The Sloth Zone, page 1
Tomi Tabb
The Sloth Zone
First published by Pas de Chat Publications 2024
Copyright © 2024 by Tomi Tabb
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Tomi Tabb has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.
First edition
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To my sixth grade English/History teacher, Mrs. S
and my tenth grade World History teacher, Mr. K.
The world does not have enough amazing teachers like you.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Epilogue
Bonus Content
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by Tomi Tabb
Chapter 1
“All right, Gem, I’m ready.” Frankie gave her best friend a thumbs-up from the barstool she was sitting on.
Taking a deep breath, Gemma plastered a wide smile onto her face and began. “Cheers! My name is Gemma MacLeod. I’m twenty-eight years old and originally from Glasgow, Scotland. As a professional show skater with Dreams on Ice, I play Cinderella. For the last couple of years, I’ve traveled the world and performed in front of thousands of people. While it might seem like a fairy-tale job, unfortunately, living out of a suitcase makes dating difficult. If I ever want to get my own happily ever after and find a Prince Charming, I need help. This Cinderella is ready to trade in her skates for a pair of comfy trainers. If you’re looking for your next bachelorette for Cupid’s Arrow, you should cast me.”
“Cut,” Frankie said, tapping the stop button on her phone. “That line about finding your own Prince Charming is great! The producers of Cupid’s Arrow are going to eat this stuff up.”
Gemma blew at one of the ringlets of blond hair that had escaped the confines of her low ponytail. “You think so? It wasn’t too cheesy?”
“From all the websites I’ve looked at, the advice for putting an audition video together is all the same: Be natural. Be yourself. That’s exactly what you’re doing. If you wanted cheesy, you could ask my dad for advice.”
The two friends laughed. Hearing Frankie’s words helped reassure her. Mr. Tomlinson, Frankie’s father, had read quite a few books on dating over the last year as he figured out how to woo his girlfriend, and now wife, Suzy.
“I can hear Mr. T now.” She dropped her voice an octave. “Gemma, you know it’s one thing to say you play a princess, but it’s better if you show them.”
“You’re right! Dad would say something like, ‘Here’s how you can really knock their socks off.’” Frankie’s body shook with laughter. “I can see it now. Dad would have you wear your Cindy costume. Then he’d tell me to film the entire thing in black and white and direct me to have you lose your skate.”
Gemma’s lips twitched. That wasn’t a half-bad idea. Anything to make herself stand out at this point would be worth considering. She was desperate to get onto the show, but she was a little afraid of Mr. T getting carried away. She wouldn’t have the heart to say no to the man she viewed as her second dad. “Let’s not tell him about filming this until after we’ve submitted it.”
“Agreed.” Walking over to the refrigerator, Frankie retrieved two bottles of sparkling water. “So what else are you thinking of including in the video? I think you said it could be up to three minutes long, right?”
Gemma nodded as she sank down onto the living room couch. “Yeah, three minutes is the max.” Accepting the cold bottle from Frankie, she popped the top off and took a long sip. “I was thinking maybe we could include a snippet or two of me skating and a brief clip of you and Suzy talking about the types of men you might pick out for me to date. You two are the ones I’d ask to be on the show with me if I’m chosen.”
“Aww, Gem, I’m honored. Suzy would be, too. I’m sure of it.” Frankie seated herself next to Gemma. “I guess the next question is, what excuse can I come up with to lure Suzy away from Dad for the afternoon?”
“A trip to the antique market?” Gemma suggested.
“No, Dad loves antiquing. He’ll offer to come and be our muscle for the day, even if he can’t really lift anything.”
Mr. Tomlinson had a heart of gold, but now in his mid-seventies, he wasn’t in the best of health. A year and a half ago, he’d fallen and broken his hip. While he’d fully recovered, his health had never been what it was before the accident. At least with his new wife Suzy, a former nurse, Gemma knew he was in good hands.
Frankie opened her own bottle with an audible pop. “You’re on the right track. Some type of shopping thing is perfect.”
Gemma drummed her fingers against the couch’s arm. “What about a visit to the craft shop you took me to the last time I was in town?”
Frankie snapped her fingers together. “Hobby Land! That’s perfect. Dad hates craft shopping.”
The front door to the cabin opened and closed. The deep male voice of Frankie’s boyfriend called out, “Frankie . . . Gemma . . . we’re home.”
“In the living room,” Frankie shouted.
A moment later, a man with tawny-brown hair and green eyes appeared. He walked over to Frankie, kissed her, then said, “Hi, Gem.”
She waved back. “Hey, Charlie.”
