Page 30 of Blocked Shot
NATALIE
NATALIE
The sharp bite of autumn fades into the dry chill of early winter, and Natalie buries herself in work, trying to fill the long, quiet hours that used to belong to Jesse.
With her brother gone and the house unnervingly still, she’s been filling every hour she can. Anything to avoid the pull of thoughts she’s not ready to face. Like how much she misses her brother. How strange it feels to not be needed. How aimless everything feels without someone to take care of. And how easily Jake slips into her thoughts when she lets her guard down.
Her job at the small publishing house has become her anchor. It’s still entry-level, sure, but to Natalie, it feels like a dream in motion. Shespends her days juggling emails between editors and authors, coordinating with production, keeping a dozen plates spinning at once. Recently, they’ve started letting her lay out manuscripts for publication, and she’s been taking a night course at the local college to sharpen her skills with the publishing software. It’s a lot, but she likes it that way. Busy leaves less room for lonely.
“Roadtrip!” Mila squeals, throwing a duffel bag and pillow into Natalie’s backseat. As Natalie reverses out of Mila’s car park, Mila grabs the end of the cable dangling from the dash, sliding it into her iPhone. Upbeat music fills the car.
“I brought snacks,” Mila says, holding up a bag of gummy bears.
“That’s hardly sustenance for a six hour drive,” Natalie says dryly.
“Suit yourself, babe,” Mila says, tearing open the bag. “Sugar keeps me sweet.”
The highway stretches out ahead, a long ribbon of asphalt dusted with the beginnings of winter frost. Natalie settles in for the long drive, her eyes flicking toward Mila, who is adjusting the heat vents in the passenger seat.
“Remind me again why we’re driving to Hartford when we could be curled up in jammies, drinking wine, and watching Hallmark movies?” Mila asks, tucking her legs under her and glancing over with a smirk. “Oh, that’s right, becausehewill be there.”
Natalie groans. “That is not why we’re going. I’m doing this for Jesse. He and a few of his teammates didn’t have anywhere to go for the holidays, and I think they deserve a home cooked meal.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Mila hums knowingly, popping a gummy bear into her mouth. “And it’s just a coincidence that Jake is one of those teammates?”
“I didn’t invite him! Jesse did,” she says defensively, though the warmth creeping up her neck tells her she isn’t fooling anyone. “Besides, even if I had invited him, it wouldn’t mean anything.”
“Sure, Nat,” Mila says, her voice dripping with amusement. “But let’s be real—if Jake so much as looks at you with those baby blues, you’re going to melt like a snowman in July.”
Natalie exhales sharply, focusing on the road ahead. “It’s not like that. He’s sweet, yes, but I don’t want to lead him on.”
“What you want,” Mila says, stretching out the words, “is to pretend you don’t feel anything for him, but deep down, you so do.”
Natalie presses her lips together, refusing to take the bait. Instead, she turns up the sound system, letting the sound of holiday music fill the car.
“Anyway, even if you don’t want Jake, I’ll happily take one of Jesse’s sexy older teammates,” Mila continues, flipping down the sun visor to check her lipstick. “I mean, statistically speaking, at least one of them has to be tall, hot, and single.”
Natalie rolls her eyes but can’t help but laugh. “Please don’t scare them.”
Mila gasps in mock offense. “I would never! I am a delicate flower, Natalie. I exude subtlety.”
Natalie raises an eyebrow. “Mila, you once asked a guy at a bar if his abs were real or Photoshop.”
“That was a valid question! He looked too perfect. I needed to know. For science.”
After a moment of silence, Natalie glances at Mila. “Where are your parents going this year?”
“Oh, they ditched me for the Bahamas,” Mila says with a dramatic sigh. “My dad is drinking scotch and my mom is delirious from Valium while I’m stuck in the freezing cold with you. I hope you appreciate my sacrifice.”
Natalie snorts. “Oh yes, I’m sure you’re suffering so much.”
Mila grins. “I mean, unless I meet a sexy hockey player. Then this might be the best Christmas ever.”
She turns to Natalie with a curious look. “Speaking of meeting guys, how was your date with that guy from work? What was his name… Ethan? Eric?”
“Elliot,” Natalie corrects, sighing. “He was okay. Very polite… but there was no spark.”
Mila wrinkles her nose. “Ugh, that’s the worst. Like when everything checks out on paper, but you’d rather be home in sweatpants with no bra.”
