#Calgary Date Spots

[monolithm007]

Date Places in Calgary - Top Spots for Memorable Outings

Explore top date places in Calgary. From cafes to scenic spots, find the ideal location for a perfect, unforgettable date.

[periprose]

Logan’s reaction when you wear one of his shirts!

ahhhh anon the imagery that popped into my head with this one... thank you for requesting it <3 maybe a slight warning but Logan calls reader kid, (she's an adult) because he's obviously older than everyone. also smutty implications lol

/

"Kid. Is that my shirt?" Logan is not sure if he's just half-drunk already (it's nearly impossible for him to get drunk as it is on just a few beers) and you're wearing a big, oversized, Calgary Flames jersey.

He's fairly sure that's not yours- he doesn't think you know any Canadian hockey teams, not like that, and the jersey is definitely dated. Logan thinks he got that when the team was early in it's existence.

"Uhhh..." You turn from your spot in front of the kitchen fridge. The X-Mansion is out of milk and creamer, unfortunately. "Maybe? Sorry."

It's not your shirt that bothers Logan, not exactly. From this spot at the kitchen counter- he's leaning over, but he almost has the full view of your legs, because the shirt only meets the beginning parts of your thighs, and he wonders why on earth you have to be so annoyingly delectable. When Logan is trying his best to be professional, a proper X-Men member, you have to go and be half-naked, no pants, just luscious, sweet legs all taut and smooth as you reach upwards to scan through the upper shelf of the fridge.

You're too much for him, he thinks. If Logan was a slightly better person, he might not be having these thoughts at all, let alone considering acting on them- but he thinks about sneaking up behind you and grabbing, squeezing your ass, the back of your thighs.

"I think our laundry got mixed up like a week ago." You try your best to excuse it. Honestly, though? You were happy to steal Logan's jersey.

It's nice and comfy, and the material has worn away into a soft, loose shirt. Best of all, it smells just like him, after years of wearing it- a slight laundry detergent smell is there, but you mostly catch the smell of pine wood, mixed with cigar smoke and maybe something musky.

You didn't expect him to be down here- you didn't want Logan to know your terrible secret.

"And? You just decided you'd keep it, huh?" Logan grumbles, but he's mostly joking. His eyes are soft.

"I didn't-" You turn to him again, and you cross your arms, and it's with a little start that Logan realizes you're not wearing a bra. You're completely naked under there, other than your panties, and he gets a rush of exhilaration thinking about taking them off slowly, with his rough, callused fingers juxtaposed against your supple, soft hips. Gently squeezing your breasts as if he owns them.

There's something hot about it, Logan thinks. You wearing his shirt. As if he loaned it to you. As if he kind of owns you, as if he's your boyfriend. He can't help but feel a deep sense of pleasure. It's not as if all his hook ups and one night stands were clamoring to be his, and it's with fondness that he looks at you again.

"I thought I could give it back to you. After I wore it for a bit." You admit, and Logan has a slight smile.

"Keep it." Logan has a twinkle in his eye, his eyes glancing up and down your figure as he smirks. "It suits you, no pants and all."

He's not really joking about that- it looks way better on you, and to Logan's perverted mind, it is fascinating how this jersey he fills out so well, had a completely different style as it falls on you. It sort of drowns you- leaves your figure to the imagination- but there's just enough that he can see how it skims over your curves, making it easier for him to imagine running his hands over you. Logan thinks about lifting it up from the bottom hem, exposing you.

You turn red, almost forgetting that your legs are bare, and you don't know how to respond to that.

"Really?" You shake your head, ignoring Logan's compliment, knowing that he's just teasing. "Thanks, Logan. It honestly helps me sleep better."

You didn't mean to say that last part- you're not trying to expose the year long crush you've had on the guy- and you stutter over your words, trying not to reveal the comfort you feel around him.

You shut the fridge, and try to leave, but Logan is a little faster, and he's got you right where he wants. Against the fridge. Looking up at him, sweet, meek, just as cute as he remembers.

He leans over you. "Well, I could help you sleep better. If you want."

"Really?" You look up at him, tilting your head a little. "I thought you would think I was just some creep and tell me to fuck off."

"Oh, kid. You think you're the only one who can't stop thinking about us?" Logan swallows. "I think I've liked you since you had to help me figure out the teaching schedule, remember?"

"Who could forget? You were really struggling- your class started an hour late." You joke, and Logan grins. He's not usually such a smiley guy, and it's not something you take light-heartedly. You know he must trust you.

"Offer's still on the table." Logan murmurs, as he traces the collar of his jersey, against your neck and collarbones, and you shiver as he leans in, pressing a kiss on your forehead. It's warm, soft, inviting- but you think Logan must be holding himself back.

"Okay." You whisper up at him, and Logan, being as devious as he is, immediately grasps your waist, your ass, your thighs, squeezing, wanting to feel every bit of flesh, and he feels a deep rumble in his chest- something possessive as he leans in and kisses you, something firm and rough as he feels his shirt around you- and Logan's mouth slots against your own quite easily, open-mouthed, rough kisses that have you shuddering, as he lifts you up, wrapping your legs around his waist and pinning you against the fridge.

You know Logan didn't mean sleeping. He meant putting you to sleep, by sleeping with you, and this silly double meaning, the idea of getting to do all that and then cuddle and sleep by his side, it makes you smile against his mouth.

Logan doesn't stop kissing you as he lifts you up and away, you still wrapped around him, towards his room, feeling an immense amount of slick, lustful pride that he's bringing back his shirt and his girl there.

[goldengleams]

Can i request "just shut up and kiss me already." With Matt Rempe, please? 🥺💙

matt rempe love <333 thanks so much for sending in this request, i love writing matt!!

prompt: "just shut up and kiss me already!" with matt rempe

You grabbed your bags from the overhead bin and shifted your weight nervously as the passengers started exiting the plane. You weren't a nervous flyer, but the prospect of meeting your boyfriend's family once the flight was over was making you anxious.

Even though you and Matt had been dating for almost a year, your schedules never aligned so that you were at the same games as his family members. You often went to weeknight hockey games because of your busy weekends, whereas his family was almost always on the opposite schedule.

Now, he had invited you to his family house in Calgary for a week to meet everyone and spend time with you. This was a big step.

You made your way to the gate where you quickly spotted Matt. He had a beanie on with a sweatshirt and sweatpants, inadvertently matching your airplane attire. You waved to him and he waved back, and before you knew it, you were wrapped up in his arms.

"Hey you," you said. You breathed in his clean scent.

"Hey, Y/N. Missed you babe," his words practically made you melt. "It's been lonely without you."

You were already lost in your thoughts about the upcoming days that you missed Matt gazing down at you, waiting for you to look up so that he could give you a kiss. You pushed away from him without realizing, already focused on getting home and meeting everyone. Disappointed, Matt took your carry on bag from you and you both started walking.

"Easy flight getting up here?" He asked. You nodded and kept walking swiftly to the exit.

"Yeah, it was good. I got the aisle seat, which is good, because you know I hate looking out the window and knowing we're up that high. And we didn't have any delays, so we're right on time. Oh, and I freshened up in the bathroom before I came out to you, so your family doesn't think I, like, smell bad or something because that would literally be the worst. And we-,"

"Babe, take a breath. You don't need to be worried," Matt reminded you.

"Well I am worried, Matt. This is your family! And they probably already have opinions of me and have seen my social media and I just don't want them to think that I'm lame or that I'm-"

"I love you, but can you just shut up and kiss me already?" You stopped in your tracks, not even caring that you were blocking people behind you.

"Huh?"

