Page 24 of Flag On The Play
Only Nova has that power.
And I hate it.
My phone rings. I grab it, more than happy for the distraction.
“Hello?”
“Finlay, it’s Mom.”
The name hits me in the chest like a freight train. “Mom? What’s wrong?”
We haven’t spoken in years. Not since I told them I was going pro instead of going pre-med. They didn’t understand. Especially not my dad. Football was a waste of a brilliant mind, he said. We’d barely exchanged two words since.
So a phone call now? Can’t be good.
“Your father died,” she says. Her voice breaks. “Cancer. He’s been sick for the last two years.”
The world stops.
And yet I’m not surprised. I knew that’s what she was going to say.
“Shit, Mom. I’m sorry.”
I close my eyes and press the heel of my hand to them, trying to push back the pressure building there.
“No, Finlay. I’m sorry. I’m sorry it took something this horrible for me to call. We’ve wasted too much time. Time we won’t get back. Please, come home. Be with the family.”
“When?”
“Now.”
I’m already moving. Heading toward my bedroom as I say, “I’ll be there soon.”
We hang up, and a tear slides down my cheek before I can stop it. I swipe it away and start throwing clothes into a bag.
She’s right. Time has been wasted. And now it’s too fucking late to make it right.
I call Coach and let him know I’m leaving for a few days. I’ll be back for Sunday’s game, but right now, I have to go home. To the house I haven’t seen since freshman year of college. To the memories I left behind.
I shoot a quick text to Jace and Theo.
Me: Hey, heading out of town. My dad passed. I’ll be back by Sunday.
I’m about to toss my phone in my duffel when it buzzes again.
Unknown: I’m so sorry, Finlay. Your dad was amazing.
I stare at the message.
Me: Who’s this?
No reply.
No name. No clue.
But something tells me I already know who it is.
And somehow, that hurts even more.
