Tim and Chance made it back with only a minute to spare. They were both of out of breath when they ran up the stairs of the bus. "We're here" they both managed to pant out between breaths as they flung themselves onto the nearest couch. 

Tim didn't realize he'd sat almost on top of someone until he felt a hand on his arm pushing him away.  "Get off me." Adam said angrily. 

Tim didn't need to look, he knew who was touching him from the zing of electricity that shot through his body at the first contact. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't move. He couldn't speak.

"Asshole." Adam muttered under his breath as he got off the couch and walked to his bunk. 

Chance watched a sadness wash over Tim as Adam walked away. He didn't want to make things too obvious so he pulled out his phone to send a text.

Chance- Breathe. 

Tim- I'm trying. Is this going to work?

Chance- Yes. Remember he doesn't know what's going on in your head. Stick to the plan.

Tim- Okay, but...

Chance- But what?

Tim- Did he not feel it? Does he hate me that much?

Chance- Feel what? No, he doesn't hate you.

Tim- That jolt of electricity when he touched me. He didn't feel it too.

Chance- I'm sure he did. Might just be supressing it because of the anger.

Tim- I guess I'll have to trust you on this one.

It was a long evening on the bus. You could cut the tension with a knife. Everybody was thinking about what happened at breakfast but nobody wanted to be the first to bring it up. Tim eventually texted Jenika with an apology for his behavior and the promise of an eventual explanation. Soon enough everyone shuffled off to bed.

Tim and Chance were up and off the bus before anyone else was even awake. Tim texted his mother and Jenika to let them he and Chance would busy all day but they'd be back by soundcheck. He texted Luke with the same information but also asked for help with the project he and Chance had named Operation Seek Forgiveness.

A few minutes before soundcheck Adam felt his phone buzz with a text notification. He saw it was from Tim and wasn't sure if he really wanted to read it. He sighed as he clicked it open.

"I know these are still just words but I mean every one of them. I love all your sounds." Adam was confused by the last sentence so he just clicked the Youtube link hoping it would explain.

https://youtu.be/VascyLfpNrI

Adam was crying, with mixed emotions, by the first chorus. He loved the song; it said so much. But they were just words. He still hadn't made any effort to spend any time with him.

Adam wiped his eyes and headed for the stage but it was still obvious he had recently been crying. Austin leaned closer to Rob "What do you think happened this time?" he said as motioned toward Adam.

Rob let out a deep sigh "God, only knows. When is Tim going to fix this?" Austin didn't have an answer so he just shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

Soundcheck was the same as always except that Adam may have made a few more sounds than normal. Maybe Tim would know he saw the text. Just as the guys were about walk off stage Luke asked them to take a seat in the first row because they had business to discuss. He had also found Jenika, Dena, and Olena and asked them to join the guys.

Luke sat on the front of the edge of the stage. "I'm going to keep this short. I know you guys like your free time before the VIP session. Tim approached with me a song that he wants you guys to hear and get your opinions on." Luke slid off the stage and took a seat next to Dena as he gestured to Tim to take over. 

Tim took Luke's spot on the edge of the stage as Chance ran to the wings. He quickly reappeared with his guitar and took a seat next to Tim. 

Tim gave Chance a nervous look as he started to strum the tune.

https://youtu.be/vg3rwaqYu9s

Tim looked right at Adam as he started to sing:

I can't count the times
I almost said what's on my mind
But I didn't

Just the other day
I wrote down all the things I'd say
But I couldn't
I just couldn't

Baby I know that you've been wondering
Mmm, so here goes nothing

In case you didn't know
Baby I'm crazy bout you
And I would be lying if I said
That I could live this life without you
Even though I don't tell you all the time
You had my heart a long long time ago
In case you didn't know

Dena loved to hear her son sing ballads. He always put such feeling into them but this time seemed different. Dena thought it looked like he was tearing up. 

The way you look tonight
That second glass of wine
That did it, mmm

There was something bout that kiss
Boy it did me in
Got me thinking
I'm thinking

All of the things that I've been feeling
Mmm, it's time you hear em

In case you didn't know
Baby I'm crazy bout you
And I would be lying if I said
That I could live this life without you
Even though I don't tell you all the time
You had my heart a long long time ago
In case you didn't know  

Dena was now certain this song had special meaning for him. His cheeks were now streaked with tears but he somehow managed to keep singing. Dena couldn't take her eyes off her son so she didn't see that Adam was a crying too. 