Matt chuckled, clutching at his chest. "I haven't seen you in weeks and you haven't even kissed me yet. I'm hurt."

You rolled your eyes but stood on your tiptoes to reach up and give him a kiss. "Well excuse me for being nervous, are you feeling better now?"

"Much better, and besides, my sisters already love you. It's gonna be a party all weekend, trust me."

[tyrelbauer]

Stampede Matt Rempe Request please!!

Y/n and Matt have been dating for a couple of years, both are from Calgary (obviously) but Y/n on day one of the Stampede is like Tate McRae's back up dancer and so Matt and his crew of his usual who goes there with him video tape Matt watching y/n but then afterwards (using Alley's new TikTok video that she posted from the night before as reference) but you can add whatever you would like for more of the plot of the request

"he's completely smitten" pairing: matt rempe x fem!reader

you stand backstage, the roar of the crowd at the stampede vibrating through your bones.

you've been dancing as a back up for tate mcrae for a few months now, but this show is different. it's your hometown, and matt is in the audience with your closest friends: alley, ty, steph, and ellie.

you get the cue to walk out and you all get in your spots. the music starts, and you hit your marks, moving in sync with the other dancers. the lights are blinding, but you know matt is out there somewhere, cheering you on.

tate's voice fills the air, and you lose yourself in the performance, every move an expression of your passion and dedication.

after the show, you rush off stage and get changed.

you go to text matt to see where he is but you end up running into alley. "you were amazing!" she exclaims, pulling you into a hug.

"thank you! did you get any good videos?" you ask, still somewhat catching your breath.

"oh, i got something even better." she hands you her phone, and you see a video of matt watching you dance.

as the performance progresses, his expression shifts from pride to pure, unadulterated love.

"look at him," alley says softly. "he's completely smitten."

you watch the video again, tears pricking your eyes. matt’s reaction is everything you needed to see. it's a reminder of why you push so hard, why you spend countless hours rehearsing. it's for moments like this, where your passion and love converge.

"please send me that." you hand alley her phone back as matt comes up and hugs you from behind.

you spin around to face him and he smiles. "you were incredible."

"so you enjoyed it?" you ask, even though you already know the answer.

"absolutely," he replies, kissing your forehead. "i'm so proud of you."

[mrpldiddles]

