Chapter 4
PACE – EARLY SEPTEMBER
Out of Bounds
It’s our last off day before season proper begins and I’m discussing with my caddy which iron to use to tee off the third hole of the day.
There’s a core group of Bears who play golf on Tuesdays.
Mostly, the single Bears. Me, Max Kingsman, defensive end, Trent Daniels, cornerback, Omar Kubiak, flanker.
Quinn plays a round with us too when his girlfriend, Sas, is out of town on business or home with her family in New York.
We’ve lost Tommy from the group since he broke his back but we’ve acquired some new recruits for me to annihilate. Mat Krasinski, left tackle, second year in the pros. Jad and Terry, depth players, so deep they’ll be lucky to get a run out most weeks.
We’re playing in two groups of four and I’m the last man teeing off.
“You two should be hitting under par every hole this season,” I say, chirping at Jad and Terry. “You’ve got to expend your energy somewhere and it won’t be on the gridiron.”
Quinn, Max and Trent enjoy the joke as Tweedledum and Tweedledee mutter expletives.
“It’s all character building, boys,” Max says, leaning on the end of his club and waiting for me to take my shot.
I’m the offensive captain on the field and I’m playing off the lowest handicap in the group today, I’ve earned the right to torment the rookies. It’s one of my favorite pastimes.
I can’t tell if they love me or hate me. Honestly, for most people I’m sure the answer to that question changes daily.
Broadcasters have called me hot-headed, volatile, or, if they’re being favorable, the type of man who wears his heart on his sleeve.
I’ve gotten better with control in recent years, since becoming captain and spending more time with Evans and Jones on our weekly pod.
But a leopard can’t completely change his spots and that’s probably how I ended up suggesting to Annie Quinn that I give her driving lessons.
I went rogue but the offer sort of slipped out.
Talking to her reminds me of my own mom’s struggles.
And, I don’t know, something made me flash back to the spring dance at the ranch.
At the way I felt watching Annie stand alone to the side of the room while couples danced around her.
It chipped away at something inside me in a way I didn’t like.
I get nervous when people are sad. My job is to make people happy, especially young women who’ve been dealt a fucking shitty hand.
What I’ve learned in recent years is this: the best thing I can offer anyone is myself. Whether I’m shit talking or lifting people up. I am who I am and so long as I’m not hurting anyone, that’ll be me. Hello, my fourth decade.
I hit the ball with a two iron and make it to the green, smirking after the ball.
When I’m at home alone in the tub, I might ponder my golfing ability and ask myself if I’d be so damn good if I had more in my life than golf and football.
But in this scenario, I choose to blow a chef’s kiss at Jad and Terry and tell them, “That’s how it’s done, boys. ”
Since Quinn’s ball is the only other one that’s landed in the vicinity of the green, I get into a buggy with him and he drives us on to our next shots.
I fiddle with the Velcro on my glove like an awkward teen – suddenly feeling as if my rash offer to Annie might have been lacking thought. That my want to help her might not sit well with an overprotective brother.
But no take backs. I bite the bullet. “Hey, Quinn, did your sister tell you that I offered to—”
“About the driving lessons?” he cuts me off, then side-eyes me. I haven’t noticed any tension for the last hour but I sense it now. “Yeah.”
Colton is the definition of a Bear. Cut him and he’ll bleed red, white and blue. He also needs to be stroked the right way to avoid his bite.
“I want to run it by you first and make sure it’s cool,” I tell him.
He hits the brake, until we’re stationary on the cart path, then turns to look at me.
Two big ass men about to have a heart-to-heart.
“Why d’you want to give Annie driving lessons, Pace?
Are you trying to make a move on my sister?
Because the last friend of mine she hooked up with found himself in the ER. ”
I let out a short laugh, not even knowing why his words bother me. They’re expected. It’s the reason I’ve been trying to make this conversation happen since Monday.
“I understand your asking but I’m not Auston fucking Rogers, Quinn.”
The muscles in my teammate’s jaw twitch.
“Look, your family’s been through a lot recently. Annie especially. She’s got a kid with no dad around. She’s lost the number one person she would have turned to for help with Nelson. She’s back at school and even though she masks it with banter and smiles, she hates having to rely on a nanny.”
He looks away from me now, hands tightening around the steering wheel.
“My old man bolted before I was even out of diapers, Quinn. My mom took three jobs to raise me, and when my sister came along seven years later, my stepdad was as much of a waste of air as my real dad. So, I’d like to do something kind for a young woman I respect, who’s going through a lot.”
Quinn clears his throat and this time, when he looks at me, that wild animal aura feels more like a soft toy.
“Putting those things aside,” I continue.
“Look at me. I mean, try to look past the fact I’m an absolute catch for any woman.
” That gets a smirk from my buddy. “I’m twelve years older than Annie, I’m about to start my thirteenth season with more inflammation in my joints than a geriatric, and I swore I’d never do anything to take my focus off the game, not until I’ve hung up my boots. ”
“You’re saying you’re safe as houses?” he asks.
“I can’t stand seeing people down on their luck. The club shrink tells me I’m triggered by the underdog.” He scoffs, staring into the distance. I knock my shoulder into his. “Which is how I know we’ll win the Big Game before I retire.”
We share a quirk of the lips at that. “So, is it cool with you, if I give her a few lessons?”
“You know she’s a godawful driver?”
I scratch my beard. “Yeah, three failed tests kind of insinuates that. But she also told me that your old man shouts at her and you pull on the handbrake every time she presses the accelerator.”
He rears. “That’s not— Meh, that’s partially true.” He does one of those Quinn silences I’ve come to expect from him.
“Look, I’m not going anywhere near your sister, Quinn.
I know she’s out of bounds. I don’t think she has any interest in introducing anyone else into her life in any event.
So let me do this. If she can drive, it gives you more time to focus on helping Lamar get you into the end zone.
It gives you a chance to spend more time with Sas when she’s in town. ”
“We agree she’s out of bounds?”
“Out of bounds.”
“Because I swear to God, Pace, if you cross the line with my sister…”
“On my word, man. I’m trying to help, that’s all.”
“You know if she suspects you’re throwing her a pity party, she’ll—”
“Oh, I know. She’s feisty.”
He smirks. “I guess I should say thanks, then?”
“No, man. We’re all good.”
I’m buzzed as we get to our next shot. I’m buzzed the remaining fifteen holes of the game, and that results in me goofing around with the guys. Because the thought of doing something nice for Annie is making me feel on top of the world.
More than that, it’s September. My favorite time of year, because it’s days until I’ll be running onto the turf through the guard of my teammates for the first game of the season. To the seventy-thousand strong crowd of die-hard football fans at the Alamo Stadium chanting my name.
Football is my life. It has been since the first time my mom signed me up to training aged six. And the San Antonio Bears, Quinn and my other brothers, are as much my family as my mom and my sister.
I can do something kind for Annie because no matter how damn pretty and sassy that brown-eyed girl is, I will never ever break her brother’s trust.
Me
The guard dog gave me your number. Cleared it with him and if it suits you, we can do a lesson on Tuesdays until we get you through your test.
Her reply is almost instant.
Annie Sunshine
Colton gave you my number? Is he okay? Should I hotfoot it down to the ER?
Ha. Funny. If not entirely in jest.
Me
I can be very persuasive. I’ll see you at the ranch on Tuesday. Unless you’re coming to the game on Sunday?
Annie Sunshine
Sadly, the Alamo Stadium isn’t the right place for a ten-month-old. Are you sure you want to do this?
Me
Annie Quinn, you need to learn to accept good grace. I’ll give you and Nelson a wave on Sunday.