Everyone seemed to pull their phones out at the same time as Tim said "Did anybody get a text from him?"

There was a chorus of "No's" until Luke chimed in with "I got one."

Luke read the text silently before looking up and seeing eight curious faces looking at him. "He said he was tired and got a ride back to the bus."

"What the hell? Why didn't he tell anyone? How long ago did he leave?" Tim asked before turning to Jenika and whispering "Why didn't he text me?"

Luke sighed, "It looks like he sent this about two hours ago. Rob? Can you get the Lyft ordered so we can get back please?"

Once they got back Luke stopped everyone outside the bus, "I know we all want to know why Adam didn't tell us he was leaving but we can address it tomorrow. Let's be quiet as we get on and let him sleep."

Adam heard the group talking outside the bus but couldn't make out what they were saying. He hadn't yet been able to sleep. He didn't get a response to his text until twenty minutes ago; nobody noticed him missing for almost two hours. More importantly, Tim hadn't noticed he'd been missing for two hours. 

Adam turned, in his bunk, so he was facing the wall. If anyone decided to check on him all they would see is his back. He could pretend to be asleep and he wouldn't have to talk to anyone. He placed his earbuds in his ears, picked a song, put it on repeat and shut out the rest of the world.

https://youtu.be/O-g3AaHzbqI

The next morning Adam was the last get up. He'd had a rough night trying to sleep and looked pretty rough. As soon as he got the the front of the bus the questions started before he could even sit down. "Dude, what the hell?" from Austin. "You had us so worried" from Rob and Chance. "Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?" from Tim. 

"Guys, settle down. Adam can't answer if everyone is speaking at once." Luke sighed. Sometimes he felt like he was a preschool teacher trying to wrangle these guys. "Adam, are you feeling okay? Don't take this the wrong way but you're looking pretty rough this morning and you went to bed long before the rest of us."

Adam took a deep breath "I'm not sick if that is what you're asking Luke. I just haven't been sleeping well lately. I didn't want to interrupt the fun last night so I just got a ride back and went to bed. And I did text Luke so you guys can't say I didn't tell anybody." 

The days seemed to drag on forever for Adam. Everyday was the same: wake up without Tim, deal with seeing Tim all day but not being able to touch him, put on a happy face for the show, go to bed without Tim. Dena was with Tim 24hrs a days. Adam didn't even dare text in case she saw his phone. 

Adam was once again locked away in his dressing room. Chance grabbed Austin and Rob and drug them onto the bus. "We all need to talk" he said as he shut and locked the door.

"Wow, must be serious if your locking the door." Rob said, looking scared.

"Please tell me I'm not the only one who has noticed the change in Adam!" Chance asked.

Austin looked relieved "Oh God no. He seems to be more depressed everyday. I wasn't sure if I should say anything yet."

"He looks like he's still not sleeping well. He barely eats anything." Rob commented. "He hasn't even been playing his games." 

"He's been plastering on a smile for the shows and I don't think the fans have noticed" Chance sighed heavily "But I'm not sure how much longer that is going to last. Does anybody have any idea what is going on?"

Austin swallowed hard before he spoke "I think I may know. This is all started after the big blow up last week about Adam and Jenika having sex. Tim said he was okay with but have you seen them together lately?"

"Dammit!" Rob shouted catching the other two off guard. "Now that you mention it I haven't it. They used to be all over each other. It was constant PDA. But they barely look at each other now."

"I guess that could be it." Chance said "But I honestly believe Tim knew and doesn't have a problem with it. There is something else different this week that could be the problem." Austin and Rob just looked at Chance waiting for him to continue. "Guys, does Dena know that Tim is bisexual? That they are in a relationship?"

"Oh my God!" Austin whispered. "Tim has been spending every waking moment with Dena, Jenika, and TJ. Do you think he asked Adam to back off while she is here visiting?"

Rob nodded his head "I bet he did. And he didn't just make himself off limits but Jenika and TJ too by being with them and Dena all day, every day."

"Oh, Tim. What have you done?" Chance asked quietly. "I know Adam is a grown man but you can't take that much away from anyone and expect them to cope well."

"Why hasn't he come to any of us?" Austin wondered aloud "He knows he can talk to us about anything."

Rob placed a hand on Austins shoulder "Nobody likes to admit that they are depressed or falling apart. He might not even realize how bad he is."

"We need to go to talk to him." Austin said as he stood "Let him know that we are here for him".

Chance stopped Austin before he got to the door "We can't all just go busting in on him. He'll feel like he's been ambushed. Who's he closest too?...Besides Tim."

"I've known him the longest." Rob murmured "But I honestly think he's more comfortable talking to you Chance."

"Well it's almost time for sound check." Chance stated as he glanced at this phone "I'll see if he'll give me a few minutes between sound check and VIP. 

The bandmates left the bus and headed back into the venue. Chance stopped by Adam's dressing room to let him know it was time for soundcheck. He was about to knock on the door when he heard music coming from inside. He pressed his ear to the door to listen for a moment.

https://youtu.be/158fwCG27zE

To be continued....

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