Young & Wild & Free

the seventh

Blake wiggled slightly as Tommy scooted around in her lap, Shawn tying up his skates while Phoebe worked on Jack’s. It was a family skate day for the Edmonton Oilers and as per usual, Blake was involved in every moment of the Horcoff’s life. She was more than happy to accompany the family along to the special day. Jack and Tommy could skate – while they were slow and shaky – they could skate. Phoebe was an alright skater as well, but due to her pregnancy was opting to sit this one out on the bench.

“Oh my baby.” Blake squealed as Ryan Whitney carried his new daughter into the locker room, being only a few weeks old, she pounced for the little girl. “Gimme.” She wiggled her fingers in front of the defenseman. Ryan gingerly handed her over to the Horcoff’s billet who immediately leaned down and buried her nose in the little girl’s pink knit beanie. “Taylor, take a picture?” She asked, looking over at Taylor who looked a little surprised.

The two hadn’t talked much in the past two weeks since the event at the movie premiere. He missed her. She seemed fine without him. He approached her and couldn’t help but smile a bit at the baby in her arms with the big green eyes.

“Where’s your cam?” He asked, seeing how she had her arms full. He was very uncomfortable with the idea of going through her purse.

“My phone’s in my back pocket.” She said, nuzzling the little girl’s nose. A few of the other players diverted their attention to Taylor who thanked all the gods he could think of that Shawn wasn’t in the room – not that he wouldn’t hear about it anyway as he quickly grabbed the sleek white iPhone from Blake’s back pocket. “Oh baby, I love you!” She baby talked to Teagan Whitney who gurgled at Blake in return.

“Smile.” Taylor said softly, snapping a photo. God she was beautiful.

“Wanna hold her?” Blake asked, holding the baby a little tighter, fixing her swaddling. Taylor looked uneasy, but he had a hard time saying ‘no’ to Blake in any capacity it seemed.

“Sure.” He mumbled, holding his arms out. Blake very carefully stepped up to him, situating Teagan in his arms.

“Oh man, heartbreaker.” Blake laughed, snapping a photo that she quickly tweeted of Taylor and Teagan. Ryan had forced her to get a twitter account and no thanks to both he and Taylor, she had more than five hundred followers in two days time. Soon enough, Teagan was back in her father’s arms, and Taylor was following Blake out to the ice where she watched Shawn balance the two twins as he skated around slowly.

“Haven’t seen you around in a while.” Taylor commented, deciding to break the ice first.

“Hockey’s been crazy.” Blake sighed, running a hand through her hair that she had actually put the time into that morning to style. She was donning a dark blue Oiler’s track jacket over a grey tank top and a pair of those LuLu Lemon yoga pants that slowly killed Taylor on the inside. Her hair was straight and sleek, blowing behind her as they skated around the rink. Taylor forced his hands into the pockets of his sweatshirt to keep from touching it. “But next week we have no games and only 2 practices, so I’m pretty pumped to sleep in and eat some cheeseburgers.” She added, making Taylor laugh.

“So then how about Tuesday night we go see the new X-Men movie?” He asked, glancing at her shortly.

“Oh, you’re right, that came out today.” She nodded thoughtfully. “I can do that, but it has to be night time. I have noon practice and I want to nap afterwards.” She laughed. Taylor nodded in reply.

“I’ll pick you up at six. We can get something to eat and see if Ebs is doing anything after.” He suggested.

“For sure.” She nodded before Tommy could call for her from across the ice. She planted a swinging palm on Taylor’s behind before skating away. Everyone could appreciate a nice hockey butt. Taylor felt the shivers travel up and down his spine as he watched her leave.

“What’s going on with that?” Sam Gagne asked, surprising Taylor and making him jump a bit as he skated up alongside him.

“What’s going on with what?” Taylor asked, though it came out as more of a statement.

“Are you hitting that?” Gagne asked, making Taylor’s ears burn bright red in both embarrassment and anger.

“Hey could you say that a little louder? I don’t think Horcoff heard you.” Taylor hissed, narrowing his eyes at Sam.