boy that i found | t.blyth

a/n: the amount of screenshots of louis partridge being spotted at the guts tour that i took so that i could make this... ANYWAYS here's another tom x remi insta au because tom was seen at the guts tour so obviously i got ideas :) ENJOY!!!!

~~~

tomremi posted:

tomremi tom spotted at remi's calgary show last night!!

comments:

user1 he's the most supportive bf omg

user2 they're so iconic

user3 i was standing near him and any time i looked over at him he had the biggest smile on his face it was so cute🥹

-> user4 omg do you have any pictures of him there??

-> user3 i'll dm you!!

user5 tom really said "remi you're doing great sweetie!!"

user6 he's so so in love with her i can't

user7 how many pictures do you think he has of her just from last night???

-> user8 probably so many they haven't seen each other in awhile

-> user7 how do you know??

-> user8 tom's been filming billy the kid in calgary and remi's been on tour which is why she said at the show that it was so special for her

-> user7 ohhhh ok thank you!!

-> user9 tom release the pictures!!!!!

user10 i'm so jealous of her but so happy for her at the same time😩

-> tomremi ugh same girl but with both of them

-> user11 right??? they're both so lucky!!

tomremi posted:

tomremi remi played a new song at her calgary show last night and released it at midnight!!

"calgary you've been hosting something very near and dear to my heart these past couple months while i've been touring, and he seems to still be doing pretty good so thank you so much for taking care of him for me. i still have a few songs to play for you tonight, but in honour of how special this show is for me, do you mind if i play an extra one for you? a little extra thank you from me to you, if you will...alright amazing, thank you. i wrote this song back in 2021 when me and my boyfriend weren't dating just yet, but there was something there y'know?...my boyfriend does happen to be here with us tonight, which is what makes this show so special for me, and even he hasn't heard this song yet so without further ado, this is "let light be light," which is out tonight at midnight!"

comments:

user1 what is she doing to us OMG

user2 SHE'S INSANE

user3 ITS A SONG ABOUT TOM OMG

user4 THE SONG IS LITERALLY SO SWEET AND WHOLESOME OMG OMG OMG

user5 "i think that he's good for me this boy that i found" REMI OMG

-> user6 SHES GONNA MAKE ME SOB

-> user8 they’re so in love i can’t😩😩😩

user7 i can't do this anymore omg😭😭

remi.alaric posted:

remi.alaric calgary you were so so special thank you for being so incredible and bringing me back to my home away from home🩵🩵🩵this show will forever hold such a special place in my heart and to commemorate it my new song "let light be light" is out now wherever you stream your music🩵

x remi

comments:

user1 GIRL LET US BREATHE

user2 THE LAST PICTURE HELLO

-> user3 LETS TALK ABOUT IT CAUSE OMG REMI

user4 GIRL ARE YOU TRYING TO GIVE US A HEART ATTACK

rachelzegler INSANE

rachelzegler streaming party happening right now‼️‼️

stevie_alaric um does mom know about the third picture🤨

-> remi.alaric 🤫🤫🤫

joshandresrivera it's on repeat!!!

hunterschafer the new song is so so good so so proud of you!!💞💞

-> remi.alaric i absolutely adore you🥹🥹

stevie_alaric i'm expecting a full album to be released at the BC shows just so ya know

-> rachelzegler i'm flying out if she does so remi tell us now

-> remi.alaric check your texts!!!!

-> user5 GIRL WHAT

-> user6 HEY. HEY REMI. HEY REMI WHAT DO YOU MEAN.

-> user7 remi what do you mean😀what do you mean😀what do you mean remi😀

user8 it really is remi's world and we're all just living in it

tomblyth you releasing a new song at my show is gonna go to my head

-> stevie_alaric but did you get a whole album released at your concert HMM

-> user9 STEVIE😭😭

-> rachelzegler AND getting a whole speech about you at the SAME show what did you do to deserve all this😩

-> tomblyth i sold my soul to remi

-> remi.alaric i'm praying for your costars for how much you'll be talking about this

-> tomblyth all i do is talk about you so they're used to it

-> rachelzegler EWWWWWW

-> stevie_alaric YOU'RE SICK

-> tomblyth looooooovvvvveeeesick

tomblyth posted:

tomblyth pov: your favourite artist plays and releases a new song just because you're at the concert

@remi.alaric i'm your #1 fan!!!!!!!!!

comments:

user9 get yourself someone who is a total dork for you like tom is for remi

-> remi.alaric so true girl

-> user9 OMG WHAT REMI HI

rachelzegler you're such a fool in love y'all are adorable

stevie_alaric um actually I'M her biggest fan you fool

-> tomblyth "the fool jingled miserably across the floor"

-> stevie_alaric is that a british reference that i'm too cool to understand

-> user10 IM CACKLING AT TOM AND STEVIES INTERACTIONS I CANT WITH THEM

joshandresrivera @remi.alaric when do i get a song about me????

-> remi.alaric check your streaming platforms at midnight!!!!!!

-> user11 GIRL YOU CANT KEEP DOING THIS

-> user12 REMI WHAT PLEASE

remi.alaric anything for my biggest (and dorkiest) fan🥰🫶

-> stevie_alaric @tomblyth HA she called you a dork

-> tomblyth AND her biggest fan😌

-> stevie_alaric probably because you're a giant.

-> user13 i'm crying tom and stevie act like such siblings💀💀

-> user14 so basically when is tom proposing so we can get stevie's maid of honour speech

-> rachelzegler i second that!!!

user1 no cause tom is actually so her biggest fan like the videos of him at the concert his smile is always so big🥹🥹

-> user3 i know they're so adorable🥺

user5 the last picture of them in her dressing room🥹🥹🥹

-> user6 whoever took it is a godsend

remi.alaric i looooooovveeeee you so much🩵

-> tomblyth i loooooooovvvveeeee you even more🩵

-> stevie_alaric get a rooooooooommmm

-> rachelzegler i’m sick because of how in love y’all are😷🥰

[sapphyreopal5]

Hello love. Anything new on Jensen?

Hello Anon thank you for the ask. I know that Jensen's been awful quiet about the stuff he's said to be working on with the "if things go as planned, it's gonna be a busy year" comments he's made in recent months. I know I speculated on another post when someone here on Tumblr posted about a photo where Jensen was spotted with Justin Hartley, his wife Sofia and a man named Jason Checcini that he may be on his way to go film The Boys, which reportedly started filming April 8 according to this site (although we all know that filming dates can be pushed back). This post was made April 7, 2024.

However, after seeing another post that posted today April 18, 2024, I do believe that he may not only possibly be filming The Boys season 5 but he may have also landed a role on Justin Hartley's show Tracker. Tracker reportedly films some in the Vancouver area, according to IMBD.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lexi Jensen-DesJardins (@lexi.jendes)

Being who I am, I decided to look up the tour dates for the artist she mentioned seeing in her post where she says she met him in Vancouver. According to Ticketmaster.com, the tour dates for Noah Kahan are as follows:

What cities will Noah Kahan play on his upcoming tour? The We'll All Be Here Forever Tour will take Noah Kahan across North America in the following cities: 03/26 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena  03/28 – Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome  03/29 – Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place  03/30 – Saskatoon, SK @ SaskTel Centre  04/02 – Winnipeg, MB @ Canada Life Centre  04/06 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena  04/07 – London, ON @ Budweiser Gardens  04/09 – Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Centre  04/10 – Quebec, QC @ Centre Videotron 04/13 – Montreal, QC @ Centre Bell  04/14 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena 04/16 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena 05/20 – Asheville, NC @ Harrah’s Cherokee Center  05/22 – Asheville, NC @ Harrah’s Cherokee Center   05/24 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena 05/25 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena   05/28 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center  05/29 – Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake  06/04 – St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater – St. Louis, MO 06/05 – Bonner Springs, KS @ Azura Amphitheater  06/07 – Saint Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center  06/08 – Saint Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center 06/11 – Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion  06/13 – Woodlands, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman  06/14 – Austin, TX @ Moody Center  06/18 – Chula Vista, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre  06/21 – Hollywood, CA @ Hollywood Bowl  06/29 – George, WA @  Gorge Amphitheatre 07/01 – Ridgefield, WA @ RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater  07/03 – Wheatland, CA @ Toyota Amphitheatre  07/05 – Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre - UC Berkeley  07/06 – Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre – UC Berkeley   07/09 – West Valley City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre  07/13 – East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre  07/15 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden 07/16 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden  07/18 – Boston, MA @ Fenway Park 07/19 – Boston, MA @ Fenway Park

As you can see, the Vancouver concert took place on Tuesday March 26, 2024. The photo post with Justin Hartley, his wife and Jason was posted on Sunday April 7, 2024. Remember, this is just me speculating at this point along with everyone else but I do think it's possible Jensen has gotten a couple roles or is at the very least spending some time in Canada "networking". That's really all I have for you at the moment Anon but I hope this is at least somewhat useful or some interest to you otherwise.

[luke-hughes43]

eden and cut telling jack luke and wuinn!!!!

I've been looking forward to this one!!! major sibling angst with asshole jack and asshole Luke. more asshole jack though.

telling her brothers | eden and cutter

eden's pov

so cutter and I have been together for about 4 months and we're both leaving soon to go to our respective u18 worlds. I'm lucky and only have to go to wisconsin but cutter is going all the way to Germany.

