Page 31 of Flag On The Play
His grin makes my stomach flutter and my fists clench simultaneously.
“So?” I ask, voice flat.
“So, I’m inviting you.”
I arch a brow. “Wow, thanks. What am I? The pity invite? The third string backup date since everyone else got drafted?”
His smile drops, replaced by something more raw. More honest. “Jesus, Nova. No. My friends asked your friends because I told them I was inviting you. I thought maybe it would give you an actual reason to show up. To stop glaring at me from a distance like you’re plotting my murder.”
“I mean, I might be plotting your murder.”
He lets out a humorless laugh and steps closer. “You know what? I thought this was me trying. Thought maybe if I came to your world, cheered you on from the shadows, you’d meet mehalfway. But no. You’re so set on keeping me the villain in your high school drama, you can’t even see that I’ve changed.”
“Oh, please,” I bite back. “You’re just mad I’m not falling into your arms like every other woman does. Just like high schoo,l and I’m over high school.”
“No,” he says firmly. “I’m mad because I keep trying, and you keep slamming the door in my face like we’re seventeen and I just egged your locker.”
That hits harder than I want it to.
He starts to walk away, then turns back to me one last time.
“You say you’re over high school, Nova? Then stop living in it. I’m not that guy anymore, but maybe you’re still that girl.”
And then he’s gone.
And damn it, he’s right.
I am still that girl.
The one who always has her guard up to make sure everyone knows she’s not the one to fuck around with. She’s not the one who wants her heart broken.
But maybe it’s time I figure out if I’m ready to be someone else.
CHAPTER 10
FINLAY
Ihaven’t seen Nova since the night I asked her to come to this damn party.
Two games have come and gone since, and both of them were absolute shit.
I want to blame her.
God, do I want to blame her.
But deep down, I know it’s not just Nova.
It’s me.
Ever since I got that call about my dad, it’s like something inside me cracked and never quite sealed again. I’ve tried to bury it, tried to push through with film, drills, practice, the weight room, but the distraction’s always there. Nipping at the edge of my focus. Clawing into my chest when I least expect it.
It’s not good for me or the team.
So tonight?
Tonight, I’m letting go. Letting loose. Having a goddamn drink and pretending, just for a few hours, that everything isn’t falling apart inside my head.
“Hey, any word from Nova?” Jace asks, tossing a football up and down in the air as we wait for people to start showing.
