Page 85 of Blocked Shot
For now, though, he has two sleeping nieces in his arms, a full stomach from Charlotte’s home cooking, and a rare day off with people who know him beyond the game.
Yeah. He’ll take it.
“Where’s Sebastien?” Jake asks, looking around.
“I sent him for a nap.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really,” Charlotte says. “We take turns. Gotta take care of your partner.”
“Why don’t you join him?”
“Seriously?” Charlotte looks at him skeptically.
“Yes, seriously. I strap blades to my feet and fight people holding sticks for a living. I think I can handle two little babies.”
Charlotte presses her lips together like she’s fighting a laugh. “Oh, Jake. You’re adorable.”
She stands up, grabbing a gauzy white baby blanket and draping it over his shoulder before tossing the remote onto the couch beside him.
“Good luck, big brother,” she says, clapping him on the back. “You’re gonna need it.”
CHAPTER 41
MILA
Mitchy, we’re coming! Traffic sucks.
JESSE
awesome can’t wait
MILA
Any chance you can get Theo to come to the after party?
JESSE
wait what?
NATALIE
The final buzzer blares through the arena, signaling the end of Jesse’s season. A mix of cheers and sighs ripple through the stands as the players thump each other on the back before lifting their sticks in salute to the crowd. Natalie watches as Jesse glides across the ice with his teammates, raising his stick, offering waves, acknowledging the fans. At the bench, he pauses, stoops low, then returns to toss pucks over the glass to gaggles of eager kids. He’s smiling, playing the part, but Natalie knows disappointment mustburn beneath it.
The Whalers had an unremarkable season. It was not a disaster, but not a triumph either. They fell short of the playoffs, yet there was enough grit in their game to spark hope for next year. Jesse, in particular, showed glimmers of something greater lurking beneath the surface. He’s not a breakout star—yet—but Natalie can see it in him, waiting to emerge. And for tonight, that’s enough.
Mila cups her hands around her mouth. “Way to go, Whalers! Plenty more scoring opportunities at the after party.”
Natalie huffs a small laugh. “Pretty sure that’s sexual harassment.”
“I prefer to think of it as motivational speaking,” Mila shrugs.
Jesse disappears down the tunnel into the locker room, and Natalie and Mila make their way down to meet him. The hallway is packed with friends and family, waiting for players and staff to emerge for the last time this season. The air is getting stuffy with so many bodies, mingling with the scent of sweat and damp gear. The air hums with conversation, players calling to each other, trainers offering words of encouragement, the occasional burst of laughter from behind closed doors.
Natalie leans against the cinderblock wall, arms folded. “Well, that was a game.”
Mila tilts her head. “Was it, though? You mostly saw the inside of your beer cup.”