You've got all of me
I belong to you
Yeah, you're my everything

Dena watched as her son slid off the stage and slowly walked towards the seats. She watched as he stopped in front of Adam and dropped to his knees as he finished the song.  

In case you didn't know
I'm crazy bout you
I would be lying if I said
That I could live this life without you
Even though I don't tell you all the time
You had my heart a long long time ago
Yeah, you had my heart a long long time ago, mmm  

In case you didn't know, know, know
In case you didn't know  

Tim reached up and gently wiped the tears from Adam's cheeks. He desperately wanted to kiss Adam but wasn't sure if that would be welcome so he leaned in close and looked for permission in his eyes. Adam nodded and closed the gap between them. He took Tim's lips in a sweet, gentle kiss. 

Rob was clapping. Austin was whistling. Jenika and Olena were crying. Chance couldn't stop smiling. Luke looked relieved and Dena was speechless.

Tim pulled back from the kiss and leaned his forehead against Adam's. "In case you didn't know. I love you. I'm sorry I've been an ass."

Adam giggled and pulled Tim into a hug as he whispered. "I love you too."

Luke shooed everyone out of the auditorium including Adam and Tim. They walked hand in hand to Tim's dressing room where they sat cuddled together on the couch just enjoying being in each others arms.

After the show Tim managed to change his clothes and pack up his dressing room in record time. He ran for the bus and locked the door so no one else could enter. He quickly texted Chance to remind of his job and then got to work.

He texted Chance again when he was done and then unlocked the door. A few minutes later the guys were boarding the bus and getting ready to head out. The bus was a much happier place today than it had been last night. The whole group was playing cards, laughing, and having a good time.

Tim started to fidget as everyone began to talk about finally going to sleep. He didn't know if he was more nervous or excited but he and Adam needed to be the last ones to go to their bunks. He distracted Adam with a game on his phone until it was just the two of them left and then suggested they should probably head to bed too. 

Tim gave Adam a sweet, goodnight kiss, climbed into his bunk, and waited. He knew when he heard a sharp intake of breath, a few minutes later, that Adam had found his surprise.

Adam opened the curtains on his bunk and couldn't believe his eyes. There were flowers on the walls all around his bed. He looked to his left and found a note labeled "Start here" wrapped around the stem of a lavender rose. He gently removed the flower and read the note: "The lavender rose symbolizes enchantment and love at first site. The first times our eyes met I was enchanted with you and started to love you then. 

Adam had a shy smile as he looked back to his bunk and found a yellow rose with a note labeled #2. He pulled them down and opened the note: "The yellow rose symbolizes joy and friendship. You became my best friend and bring me countless hours of joy". Adam's smile grew wider.

He found the note labeled #3 around another yellow rose but this one had red tips. The note read: "The yellow rose with red tips symbolizes falling in love. I fell in love with you years ago and continue to fall more in love with you everyday". Tears were forming in Adam's eyes.

In the middle of the back wall was a picture: 

To the right of the picture was a red rose with a note labeled #4. His hands trembled as he read the note: "The red rose symbolizes love and beauty. I love you with every beat of my heart my beautiful Adam." Silent tears streamed down his cheeks. 

He could barely see to find the next flower. He wiped his eyes and spotted a flower with note #5 on it. Adam wasn't sure what type of flower this was but it was a beautiful deep purple color. He placed it with the other flowers and opened the note: "The purple hyacinth symbolizes sorrow and is given to say I'm sorry or please forgive me. I am sorry. I will say it every hour of every day for the rest of my life if that is what it takes for you to forgive me." His tears started to flow again.

There was one last note labeled #6. This one was wrapped around two roses: one red, one white. "The red and white roses given together symbolize unity. Our love has united us." This note had an extra line at the bottom: Check your phone. Adam pulled out his phone and saw a text from Tim. There were no words just another Youtube link.

https://youtu.be/Im3iIM2e6Wk

Adam felt Tim's arms slip around his waist as he listened to the song. He didn't think he could ever be happier than he was in this moment.

When the song ended Adam turned around and captured Tim's lips in a sweet kiss that quickly turned heated...

To be continued...

Please vote and comment.

Thanks for reading