jack and Luke don't know that cutter and I are together but mom, dad, and Quinn do. mom suggested having him over for dinner while the boys are home to maybe help ease the tensions from jack and Luke. and since we both have worlds soon, we thought that tonight would be a good time.

Quinn knows that cutter is coming for dinner but jack and Luke don't. I get dressed because I told cutter that I would get him at the rink after his practice.

as I grab my keys to leave, the boys are all in the living room, and ask, "where are you going? dinner's in like 45 minutes."

"oh I'm going to get my boyfriend. he's coming to dinner so you guys can meet him."

"you have a boyfriend?", "since when?", "do we know him?" are all asked at the same time by jack and luke. I smile and say, "yes, I have a boyfriend. I'm going to pick him up right now so you'll find out who he is when I get back. please behave and be nice."

"no promises." Quinn says smiling knowing that he's the only one who knows.

I roll my eyes and leave the house. I drive to the usa hockey arena and wait for cutter in the parking lot. I text him I'm here and just wait for him to be done. when I see him leaving the rink and walking towards my car, I get out so that I can hug him when he comes closer.

he smiles as he gets closer and leans down to hug me. he kisses my head and says, "hey baby."

"hi cut. how was practice?"

"good. gearing up for Germany. how was your day?"

"good. had a soccer workout this morning and then went straight to the rink with my dad and the boys to get ready for worlds. you ready for this?"

"yea. I just don't want Luke to hate me."

"he's not gonna hate you. I promise." I say to him. I press a soft kiss to his lips making him smile. he pulls me in for another hug and I ask, "do you want me to drive back or do you wanna drive?"

"I'll drive." he says and gets in the drivers side.

I get in the passengers seat and cutter immediately reaches for my hand to hold. he always has to be holding my hand when he drives. we make the short drive back to the house and i can tell that cutter is a little nervous.

I say softly, "it's gonna be fine cutter. it's not like you never met my family before. and it's just dinner. you know that my mom and dad love you so it's gonna be ok and Quinn is harmless.."

"it's not them I'm worried about eden. it's Luke. I'm dating the only hughes daughter and all of your brothers are top NHL players or prospects. it's totally different now that I'm your boyfriend. just let me be nervous in peace babe."

I roll my eyes and get out. I walk around to where cutter is and grab his hand leading him towards the door. I open the door and see jack, Luke, and Quinn in the same spot as they were when I left. Luke just turns his head and says, "hey eden. hey cut."

the boys are totally distracted and so I just bring cutter into the kitchen where mom is. I say, "hey momma."

mom turns and smiles. she says, "hi baby. hi cutter, it's good to see you again."

"you too mrs hughes."

"please just call me ellen honey. dinner will be ready soon. can you tell the boys."

I nod and take cutter to the living room with me. we sit down on the couch and find that the boys are deeply invest in a playoff game. it's like Edmonton and Calgary.

I say, "mom says dinner will be ready soon."

they look over at me and Luke says, "what's cutter doing here?"

"he's my boyfriend?"

"since when?" Luke says and I can tell by his tone that he's not a fan. I answer simply, "January."

"it's been 4 months?"

"yea."

"am I the last to know? because Quinn doesn't look surprised and I'm assuming that mom and dad know too."

"jack didn't know either so you guys are finding out together."

"that doesn't answer the question. are we the last to know?"

I nod and can feel the tension and anger from Luke. mom breaks the silence by yelling, "kids! dinner!"

"oh thank god." I hear cutter mutter to himself as my brothers get up and leave the room. Quinn gives me a small smile as he heads to the dining room. I force myself up off the couch and pull cutter too. I say quietly, "let's get this over with."

cutter follows close behind me with a hand on my lower back. mom and dad smile as we approach the table and she can tell that Luke is not happy. dad breaks the silence, "so cutter, how's everything at the program?"

"it's good sir. we're more gearing up for u18 worlds now but it's good."

"how's the team looking?"

"good. we have a really group of guys and we're all really excited about Germany and are hoping to medal for usa hockey. rutger was actually just named captain for worlds."

"that's good to hear. when are you guys leaving?"

"next week. thursday morning. I think it's the same day the women's team is leaving for wisconsin." he says. I nod and smile at him. he then adds, "I'm hoping the schedules line up so that I can catch some of the women's games but we're just gonna have to see."

mom and dad smile and Quinn does too. I hear Luke scoff and so I say, "what Luke?"

"nothing."

"you obviously have something to say so just say it."

"fine. why didn't you tell me that you were dating cutter? why did you tell Quinn and not me?"

"because I knew Quinn wasn't gonna overreact or try to meddle in my relationship."

"when I have I ever meddled in your relationships?"

I raise an eyebrow, "sophomore year when that kid from the football asked me to homecoming but then bailed on going with me 3 days before? I heard from his friends after the fact that you talked to him after practice one day and advised him against going with me or he was gonna get a visit from the u17s. you did the same thing in the spring for formal before covid hit."

"this is different because me and cutter are friends."

"no it's not. I don't have to tell you every little thing in my life. I'm almost 18 and going to college in 2 months for camp so I don't need to be telling you when I'm hanging out with someone or going on a date with them. just like how I don't need to do everything you do in your free time at umich. I'm a big girl and can make my own choices."

"ok settle down kids." dad says jumping in. jack mutters, "tell that to her. she's the one fucking luke's friend."

Quinn elbows jack and says, "not cool dude."

"say that a little louder jack." I seethe at him "I dare you."

"fine. I said that you should be the one to relax since you decided to fuck one of luke's friends."

"Jack Rowden watch your mouth and don't talk to your sister that way." mom scolds him.

"she's the one that's throwing her future away and then using us to get guys. it's not fair that we put in all this work to be good at something and she's just using that to get with a guy that's probably gonna break up with her as soon as they leave for college."

"Jack!" Quinn smacks him. even Luke is taken aback by jack's comment.

"you barely even know cutter jack. this has nothing to do with him and you know it. you're just pissed because I'm picking soccer and not hockey. everyone has expected me to play hockey and follow you guys because I'm a hughes but I want to play soccer. I want to do my own thing and make my own path because it's exhausting being the youngest hughes sibling, that only one who isn't playing hockey. I'm sick of seeing the headlines of 'eden hughes, the family disappointment' or 'eden hughes, are we sure she's not adopted' all because I decided not to play college hockey. leave cutter out of this, if you wanna be pissed at me for hanging up my skates then fine but leave him out of this because he has nothing to do with it."

"eden, it's fine. I kinda expected this."

"no it's not fine cut. just because he's pissed off at me doesn't mean he gets to talk to you like that. and suddenly I have no appetite anymore. excuse me." I say putting my fork down and going upstairs to my room.

a couple minutes later, there's a knock on my door. I hear cutter say, "eden, can I come in?" I open the door for him, and he hugs me tightly. I let out a shaky breath and relax in his hold. I mutter against his chest, "I'm sorry for them. they're assholes."

"it's ok. I'm not worried about them. are you ok?"

I shrug and just let him hold me for a bit before there's another knock on the door. Quinn says, "eden, it's just me. can I come in?"

"yea."

Quinn comes in and says, "I'm sorry about them. they really are asshats. and cutter, I'm sorry for how the spoke to you."

"thanks Quinn." cutter says. Quinn asks, "eden are you ok?"

"I'm just pissed off. they always do this."

"if it helps, mom and dad yelled them after you guys came upstairs."

"it does a little. I just wanna be with cut right now."

Quinn leaves quietly and cutter says, "wanna get out of here and get ice cream?"

"yes please. can we call Brady and rutger too?"

"if that's what you want?" he asks and kisses my forehead. I nod and he chuckles. "I'll call them. do you wanna change at all?"

"yea. do you have any hoodies with you?"

"there's one in the car. you know I'm gonna need some of these back before Germany." he says. I giggle and gently push him out of my room while I change. I throw on a random shirt and some shorts and then go out to cutter. we go downstairs and I say to mom and dad, "I'll be back by midnight. we're getting ice cream."

"ok. be safe." mom says and I smile as we walk out of the house to my car. cutter gets in the drivers seat and I can feel the anger and annoyance rolling off my back the farther I get away from the house.

jack and Luke are gonna have to do some serious groveling to apologize for how they treated cutter.

[tameodesza]

Dead Ends (BretShawn) ch.1

masterlist | AO3 link | ch.2>>

Summary: After stumbling upon a cabin in the woods, Bret's quest for food turns into him meeting a fiery blond instead

a/n: starting off spooky season with a zombie au (tho I have a folder full of unfinished drafts 🥴)...sounds about right

Date: May 6, 1996 Time: 9:07pm Location: Outskirts of Calgary

Bret’s boots crunched softly against the soggy leaves on the forest floor as he navigated his way through a thickly wooded path with only one goal in mind. He needed to find his way back home.

It had been over a week since his bunker was raided, forcing him away from the only family he had in the post-apocalyptic world – his younger brother Owen.

