Both the guys immediately cleared their throats, their expressions sheepish.
“Hi, er?.?.?. sorry, we didn’t see you there,” the taller of the two apologized. He stood about six feet tall, and had ash-blond hair and a beard.
“Yeah, we’re really sorry. Normally we’re better behaved than this.” The second guy had a shaved head and a scraggly red beard. He was about five-foot-eight, with a dad bod.
Tim shrugged. “Guys, this is Gemma. Gemma, meet Joe and Brett.”
“It’s nice to meet you blokes.”
“Likewise,” said Brett, the redhead. They all shook hands.
Joe cleared his throat. “We’ll catch up with you later.”
The guys hopped back over the fence, leaving Tim and Gemma alone.
“They’re nice,” she managed.
“I swear, Brett and Joe normally have better manners than cavemen.”
“Were they the blokes you were closest to on the team?”
Tim nodded. “Two of the three. The other guy, Eric, couldn’t be here today. He lives in Hawaii.”
They walked down the steps and took two seats in the middle of the second row. Tim explained that if they sat at the end, people might be asking them to get up every time they wanted to exit the row. He worried about her hip. Once again, Gemma was touched by his thoughtfulness.
About ten minutes before the gates were due to open, Brett jogged up the steps and removed his hat. “Er?.?.?. Timmy, Gemma, sorry to barge in on you guys, but we have a big favor to ask you.”
Tim’s forehead wrinkled. “What’s up?”
“Mike was supposed to be our third judge today, but his flight was delayed, and he isn’t going to be able to make it until late afternoon. Would you be willing to fill in for him?”
Tim hesitated and glanced at her, then to Brett. “Sorry, but I can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to Gemma.”
“I told Joe it was a long shot. We understand.”
Gemma pulled on Tim’s forearm. He turned to look at her. “Tim, it’s okay. If you need to be a judge today, I get it.”
“Gemma, no. Today is supposed to be a date. If I go down to the field and judge, I’ll be there all day. I don’t want to leave you alone.”
“You’re such a sweet man, especially when you’re trying to be a hero. You always try to please too many people. Go. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you afterward. In the meantime, if I have questions, I’ll text you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Now go,” she urged.
“Thanks, Gemma. We’ll take good care of Timmy today. I promise,” Brett said.
She grinned. “He’s among Sloths. I’m not worried in the least.”
Tim collected his jacket and glanced one more time at Gemma before heading down to the field.
“You’re a lucky guy, Timmy. Why didn’t you tell us about your smoking-hot girlfriend before?” she heard Brett ask.
“I’m selfish. I don’t like to share.”
As he joined Joe and Brett inside the tent, he seemed to glow with excitement in the same way he had when decorating his classroom. A few other guys in green Sloth shirts came over to greet him. It was clear that he was a popular person—the man of the hour.
A few minutes later, as the gates to the public officially opened, Gemma heard a trio of women in the row ahead of her chatting about Tim, Joe, and Brett.
