~Monday~

Jace was up early to get some film study in from the previous day's victory as the team's tradition of taking the day off after a win was in effect. He didn't have a whole lot of time though because he was finally getting to be on one of his favorite talk shows...The Pat McAfee Show. 

He squeezed on some time for a small breakfast before heading out the door to get to the studio a little early and his Uber driver was out front.

After getting in Jace's phone rang and he seen that the Colts GM was the one calling.

Jace: Good Morning Chris.

Ballard: Good Morning Jace...hope you are excited for a one of a kind interview experience with Pat.

Jace: can you really be ready for Pat though?

Both guys chuckled before saying their goodbyes and Jace was off to the studio.

~Showtime~

Pat and his crew are seen sitting at their desks as they pull up a stream of AJ Hawk who just lit a cigar.

Pat: Hello everybody and welcome to the shooooow...and what a lineup we have for you today.

AJ: Is today the day that Jace will be here...right?

All the crew can be heard groaning and giving AJ a playful hard time as Pat stood up at his desk.

Pat: AJ...what kind of show are we running here...I told you earlier who and what we were gonna tawk abawt.

AJ: *Chuckling* I do this show with you every morning I was just...

Pat: Just trying to mess up everything we got going...

They all took a very short pause.

Pat: Yes...AJ he is on the show so can I introduce our guest?

AJ: Absolutely...I can't wait to talk to him.

The group again was giving AJ some crap about who was more excited to talk to the Colts QB1, who was enjoying every second of it behind the scenes.

Pat: Now that we got everything back on track...please welcome to the show...a man who is now the new leader in the Colts locker room. A man that was juking and jiving around Lucas Oil Stadium...confusing Bears defenders...Jace Cooper.

Jace walked into the room as everyone was clapping and cheering for him but when he walked passed Pat's desk he bumped it and knocked off a few things.

Pat: What are ya doing?

Jace: *Picking the stuff up* It was an accident but I can see where AJ is coming from with all the clutter.

AJ: See what I been talking about Pat...you need to get rid of some of that stuff.

Jace finally sat in his seat and pulled the microphone close to his face.

Pat: Welcome to the Show Jace...don't know what my desk did to deserve the abuse but glad you are here all the same.

Jace: I might show up on the injury report tomorrow for a bum leg after that incident.

Pat immediately put his hands up in the air.

Pat: Hold on a second now...I don't need Ballard and Irsay calling me asking why I took out the starting QB.

Connor: It's not like you moved anything around...

Pat: *doing his best Chris Ballard voice* Now Pat can you explain to me how my Quarterback is out with a bummed leg when he only did an interview with you.

AJ: So how are you feeling after your first NFL regular season game?

Jace: A lot more nerve racking than I thought but we were able to make some good plays to offset the bad ones...experience is the best teacher.

Pat: From what I seen yesterday, you are a guy that's not afraid of contact...almost like you welcome it. 

Jace: I am in one of the most physical sports in the world and i play the position that every single defender wants to destroy so I will take whatever they dish out plus more. 

Ty: I don't know if you know this Jace but the Colts had a guy like that and his career was cut short. 

Pat: To be fair, the Colts have fired that terrible GM and brought in Ballard who turned that line around but Jace, do you think that maybe you should try to protect yourself by getting rid of the ball instead of taking hits. 

Jace: First and for most I want to say that what Andrew was able to do for this franchise was astounding...I remember watching him make a play after play where there shouldn't have been. ..but that's a big part of my game that Frank is working with me. Also I never try to compare myself to other players because everyone has their strengths and weaknesses...all I want to do is get better every day.

Pat: I'm sure Andrew appreciates that if he is watching the show, so lets get dahn into learning more about Jace Cooper the man. 

Jace: I grew up in a small country town  of South Bend...we didn't have a lot to do that was outside of football and watching the Colts through the years built a fire in me that I just couldn't get rid of. 

Pat: What's the latest movie that you seen? 

Jace: I haven't been out to the movies since I was like 13. 

Pat & Crew: *Stone Cold impression* What! 

Jace: *Chuckles* I didn't have time for them...

Pat & Crew: *Stone Cold impression* What!

Jace: I hear you guys say that a lot...what is it from?

Pat: *Shocked* Are you joking? You have no clue who Stone Cold Steve Austin is? 

Jace sat in his chair with a straight face and shrugged his shoulders Pat stood up and walked around the table. 

Pat: Jace, Have you been living under a rock your whole life? You don't watch movies...you don't know about one of the biggest wrestling superstars ever!

Jace: Wrestling...do you mean as in WWE?  

AJ: Yea...Pat works as commentary every Friday for them. 

Jace: Isn't that whole business scripted? 

Pat & Crew: Ohhhhh! 

Pat: WWE is a very entertaining to MILLIONS...

Pat & Crew: AND MILLIONS...

Pat: Of fans and I think you should show a little respect. 

Jace: I mean no disrespect by that.

Pat: Gotta be careful using words like that around the wrestlers...they take that pretty serious...plus if you come to the show maybe you might get a better understanding and possibly get you in the ring.

Jace: *Laughing* Yea there is probably something in my contract that will not allow that.

Pat: Thats too bad to hear.. It's been great to have you on the show Jace but we are running out of time so would you like to tell people your social media info so they can keep up with The Ace? 

