Page 80 of Blocked Shot
Natalie stares out the windshield, her pulse pounding in her ears. She should be furious. She should demand that Mila turn the car around.
But she’s not, because Mila’s right. She can’t leave things like this. Instead of anger, all that remains is a crushing sadness, that deep, aching pain that surfaces every time she thinks of him.
“You’re not trapped,” Mila says softly. “I just… I think you need to see him. And maybe he needs to see you, too.”
“But Jesse?—”
“I will deal with Jesse.” Mila’s voice is firm, her blue eyes steely.
Natalie exhales shakily, staring at the road ahead. The exit sign for the border looms in the distance, growing closer by the second.
CHAPTER 38
MILA
Get the guest room ready, little Mitchy. Auntie Millie is coming to stay.
JESSE
wait what??
NATALIE
Natalie’s fingers tremble as she presses the button for Jake’s floor. The elevator hums, a soft mechanical whisper that does nothing to quiet the storm raging in her chest. Her pulse is erratic, her breathing shallow. She grips the strap of her bag like a lifeline, squeezing so hard her knuckles go white.
She whispers to herself, rehearsing. “Jake, I just... I needed to see you. I—” She exhales sharply, shakes her head. No, too vague. Too uncertain. She tries again. “I shouldn’t have left like that. I—” But her voice cracks, and she swallows hard, heat rising to her cheeks.
The elevator dings. Her heart slams against her ribs.
Each step to his door feels heavier than the last. She lifts a trembling fist and knocks.
The door swings open, but it’s not Jake standing there.
It’s Theo.
For a second, Natalie stares, her brain too sluggish to process what she’s seeing. Jake’s teammate, standing in the doorway, blinking at her.
“Uh,” Theo rubs the back of his neck, shifting uncomfortably. “Hey, Natalie.”
The unease in his voice sends a ripple of dread down her spine.
“Hey,” she says slowly. “Is Jake here?”
Theo hesitates, then steps halfway into the doorway, blocking her view inside. He runs his hands through his short brown hair. “Natalie, listen?—”
Her stomach clenches. “Where is he?”
Theo sighs. “He’s gone.”
Gone. The word lands like a punch to the gut. She forces herself to swallow, willing her voice to stay steady. “Gone where?”
He avoids her eyes. “San Diego. He got traded to the Coyotes this morning. He’s on a plane right now.”
Her body goes ice cold. The air in her lungs turns razor sharp.
As if sensing Natalie’s inability to speak, Theo continues to ramble. “He, uh… he’s playing in the NHL tonight. So that’s pretty good for our boy, eh? Made it back to the show.”
“No.” The word slips from her lips, barely a whisper. It doesn’t feel real. It can’t be real. Jake was just here. Only yesterday, he was in Hartford. She’d streamed the Whalers game, watching him on the ice. He’d played well—picking up an assist and roughing up the other team with his usual dogged determination. He’s been on fire lately, sharper and more determined than ever since his return.
