“I can’t believe our luck. Did you see who the judges are? We have the Blockbuster, the Maverick, and the Flaming Bat! Talk about an all-star lineup. Everybody is going to be flocking to this side once they find out.”
Curiosity got the better of Gemma. Leaning forward, she tapped the woman with long brown hair and a denim jacket on the shoulder. “Sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear you. If you don’t mind me asking, what’s so great about these three lads?”
“They’re legends! The Blockbuster used to have the most spectacular catches on the team. The Maverick would come up with the craziest skits and dance numbers, and the Flaming Bat?.?.?. well, he’s the team’s all-time home-run record holder and the only guy ever to take an at-bat with his bat on fire.”
Tim had the home-run record? And could hit with a flaming bat? She made a mental note to look it up on SearchTube when she had a moment.
“I see, thanks for sharing.” Gemma settled back in her seat.
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to this year’s Fresno Sloth Ball Tryouts. We’re thrilled that you’ve given up your Saturday to join us. Please direct your attention to the scoreboard in center field for a short video introduction to this year’s judges.”
As Gemma watched the video with clips from the Sloth’s past seasons, with Joe, Brett, and Tim walking out onto the field imitating sloths, she realized just how little she knew about her boyfriend’s time with the team. Just as she’d thought she was coming to know who Tim was, another mystery appeared.
Chapter 17
Just when Gemma had sworn she’d seen everything—a guy performing with his trio of trained dancing puppies, a guy flipping on his mini trampoline, and a man riding into the tent on a unicycle—a bloke attempted to enter the dance tent on a pair of towering stilts. He wore a neon-green suit and top hat, and had painted his face to match.
As he bent his head, it was clear that he was too tall. Brett, Joe, and Tim got up out of their seats and walked outside to greet him.
“Welcome in?.?.?.” Joe glanced at his tablet. “Sterling. I see you’ve put a lot of thought into today’s audition.”
“I have.” Sterling nodded.
“Great. Then let’s start the timer and show us what you’ve got.” Tim clicked a remote and a country tune began playing.
Sterling tapped his foot and started off with a line dance. A couple seconds later, the music changed to “I’m Too Sexy.” He stepped over the fence and paraded up and down the front row with his model walk.
Shrugging out of his green suit jacket, he swung it above his head and tossed it to the crowd. Underneath, his well-defined body was painted with the Sloths logo. The music changed one final time to “The Greatest Show.” To Gemma’s amazement, Sterling managed to breakdance in the stilts and ended in a split.
The crowd jumped to its feet. Gemma placed her fingers into her mouth and let out a shrill whistle. She clapped so hard that the palms of her hands felt numb.
He’d better make the team with a performance like that!
Sterling got to his feet, bowed, blew a few kisses, and climbed back over the fence so he was back on the field.
Brett, Joe, and Tim huddled together in a circle. A few moments later, Tim scribbled the word “Scottsdale” on the back of a piece of paper. “Sterling, that was something else. I speak for all the Sloths’ staff when I say, we’ll see you in Arizona.”
The crowd cheered again, attracting the attention of those sitting in other areas of the stadium. Sterling nodded his hand in gratitude to the judges and jogged over to a middle-aged man and woman, whom Gemma guessed might be his parents.
Overhead, a public address announcer came onto the speaker and said, “We’ll be taking a lunch break. Now is the time if you haven’t already visited the Sloth Shop—make your way up to section number . . .”
Gemma tuned out the rest. All around her, people stood and stretched. Taking out her mobile from her handbag, she noticed she had a message from Tim. She glanced to the field but didn’t see him.
Tim: So are you enjoying it?
Gemma: Yes, I am. It’s been thoroughly entertaining. I had no idea what to expect.
Tim: *Grinning emoji*
Gemma:*One hundred percent emoji*
Tim: Who’s been your favorite so far?
Gemma: The stilts bloke!
Tim: This is top-secret classified information, but us too. I can’t remember anyone ever getting sent directly to Scottsdale before.
Gemma: How hard has it been to score the people auditioning?
