He was the golden boy. She was the girl who dared to dim his shine.
Finlay Reed always had it all. The star quarterback with the looks, the charm, and a future as bright as the Friday night lights. He thought he could have anyone—until Nova Ward shattered his ego with one unforgettable rejection back in high school. The one girl who said no when everyone else said yes. She’s the one he’s never forgotten, and their mutual hate has been brewing ever since.
Years later, fate throws them back into each other’s lives in the most unexpected way. When Finlay walks...
He was the golden boy. She was the girl who dared to dim his shine.
Finlay Reed always had it all. The star quarterback with the looks, the charm, and a future as bright as the Friday night lights. He thought he could have anyone—until Nova Ward shattered his ego with one unforgettable rejection back in high school. The one girl who said no when everyone else said yes. She’s the one he’s never forgotten, and their mutual hate has been brewing ever since.
Years later, fate throws them back into each other’s lives in the most unexpected way. When Finlay walks into a high-end club and sees Nova on stage, stripping under the spotlight, he can’t resist taking a shot at her. But Nova’s quick wit stings just as hard as it used to. And when he leaves a $2,000 “tip”? It’s not a peace offering. It’s a challenge.
Nova doesn’t back down. She’s determined to give him a piece of her mind and make it clear—she’s not some play he gets to run.
But something shifts.
Despite their simmering animosity, they can’t seem to stay away from each other. The more they argue, the more the air sizzles with unspoken desire. Their fights turn heated. Their stares linger too long. And one night, when tempers and tequila collide, the line between hate and want disappears completely—and turns into something much hotter.
The next day, Finlay plays the game of his life and swears it’s because of her. Nova isn’t so sure. For her, this isn’t a game. It’s personal. The past still aches, the present is complicated, and the future? Its anyone’s guess.
They’ve always played by their own rules. But this time, it’s not just pride on the line—it’s their hearts.