Page 69 of Flag On The Play
I swallow, as my chest tightens. “But more than anything, I want to say thank you.”
I pause, letting the weight of those words settle.
“Because losing you made me realize I don’t want regrets. And right now, I don’t have any. I’m with the girl I should’ve always fought for. Nova Wilde was a missing piece of me I didn’t know was missing until she was back in my life.”
I let out a breath, voice cracking. “I love her, Dad. And for the first time in a long time, I know who I want to be.”
I look up, eyes burning. “I know things weren’t perfect between you and Mom, but I saw how you looked at her when you thought no one was watching. I get it now.”
There’s a quiet step behind me, and Nova moves to my side. She doesn’t speak just leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek, then slides her hand into mine.
I turn to her and God, she’s everything.
“Nova Wilde,” I say softly, “I love you.”
Her eyes widen, shining with tears. “Finlay.” A tear slips down her cheek, and she smiles through it. “I love you too.”
I squeeze her hand, the pressure grounding, anchoring, everything.
And right there in front of my father’s grave, I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
After we leave the cemetery, neither of us says much during the drive to my mom’s. Nova keeps her hand in mine most of the way, and that quiet connection is enough to pull me back down to earth.
My chest still feels raw, scraped open from everything I said at the grave. But Nova’s presence is like balm. She doesn’t try to fix it. She’s just there, and that’s more than enough.
I pull up to the familiar brick house on the corner. It’s modest, cozy, and overflowing with memories. Mom is already at the door, a dish towel slung over her shoulder, her brows pinched like she’s been pacing and watching for us the last twenty minutes.
She waves the second she sees us, then opens the door wide. “About time! I was starting to think you changed your mind and left me to eat all this food by myself.”
Nova laughs, and I swear my mom melts a little at the sound.
“Hi, Mrs. Reed,” she says, stepping forward to hug her.
“Oh, none of that now. It’s Emma. Now hug me like you mean it.” She pulls Nova in tight, and I swear they’ve got some secret woman code already happening. “Look at you, you're even prettier than I last saw you. Fin, how did you pull this off?”
Nova grins at me over her shoulder. “He’s charming when he wants to be.”
I roll my eyes but smile. “Don’t help her roast me, Mom.”
We step inside, and the smell of roasted chicken, herbs, and fresh bread wraps around us instantly.
“You didn’t have to go all out,” I say, glancing at the full spread across the kitchen island.
She waves me off. “You’re my son, and you bring the girl of your dreams and expect me not to make enough food for an army?”
Nova bumps her shoulder against mine and whispers, “Told you she always liked me.”
“Everyone likes you,” I mutter back.
Lunch is perfect.
Mom talks to Nova about her friends, her family, where she got her earrings. Nova answers each one with warmth and just the right amount of sass. It’s like watching two worlds I love collide in the best way.
Every now and then, Nova reaches for my hand under the table. I don’t even care that my mom sees. She just smiles knowingly, her gaze soft and full of approval.
After Mom’s famous peach cobbler, we move into the living room. The sun filters in through the lace curtains, casting a warm glow on everything. Nova curls up beside me on the couch, her legs tucked under her. She’s completely at ease here, which sends a quiet thrill through me.
“So,” Mom says, sipping her tea, “when’s your next home game?”
