Page 84 of Flag On The Play
“Not a chance.”
When I kiss her this time, it’s not desperate. It's grounding. It’s the kind of kiss that feels like the first breath after being underwater too long. She tastes like home, like forgiveness, like the future I’ve been begging for.
And for the first time since that damn article, I know we’re going to be okay.
CHAPTER 25
NOVA
The energy inside the stadium is electric, buzzing through my veins, making my chest tight and my smile unstoppable. The crowd is a living, breathing thing, roaring with every announcement, chanting Finlay’s name like it’s gospel. My hands are already frozen from clapping so hard, and the game hasn’t even started yet.
Roxy shoves a foam finger into my hand. “You’re gonna need this. It’s the only acceptable weapon for defending your man’s honor if anyone talks shit.”
I laugh. “Pretty sure your mouth is weapon enough.”
“You’re damn right,” she says, flipping her hair like she’s on the cover of some sports magazine.
Delaney is the calm in our storm, sipping her hot chocolate like she’s not about to watch the most important game of the season. “You two are ridiculous,” she says, but her grin is all in. “Although if he throws and gets a touchdown in the first few plays, I’m screaming louder than both of you combined.”
“Oh, it’s on,” Roxy says, bumping her shoulder into mine. “Loser buys drinks after.”
The teams run out onto the field, and the moment I see Finlay with his helmet under his arm, scanning the stands like maybe he’s looking for me, my heart catches. I don’t know if he actually finds me in this sea of people, but when he flashes that cocky half-grin, I can’t stop the warmth flooding through me. God, I love him.
The first quarter is a blur of plays, shouts, and me standing up every thirty seconds because I can’t sit still. When Finlay throws a perfect pass downfield, the receiver catches it like it was tailor-made, I’m on my feet screaming, “Yes! That’s my man!”
“Sit down, Wilde, you’re embarrassing me,” Roxy teases, but she’s yelling too, voice cracking from how hard she’s cheering.
Delaney cups her hands around her mouth. “Go, Reed!”
My heart is pounding like I’m the one out there running plays. Every time Finlay steps onto the field, I feel an ache of pride and love all tangled up together. We fought for this, for us, and seeing him here, at the Victory Bowl, with the entire stadium watching, I know we made it through the worst.
Fourth quarter. Clock ticking. Finlay has the ball, scanning for an opening. The tension in my chest is unbearable until he fakes left, runs right, and dives into the end zone himself. Touchdown. Game over. Victory Bowl champions.
Roxy grabs my arm and shakes me like I just won the lottery. “Your man just sealed the game! You’re officially dating a freaking legend.”
Delaney is screaming so loud I’m pretty sure she’s scaring the kid in front of us.
And me? I’m standing here, grinning like a fool, my throat tight with happiness. Because this is the moment I’ll replay in my head for years. Not just because he won. But because we did.
It takes a while, but we slowly make our way to the sideline on the field. The stadium is chaos. Fans are screaming, confetti is raining from somewhere high above, and the team is losingtheir minds on the field. The scoreboard still blazes the final score like it’s bragging, and my cheeks hurt from smiling so hard.
Roxy and Delaney are clinging to each other, jumping up and down like maniacs. I’m still clutching the foam finger when I hear my name. It’s faint at first, but then sharper, closer.
“Nova!”
I turn, and there he is. Helmet gone, hair damp with sweat, cheeks flushed from victory and adrenaline. Finlay Reed. The man who just won the freaking Victory Bowl.
Before I can even think, he’s moving toward me. He’s cutting through security, teammates, fans reaching for high-fives. And when he gets to me, he doesn’t stop. His hands cup my face, and then his mouth is on mine.
The kiss is hard, desperate, like he needs it to breathe. I melt into him, my hands gripping the front of his jersey. He tastes like sweat and triumph and every dream I didn’t even know I had.
When he pulls back, he’s grinning, eyes bright. “We did it, Nova. We actually did it.”
I laugh, tears slipping free even though I’m trying to hold them back. “Youdid it.”
He shakes his head, pressing his forehead to mine. “No. I wouldn’t be here without you.” His voice is rough, almost lost in the noise, but I hear every word. “I love you, and I’m never letting you go again.”
The crowd around us doesn’t matter. Cameras are flashing, people are shouting his name, but in this moment, it’s just us.
