Young & Wild & Free

“Are you ready?” Taylor shouted, a wide smile on his face.

“No!” Blake all but squealed, covering her face, then quickly grabbing onto Taylor as he pushed off and sent their inner tube sailing down the large tubing hill. Blake screamed, squeezing her eyes shut and clamping down on Taylor as he laughed loudly, loving the speed and excitement.

They had been exploring and playing on the mountain all day, attempting to snowboard, skiing down the bunny hill, and now that the sun was setting, they made their last laps on the tubing drop.

“You made it!” Taylor cheered with a laugh, kissing Blake’s temple when they leveled off to flat ground. “C’mere.” He insisted, nudging her with his frozen nose. She turned her head to face him and give him a quick kiss. He reached for his iPhone in his pocket and turned on the camera, snapping a photo of them in their tube and quickly tweeting it out to the masses.

hallsy04: hitting the slopes with my girl. just call me a #snowbunny. twitpic.com/qrx489

It was their six month anniversary and the perfect time for a little getaway from hockey. They both had been going full steam for three weeks and finally had eight whole days off, four of them being spent at the cabin he had rented just for the two of them.

“Can we go back now? My ass hurts and I stopped feeling my toes about half an hour ago.” She laughed, making him grin as she heaved herself out of the tube before reaching down to help him do the same.

“I could really go for a steak and some hot chocolate right now.” He nodded. They had gotten up and eaten a big brunch that morning, but Taylor was not used to eating less than five or six meals and snacks a day. He was as hungry as he’d ever been in his life.

“Let’s go back and change and I’ll call to make reservations at the lodge restaurant.” She insisted as they linked hands, hers encased in red mittens and his covered in black gloves. They returned their tube and scuttled their way in all of their winter gear to Taylor’s SUV. Blake scrambled inside and flipped on the seat warmers as quickly as possible. Taylor shook his head with a laugh as she peeled off her coat, revealing her warm, cream colored cashmere sweater that clung to her in all the right places.

“Babe, I love you, and I love our vacation, but next time, somewhere with the sun and the sand and the surf.” She grinned, pulling her beanie from her head, the same hat that ignited a heated debate that morning on whether it was a beanie or a touque.

“Duly noted.” He leaned across the console to kiss her lips before pulling out of the parking space and heading back to their cabin. They had stopped at the grocery store before beginning the three hour drive north to the lodge earlier in the week and had lots of snacks in the kitchen of the cabin, but they were both ready for a big meal that didn’t require any work on their part.

To: Mama
Headed back to the cabin, I probably have a huge bruise on my ass. Skiing is not my thing. See you tomorrow night. Love to all the boys and Lily.

Blake sent off a quick text to Phoebe before curling up in the seat and closing her eyes for a few moments. The next thing she knew, she was being helped out of her seat at the cabin and tiredly making her way inside, going straight to the bedroom.

“You gonna make it, babe?” Taylor asked, walking into the bathroom and starting up the shower.

“I think I’ll manage.” She began to shed her clothes, deciding to join him under the warm spray. Taylor had no expectations as his girlfriend climbed into the shower with him. He wrapped his arms around her under the spray of the hot water and held her for a moment before she turned her chin up to face him for a kiss. It was long, slow, and sensual, and she didn’t push for anything more. “I love you.” She whispered, setting her head on his chest once again as his hands roamed her back.

“I love you too, baby girl, so much.” He insisted reaching for the shampoo. “Let me get you.” He insisted, pouring shampoo into his hand and lathering her hair. Blake let her eyes close and body relax as Taylor washed her hair.

Taylor cleaned Blake up, not taking too long, but long enough to appreciate the view before sitting her down on the small tile bench in the shower where she leaned up against the wall sleepily as he quickly shampooed his hair.

“Hey you, perk up.” He grinned, killing the water and grabbing two towels, wrapping one around his waist before making she was covered up by the fluffy towel.

“I’m ready, I can do it.” She grinned, making him laugh as they walked out to the bedroom. He wandered over to the dresser, sliding open the top drawer as she sat on the bed and dried her hair.

“Hmm.” He hummed softly, reaching for a purple bra and matching lacy shorts before turning to face Blake with a big smile, holding them. She let out a laugh before standing from the bed, dropping her towel and walking towards him. Taylor drank in her olive skin, supple curves and wicked grin.