Bret still couldn’t wrap his mind around how he’d gone from surviving comfortably in his brother’s bunker to fending for his life every day against zombies, or Walkers as they were commonly referenced on news outlets at the start of the outbreak.

It was still a mystery as to what spawned the virus. Was it a mad scientist? Did it come from a diseased animal? Was it created by the government for population control?

Bret and Owen had spent many months brainstorming various conspiracy theories, but the answer remained unknown.

Now that the bunker was no longer a viable home and his brother was nowhere to be found, Bret was on a mission to head back to his childhood home.

Although he’d been shown nothing but death and carnage for the past week since he began his lone journey, Bret still held onto hope that his parents were safe and alive. They had to be. That thought alone was the only motivation keeping him sane at the moment.

Bret headed down another winding trail, shoving stubborn branches out of his way before his feet came to a stop at what lay before him. There in a short distance stood a small wooden cabin, most of its windows boarded up with no light peeking through from the inside.

The logical side of Bret told him to keep moving, to walk past the cabin unknowing of the possible dangers that lie inside. However, the rumbling of Bret’s stomach was a reminder that desperation could lead a man to do irrational things.

He approached the cabin slowly, convincing himself that he was just going to check it out, that maybe he’d get lucky and find some food or weapons that the previous owners left behind. He further surveyed the area and noted that the cabin seemed to be vacant, luck seeming to be on his side.

“Please don’t be wrong,” he uttered to himself.

Bret made his way towards the back door of the cabin, double-checking his surroundings before twisting the doorknob. He let out a sigh of relief realizing that the door was unlocked.

“Ok, in and out, Bret. In and out,” he reminded himself as he opened the door to see what appeared to be the laundry room.

Bret slowly closed the door behind him before treading lightly out of the laundry room to the living room. With the majority of the windows being boarded up, Bret moved through the small cabin with much difficulty.

Through the dim light, Bret was able to make out the shape of a couch that sat across from a broken television. But there was still no evidence of the cabin being occupied, so Bret continued moving forward to finally find what he’d been looking for. The kitchen.

As he scanned the room, his eyes landed on a few chocolate bars sitting on top of a microwave. He also spotted some canned vegetables stacked in the corner of the countertop.

Without thinking twice, Bret made a beeline for the chocolate bars and stuffed them into the pockets of his jeans to save for later. Then, he grabbed a can of green beans, quickly becoming frustrated as it was hard to lift the metal tab with his short nails.

Just then, his fingers stilled when he felt the pressure of something poking at his lower back. He heard a rough voice with a slight southern accent say menacingly, “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t bust a cap in your ass.”

Bret’s whole body froze at the unexpected presence as he stammered, “H-Hey, I don’t want any problems-”

“Shut the fuck up and put down my shit.”

Bret slowly lowered the can back onto the counter before raising his hands in surrender.

He attempted to turn around, but stopped at the stranger hissing, “Don’t you fucking move! I’ll pull this trigger and leave you for the Walkers. Don’t fuck with me.”

Bret gulped, wishing he’d listened to the part of him that said to avoid the cabin.

The man behind him proceeded to say, “Now, tell me why you’re in my cabin stealing the food that I worked hard to get.” 

Bret’s heart rate quickened, hands shaking in the air as his nerves set in. “I’m sorry. I swear I didn’t know anyone was in here.”

The stranger tsked, “You damn sure didn’t try to find out. What all did you take?”

“I didn’t take anything-”

“Don’t you fucking lie to me! Where’s the chocolate?”

Bret sighed in defeat saying, “My front pocket.”

“Just like I thought. Take it out and set it on the counter. Slowly. No funny business.”

Bret did as he was told, setting the chocolate bars on the counter before raising his hands back up in the air. “There.”

“What else?”

“That’s all, I promise.”

“Fuck you and your promises. You come into my cabin, steal my shit, and expect for me to believe anything coming out of your mouth? I should kill your ass right now just for that.”

“You’re right,” Bret quickly added, not wanting to further piss the man off. “Whether I knew someone was in here or not, I tried taking your food and I was wrong for that.”

Bret’s goosebumps rose as the man’s humored breath brushed against his cheek. “Well, at least you know. Now,” the man led as he leaned closer to Bret’s ear. “I’m feeling a little generous tonight, but only because I really don’t feel like dealing with another dead body. So guess what? I’m going to let you go, and I don’t want you coming back. Got it?”

Bret rapidly nodded, “Yes.”

“Now, run along before I change my mind.”

Bret slowly lowered his arms as he said, “Ok. Ok, I’m going.”

The smart thing for Bret to do would have been to leave the house with his tail tucked between his legs, thankful to still be alive. But as previously mentioned, desperate men tended to do irrational things.

As soon as Bret felt the pressure of the gun lift from his back, he swiftly turned around to send a flying elbow to the man’s nose, the gun being knocked loose in the process as it fell from the man’s hand and flew far out of reach across the tiled kitchen floor.

“Fuck!” The man shouted as he clutched his nose.

Not wanting to waste any time, Bret grabbed two cans of food and a chocolate bar before trying to run past the stranger. However, he unexpectedly received a knee to the gut which caused him to drop the food onto the floor. He then felt a hard closed fist hit his cheek.

Bret hit the floor in a groan, slightly out of it. Running on pure adrenaline, Bret scrambled to his feet to throw a punch of his own.

And that’s when he finally locked eyes with his attacker whose voice certainly didn’t match his appearance.

He was a beautiful man, which was hard to come by these days for obvious reasons. And even in his rugged state, the man made Bret do a double take as he quickly looked him over – pretty blue eyes, scruffy beard, and long blond hair. Unfortunately, Bret didn’t have much time to admire the man’s beauty due to the kick to the balls he received.

Bret let out a cry of pain as he folded over and grabbed his crotch in agony.

With Bret now immobile, the man turned around to make a lunge for the gun. But with what little strength Bret had, he grabbed the blond man’s ankle causing him to trip and fall face first onto the floor.

Bret kept a hold on his ankle to prevent the man from crawling towards the gun. Then the man turned onto his back and kicked Bret in the face, prompting Bret to drop the man’s ankle as he clutched at his head in pain.

Now that he was free, the blond got up on his feet in a haste. But at that moment, both he and Bret came to a stop at the sound of a gurgled snarl coming from outside the cabin. They slowly turned their heads toward the kitchen window hoping they’d heard wrong.

Then there it was again. Another loud snarl – this one a bit closer.

“Shit, it’s Walkers,” the blond said as he ran towards his gun, picking it up and tucking it into his holster before running out the kitchen.

Bret stood up painfully, still nursing his aching crotch as he followed the man into the living room. He watched as the blond packed a medium-sized bag before saying, “They must have heard the commotion.”

That was apparently the wrong thing to say as the man turned towards Bret with an accusatory finger, whisper-shouting, “A commotion that you caused!”

“Me? You were the one threatening to shoot!”

“That’s beside the point! I’ve been staying here for weeks with no issues. Then here comes your klepto ass trying to steal my shit!”

“You-”

Another snarl pulled them from their heated discussion.

The blond walked up to a boarded-up window and peeked through a small gap to see three Walkers approaching the front steps of the cabin. But that was the least of his concerns as his eyes locked on the cluster of Walkers approaching the cabin from a far distance.

Bret was startled as the blond suddenly moved from the window, shoving him out the way as he ran back to his bag to fit anything he could in the limited time he had. Bret looked on clueless as to what was going on.

“What did you see,” he asked urgently. But the blond ignored him which led to Bret asking, “What are you doing?”

“I’m getting the fuck out of here,” the blond relayed as he slung his bag on his back. He headed towards the back door, saying over his shoulder, “I don’t care what you do.”

Unfortunately, the blond threw open the back door to reveal two Walkers lurking around. He quickly slammed the door shut and locked it before heading back to the living room. “We’re surrounded,” he threw out as he walked past Bret.

Bret caught him by the arm saying, “Wait. What’s the plan? We need to find a way out of here.”

The blond snatched his arm away saying, “We aren’t doing shit. I work solo and I’m finding a way out of here.”

The two men jump at the sound of a loud bang coming from the front door followed by pounding at the back door of the cabin.

The blond grunted, gripping his hair in frustration saying, “Fuck, come on. I don’t have time to deal with this shit.”

The men ran to the bedroom and made their way towards the window. They tried to lift it, but the window wouldn’t budge.

“Shit, this thing probably hasn’t been opened in ages,” the blond squeezed out in a grunt. “We’ll just have to break it.”

Before Bret could warn against the noise possibly alerting more Walkers, the blond picked up a small wooden chair and smashed the window open, the glass shattering into multiple pieces.

The blond rushed to get out the window, gaining a few small cuts on his hands in the process. As soon as he landed, he ran, not waiting for Bret to catch up.

