Page 42 of Out of Bounds
There are signs that Lamar is starting to figure out his own game, which is a positive among the crap. Rather than trying to step into Tommy’s boots – that look increasingly unlikely to be worn again this season – the quarterback coaches and my offense are working hard to figure out how we can gel better. He isn’t Tommy, we know that, and we need to start focusing on what the kid does well rather than what he doesreasonablywell.
It’s a strange road trip and I’m tired and sore on the travel back to Texas. The mood in the camp isn’t great either, despite the win, because we all know we’ve been lucky to scrape points so far this season.
My uncommon grump doesn’t shift until I walk into my house and see ten life-size cutouts of myself, Colton, Max and some of our teammates in my lounge. Tamara came through for me.
I sink into my bubbling tub, candles flickering. But instead of focusing on the Sunday night game on my flat screen, my mind wanders to the place it’s gone a lot over the last few days.
Annie.
I don’t often look on social media. I’ve had a few run-ins with the public for my off-field antics and there’s been a lot of shit said about me in the past. Some true, some not so much. What I do know is, social media is where souls go to die. But I’ve been drawn to it the last few days because I’ve been watching to see how this whole thing with Annie and Auston plays out.
Jax’s PR has helped shift focus and keep things as contained as possible but there’s only so much magic that can be done when there are multiple viral reels.
To be clear, it’s Auston who looks like and whoisthe jackass in this situation and I’d approximate more than 90 percent of the comments on the reels agree. But the other comments are the ones I can’t stand to see.
She got what she wanted, he’ll have to pay for that kid for the next eighteen years.
She knew what she was doing.
Probably told him she was on birth control.
It’s poison. Not one of these people knows Annie. Anyone who does wouldn’t believe she tried to trap a footballer.
Annie’s the woman who scuffs boots, who breaks in horses, who bakes pecan pies and looks after kids and families who need respite, even though it’sAnniewho needs a break.
So, as New England score a second touchdown on my big screen, I dry my hands and message Annie on my little screen.
Me
How’re you doing, Annie Quinn?
I get typing dots so I know she’s there, yet her usual quickfire response along the lines of fine, peachy or okay doesn’t come.
I wait and watch the dots, until eventually…
Annie Sunshine
Say, Tanner Pace, you once promised me if I ever needed a laugh, you’d be the guy to come to. That offer still stand? Because I sure could use a laugh.
I hate this for her. Fuckinghateit. But I did make her that promise once, as I held her hand in one palm, her waist in the other and twirled her around a barn floor for the spring dance at Sunshine Ranch. She remembers my words. She remembers that dance.
Me, too. Only, I don’t know, the memory is hitting different tonight. Since spending time with her. The dance I offered because I didn’t want her to feel left out suddenly has a different connotation. I’d like to be the guy who walks her onto a dance floor. The man entitled to kick the ass of the idiot who left her and who’s putting her through the ringer, again.
I can’t be Annie’s dance partner for so many valid reasons – our age gap, guy code, that it’s patently obvious that she might not be over her ex, no matter what she tells me, the fact she hates the limelight and I’m that personified. But if there’s one thing I’m known for, it’s bringing the party and playing the clown.
I switch the football for an episode of theGilmore Girlsand make sure my member is hidden by bubbles – because if her brother ever sees this and I’ve accidentally sent her a dick pic, my life won’t be worth living.
I snap a picture and send it to Annie with a message…
Me
Sorry, cowgirl, I can’t help you. I’m mid-nighttime routine.
It’s a good while later when she eventually responds with:
Annie Sunshine
Exactly what I needed. Thank you. But next time, give me a heads up and we can press play together.
