Tim, Adam, Jenika, and TJ were the last to arrive for the bus. They threw their bags underneath and hopped on with only a few minutes to spare. The adults plopped down on the couch while TJ went to organize his bunk. Rob had started talking about his time at home and how much fun he had with Lydia when Austin started snickering and couldn't stop. 

"Austin, what is so funny?" Rob asked. Austin whispered in his ear and then leaned over and whispered to Chance. They both rolled their eyes and shook their heads.

"You want to share with the rest of us?" Tim asked. 

Rob chuckled, "Austin is just being childish again." Tim looked to Austin for an explanation.

"Adam? Jenika? Fun night last night?" Austin laughed. When they both gave him a confused look he pointed to his neck. Adam quickly looked at Jenika and she looked at him. Both were sporting dark love bites on their necks. They both whipped their heads around to look at Tim.

"Sorry" Tim said as he tried to look contrite and failed miserably. 

"Dude, those are both from you?" Austin gasped. 

"What I can say? It was definitely a fun night." Tim raised his eyebrows as he looked at Adam and Jenika. They both smacked him on the arm as they blushed bright red.

Rob covered his ears, "I don't need to hear anymore." 

"I do." Austin grinned and bounced in his seat.

"NO, you don't" Olena said as she smacked him in the back of the head. "Are we trying make-up again or are you going uncovered?" She said as she looked at Adam.

"Uncovered" Adam said quickly. "Let the fans talk. I don't care."

The bus pulled out of Nashville on time and was on the way to start the fall tour. The group spent the evening telling stories of what they did during their down time. Everyone was particularly attentive as Adam spoke about his time with his mother. Eventually everyone headed for their bunks and was lulled to sleep by the movement of the bus.

~~~~~~~~~~

The next evening, shortly before UVIP, Adam checked in with Tim. "Are you okay with me not covering this?" He asked as he pointed at the love bite on his neck. 

"Absolutely. Why wouldn't I be?" Tim asked

"You know the fans will assume Jenika did this" Adam sighed. "I can cover it if that will bother you." 

"They may think whatever they like" Tim said as he gave Adam an evil grin "But I know the truth." Tim pulled Adam into a sweet kiss that soon became quite heated. A knock on the door and Jenika yelling that it was time, finally forced them apart.

Nobody asked any questions about the mark during UVIP but Adam noticed some different looks he was getting. The whispers and smiles between the fans was pretty obvious too. The VIP session was almost over when a brave fan finally asked what they all had been wondering, "This question is for Adam. The mark on your neck is fairly obvious so can you confirm that you have a girlfriend? And does that girlfriend travel with the group?"

Tim had perfected his disinterested look and plastered it on his face as he looked at Adam. Chance, Rob, and Austin all casually looked at their mics or stared into the distance as they kept their expressions neutral. Adam took a deep breath and slowly raised the microphone to his mouth, "You may think what you want about the mark on my neck but my personal life is just that, personal. Thank you for understanding."

Adam had barely finished his sentence when Tim spoke up, "So do you want to hear a song?" Everyone cheered, they sang, and the session ended. 

As soon as the guys got off stage they surrounded Adam with a chorus of cheers and encouragement, "That was great." "Excellent response." "I couldn't have said it better myself." Once they quieted down Adam was finally able to speak, "Thanks guys but I know it's not over. I'm going to get that question at every concert and eventually, when Jenika starts to show, we'll have to say something." 

"Adam?" Rob asked quietly. "Do you still want me to let you know what Jen sees on Facebook?"

"Yes, please" Adam replied. "I want to know what is being said so I'm always prepared for what the fans might ask. Thank you Rob." Rob nodded and headed off to text his sister. Adam squeezed Tim's hand and gave him a smile before he headed off to let Jenika know what was going on. Austin took off in search of Olena while Chance followed Tim to his dressing room.

"Hey, Tim, are you okay?" Chance asked as he shut the door.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Tim asked. He sat down and pulled out his phone.

Chance calmly walked towards him and took his phone from his hands. "Don't Tim." He said quietly. "Not with me. You know I can read you like a book."

Tim sighed as he looked up at Chance, "I love him. I love him so damn much and I can't tell anyone." Tim sniffed. "I understand why it has to be this way but I just want to shout it from the rooftop 'I love Adam Rupp'. I want to be able to post to social media without policing my own pictures. I want to hold his hand as we walk down the street." 

Chance sat beside Tim and put a hand on his knee, "Is that all?" Chance could sense that there was more that Tim needed to let out.

"I want to announce our relationship to the world." Tim smiled, "And I don't mean just me and Adam. The three of us, in a committed relationship, making it work. I want to be able to tell people I have a son, an amazing, brilliant, kind hearted, enlightened son." 

"One of these days, buddy" Chance said as he pulled Tim into a hug. "One of these days." They sat quietly for a few moments before Chance broke the silence, "You know I'm here if and when you ever need to talk or just vent." 

"I know." Tim replied. "Thank you. I'm sure I'll take you up on that at some point."

"Can I say one more thing before I leave?" Chance asked as he walked towards the door. Tim nodded his head. "Tell him you love him and that you support him no matter what. Tell him, all the time. Tell him everything you just told me. Make sure he knows how you feel. I know this situation sucks for you. It sucks just as much for him. Don't let this come between you just because you didn't communicate." 

Tim stood and pulled Chance into another hug, "Thanks again, man. I can always count on you to tell it like it is." 

Chance opened the door to leave and was almost hit in the face by Adam trying to knock on the now open door. Adam pushed Chance back into the room as he entered with Rob and Austin right behind him. 

"Impromptu meeting in my room?" Tim asked.

"It's started already." Rob said. "Jen just texted me. There are pics up from the UVIP and VIP session already. Close-ups of Adam so you can see his neck and his exact words when he answered that question. They are saying it 'wasn't a denial'."

Everyone rolled their eyes at the last statement. "I'm sure it will only continue to get worse." Adam sighed. "Especially after the signing line and they see Jenika's neck too." Tim frowned as a sadness grew in eyes. Chance saw the look and ushered Austin and Rob out of the room with him.

"This is my fault." Tim said once he was alone with Adam. 

"What?" Adam gasped. "How is this your fault?"

"I left those marks on both of you." Tim groaned. "If I hadn't then there would be no fodder for the fans right now." A single tear slid down Tims cheek.

"Hey, now" Adam said as he pulled Tim close and wiped away the tear. "You left this mark in the heat of the moment and I love it." Adam tilted Tims chin up so they were eye to eye. "I love that you want to mark me as yours." An evil smile crossed Adams face, "Maybe I should do the same to you?" 

"As much as I'd love to have you all over me right now, I don't think that would help the situation" Tim chuckled. 

Adam pouted. "I suppose you're right. I guess we'll just have to stick to this." Adam leaned in and kissed Tim; a gentle, loving, tender kiss. He pulled away before things could heat up and leaned his forehead onto Tims.

"I love you." Tim whispered to Adam.

"I know baby. I love you too." Adam whispered back. "And we'll get through this together."

To be continued...

Don't forget to vote and comment, if you please.

Thanks for reading.