“Thanks babe.” She grinned, taking the bra from him and hooking it around her back, sliding her arms through the straps before grabbing the panties from his hands and stepping into them slowly. “What you hoped?” She asked, placing her hands on her hips.

“And then some.” He smiled in return. Jesus he was lucky.

“Get ready, I am dying for something to eat.” She slapped his butt under his towel before walking to the closet where she had some dresses hanging.

Less than half an hour later they were being seated at the lodge center’s restaurant. It was upscale at night, more laid back during the day, and they were opening a bottle of wine.

“To my career as an Olympic snowboarder.” Blake giggled, proposing a toast, the light glinting off of her ring.

“To Shaun White.” Taylor laughed, clinking their glasses together.

•••

Blake and Taylor arrived back in Edmonton a day later and were now a week and a half back into their seasons. Blake had a short morning practice and no game that night, so she was going to head to the game with Phoebe and the kids, then most likely head to Taylor’s house that evening. Ever since their vacation, she felt even closer.

“Hey you.” Taylor answered the phone just as she called.

“Hey babe, is there anything you want me to bring over tonight?” She asked, flipping her hood up over her head as she walked to the family car that the Horcoffs let her drive to and from the arena.

“Um I don’t think so.” Taylor shook his head. “Not other than my hat.” He added as an afterthought.

“Oh right, I’ll grab it.” She nodded, buckling into her seat. “I think we’ll miss warm ups, but we should be there in time for the game.” She finished.

“Sounds good babe,” he laughed as she heard a Hi Blake! in the background.

“See you tonight.” She ended the call before quickly calling Phoebe to see if she wanted anything to eat. Phoebe politely declined as she was exercising and eating fairly healthy to lose the last of her baby weight. Blake on the other hand drove through Burger King and grabbed a feast full of food. She hadn’t talked to either of her parents in just short of a month and the money that they were supposed to be sending Phoebe and Shawn stopped coming. She knew her parents lawyer’s had been in touch with Phoebe and Shawn, but that wasn’t weird seeing as he did a lot of her paperwork in order to be playing hockey in Canada.

But since the money for her had stopped coming to Phoebe and Shawn, they recently gave her a debit card with her own account. She had protested it deeply, but the truth of the matter was, they were going to give her money one way or another. At least this way, she could monitor it.

Blake scarfed down a few onion rings as she drove home, head bobbing to the radio.

“Share.” Shawn insisted when she walked in the door, holding his blender ball bottle in his hand and eyeing the Burger King bag.

“Got you, Pops,” she reached into the bag and taking out the second Whopper with cheese, bacon and no tomato. “Don’t tell Phoebe.” She laughed.

“I heard that!” Phoebe shouted down from the second level.

“How does she hear that?” Shawn whispered.

“I have no idea.” Blake shook her head as Phoebe descended the stairs.

“It happens when you have kids.” Phoebe insisted, “and as long as I get a bite and an onion ring, I won’t be mad.” She grinned, snatching one out of the bag as well.

“You going to Taylor’s tonight?” Shawn asked stiffly as he unwrapped his burger.

“Yes sir.” Blake nodded, “we don’t have morning practice tomorrow.” She explained. Shawn was slowly coming to accept the fact that Blake and Shawn were together. It still rubbed him the wrong way, but he knew that he wasn’t Blake’s father.

“Well make sure you’re icing.” Shawn insisted, speaking of her tender elbow.

“I know.” She nodded, “what time are we taking off tonight?” She asked Phoebe as she leaned against Shawn’s side. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders while continuing with his burger in the other hand.

“Puck drop is at seven, we’ll probably leave here around 6:30.” Phoebe supplied, smiling at Shawn who seemed to be a happy guy at the moment. It was getting harder and harder to think of Blake leaving them now that her season was half over.

“Perfect. I need to shower and sleep and then eat some more.” She sighed, making Shawn laugh beside her, giving her a squeeze before she could grab her second cheeseburger and head downstairs.

Blake finished up her burger, scrubbed down in the shower and took a two hour nap – something she was getting very good at. When she woke, she decided to take time to get ready for the game for once. She blow dried and straightened her hair, which she never did, and even went as far to put on mascara and eyeliner. One swipe of soft pink lipstick and she looked completely different than the girl that was throwing hip checks at practice that morning. Sliding her dark Oiler’s 3rd jersey over her shoulders, she stepped into a pair of black jeggings.

