Tim put Avery on the trailer and she begins playing on the bales of hay. He sits down next to Avi on the trailer and reaches for a slice of pizza.

"Why didn't you wake me up this morning?" Avi asks as he gets Tim a bottle of water.

"I didn't want to disturb you. You were sleeping so peacefully." Tim says as he takes a bite of pizza. 

"I was pretty exhausted." Avi smiles. "It takes a lot of energy holding back screams of passion."

"Shhh." Tim chuckles as he glances around to see Avery's whereabouts. "Maybe we should sound proof our bedroom."

"Hey, that's a thought." Avi laughs.

Tim, Adam and Austin's phones all sound a text message at the same time.

The message read: Group meeting at the bar at 7:00. - Chris.

"Well, I guess we'll find out what's going on with Chris." Adam says as he reads the text.

"I don't have a good feeling about this." Tim says as he slips his phone back into his pocket.

~~

"Hey, Babe?" Tim calls out as he comes into the house.

"Hi Daddy." Avery smiles and waves as she sits on the floor in front of the tv.

"Hi Sweetie. Where's your Papa?" Tim asks as he slips off his boots.

"Washing clothes." Avery answers.

"Okay, back away from the tv. Your eyes are bad enough already." Tim says.

"Yes, sir." She giggles as she scoots away from the tv.

"Hi." Avi smiles as he comes out of the small laundry room with an arm full of folded towels. He gives his husband a soft kiss. "Did you call me?"

"Yeah, you wanna go to the bar with me tonight. Ericha said she would watch Avery." Tim says as he removes his shirt so he could take a shower. "Chance and Jenika are going out of curiosity so you can sit with them during the meeting."

"Okay, sounds good." Avi nods.

"Yay!! I get to go play with Cerise!!" Avery jumps up and down with excitement.

"Do I have to remind you of the rules?" Tim asks their daughter with a raised brow.

"No, Daddy. Dey all right here." She says pointing to her head.

Tim phone sounds a text message as he's taking it out of his pocket.

"That's Ericha. Cerise wants to know if Avery can spend the night." Tim reads.

"OH! CAN I??" Avery screams with excitement. "PWEEZE??"

"Well." Tim says as he looks around at Avi. "It's fine with me."

"Pweeze, Papa. I pwomise to be good." Avery says with pleading eyes.

"Go pack you some pajamas and some play clothes." Avi smiles.

"YAY!!!" Avery shouts as she runs to her bedroom.

"I'm fixing to hop in the shower." Tim says.

"Mhmm, you get polished up really good for me tonight." Avi smiles as he pops his husband on the butt. "Tonight, you're all mine."

"You savage." Tim laughs as he heads to the bathroom.

After dropping their daughter off at the Rupps, Tim and Avi arrive at the bar at 6:30. Just enough time to have a beer and a glass of champagne before this dreaded meeting.

Austin and Chris had yet to arrive. The others were gathered at the bar. The bar was pretty slow even for a week day. A few farmers having a beer and playing a game of pool before heading home.

"Thought I was late." Austin chuckles as he hurries in.

"No, Chris ain't here yet." Adam says.

"Yeah, he's sitting in his car talking on his phone." Austin says as Kelsey hands him a beer.

"Well, I wish he'd bring his ass on and let us know what's going on. The suspense is killing me." Tim says as he crushes out his cigarette.

"Hey, guys." Chris says as he walks into the bar. "Uh, can we move over here at a table." He walks by not making eye contact with any of them.

Tim gives Avi a worried look before giving him a quick kiss. He gets up and follows Austin, Adam and Rob to a table in the corner.

"I, uh, I guess you're wondering what's been going on and why I called this meeting." Chris says as he draws imaginary lines on the table.

"It has crossed our minds." Tim replies.

"You' have been acting pretty weird lately." Austin says.

"I know. I guess you guys deserve an explanation." Chris nods.

"Yeah, an explanation would be nice." Adam says.

"I've decided to move back to Mankato." Chris says as he lifts his eyes to meet his brother's.

"What?! Mankato? Why?" Adam asks.

"Tristin and I are forming a band. I've been thinking about it for awhile now." Chris says.

"When are you leaving?" Rob asks.

"Tomorrow." Chris answers.

"Tomorrow?!" Tim asks, his voice rising. "You're leaving tomorrow and you're just now telling us this sh*t?"

"I know and I'm so sorry. I just didn't know how to tell you." Chris says.

"You could have gave us a little bit of a warning. Not leaving us cold turkey like this." Austin says.

"I agree. If forming a band with your sister is what you what to do, more power to you but you sure are doing us sh*tty." Tim says.

"I'm really sorry, guys." Chris says.

"Are you really?" Adam says angrily. "You could have told us early enough that we could have found someone. You and Tristin has been planning this for awhile."

"I don't want to sound selfish, Chris. But my bar depends a lot on this band." Rob says.

"I'm sorry. I've made up my mind. I said what I had to say." Chris stands from the table and walks out of the bar.

The four remaining band members sat in silence trying to digest the news that was dropped on them.

Avi looks sadly around at Chance, Jenika and Kelsey. They had heard everything that was said. The four got up from the bar and walked slowly over to the table.

Avi walks up behind his husband's chair and slides his arms around his neck.

"We heard." He says softly.

"I can't believe this crap." Tim says, shaking his head.

"I'm so sorry, guys." Adam apologizes.

"Why are you apologizing?" Austin asks the beat boxer.

"Cause he's my brother and I should have known." Adam answers.

"You had no way of knowing, Adam." Tim says, shaking his head again. "None of this is your fault."

"What are y'all going to do? The bar really needs the band to survive." Kelsey says as she sits down next to Rob.

"I don't know, Sweetheart." Rob answers taking her by the hand.

"Uh, I could help out." Chance says with a shrug of his shoulders.

"You sing?" Austin asks.

"Yeah, well I use to. Before I moved here from Mobile, I sung bass for an A Capella group called Street Corner Symphony." Chance answers.

"But we already have a bass." Adam comments.

"I'm versatile. I also sing baritone." Chance smiles.

"Actually, Tim, that's not a bad idea having a second bass in the group. It would free you up to sing more lead parts." Rob says.

"Can you sing something for us?" Tim asks.

"Right now?" Chance asks. He definitely wasn't prepared to audition so quickly.

"Mhmm, we really don't have time to waste." Tim replies.

"If we know the song, we'll join in." Austin says.

"Okay, uh, do yall know 'I Can't Outrun You'?" Chance asks.

"Trace Adkins. Of course, I love that song." Tim smiles.

The group makes their way to the stage as Kelsey turns the power on to the stage. She then rejoins Avi and Jenika at the table as the guys get ready to sing.

After a quick planning of the background vocals, the guys were ready to join Chance for his audition.

https://youtu.be/cgBYNQBHK8o

After they had finished the song, the four members of the group look at each other. Smiles growing on their faces. They give each other high fives then grab Chance into a group hug. They knew they had just found their missing piece.

********

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