Hearing the front door burst open, Bret rushed out the window as well, collecting a few scrapes on his hands along the way. He dropped from the window in a thud, quickly hopping up to make a run for it.

But out the corner of his eye, he saw the same blond man with his back against a tree as he struggled to fight off a Walker that seemed to catch him by surprise.

After the altercation they’d just had, Bret had every right to leave the man to fend for himself, but he wasn’t that kind of guy.

Bret pulled out a knife from his pocket and ran in the blond’s direction. As soon as he was within reach, Bret raised the knife above the Walker’s head, driving it straight down into its skull causing the Walker to immediately cease its movement.

Bret pulled out his knife and shoved the Walker aside before looking at the blond in concern asking, “Are you ok?”

“Not until I get the hell out of here. Now move!” The man shoved Bret out of the way to take off running through the forest. Bret had no choice but to follow him as there were Walkers approaching in every other direction.

The men ran for miles nonstop, careful not to trip as the trees blurred past them on their escape into the night. They continued running until the blond slowed to a stop, resting a hand on a nearby tree as he panted heavily trying to catch his breath.

Bret stopped not too far behind, bending over as he placed his hands on his knees desperately gasping for air.

Seeing that Bret was still with him, the blond complained, “You’re still following me? I told you I work solo.”

Bret stood tall, stretching his back as he responded, “I wasn’t following you. I was running to safety just as you were.”

“Well, we’re safe now. So you can leave.”

Bret raised a brow at the man. “How about you show a little more gratitude after I just saved your ass?”

The man marched towards Bret as he said, “You saved my ass? Please. Things were just fine before you showed up roaming through my shit. Now I’m out of a cabin. Fuck your gratitude.”

Bret rubbed tensely at the back of his neck as he watched the blond man stump off to sit at the base of a tree.

As harsh as the words were, Bret could understand the man’s anger. If he hadn’t been snooping in the cabin, none of this would have happened. And to be honest, he did feel guilty about it. But how was he to know any of that was going to happen?

Bret apprehensively approached the man, making sure to keep a safe distance as he didn’t want to get kicked in the nuts again. “Look. You’re right. You are in this situation because of me. I’m sorry.”

“Keep your sorries to yourself. It’s not going to change anything,” the man sneered as he stared blankly at the ground.

Bret decided to throw caution to the wind and sit on the ground next to the man, his invasion of privacy not going unnoticed as the blond looked at him like he grew two heads.

“Just listen to me,” Bret said with his hands stretched out defensively.

The man rolled his eyes, looking forward as he chided, “Oh, this should be good.”

“I…I want to make it up to you.”

The man scrunched his brows together as he turned to look at Bret. “All you’ve done is fuck shit up. What could you possibly do to make this up to me?”

“I think we should stick together.”

 The stranger let out a loud snort, genuinely humored at the ridiculous request. “You’re joking, right?”

“Just hear me out. I’ll watch your back. I’m from around here, so I know the layout of the land. And it seems like you’re pretty skilled yourself. I think we could both benefit from teaming up.”

It was apparent to Bret that the man before him was a little rough around the edges, but he also saw him as a potential asset. The man seemed to have more experience than him, and, selfishly, Bret could really use his help.

However, his hope dwindled when the man responded sharply, “I don’t need your help.”

So Bret tried a more logical approach.

“I’m sure you’d benefit from having an extra pair of hands around. You’d have another person to help scrounge for food, to watch out for Walkers, for added protection-”

“I don’t want your damn protection. I’ve made it this far by myself just fine, so why would I want you weighing me down? I don’t need you around me making irrational decisions.”

Bret answered smartly, “Says the guy pulling out a gun like it’s a free for all.”

“Oh, forgive me for being a little on edge when we live in a world full of fucking Walkers!”

Seeing that he was only making the blond more agitated, Bret considered it a lost cause. He stood up and dusted off his pants, the blond’s eyes following him intensely. “Ok,” Bret said dejectedly. “I’ll leave then. Just wanted to help.”

Bret backed away hesitantly, his eyes lingering for a moment on the blond beauty before turning away to head who-knows-where.

He’d only walked a few feet when he heard the blond call out behind him. “Wait,” the man said with a hint of annoyance.

Bret paused his step, turning around as the blond walked up with crossed arms saying, “Fine.”

Bret gave a look of surprise. “Fine?”

“Fine,” he reiterated with an affirmative nod. “But only because I need someone watching my back while I take a piss.”

“Oh,” Bret said, unsure whether to be offended or respect the man’s honesty.

The blond walked a few steps closer, just inches away as he stared Bret down with a straight face. He said lowly, almost ominously in warning, “But just know that the moment you fuck up, I’m out.”

Bret swallowed nervously before nodding and holding up a hand as best as he could in their confined space. “Ok, deal.”

The blond looked at Bret’s hand for a quick second before walking away saying, “Come on. I’d like to find shelter before daylight.”

Bret looked on dumbfounded as his hand hung in the air, not receiving the handshake he’d expected. Shaking off the cold shoulder, he moved quickly to catch up to the man.

They ventured through the thick forest in an awkward silence. Well, it was certainly awkward for Bret, the only sound to break the silence coming from their shoes against the ground.

In an effort to break the ice, Bret cleared his throat saying, “I’m Bret, by the way.”

However, he didn’t receive a response as the blond continued to look ahead focused on not tripping on fallen branches.

Bret looked at him warily, the man’s expression was unreadable. He asked, “Can I know your name?” He again went unanswered, prompting Bret to say in an irritated huff, "If we’re going to be teammates, it’ll do us some good to at least know each other’s name.”

A short quiet moment passed between the two before the blond said curtly, “Shawn.”

Bret had to hold back asking ‘was that so hard.’

“Shawn,” Bret repeated to ingrain the name into his head. “Nice to meet you.”

Bret nearly facepalmed once formal greeting left his lips out of habit, especially considering that the circumstances of their meeting was anything but nice.

Thankfully, Shawn didn’t seem to harp on it, the blond instead asking, “Where were you headed before you rudely broke into my cabin?”

“To be fair, the door was unlocked,” Bret said lightheartedly. But seeing that Shawn didn’t see the humor in it, he said earnestly, “I said I was sorry.”

“Don’t care.”

Bret sighed tiredly, carefully stepping over a large fallen branch before answering, “Home. That’s where I was headed. I wanted to see how my parents were holding up. Took a shortcut through the woods to get there and that’s when I found your cabin.”

Bret had to stop himself from walking ahead of Shawn when the smaller man came to a stop. He gave Bret a confused look, saying flatly, “You’re headed home. Why the hell would you do that?”

The question came out rudely, but Shawn was genuinely puzzled. Every neighborhood he’d come across was either a ghost town, filled with Walkers, or was a hotspot for unfriendly run-ins with other survivors. It was the last place he’d want to lay low.

Bret took some time to respond, a bit taken aback by Shawn’s question. His eyes drifted up to the starless sky, breathing deeply before answering, “The last time I saw my parents was Christmas day. I’d promised them I would visit them again soon, but I was so busy with life that I never made the time. I just kept putting it off. Then all this shit happened, and it was too late. So… I don’t know. I just need to see if they’re ok.”

Bret was well-aware of the possibility that his parents had met an unfortunate fate, but he couldn’t dwell on that. The guilt of not visiting his parents weighed too heavily on his guilty conscience, and in his mind, this was the only way to fix it.

Bret was too buried in his thoughts to feel Shawn’s eyes watching him inquisitively, thoughts of his own swirling beyond those blue eyes.

Shawn was a brash man, molded to be so by the harsh experiences he’d faced since the outbreak began. But as cold as he could be, he had the decency not to express his true opinion – that it was more likely that Bret’s parents had turned into a five-course meal for Walkers by this point.

Instead, he looked back at the path ahead and walked forward to continue their route as he asked, “How long do you think it’ll take to get there?”

Bret snapped out of his stupor to catch up to Shawn as he answered, “If we don’t run into any trouble along the way, maybe a week.”

“A week,” the blond repeated to himself with a nod.

Bret almost ran into Shawn as the blond stopped suddenly, slinging his backpack forward to rummage inside of the bag. Bret stiffened at the sight, not knowing if the blond would brandish another weapon his way as he had back at the cabin. However, Shawn’s hand emerged from the bag holding a slightly melted chocolate bar.

“Here,” Shawn said gruffly as he forced the bar into Bret’s palm.

Bret, not expecting the kind gesture, said appreciatively, “Thank y-”

“Don’t get all sappy about it,” Shawn muttered as he zipped up the bag. “I at least want a partner who’s not malnourished.”

After securing the bag onto his back, Shawn set foot once more down the dark path. As Bret followed, he couldn’t help wondering what he’d gotten himself into.

[hockeylvr59]

Here With Me Part 27 || Taylor Makar

Author’s Note: After a trip away, the school year rapidly comes to a close and Taylor and Kelsey enjoy every remaining moment they can before Taylor returns to Calgary for the summer. FC: Marina Laswick (@marooshk on instagram).

Warnings: casual drinking, allusions to sex, possible cursing // Word Count: 6,981