Jace: I don't spend a lot of time on the internet...I think I have a twitter that a friend setup for me. 

Pat: Jace! You have to get up to the modern times...do you have a iPhone or android? 

Jace: Android but I still wish I had my flip phone. 

TY: We need to bring Jace back and do a live show where we get Jace out of the 1900's 

Laughter erupted in the room as Jace stood up and shook everyone's hands before leaving out. He left the studio and was about to call for another Uber until he heard a familiar voice. 

Charly: Well look who I just so happen to run into again. 

With a smirk on his face, Jace slowly walked up to Charly who was leaning against her car. 

Jace: If it isn't one of my two favorite interviewers. 

Charly: I figured that you needed a ride and wanted to see if maybe you wanted to hang out for a little bit. 

He looked at his phone for a few seconds before putting it back in his pocket and walking to the passenger side. 

Jace: What did you have in mind? 

Charly: *Getting in the Car* Heading to the mall first so we can get you out from under the rock.

She smirked at Jace who playfully rolled his eyes as they quickly raced off to the local mall. 

~At the Mall~ 

Jace was stopped out front by a few fans that spotted him to take a few photos before following Charly in and straight to the phone store. She watched as Jace was walking around the store like a deer in head lights for a few moments. 

Charly: Anything popping out to you? 

Jace: I'm not really sure. 

What Charly didn't know was that Jace was checking her out in the refection of each phone and he stopped in front of the iPhone 14. 

Jace: Is this one any good? 

Charly: It's the newest model out and I feel if you want that one you will want to get the pro max. 

They took the new phone up to the front and one of the associates helped Jace setup it up for his current plan as well as switch over all the info from his old phone. 

Jace: *Holding up his old phone* What should I do with this? 

Charly took the phone from him and tossed it into the closest trash bin and lead him out of the store and they walked around to a few more shops. 

Charly: I want to stop and get a new swimsuit if you are cool with that. 

Jace: *Nodding* Absolutely. 

Charly: And maybe after we are done here we can go hang out by the pool at my place...its a really hot day. 

They both finished up some shopping before Charly drove them back toward her house. 

Jace: You have a beautiful home Charly...

Charly: Thank you, come with me and I'll show you where the pool house is. 

They walked around the outside of the house to where the pool area that has a small shower and changing building to the right. Charly headed a bag to Jace.

Charly: I'll let you change first...

Jace took the bag and didn't really waste a lot of time getting into his swim trunks and he hurried out so Charly could change.

He laid down in one of the two lawn chairs that were by the pool and put on his sunglasses to relax.

A few minutes pass before Charly returned wearing her new bikini and Jace did his best to keep his composure.

Charly: Soo...how does it look?

His cheeks were turning a slight shade of red as he lifted his glasses.

Jace: It looks...amazing!

A smile grew on Charly's face as she sat on the edge of the pool and tested the water with her foot. Jace playfully pushed her in and couldn't help but laugh when she came up with a surprised look on her face.

Charly: Oh...my...the water is cold!

Jace held out his hand to help her out while he was still laughing but Charly pulled him in.

Charly: Revenge! *Chuckles*

Jace: Ohhh! God!!!

The two of them shared a laugh as they were swimming extremely close to each other.

Charly: It's good to see that you are not letting the stress of the league get to you.

Jace: Just trying to soak it all in and not let myself get overwhelmed...plus a few people helped keep my mind off the craziness.

The two of them were inches from each other as if an invisible force was pulling them together but Charly broke the trance.

Charly: Let's see how good of a swimmer you are...

She took off toward the opposite side of the pool signaling for Jace to try and catch her.

Jace bolted under the water and was on the hunt for her and it only took him a few minutes before he was able to reach out at grab her leg.

The two of them enjoyed swimming around for a little while longer before getting out and hanging out in a shaded area after drying off.

Jace grabbed his phone and was looking through his social media when he spotted a photo of him and Charly at the mall.

Jace: Can't wait to see how the media spins this one.

When he showed the photo to Charly her eyes widened and she covered her mouth in shock.

Charly: I look hideous in that photo.

Jace: There is no way you could ever look hideous...

Charly looked away to keep from showing her rose red cheeks and she could her a soft chuckle from Jace.

Charly: *Playfully pushing Jace* Don't laugh at me...

Jace: What time does your significant other get home? Don't want to get you in trouble.

Charly: I don't have anyone in my life as we speak

She placed her hand close to Jace's as the two of them were locked back in their trance again.

It lasted for what felt like forever until Jace broke it this time picking his phone  and opening the camera.

Jace: I heard this phone has a really good camera...and can't think of anyone that I epuld rather test it on...

Charly grabbed a hat next to her and did a quick pose as Jace got in position for a picture and snapped it.

Charly: Let me see...

He turned to show her the photo.

Jace: Just like I said...Absolutely beautiful.

Charly was smiling and looking at Jace before leaning in to kiss him on the lips. Jace returned the kiss but broke it and quickly got up...

Charly: Are you ok???

Jace: *Nervous* Uhhh..I gotta...I gotta go.

Charly watched as Jace quickly gathered up his stuff from the pool house and she tried to keep from tearing up as he left.