“I’m just saying, she’s hot, she’s young, and she could probably do better. You better lock that up before someone else does.” Sam nodded in the direction of Blake who was hunched over alongside Ryan as they each helped Jack and Tommy skate backwards. They looked like some young couple helping their children – and that made the vein in Taylor’s neck pulse.

He really did need to make a move. He needed to make a move that made Blake his.

•••

“Don’t wait up!” Blake laughed as she scooted out of the house, her back pea coat wrapped tightly around her and her hands in cream knitted gloves that matched her hat. She hurried towards Taylor’s car, the cold November wind biting at her cheeks before she could dive into the luxurious SUV. “Might wanna hit the gas before Shawn comes out and gives you a stern talking to.” She advised. Taylor’s head was swimming in the scent of her perfume and her proximity as he put the car in reverse and drove away from the lavish neighborhood.

“Excited?” He asked, watching as her legs crossed in a tight pair of jeans capped in brown leather riding boots that came up just below her knees – a small heel on the shoes.

“Pumped, I wore my Wolverine shirt.” She grinned excitedly. “But I’m more excited to eat. Wherever we’re going, I hope they have steak.” She added, making him smile. Taylor had a nice steakhouse picked out – so he was feeling pretty confident. He had worn one of his best outfits – dark wash jeans and a blue grey sweater over a blue button-down. He even wore the cologne his grandpa got him and his shiny black leather shoes.

When they arrived at Pampa, a Brazilian steak house, Taylor discreetly took Blake’s hand in his, leading her into the restaurant and back into VIP section where the host had a table waiting. He helped her out of her coat and feasted his eyes upon the heather grey t-shirt that stretched across her upper half. She tossed her hair over one of her shoulders while he posted both of their coats up on the hook beside their booth.

“Oh no, am I underdressed?” She asked, biting her lip. He was dressed nicely and the others in the restaurant were wearing nice outfits and dresses. She was wearing a Wolverine shirt that she usually slept in.

“You look great.” Taylor insisted. The two ordered drinks – a beer for Taylor and a rum and Coke for Blake. She felt scandalous drinking alcohol in public, but when she was with the Oilers, no one asked any questions.

Dinner was enjoyable. The two decided to split an appetizer and each picked something they wanted to try so they could share plates.

“So what are your plans when you finish high school?” Taylor asked, taking a bite of steak.

“Hopefully get picked up by a school, play for as long as I can then… I don’t know.” Blake laughed, pushing a piece of hair behind her ear as her face flushed pink. “I want to eventually play in the Olympics, but I don’t think anyone’s been sniffing me out.” She shrugged, feeling a little ashamed. “I just want to play for the US in some capacity.”

“I can see that happening for you, especially after watching some of your games.” Taylor said, giving her a sincere look.

“Coming from the guy who has played for Canada how many times?” She gave him a pointed look.

“Blake, you’re talented.” Taylor insisted.

“Can we not talk about this?” She blushed even deeper. “Can we talk about anything but hockey?” She asked.

“So how is pregnant Phoebe?” He asked, making her smile.

“Hungry,” Blake laughed. “But it’s cute. Shawn his all worried and fussy. He’s excited to have a girl.” She added. “I’m excited, too. Hopefully I’ll be around for a bit to see her.” She smiled.

“Why wouldn’t you be?” Taylor asked with a small frown.

“Well I don’t know if I’ll be back with the Horcoff’s for next season. The Crunch haven’t talked to me about next year and my parents don’t really get why I’m here. I don’t now if they are going to want to pay for me for another year.” She shrugged.

Taylor really disliked the idea of Blake leaving.

“Well there’s still a lot of time left to figure that out, the season’s barely started.” He shrugged.

“No, let me get that bite.” She said, taking her fork and stabbing the piece of chicken that was already on his fork.

“Blake!” He laughed as she looked up at him through her long, thick lashes.”

“Sorry, this is delicious – and mine.” She grinned. “I’m glad we’re doing this.” She added.

“Me too.” Taylor replied, his heartbeat accelerating.

“I’ve been dying to see this movie. I’m such an X-Men nerd.” She laughed. “Looks like you have a fan.” She tilted her head to the side where a separate booth of women were sitting, eyeing up Taylor like he was a juicy steak himself.

