Page 62 of Everything's Better With You
The three boys looked at each other and Ivan sighed. “Look, Coach, we’ve got a DJ business going and we were hoping to book gigs on weekend nights when we didn’t have games.”
That was not at all what Joe was worried about. “Okay, so we go over the schedule together and you make sure it doesn’t interfere.”
They looked at each other and David cleared his throat.
“We, uh, can’t guarantee there won’t be certain—”
“Substances?” Joe figured he’d help him out. “I’m not asking you to control other people, but if you can agree to stay away from substances yourselves and to avoid trouble with the cops, I’m willing to compromise.”
David shrugged, Ivan nodded, and Gino answered for them, “Yeah, Coach. We can agree to that.”
“Cool, now...I’m going to go over stunting with the group, but I want you guys to show me some of the partner stunts you do in your dance battles. I’d love to get creative. I don’t want to only use the tired old stuff for our competition routine.”
The guys shrugged. “You got it, boss.”
Joe chuckled and then the guys broke into a flurry of movement that captivated the entire group. Joe stood next to Marti and they pointed out moves they thought they could work with. When the boys started to flag after just a couple of songs, Joe laughed.
“And this, my friends, is why you can expect to spend hours conditioning with me. You’ll be in the best shape of your lives this season. I can promise you that.” There were a few groans. “Now, let’s get an idea of what we have to work with. How many of you have experience as flyers?”
Five of the returning girls and four of the incoming girls raised their hands.
“Good, that’s good. How many of you have had experience as a base?”
The five returning guys raised their hands as well as Terrell, but that was it.
“All right, then. Let’s head over to the gym and see what we can do.”
Joe and Marti spent the next two hours pairing up different kids together. Terrell shared some ideas that the group seemed to get excited about, and Joe found himself thrilled with the prospects he had to work with. He was tempted to take them all so he had reserves. He’d seen other colleges do that, have stand-ins available in case of injuries. They could have separate teams to hit all of the sports on campus so no one was overwhelmed. Barry had said he had carte blanche, and though the budget was lacking this year, he could work with it. They’d raised nearly thirty-thousand dollars in one day, and funds were continuing to roll in from his friends and colleagues. They weresogoing to beat the football team.
Oh, Leslie, winning will be sweet…
Joe was excited…for the first time in a long time. It was different than nailing a performance, or looking forward to a show. It was an act of creation he was joyful about. The only thing close to this had been when he watched the performers onDance Machineland the routines he taught them. That made him happy, too, but this was on a whole other level. It felt organic, not forced. It was real, this life, this job, not something fabricated for network television. These cheerleaders were nothing like the dancers he shared the stage with on Broadway or on tour. They were naive and innocent and had no idea the potential they possessed.
He wanted to call Leslie and talk to him about it. No, he wanted to see him face-to-face and discuss his feelings while holding hands. Maybe even cuddle on a couch somewhere while giving Leslie a foot massage.
Say what now?That was some domestic shit he’d never envisioned himself enjoying before. Not true, he’d had some fantasies about playing house with Leslie in the past. But this was real. He could actually do this.
Joe got through the rest of the clinic, flying high despite his body’s protesting the demonstrations he’d done with a flyer named Krista and the three or four times he’d caught a kid’s full weight because the spotters were just learning how to get in there and catch. By the end of the night, the kids were pumped and left chattering excitedly about the tryouts the next day and how much they wanted a chance to shine.
“Damn, Joe. I didn’t think you could still do all that.”
He grinned at Marti and clenched his teeth.
“I wasn’t sure I could. I’m definitely not sure I can sit down and be able to get up again.”
Her smile disappeared. “What do you need? Ice? Advil?”
He waved a hand at her. “Nah, I’ll be fine. I’m just going to stretch out a bit and then hit the shower.”
“Don’t forget dinner.”
Joe looked at his watch. It was already 7:50, meaning The Buzz was closed. He hadn’t made it to the grocery store and there was no food delivery in town.
“Ah…yeah. I’ll figure something out.”
Marti rolled her eyes. “Don’t let this be the start of your downfall, Joe. We’re no spring chickens. We need to take care of ourselves. I’mgoing to say goodbye to Terrell and get home unless you need anything?”
“Hey, Marti? What do you think about keeping them all, having alternates, special teams?”
