Chapter 23
ANNIE – MID-OCTOBER
That’s the Worst Idea Y’all Have Ever Had
“Aww, it’s been great seeing you again, too,” I say, hugging one of our regulars at Sunshine Ranch. His mama and daddy both have severe needs and at fourteen years old, he’s their primary carer.
Like my own mama used to say, we’ve got to make sure we don’t take on other people’s problems while they’re here on the ranch. It’s when they leave, and we’re not helping them, that sympathy hits hard.
The guilt because you can’t help but liken their situation to your own and think how grateful you are for what you have by comparison.
But new for me this year are empathy – I’ve seen and cared for someone terminally ill – and fear – that one day something might happen to me and I’d put Nelson in an awful situation, or the unimaginable happens to him.
Daddy, Sas, Nelson, the Sunshine Ranch team and I wave off our guests. It was a two-night stay, Friday to Sunday.
It’s still early morning, not long after breakfast. “Coffee?” I ask the others, trying desperately not to fall down a well of emotion as seems to be my way this season.
While the team decide to hit the road, I put on another pot of coffee for Daddy and Sas, making horchata for me. I’m wired enough without caffeine.
“What time should we head to the stadium, Sonny?” Sas asks.
She and Daddy are sitting in the rocking chairs on the porch, with Nelson pulling Bear’s fur on the deck between them. The windows are open into the kitchen where I’m eavesdropping.
Colton is already in the city with the Bears ahead of today’s clash with the St Louis Archers. With Auston.
Auston is in Texas.
I replied to his message after talking everything through with Tanner. I told Auston I wouldn’t see him again until he gives me any indication that his reaction would be different to how he handled the airport.
He hasn’t replied.
A good guy might have asked how we are. A better guy would have offered to come see us privately and try better this time.
I’m pining after him – or more accurately, his relationship with Nelson – but given the shit storm that continues to rage around us in the media, I doubt that’s ever going to happen.
Clearly, he isn’t a good guy and I despise the fact his lack of contact bites, even after the eighteen months of radio silence.
Sas and Daddy will be driving in to catch the game with Sas’s dad, who is Colton, Pace and Max’s agent, visiting from New York.
I miss going to the games but for this one, given the online and broadcast sensationalism that’s turned the San Antonio Bears and the St Louis Archers into a rivalry that never existed before last season, I’m better off staying away.
Tommy Thieriot suffered his career-ending injury against the Archers at the end of last season, which was a huge story. Yet most of the hype has been around Colton versus Auston.
I’ve seen more images recently of Auston’s stitched jaw from where my brother punched him than when the story broke last season. The reels of Colton and Auston squaring up to each other are also viral again.
The press won’t stop asking Colton about how much he wants to stick it to his ex-college roomie, my ex, no matter how much he tries to deflect. But my “plight” and that unbearable airport footage is brought up in every piece I’ve seen.
What’s worse, though, is that Auston is wholly dismissive. Making out like he and I are working through our issues privately and putting our baby first.
He’s a serial liar. It’s amazing how I can see all his bullshit now and I was blind to it in the past.
Yep, this is one game I’m better off watching from home, even if I didn’t have a beautiful boy to care for.
“Let’s get on the road before eleven,” Daddy says as I head out with coffees for the grown-ups and a child’s cup of warm milk for Nelson.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you, too, Bear,” I tell the dog, giving him a treat from the back pocket of my jeans.
I’m about to perch my ass on the porch fence when I hear tires grinding the gravel drive up to the house. I know it’s Betty’s car before I see it.
“What’s Betty doing here?” I say aloud, not expecting an answer.
“She’s coming into the city with us,” Sas says.
I glance between her and Daddy, finding them looking mischievous.
“We can’t have you sitting out the entire season at home, can we?” Daddy asks.
“We’re taking you to the game, Annie, and Betty is going to watch Nelson at Pace’s house, so you can stay over and be there for college tomorrow,” Sas adds.
“What? Have y’all concocted this plan without me?” I scowl at them all, including Betty as she heads our way, though there’s undeniably a part of me that’s giddy.
I think it’s the surprise, or the excitement of getting back to the Alamo to watch my team, but it might also be that Pace is in on this. He wants me to be at the game. He wants me to stay over, again.
Not as anything more than friends, I know that. Even as every part of my anatomy enjoyed being snuggled against him for the rodeo in the week, feeling caught, like I’m not falling anymore when I’m around him, that I’m safe because he’s got me, I was thoroughly friend zoned by him.
Plus, I got all my college work done this week thanks to my mid-week living arrangements, and saw more of Nelson, watched him take his first steps.
I was cooked for and didn’t have to wipe up endless crumbs.
This weekend on the ranch has felt almost as nice as it used to when Mama was here.
I could enjoy it because I wasn’t exhausted and chasing my tail.
Still, I tell the three conspirators on my porch, “That’s the worst idea y’all have ever had.
Of all the games you think I should go to, you choose this one, against the Archers?
Can you imagine the attention this could cause if the press realize I’m sitting in the stands?
” I throw my hands up. “They’ll say I’m pining after him. They’ll say—”
Sas places her hands on my shoulders. “Annie, stop. This is the perfect game for you to go to and stand tall. You’ve done nothing wrong and you shouldn’t be forced into hiding because Auston’s an idiot.”
“I’m not hiding, I’m—”
“Hiding,” Daddy says. “And Quinns don’t hide. We stand up and face our fears. Especially when they’re as weak as that piece of sh—”
“Daddy!”
He holds up a hand in apology to Nelson. “I’ll drive the truck and Nelson. Betty’s gonna drive herself. You can follow in the Audi.”
“Come again?”
“Oh, yes, that’s the final part of the plan. Pace said you’ve got to drive into the city,” Sas tells me. “If you’re up to it, but he believes you are.”
“Are you seriously willing to sit in a car with me because Tanner tells you it’s a good idea?” I drop my hands to my waist.
“I’ve known him his whole career. I trust him. I trust you, Annie. You’ve got this.”
I drag in a breath, searching all the expectant faces focused on me.
“I’m wearing a hat. And shades. And, Sas, you can sneak me in with one of those lanyards you wear. I am absolutely not going through the friends and family entrance.”
“Deal.” She smiles. “Can we be excited now?”
I am excited. I’m also nervous as hell. I’m going to see my brother and Auston on the same field again.
Last time, the Bears’ defense were hitting Auston at every opportunity.
The team had my brother’s back. They had mine.
And this season is being pitched as the battle for the divisional playoff rematch, on top of all the other noise.