“You know how much I love cougars.” He gave her a serious look. “Nothing says sexy like a woman older than your mother.” Blake nearly spilled her drink from out of her nose as she clapped a hand across her mouth.

Blake had a good time with Taylor.

Not half an hour later, they were arriving at the movie theater. Blake found herself having great time with Taylor – he was a gentleman and bought her Sour Patch Kids. He didn’t laugh at her when she would gasp or cheer during the movie, and even said he’d consider buying a Professor X t-shirt. It was late when they arrived back at the house – past ten and the entire house was dark. Taylor parked on the street in front of the house.

“Do you… want to come in? Get some cocoa?” She asked, biting her lip.

Taylor weighed his options in his head. Of course he was going to go in.

“Shh.” She giggled, leading him through the back yard fence to the walk-out basement that would lead them right to the family room and into the hall in her room. Walking over to the set of shelves on her far wall, she grabbed two packets of Swiss Miss before walking to the downstairs wet bar – heating up two mugs of milk. In the meantime, Taylor mad himself at home in her bedroom, sitting up against her headboard and flipping on the television.

“When did that happen?” Taylor asked as he pointed out the signed photo of Patrick Kane on her dresser.

“It was a joke gift from Ryan.” She laughed as he opened his arms to her. She tucked herself against his chest as she handed him a mug of hot chocolate. “But I’m kind of obsessed with it.” She picked up the remote control to find something to watch.

“There’s… there’s nothing going on with you and Nugie, is there?” Taylor asked, the puff of his breath against her ear, sending shivers down her spine involuntarily.

“Baby Nugie? No.” She laughed. “Why, jealous?” She asked, looking over her shoulder at him, finding herself calculating the space between her lips and his.

“Jealous? No.” He frowned, his eyebrows knitting together. “Could I stand to see you two spending less time together? Yes. Do I like to see you two show up as dates at things? No.” He elaborated. “Do I like to see him going out with you and the Horcoff’s at family dinners? No.” He finished. “Does that clear it up?”

“Yeah, you’re jealous.” Blake laughed, pausing as she heard a bump in the house.

“I just –” Taylor’s eyes widened as she put a finger up to his lips.

“Cap is getting his milk.” She whispered, hearing the footsteps in the kitchen over her bedroom. The two young adults looked up to the ceiling as they could practically envision the captain standing at the open fridge and crossing the kitchen to return to the staircase. Blake let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding in as the sound of footsteps disappeared. “No boys are allowed in my room after ten.” She winked, settling back against Taylor’s chest as an episode of Diner’s Drive-In’s & Dives started. Taylor watched as she thumbed through the apps on her iPhone to get to her text messages, opening a conversation with Murphy and asking them (he presumed it was a guy) when practice started in two days.

“Watch the show.” He nudged her neck with his nose as she dropped the phone down onto the fluffy comforter of her bed. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t want to stay the night, but he knew that was most likely not an option.

“I’ve got this thing coming up with the Crunch.” She mentioned lightly, leaning her head back against his shoulder and looking up at him. “Traditionally parents and family come, but the Horcoff’s can’t be there – it’s Shawn’s Dad’s birthday and they’re taking him out to dinner. It’s nothing special really, just a game that family sits together in a section and they’re welcome to come skate afterwards with fans.” She elaborated. “I was hoping maybe you’d come so I wouldn’t be alone.” She added softly.

A hundred thoughts swirled through Taylor’s head. Why weren’t her parents going to be there? Had she already asked Ryan and he turned her down? Was he her second choice?

“Of course I’ll go.” He insisted, “but I think I should get something in return.” He added.

“Like what?” She asked, looking genuinely confused at what he could ask of her.

“You come to the next Oilers game.” He shrugged, making her eye him suspiciously.

“Alright… I mean I go to a lot of the home games already, but whatever you say.” She laughed.

“And you have to wear my jersey.”
♠ ♠ ♠
hey ya'll!
here's an update!
i know i said i wouldn't be posting during finals week, but it's 3 am and the mood struck me to write!
sidney is next - hand to god - he will be updated as soon as friday!
let me know what you think of this - really! i was severely disappointed with the feedback on the last chapter which is super discouraging.
i love to hear what you all think of blake!
love love love
kare