From: Taylor
Just got to the arena. See you after the game. Love you.

Blake grinned as she walked up the stairs, her new purse from Christmas slung over her shoulder as she held her iPhone in hand.

To: Taylor
Good luck, play hard. Love you, love to the boys.

She sent the text before setting her phone on the counter and reaching into the fridge.

“Whoa glamazon.” Phoebe grinned. “Someone looks pretty.” She complimented as Lily kicked her feet in her bumbo chair.

“Thanks, I figured I had the time, so whatever.” She shrugged, pouring herself a glass of chocolate milk. “Hey, can I ask you something?” She paused, making sure she got someone out before she forgot. This was also a conversation she was more interested in having with Phoebe than Phoebe and Shawn together.

“Anything, babe.” Phoebe smiled, feeding Lily a small spoonful of mashed bananas.

“Have you… heard from my Mom and Dad lately?” She asked. Phoebe exhaled shortly before setting down the tiny rubber-coated spoon. Blake pushed the little jar of mashed bananas towards her, dipping her finger in it before sticking it in her mouth.

“We have,” she nodded. “Briefly once or twice just about fees and all that, but nothing exciting.” She added.

“Pheeb?” She asked softly. “I’m scared I won’t get to come back next year.” She looked up at her billet mother. Phoebe walked around to Blake’s side of the counter and placed her hand on Blake’s back.

“Baby, I’m just going to say this once. We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure that you can keep playing hockey if that’s what you want. That includes staying here – if that’s what you want.” Phoebe didn’t want to pressure Blake or make her feel obligated to stay.

Blake nodded, throwing her arm around her shoulder and giving her a kiss on the cheek before taking another swipe of mashed potatoes before picking up Lily’s spoon herself and feeding the little girl who was more than happy to take another bite.

An hour later, all three four Horcoff kids were buckled up and ready to roll to the Rex. Blake had tossed a few things in her purse to spend the night and they were only twenty minutes out when Phoebe’s phone began to ring.

“Hey babe, what’s goin’ on?” Shawn usually didn’t call during warm ups. “Is he okay?” Phoebe instantly switched into her serious tone. “Which hospital?” She asked, turning off of the highway. Blake’s heart leapt into her chest. “We’ll be there in ten. Focus on the game, okay?” She asked before ending the call. She turned to look at Blake briefly. “Don’t panic, but Taylor got in an accident during warm ups.”

“An accident? At warmups?” She asked, leaning forward. “What happened? Is he okay?”

“He took a skate to the head and got cut up pretty well, but nothing a few stitches won’t fix, okay? You just might be a little shocked when you see him.” She sighed.

Blake hustled into the ER as fast as he heeled boots would allow. Phoebe was dropping her kids at the arena with some of the WAGs and doubling back to be with Taylor and Blake.

“Oh babe.” She sighed, tears springing to her eyes upon seeing Taylor in the hospital room. His eye had puffed out pretty badly and it was already getting dark, but it paled in comparison to the long line of stitches that went up his head.

“I wish you didn’t have to see this.” He frowned, in a pretty serious amount of pain.

“I don’t think Ben Eager could keep me away.” She offered a small smile. “Shh, lay back, relax, the doctor will be here soon.” She insisted.

“I look like a monster.” He whispered.

Blake leaned over his bed just slightly from the chair she had pulled up beside him.

“You do not. You’re still my handsome, tough, gorgeous boyfriend.” She asserted, kissing his lips softly. “Now be quiet.” She held his hand as they waited for someone to come into put the finishing touches on his stitches.

Taylor was able to go home that night and Blake knew there was a strong possibility she’d be staying with him for a few nights until he got his bearings again with his pain meds. She helped him clean up and change out of his street clothes, even going so far as to helping him step into a clean pair of boxers for the night before tucking him in. His pain pills had knocked him on his ass and made him a little loopy, so while he crashed, she took her time cleaning up the kitchen, family room, and their bathroom. The last thing he needed to worry about was tripping over an Xbox controller or having to hear the dishwasher running when he was so sensitive to sound. A few hours later after an episode or two of Family Guy, she stripped down to her underwear, taking off her bra and pulled on one of his soft American Apparel v-necks before crawling in bed beside him.

Taylor’s arms instinctively drew her into his chest and for just a few small moment, she let a few tears slip out when she thought of how badly she was scared and how sad she knew he was.

She hated to see someone she loved in pain.