Behind him stood a woman with the same eyes and orange-and-purple hair. She was a few inches shorter than Charlie, with curves that made Gemma jealous. “Did somebody say the words Hobby Land?” she interjected in her bubbly tone.
“I did,” Frankie giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.
“I swear you’re part canine. It’s creepy how good your hearing is,” Charlie muttered under his breath.
The woman rolled her eyes, ignoring him.
“Er . . . just a wild guess, but are you Leslie?” Gemma’s eyes darted between her and Charlie.
“You got it. You must be Gemma.” They shook hands. “Great to finally meet you. I missed you on the last go ’round.”
“Likewise.”
It’s strange to think they’re twins. Physically, they look alike, but from what Frankie’s told me, personality-wise, they’re the total opposite of one another.
Where Leslie was loud, outgoing, and opted to dye her hair bright colors, Charlie was reserved and often preferred to wear black or monochrome clothing.
When Frankie and Charlie had first met, her best friend had complained endlessly about him being a grump. Yet as they spent more time together, Frankie had discovered that underneath Charlie’s gruff exterior was a man with a heart of gold.
Charlie’s the type of man I hope I can get lucky enough to find someday.
“So . . . Hobby Land?” Leslie rubbed her hands together. “Are you guys going now? Can I tag along?”
“Les, that’s a bad idea.” Slipping his jacket off, Charlie tossed it into the spare room Gemma was staying in that normally doubled as his man cave. “You have way too much crafting junk at both the rink and at your place.”
“It’s not junk. I use all the stuff I buy.”
He snorted. “You still have three bags of stuff you bought during Hobby Land’s semiannual sale sitting in your office at the rink.”
Leslie’s cheeks colored. “That stuff is for your big surprise party next week. If you must know, the kids have been working hard on making you and Frankie good luck cards. Promise me you’ll pretend to act surprised.”
“What are you talking about? What party?” He frowned.
“It’s our send-off to the Skate United States competition,” Frankie explained. “The kids have been gossiping about it every time they think we’re out of earshot.”
Charlie’s eyes widened. “Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
The women in the room collectively snorted. Charlie was oblivious to most things around him. Together, he and Franki
“Anyway, we talked about you not leaving your clothes on the floor, especially when we have a guest,” Frankie said, changing the subject.
He crossed his arms. “How do you know my jacket is on the floor?”
Frankie raised an eyebrow. “I watched you stand here and blindly toss it into the room.”
“Oh right, Gemma’s staying in there. I’ll, er . . . be right back.”
Frankie hid a grin.
“So, Hobby Land?” Leslie asked again.
Gemma shot a curious glance at Frankie. “She’s serious about her craft shopping, isn’t she?”
“You have no idea.” She pointed to Leslie. “Les takes crafting to a whole new level.”
Leslie plopped down into the recliner opposite the couch. “I do.”
Charlie reentered the room and settled Frankie on his lap. “If there’s one thing my sister loves more than hockey, it’s buying supplies for projects. At the rink, she has an entire craft closet.”
I should’ve guessed based on the bright hair that Leslie is a creative person.
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Frankie and I weren’t actually planning to visit Hobby Land. We were brainstorming.”
Leslie’s face fell. “Bummer.”
“But if we do go, you’re definitely invited,” Gemma added quickly.
“Gem is making an audition video for the reality dating show Cupid’s Arrow,” Frankie said brightly.
“Dating show?” Charlie frowned. “Gem, why would you put yourself through something as awful as that?”
“For the experience? To meet a decent bloke?” Gemma shrugged. “Not that I have much of a chance of being selected for it, but both the bachelorettes from the previous two seasons ended up finding the perfect man. That’s what I want.”
She studied Charlie and Frankie. The tender way he held her best friend in his arms as she rested her head on his chest wasn’t lost on her. Gemma wanted a guy who embraced her intimately like that too. She was tired of casual flings.
“Gem, it’s not worth it.” Charlie frowned. “You’d be putting yourself out there for millions upon millions of people to see.”
“That’s great. It means a bigger dating pool,” she countered.
“What about kissing your private life goodbye?”
Gemma shrugged. “I have nothing to hide. Let the world see how glamorous it really is to be a show skater. We eat, sleep, work out, perform, and repeat. We don’t have time for much else.”
Okay, that’s not exactly true, but he’ll get the point.
Frankie gently placed a hand on Charlie’s arm. He sighed. “If you’re looking for a guy to date, how about looking locally? I’m sure that between Les, Frankie, and me, we could find someone you’d hit it off with. We know a lot of people.”
Leslie fake coughed. “We know a lot of people?”
He rolled his eyes. “Fine, you ladies know a lot of people.”
“That’s more like it,” Leslie corrected.
