Chapter 40 Ollie
ollie
“What do you mean my visa was postponed?” My voice rose, disbelief thick in every word. “We’re leaving in a few weeks. I already have the job. What does this mean?”
The response on the other end was vague and bureaucratic, offering little comfort. Frustration bubbled over, and before I could stop myself, I threw my phone to the ground. It skidded across the hardwood, the screen lighting up uselessly.
The rejection felt like a punch to the gut. The plans we’d crafted, the future we’d envisioned—it all hung in the balance. My stomach churned as I glanced at the computer screen, the words from my new employers confirming the delay only deepening the blow.
If my visa wasn’t approved in time, I couldn’t go to the States with my fiancée, daughter, and Luna. I bent to snatch my phone off the floor where I’d thrown it.
“We’re not rescinding your offer, Mr. Stone, but immigration processing is outside our control. We assure you, we’re doing everything we can,” the voice on the other end said.
I gripped the edge of the desk until my knuckles turned white. “My visa application’s been sitting for weeks. My daughter starts school after the break. We moved early to settle in before the new term.”
“The delay is due to a seasonal backlog in document verification,” the agent said, tone clipped with forced patience. “It’s not uncommon during the holidays. But your case is flagged for priority review.”
A backlog. Like this was some minor hiccup. But it wasn’t. It was a wrecking ball to the life we were trying to build.
“Do you have an estimated timeline?” I pressed, my voice sharp.
“We’re projecting a delay of four to twelve weeks, but it could be resolved sooner,” the person answered. “I’ll send over a list of additional documents you may need to provide in case we can fast-track the process.”
I exhaled slowly, jaw tight. Four to twelve weeks.
I’d known this was a possibility—we’d talked about them going ahead without me—but hearing it out loud made it real.
They’d be leaving mid-fall. It made more sense for Scarlette to start fresh after the holiday break, but the thought of missing those first days with her still gutted me.
Nova would be juggling everything alone again.
“Alright,” I said, forcing my voice steady. “If there’s anything I can do to speed this up, please let me know.”
“Will do.”
The person hung up, and I stuffed my laptop in my bag and went to get the rest of the stuff from my office.
I was moving out . . . officially. It wasn’t the best move to move out mid-season, but because the rugby season in America didn’t start until February, I needed to get out there for December training.
I’d helped the new coach transition at the start of the season, and he’d taken on his official role . . . well . . . today.
Will stood by the door. The coaches rarely used this building—most of us kept our gear in lockers at the training grounds—but it was no surprise that Will knew I was leaving.
“You’re looking better today,” I said, giving him a pat on the back as I walked into the office.
He trailed behind me.
Since the breakup, Will had been a wreck most days. He’d invested so much into his relationship with Luna, only to be crushed when she decided to end things and move to America.
“How is she?” he asked as I grabbed a few binders and shoved them into my bag.
“She’s . . .” How was I going to tell my best mate that Luna was fine? She was excited for the opportunity to go to the States. “She left a few weeks ago. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to know.”
Nova had found a house in the suburbs, close to Aunt Mae, with a great school system, but mostly, the house she found had a huge guest house on its property. Luna had upgraded to her own driveway because the two of them couldn’t be far away from each other.
Luna had gone out to the States to finalize the paperwork on the property earlier than expected, but mostly because I think she was missing her ex.
Will looked down. “Are you excited to go?”
I shrugged. “They fucked up on my visa, so I’m delayed for up to three months, possibly.”
“Shit. What’re you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I’ll stay here, hoping I can get out there as fast as I can. I’ll go stay with Mum in the countryside to pass time.”
Will shook his head. “I don’t know why you two won’t get married. It’d iron out all the visa issues.”
“I know.” I still had no idea why we weren’t getting married aside from Nova’s fear of her marriage ending up like her last. “She promised me a year. In a year, she’ll marry me.”
“I’ll save up for my best suit, then.”
“You better.” I nudged him.
“Is this goodbye?” he asked, and I shrugged again.
“Nah mate. We’ll be back in a few months.”
“Maybe we can have a stag night when you’re in town.”
I smiled and grabbed his shoulder. “That sounds like a good idea.”