~~~~

Twenty Six

Hiking Mount Greylock with Taylor had taken most of the day the Saturday after their trip to Connecticut. They’d gotten up early to drive up and by the time they returned home from the 9.3 mile hike which included multiple waterfalls and some stunning views, Kelsey was ready to fall into bed she was so exhausted. She’d even let Taylor drive home, afraid that her legs would cramp up during the drive. But as exhausted as she was, it had been exhilarating being out in nature again with her boyfriend and sharing those experiences and making those memories with him. 

Kelsey had no idea though how Taylor had managed to go out to a party with his roommates when she’d snagged a quick salad with grilled chicken before falling into bed and passing out before 9pm. 

****

April 29th, 2023

It was strange to think that besides his disaster of a birthday get together, they’d yet to go to a party together since they’d started dating. So when Taylor mentioned the following Saturday after a morning round of golf that he was going to a party some of the guys were planning on having at the hockey house, inquiring if she’d want to come along, Kelsey quickly agreed. 

Parking at the rink, Kelsey walked to the address Taylor had given her and followed his direction to come around to the back yard. There she scouted the yard before finding her boyfriend wearing gray athletic shorts and a brown hoodie leaning against the porch railing. 

As she approached and Taylor spotted her, the smile on his face grew bright and he held his arms out reaching for her to join him. As she slid into his grip, he didn’t break his conversation but he did pull her close, handing her the can of Truly he was holding. It was open but still mostly full and Kelsey took a sip before holding onto it when Taylor refused to take it back, instead using that hand to graze lightly against her hip. 

It only took a moment for Henry, one of Taylor’s teammates who Kelsey had met prior to even meeting Taylor, to turn and spot her, eyes going wide for a moment before lighting up in delight. 

“Well there’s a stranger.” He declared, opening his arms to offer a hug. With Taylor’s arm sliding free of her waist to permit her to hug his teammate, Kelsey returned the greeting with the walk-on goalie. 

“How’d T manage to lock you down?” Henry teased quietly into her ear. “Never seen him so happy.” 

“Apparently I'm a goner for a man who needs custom tailored pants who would have known…” Kelsey teased, glancing back at Taylor. “But really…he's my rock when I need it, always makes me laugh, and makes me feel like the only girl in the world. It's not hard to love him.” 

“Mark me down with a plus one for the wedding.” Henry grinned cheekily before letting her go to return to Taylor’s grip as she smacked his arm lightly for that comment. 

Taylor raised an eyebrow for a moment but otherwise didn’t react, just pulling her back into his grip when she stepped toward him. 

After talking for another minute, he ended his conversation and spun her in his arms, his other hand cupping her cheek. 

“Hey.” He grinned, leaning down to kiss her softly. “I’m glad you’re here.” 

Resting his forehead against hers, Taylor and Kelsey just basked in each other for a moment before Taylor pulled back, kissing her again. 

“How’s my girl today?” He questioned, thumb rubbing her hip again. “Get the paper done that you wanted to?” 

“For the most part.” Kelsey murmured, still not finished despite her deadlines being just over a week away. 

“Take a break and relax and then go back to it with fresh eyes later.” Taylor murmured, kissing her temple gently and squeezing her tight until she nodded against him.

“C’mon, let’s get another drink and then I’ll introduce you to some people.” He grinned, excitement visible at getting to show her off to people. 

After grabbing another drink of which he let her pick her own and took his own can back, Taylor dragged her through the yard, introducing her to his teammates she hadn’t met.

Finding that two of his teammates were kinesiology majors, Kelsey chatted with them for a bit until Taylor waved someone over. 

“Ryan, bring Kaitlyn…” Taylor called out. When a couple approached after a moment, Taylor quickly made introductions. 

“Kels, this is Ryan and his girlfriend Kaitlyn. Guys this is my girlfriend Kelsey.” As Kelsey shook their hands, Taylor leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Try to get to know her, I think she’s one of the girlfriends you’ll really like.” 

“I always thought Ryan and I were the cutest couple on the team but then I saw you guys after Hockey East and I think you might just have us beat.” Kaitlyn declared, a genuine smile on her face. 

The unexpected compliment drew a blush to Kelsey’s cheeks and she looked back at Taylor. 

“Thanks.” She murmured. “I guess we are kinda cute. How long have you guys been together?” 

The look they shared was complete fondness before Kaitlyn replied. 

“Almost six years.” 

All Kelsey could do was blink, having not expected that answer. 

“Oh wow…that’s a while.” Kelsey murmured. “High school sweethearts then?” 

After looking at Ryan, Kaitlyn started to gush about their relationship. Though Kelsey listened, in the back of her mind was how she couldn’t even imagine still being in a relationship with someone she’d dated at 14. 

“But enough about us…” Kaitlyn finally trailed off. “How did you guys meet? Do you go to UMass Kelsey?” 

“Taylor kept me from being in a foul mood all night after chewing out my uncle by making me laugh about hiding dead bodies in the woods rather than the rink. And no, I’m premed at Hampshire.” Kelsey replied. “Finishing up junior year.” 

Kaitlyn was just as amused by the fact that Taylor was dating his coach’s niece as everyone else who found out had been and after talking about classes and majors, they talked about travel and how Kelsey had never been out of the country or away from the east coast for that matter while Kaitlyn had gone to Africa. 

Kelsey didn’t even notice when Taylor slipped away for a minute before returning with fresh drinks. 

Kaitlyn was definitely someone that Kelsey could get along with and before she moved to catch up with Ryan, they exchanged social handles and made plans to sit together at a game the following season. 

“Yo T. Come play with me!” Mercs yelled from the porch where a well used beer pong table resided. 

Shoving Taylor lightly so that he’d listen to his roommate, Kelsey followed him back onto the porch where Mercs was setting up a fresh game. 

“Doubles?” She suggested looking at Taylor and his roommate to see what they thought about the idea. 

“Sure.” Mercs agreed, promptly calling over Mikey to join them. “I’ll even let you have T.” 

“Gee. Thanks.” Kelsey teased, moving to the opposite side of the table from her boyfriend. 

Kelsey wasn’t horrible at beer pong but she also wasn’t as good as college athletes, so despite holding her own to keep it semi-close, she and T still lost. 

Declining a rematch because she still had to drive today, she and T mingled and talked to a few other people before Taylor dipped his head to whisper in her ear. “Want to go back to mine to cuddle before you finish your paper?” 

“Yeah we could do that.” Kelsey agreed. She certainly wasn’t about to turn down some alone time with her boyfriend to decompress and let her head clear out before getting back to work. 

Walking hand in hand they headed to the rink to get Kelsey’s car before driving across campus to Taylor’s dorm. Once parked she followed him up to his apartment and kicked her shoes off in the entry, making her way into his room and onto his bed. 

Taylor followed her, climbing in and resting his head directly on her chest. 

“And my koala bear is back.” Kelsey teased, moving her fingers to play with his hair as he held her close. She would be deluding herself if she thought he’d asked her to cuddle for her sake when it was clear he was the one that wanted the cuddles more than anything. She wasn’t complaining though because she loved having a boyfriend who wanted to be around her just sharing each other’s space. 