“I appreciate your offer.” Gemma repositioned her body. “And I’m willing to take you up on it, but only if it’s a guy who doesn’t ice skate or play hockey. I’d like to have a go at dating someone outside the skating bubble.”
Her eyes raked the room. The occupants stayed quiet.
“That’s what I thought.” She deflated. “Finding a normal bloke is almost impossible.”
“No. You have it wrong. It’s not impossible, just challenging.” Leslie scratched her forehead. “Have you asked our nan? She knows a lot of people.”
Frankie and Gemma exchanged glances. Suzy also happened to be Charlie and Leslie’s grandmother. “We haven’t, but we were thinking that she might be the perfect person to help with the audition video. On Cupid’s Arrow, the men who the bachelorette dates are selected by her two friends,” Frankie said.
“Wait, Cupid’s Arrow? Is that the show Nan is always raving about?” Leslie asked.
“Yes.” Frankie nodded. “She and Dad watch it every Tuesday.”
“Got it. In that case, Nan would be the ideal person to pick out the right guy for a person to date. She was scary accurate when it came to me trying to figure out my boyfriend Ron.”
Charlie glared at his sister. “Les, you’re supposed to be on my side,” he grumbled.
“What? There are no sides. We’re one team, and that’s Team Gemma. If this is what she wants, who are we to stop her?”
Frankie pecked Charlie on the cheek. “You worry too much.”
“Somebody has to.” He frowned and held Frankie tighter. “I just don’t want anyone to take advantage of you, Gemma. You’re like a sister.”
Gemma’s body flooded with warmth. Like Frankie, she’d grown up without any siblings. She’d always wondered what it would be like to have a protective big brother, and now she knew. Charlie was not going to let this go anytime soon.
“How about this: If by some miracle the casting directors decide to put me on the show, you can sit right beside Frankie and vet all the guys who want to have a go at dating me.”
His eyes twitched. “So there’s no way you’ll consider not trying out?”
Crossing her arms, Gemma attempted her best imitation of Charlie. “No. I’ve made up my mind.”
Frankie and Leslie giggled.
“Are you trying to be me? If you are, you need to clench your jaw a little more and furrow the brows.”
“Like this?” Gemma asked, attempting to follow Charlie’s instructions.
Leslie and Frankie laughed harder.
“Er, not really . . . you look as if you’re more bored than trying to be angry.” Charlie rubbed the back of his neck. “Maybe if you stood a little taller?”
“Charlie, nothing you suggest is going to make her look like you. Gemma doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. She’s as close to a real-life Cinderella as they come.”
Charlie held up his hands. “Fine. I know when I’m outnumbered.” Removing Frankie from his hap, he stood up and excused himself to the kitchen to start making dinner, leaving the ladies to their own devices.
“Have you ever tried out a dating app? Nan and Mr. Tomlinson met through one for seniors,” Leslie mused.
“Yeah. You name it, I’ve tried it. It’s only led to one bad experience after another.”
“Gem isn’t lying. She always pulls the short straw when it comes to dates.” Frankie started counting on her fingers. “There was the guy who only agreed to go out with her for a free meal. The guy who didn’t date women over five-foot-two because he didn’t want anyone towering over him. Oh, and my personal favorite, the guy who told her she’d have to quit skating so she could stay at home to raise their ten kids.”
Leslie winced. “Ouch.”
“The few blokes I’ve gone out with never end up being anything like their dating app profiles.” Gemma pinched the bridge of her nose. “After the bloke who wanted ten kids, I thought I’d move on to dating skaters, but that failed too. The only thing I seemed to have in common with other skaters is skating.” She huffed. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m being too picky. I should woman up and give a skating or hockey bloke another go.”
“You’re giving up too easily. Don’t settle. You’ll never be happy with yourself if you do. I stand by what I said earlier. Ask Nan. She might surprise you,” Leslie said.
What have I got to lose? “Okay. Maybe I will.”
Chapter 2
A few days later, the glass doors to Hobby Land opened with a whoosh. Gemma’s eyes widened. “I’ve always known Halloween is popular in America, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many decorations for it before.”
To her left, there was a six-foot-tall black skeletal tree trimmed with orange, purple, and black baubles, and a string of twinkling ghost-shaped fairy lights. On her right, an entire aisle was dedicated to inflatable decor for a person’s yard. She spied a black cat, a witch, a vampire, and a mummy. The store’s soundtrack played haunting music, filled with the eerie howls of werewolves.
Gemma approached the nearest plexiglass. “Is that a haunted dollhouse?”
“Nope that’s part of Hobby Land’s luxury spooky mansion line,” Leslie replied with a chuckle. “They’re for people who love going all out decorating the inside of their homes.”
