Page 25 of Flag On The Play (Gridiron Warriors #5)

NOVA

T he 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 losing their 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. “ You did 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.

Roxy yells from somewhere behind me, “You’re on the jumbotron, lovebirds!”

Delaney’s voice follows, sing-song and teasing, “Better make it a good one!”

Finlay just smirks and kisses me again, slower this time, like he’s savoring it, like the world can wait. And maybe it can because this is our win, too.

The club is packed, the bass from the speakers rattling my chest as lights flash overhead. Everywhere I look, there are football jerseys and championship hats, the air buzzing with victory. The Nighthawks have claimed the VIP section, and somehow, so have Roxy, Delaney, and I.

“Free drinks all night, baby!” Roxy shouts over the music, shoving a glittering cocktail into my hand. She’s practically vibrating. “I swear I’ve never been this close to so many ridiculously good-looking men in my life. God bless professional sports.”

Delaney grins, leaning in so I can hear her.

“It’s surreal, isn’t it? A week ago, you were avoiding his calls, and now…

” She tilts her chin toward the dance floor.

Finlay’s out there with some of his teammates, laughing so hard he’s bent over, and when he looks up, his gaze finds mine instantly.

That smile—that stupid, heart-melting smile—is all for me.

“Yeah,” I say softly, my chest aching in the best way. “Now, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

Before I can blink, Finlay’s weaving through the crowd, scooping me into his arms and spinning me around like I weigh nothing. My drink sloshes dangerously, but I’m laughing too hard to care.

“Ladies,” he says to Roxy and Delaney once he sets me down, “I’m stealing your girl for the rest of the night.”

“Better bring her back in one piece!” Roxy warns, but she’s smiling like she already approves.

He pulls me toward a quieter corner of the club, away from the pounding music and flashing lights. His hands slide around my waist, his forehead resting against mine. “I still can’t believe you’re here,” he says, voice low and warm. “That we get to do this. Together.”

I run my fingers along the edge of his jaw, feeling the faint stubble and the steady strength beneath it. “I almost didn’t give you another chance.”

“I know.” His eyes are serious now. “And I’m never going to waste the one you did give me. You’re it for me, Nova Wilde. Always.”

I bite my lip, my heart flipping in that reckless way it always does for him. “Good. Because you’re it for me, too, Finlay Reed. Always.”

He kisses me slow and deep, like the rest of the world can spin without us for a while. Around us, the celebration roars on, but in this little corner, it’s quiet and sure and perfect.

When we finally pull back, he grins. “Guess we just won twice tonight.”

I laugh, pressing my palm to his chest where his heart is pounding steady against mine. “Yeah, we did.”

And just like that, with his arms around me and his future wide open, I know this is our forever.