What Happens on the Cruise

68. 9 to 5

"So, what's up?" Adam asked his brother as he slid into the booth across from him. "Just hanging out or was there a reason you wanted to get together?"

"Hi, what can I get started for you?" the server interrupted before Chris could talk.

Adam ordered quickly, then turned back to Chris. "So?"

Chris sat contemplating the condensation on his glass. "Do you think if I were to leave Home Free sometime soon that people would think it was because of Tim and Austin?"

Adam's eyes widened. "Leave?"

Chris nodded. "I've just been feeling this pull for quite some time to do something different. Do some solo stuff, write music, I don't really know exactly all of it, but I've been looking at our tour schedule while Tim and Austin were talking wedding dates, and there's just... no room. I feel like once we do the Grand Ole Opry, I've accomplished what I wanted to, or at least guided it to the right path, so it's a good time to step aside."

"Okay, I guess I can see that," Adam said. "Is that all of it?"

Chris shook his head. "I also feel like we're going in different directions. Columbia wants a more professional look and sound, and you guys are all about that, but I'm still back doing the silly stuff."

"We do like the silly stuff. It's just..." Adam shrugged.

"I know."

They paused as the waitress brought Adam's drink. "You still good on your drink?"

Chris nodded. "I'm good for now."

"Okay. Your food should be out shortly."

As soon as she was gone, Chris resumed the conversation. "My problem is I don't want to leave too close to Tim and Austin getting married because that looks suspicious, and I don't want people either thinking I'm an asshole or blaming them for driving me away."

"You're going to need to talk to everyone."

"Yeah, I know. But I wanted to talk to you first. Are you going to be okay if I leave? I know it's been a crazy couple years, but I'd always be available to advise if you need."

"I think I'll be okay, though I think I'd like to hire a tour manager because that's one role none of the rest of us are good at."

***

"This was fun. We should do this for real sometime soon," Tim said as they packed up to leave Adam Chance's place.

"I hear you guys are doing the Opry," Chance commented.

"July seventeenth," Chris answered. "We're just doing a couple numbers, but this is so exciting."

"Yeah, it would be like a dream come true. Not that Street Corner Symphony is ever going to perform there." Chance looked over to where his bandmates were talking to Austin, Rob, and Jimmy Bates.

Jenika came in from the kitchen and gave Tim a hug. "I haven't gotten a chance to tell you congratulations. Do you know when the wedding is?"

"We're looking at December twenty-seventh, but it may be January second or third. We're trying to fit it in before the UK trip."

"Sounds like you guys need some help."

"Adam's wife, Ericha, has been helping a lot. We're talking about taking a trip up there to get together with her."

"She sounds wonderful."

"Hey, she puts up with Adam. She's pretty amazing," Tim joked.

***