Page 81 of Out of Bounds
“I’m listening,” Coach says, folding his arms across his middle, resting back in his chair.
“He’s finding his voice with the guys, too.” The boys back me up, both nodding. “We’ve been lucky so far this season, we’re scraping through these wins on the strength of our defense, but if we’re willing to adjust tactics and get the three of us in this room more time with Lamar in practice, we can get something good going. We don’t need Rogers, Coach. I’ve got faith in this Bears squad as it is.”
Coach rubs his eye and wiggles his nose. “It would take time. You might not see another ring in your career if we stick with the team, as is. Are you prepared for that, Pace?”
He knows me. Knows I’ve wanted another ring since I got the first. Football is my life. Yet, I’m chewing over the fact I’d rather not have Auston in Texas and wondering who that benefits. Me? Annie? Nelson? I’ve fallen for Annie. But Auston is Nelson’s dad. And I see the way Annie still reacts to him. They’re unfinished, I just don’t know in what way.
Coach is waiting for an answer I don’t have. Then he fixes on Quinn and I finally take a breath.
“You’re quiet over there, son, and I understand why, but I want all three of my starting receivers to know what’s on the table and that I might not be able to stop it, even if you don’t like it. I have a voice with the GM but you know that this is ultimately his call.”
“I know, Coach. I just— Why does Rogers want to come here?” Quinn asks.
“Speaking as a man not a coach, I don’t know where he’s at personally with your sister and your nephew, son, but judging by your demeanor and what my wife fills me in on from social media, I’d say not in a good place. My best guess is, he thinks coming here rights some wrongs, portrays him in a different light, and whether it works out or not, he thinks John Q Public will see that he’s trying and cut him some slack.”
Coach holds out his arms –what do I know?“Professionally, if he stops being hated by the Archers fans, maybe he plays the way we all know he can, in the pocket, like Tommy did.”
I hate how right Coach is. This move, if it came off, would have been a dream replacement for Tommy, if there was nothing personal involved.
I’m so far from feeling objective about this.
I’m terrified that Rogers is coming for Annie. Does he want her back? Does he want to be in Nelson’s life? Or is this all smoke and mirrors? How long would it be before he hurt her orthemagain?
Where does all that leave me and the fact I’m head over fucking boots for her?
My head is absolutely fried by the time we leave the office.
It’s as if Quinn and I are tuned into each other because we both turn off for the locker rooms rather than heading back to the players’ lounge. Annie is in there and we need to discuss this before we see her.
Omar doesn’t say anything but pats Quinn on the shoulder in a show of solidarity before leaving the two of us to slump down in our own stalls, legs spread, forearms to knees. I know I shouldn’t be feeling as beat up by this as Quinn but I think I am. For all the wrong reasons.
“Do you think she knows?” Quinn asks me.
I rag my hands over my face. “No, I don’t. I’m sure she would have told me. We talk. We’re confined in a car together for hours at a time. We live together half the week.”
“Not this week,” he shoots.
“Yeah, well…”I can’t explain that right now.
“What thehellis his game plan?” Quinn asks, agitated as he stands.
I shrug. “Coach could be spot on. Or he’s making a play for Annie and Nelson.” Quinn darts his attention to me. “Maybe this is his backassward way of showing Annie that he’s ready to make an effort for them, like he—” The thought of it wrecks me. “Like he said he would.”
I knowI’m not with Annie and I can’t be but the thought of there being even a remote chance that Rogers could be with her again cuts me deep. If he was in their lives, would I be out? There’s an ache under my ribs and my eyes feel like someone’s struck a match behind them.
But this isn’t about me and I need to hold it together. It’s about the Quinns.Theirfamily. It’s about Annie andherchoices.
“We’ve got to tell her, Colton.”
“Isn’t she better off not knowing? It might not happen. If Auston wants to reach out to her, he will.”
I sigh. “What if it does happen? Then she finds out that we knew before her? Whether Rogers plays for this team is out of our hands but whether Annie has him back in her life, as much as I fucking hate it for all y’all, it’s her decision to make. It’s her life. Hers and Nelson’s. She’s a grown woman with choices to make. She needs space to work this out for herself without any of us getting in her head or putting pressure on her.”
It strikes me, that’s exactly what she’s been trying to do these past days.Thinkwithout the pressure I didn’t mean to put on her.
He stands, hands on hips. “Fuck.”
“I think it would be better if she heard it from you but if you want me to tell her, I can.”
