Kitty's back. "Guys, this is Jaimie Weber. I dated them in college. Jaim, this is our tenor, Rob. Of course you know Chris."

Chris gave a terse nod.

"And this is Tim, our bass, and Austin, our high tenor."

"Birthday boy Tim! I heard. What a way to spend your birthday!"

"I kinda like it," Tim admitted. "I might just have to make it a thing."

"I like the positive attitude! But I didn't mean to interrupt your autographs. You going someplace after?" they asked Adam.

"Yeah. Hey, Tim, what's the name of that place?"

Tim found a scrap of paper and wrote the name down, handing it to Adam. No reason to bring half their crowd with them. Adam handed the paper to Jaimie, who glanced at it and nodded. "Great! I'll see you there!" They gave Adam's cheek a quick peck and headed off.

Chris seemed to glower at the retreating back, then turned back to autographs.

"So," Rob started as Adam returned to his seat, "Jaimie knows you're married, right?"