We walked together in silence out of the office. I’d miss this place, but if I thought about it too much, I’d dwell on it.
“I couldn’t do it,” Will stated as we walked down the steps together.
“Do what?”
“Move to America. Leave everything—my home, my job, my friends.” I stopped and stared at him. “You’re a better man than me.”
I furrowed my brows and shook my head. “No. There was never a question for me. I’d do anything for her.
If Nova asked me to lay down an entire street, I’d do it.
She’s it for me.” I glanced around us, then back at Will, my voice softening.
“There’s no one else in the world who even comes close.
She’s everything—kind, thoughtful, breathtakingly brilliant, and fiercely loyal.
She’s not just the one for me—she’s my every reason, my every choice. ”
A long pause passed between us. “You’re lucky you found that person.”
I nodded. “I am.”
“Guess this is it,” he said, his voice quiet.
“Yeah . . . I guess so.”
The silence stretched out, heavy and full of memories.
Finally, I stepped forward and pulled him into a hug, the kind that said all the things I couldn’t find the words for.
Will had been my first friend here, the person who’d taken me under his wing when I was a wide-eyed rookie trying to find my footing.
He wasn’t a mentor—he was the kind of man I’d quietly hoped to emulate.
“Thank you,” I murmured as I stepped back, my hands still resting on his shoulders. “For being the best example of what a coach should be . . . and for being there when I needed it most. I wouldn’t have made it without you.”
Will gave me a tight smile. “Don’t be a stranger, mate. Call me if you need anything, yeah? I’ve already got my alerts on for your team in Chicago. I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”
I tried to laugh, but it came out hollow, the weight of the moment too much to push aside. “I’ll hold you to that.”
We stood there for a moment longer, neither of us wanting to move, both knowing we had to. With one last pat on the back, we turned away from each other, heading in opposite directions—me toward my car, him toward the life he was piecing back together.
My chest felt heavier with each step, knowing this chapter of my life was truly closing and a new one was beginning . . . in four to twelve weeks.
“We’ll stay here.” Nova was standing in the middle of Scarlette’s room as Scarlette decided which dolls she was going to move with her.
I shook my head. “The movers are coming tomorrow. It’s okay. It’ll only be temporary.”
“Where will you stay?” Nova asked as she walked toward me and wrapped her arms around my neck. Her jumper pulled a little, letting the soft brush of her warm golden skin press against me.
“I’ll stay in the countryside with Mum. She has everything ready.
We’ll still let the short-term renters move in, and the house will be taken care of.
” I looked down at Scarlette, her wild curls bouncing as she fussed with the dolls on the floor.
“Plus, you’ve got to get Ms. Scarlette back before her school’s winter performance. ”
Nova nodded. “We timed it just right. Starting in the new term after break feels better anyway. Gives her time to settle in.” She glanced toward the window. “Moving in November was the right call, even if it was mostly for Luna and Dirks.”
“Are we going to move to our new home, Mum?” Scarlette asked, glancing up from the floor.
“Yes, baby. We will.”
Nova bent down to press a kiss to her hair, then straightened. “You go ahead and keep looking at which doll you want the most. Let me talk to Ollie outside, okay?”
“Okay, Mum.”
Once she closed the door behind us, she turned to me with wide eyes. “Are you sure? This is a huge commitment.”
I smirked. “Don’t miss me too much, love.”
“What?” she whisper-yelled. “I’ll miss you every day.”
“You’ll be busy with work.”
She shook her head with a soft smile. “I don’t technically start until next season in my full-time role. This year, I’m closing things out with Iris, being her second-in-command until she officially retires.”
“I’m so proud of you,” I murmured, cupping her face as I pressed my lips to hers.
She shook her head gently, her eyes shimmering. “I’m proud of you.”
She rested her forehead against mine, and we stayed like that for a moment, wrapped in the quiet stillness of the hall, as if time had stopped for us. It was a stolen moment, the kind that felt sacred, knowing it might be the last time we’d have together before everything changed.
“Let me put Scar to bed,” I whispered. “You go take a bath and get ready for me.”
“Get ready for you?” She pulled away with a languid smirk.
I caught her hand, bringing it to my lips. “If it’s our last night together, I’m going to make it unforgettable.”