Page 82 of Out of Bounds
He drags his fingers through his damp hair. “I’ve got it.”
I nod, wondering whether I’m going to head home, or to the gym room, which would really be in the hope Annie wants to talk rather than because I need to work out more.
“Hey, Pace, what’s going on with you and Annie?”
I went down on her.“How’d you mean?”
“Why’s she staying at the ranch this week?”
Oh.“All this with Auston. She wants some space.”
“I’m pretty sure she has more time to herself when she’s staying with you.”
I scoff. Yep, there’s no mucking out stables, DIY projects, cooking, cleaning, commuting. But I’m here.
“What can I say? I’m not as cool as I thought.”
“Yeah, no shit,” he says, smiling. “I appreciate it, you know, everything you’ve been doing for Annie. She’s different around you. Back to her old self, before Auston.”
My chest tightens as the lining of my throat seems to thicken. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. You’re a good friend, man. To us both.”
Friend.“Back at you, Quinn.”
35
ANNIE – EARLY NOVEMBER
Pinky Promise
I’m packing up my things in the players’ lounge when Tanner heads back in. He, my brother and Omar left with Coach Roy a while ago and Omar returned alone. Since then, there’ve been hushed questions about why Coach wanted to speak to his starting receivers and I can’t tell whether Omar is giving up the secret.
The vibe in the space is different now, though, and I’m getting curious looks from players who’ve otherwise been great fun to be around today. All in all, it’s making me wonder if I already know the topic of conversation. A certain trade that’s increasingly being speculated about in the media.
I feel that sense of relief I did earlier when Tanner arrived. He’s safety and comfort, as well as looking mighty fine in his tight-fitting training gear, cap turned backward.
I’ve been conducting interviews back-to-back with the guys all day, whenever they could naturally take a training break – that was the deal Tanner struck with Coach Roy to get me in here. So I haven’t had a chance to speak to him, despite all the glances his way I’ve snatched.
It’s served the sole purpose of reminding me that I miss him. I miss him and hot-darn, Iwanthim.
He looks over as I’m packing my things for home and I feel like a deer in headlights, caught in the act of gawking. So sure I’ve been snagged that I stop dead and stare back, my blood thumping when his lips lazily curve up.Hi,I mouth.
He inclines his head, beckoning me over to the kitchen area, where the four pecan pies I baked for the squad and staff have been demolished.
Despite the strong smell of coffee around us, and the fact he’s been training for hours, Tanner smells like he always does. Masculine, woody intoxication.
But he’s not his usual bold-as-brass self as he rests back on the countertop, hands clasped around the edge, as if he’s pinning himself as far away from me as possible in this relatively confined space.
“How’re you doin’, Annie Quinn?”
I fight a smile. He’s still Tanner Pace.MyTanner.
“Why I’m just peachy, Tanner Pace. Listen, I?—”
“Annie, I—” We speak over each other.
“Can I go?” I ask.
