Page 46 of Flag On The Play
FINLAY
Final seconds on the clock.
We’re up by three, and we could play it safe, take a knee, run it down, but where’s the fun in that?
My fingers twitch with energy as I shout the play.
Then I see her.
Up in the stands, standing at the front of the section in my jersey.My fucking jersey.
She’s biting her lip, arms crossed like she doesn’t care, but I know better. She’s here. That’s everything.
Two weeks ago, she told me she wanted to try. Since then, we’ve actually been trying. Dinners. Late-night texts that start dirty and end with me smiling like an idiot. We went out with Roxy, Delaney, Jace, and Theo, and for once, she didn’t flinch when I had my arm around her all night.
She hasn’t said she loves football. But she shows up. And that’s more than I could ask for.
I grip the ball, smile to myself, and take three steps back. I spot my receiver, wide open.
Perfect spiral. Clean catch.
Touchdown.
The stadium erupts, but all I hear is that damn heartbeat in my ears. All I see is her, jumping and screaming, hands in the air.
Fuck. I promised I wouldn’t call her my lucky charm, but come on. Since her? Every single game is a huge win.
But it’s not about the wins.
It’s her. Showing up. Trying. Choosing me.
Coach is yelling something about post-game interviews, but I slap hands with the guys and head for the locker room. Knox throws his arm around me as I strip off my pads.
“Jesus, Reed. You’ve been on fire lately. What the hell are you eating before games?”
Jace smirks. “It’s not what he’s eating. It’s who.”
Laughter erupts around me, but I just shake my head and grin like an idiot.
“Bunch of jealous assholes,” I say, slinging my gear into my bag.
Theo claps me on the back. “We hitting the bar?”
“Nah,” I say, grabbing my phone. “I’ve got plans.”
“Ooooh, plans,” Jace teases, dragging the word out. “Say hi to Lux for us.”
I flip him off, still grinning. “She’s not Lux with me. She’s Nova.”
That shuts them up.
She’s standing just outside the stadium, coat wrapped around her and hair pulled up in that sexy, messy twist that drives me fucking insane. She’s wearing sneakers with a dress, and I don’t know why that makes my chest squeeze, but it does.
I drop my bag to the ground and reach her in three long strides.
I don’t say a word. Just grab her face and kiss the ever-loving hell out of her. Her hands fist in my jacket, and I swear the world could end right now, and I wouldn’t care.
When I finally pull back, she’s breathless, flushed, beautiful.