Staying for about an hour and a half, Kelsey dozed in and out while Taylor chilled against her body. But she did have papers to finish so eventually she nudged Taylor to let her up so that she could head back to her dorm knowing that she’d see him Monday evening. 

Though he pouted a bit he shifted and got up, pulling her into a hug. 

“Love you Kels.” He murmured, squeezing her tight. “Thanks for coming with me today.” 

“It was fun.” Kelsey shrugged, hugging him back. “And I love you too Tay. Let me know if I should come over before or after dinner, Monday.” 

Nodding, Taylor kissed her before letting her go put her shoes back on and gather her things. Assuring him she didn’t need him to walk her down, she headed home and texted him to let him know she was back so that he didn’t worry. 

May 1, 2023 

Taylor: Come over before dinner? 

Kelsey: Sounds good. 

Taylor: Also my mom wants to facetime about making plans for your trip fyi. 

Reading Taylor’s heads up message made Kelsey smile because even if talking to his parents was still a little bit anxiety ridden for her at least he had learned not to drop it on her out of nowhere. It enabled her to change into a shirt that showed a little bit less cleavage before driving over to Taylor’s after a study session. 

When she arrived, Lauts answered the door, directing her to the kitchen. 

“T’s on dinner tonight.” He explained and suddenly Taylor inviting her over for dinner made more sense. 

“So that’s why he told me to come before dinner.” Kelsey joked as she kicked off her shoes and took her bookbag with overnight necessities into Taylor’s room. 

With her things stashed away, she headed back to the kitchen where Taylor was doing his best cutting up vegetables. 

“Need a sous chef?” She offered, sliding her arms around his waist from behind. Instantly he relaxed a bit at her touch and Kelsey couldn’t help but smile. There was nothing like knowing that her presence affected him so much. 

“I’m not the greatest at cooking chicken…think you could take over that part?” Taylor requested. “We’re having fajitas.” 

“Sure.” She agreed, grabbing the chicken from their fridge and the biggest skillet she could find. As she cooked, she explained to Taylor what she was doing so that he’d be able to take something away from it. Once he had finished with the vegetables and Kelsey had them and the chicken cooking away on the stove while tortillas warmed in the oven, Taylor turned some music on and pulled her close. 

Slow dancing while cooking dinner. If this was going to be a new tradition it was one that Kelsey could get on board with. After all, there really was nothing better than feeling Taylor’s arms wrapped around her just swaying back and forth with him. 

Every few minutes they’d shift so Kelsey could check on the food before resuming their dance, Kelsey giggling softly as Taylor whispered the lyrics in an exaggerated manner and made light jokes about random things. 

Neither noticed as Mercs entered the room, snapping a few photos of the two of them dancing before sitting down at the island. 

“You guys are sickeningly cute.” He mumbled as Kelsey turned back to the stove to check dinner before pulling it off the burner deeming it done. Taylor just shrugged and dipped his head for a kiss before pulling out everything from the fridge while Kelsey got the tortillas out of the oven. 

Mercs called Mikey and Lauts to come get dinner and together they all settled into the living area to eat what Kelsey and Taylor had made. 

Over the past few months, Kelsey felt less and less like an outsider around Taylor and his roommates. After all, she saw them multiple times a week and they’d all seen her looking less than perfect be it just a lazy day or mussed up post sex with Taylor. 

Through dinner, chirps flew around the room and once everyone was done, Kelsey and Taylor retreated to his room while the roommates cleaned up so that they could facetime Taylor’s parents. 

Taylor opened up and logged onto his macbook situating it on his desk before plopping into the chair and pulling Kelsey onto his lap once she had grabbed her own laptop to be able to check her calendar and flights and such. Starting a call with his mom, he sat back kissing Kelsey’s temple as he waited for his mom to answer. 

When she did, a smile immediately graced her face as she took in the sight of them. 

“Well hey guys. Taylor, did you finally give Kelsey a proper heads up for once?” She teased noticing Kelsey’s relaxed body language for the first time in their interactions with her. “How is the end of your semester going Kelsey?” 

“Hey now don’t go ganging up on me…” Taylor joked in a complaining tone. Placing a quick kiss to his jaw Kelsey shrugged before responding. 

“It’s busy. I have a paper presentation next Tuesday that I am not looking forward to but I just keep telling myself that by the end of next week I’ll be done with everything but pulling this one’s rear through medical ethics with me.” 

Laura’s gaze flickered to Taylor for a moment and he just shrugged behind her seemingly saying that yeah he was well aware she was going to pull his ass through that class.

“The home stretch of the semester. You’re nearly there. Now how about something to look forward to. I know T mentioned that we’d love to have you come up to Calgary this summer. Taylor’s going to be here most of June and a bit in August I believe and we don’t have to worry about Cale’s schedule anymore...is there any particular time that looks like it would work best for you Kelsey?” 

Kelsey glanced at her calendar. Really she didn’t have much of anything planned other than submitting med school applications but as long as she had her primary ones done in June and her secondary ones done in July she was otherwise free. 

“I don’t really have plans other than med school applications and I can work on those around any trip. I applied for an expedited passport as soon as Taylor mentioned it so hopefully I should be getting that at the beginning of June.” 

As Laura nodded at her comment regarding the passport, a thoughtful look on her face, Gary appeared behind her waving a hand toward the camera. 

“Hey there! Didn’t expect to hear from you so early T. Was still on a work call.” Taylor’s father declared eagerly. “What did I miss?” 

“We were just trying to figure out when Kelsey is gonna come visit.” Taylor declared, watching as his dad moved around the room before finally settling in beside his wife in front of the camera. 

“How long are we going to get you for Kelsey? A week? Two?” Gary questioned. 

“I don’t want to impose or overstay any welcome when you’re already generously opening your home to me.” Kelsey stated softly, caught off guard because she had expected a week to be the longest they would welcome her for. 

“I mean you’d be doing us a favor keeping T entertained…” Gary joked, chirping at his younger son. 

“Kelsey if your schedule and your parents would allow you to spend two weeks of your summer with us, we’d be happy to have you and get to know you better.” Laura assured her warmly. 

Kelsey wiggled on Taylor’s lap a little at the mention of her parents but just nodded. 

“If you guys are sure….that would be fine with me.” 

“Then we’ll plan for two weeks then.” Laura insisted. “Why don’t we go closer to mid June to make sure that you get your passport in time. You could fly in Monday the 12th, spend a couple of days here in Calgary and then we could go out to the lake house for a week or so before getting you back to Calgary to leave like the 25th.” 

Looking at her calendar there was no reason Kelsey knew of that that plan wouldn’t work so she blocked it off as vacation. She would just have to get med school applications done before that so that she could just relax and enjoy time with her boyfriend and his family. 

“My calendar is marked.” She verbalized, starting to get a little excited that she wouldn’t have to go from the end of may until mid July before seeing her boyfriend. Her continued wiggling had given Taylor a semi under her but he just seemed content and relaxed as well now that plans were coming together. 

“Ours too.” Gary declared. “Once it gets a little bit closer we’ll get your flight booked for you.” 

“I can take care of my flight.” Kelsey insisted firmly. They were already going to be housing her, feeding her, the least she could do is take care of the flight. Laura and Gary shared a look that told Kelsey this wasn’t the last she was going to hear about this, but they dropped it for now. 

“We’ll have to have T find a hike to take you on while you’re here since we’ve heard how much you love it and there are lots of great hikes around.” Laura mused, changing the topic. 

“That would be awesome. I really do love hiking.” Kelsey declared, thinking about the few hikes she and Taylor had already taken this spring. She could only imagine how amazing the views would be out in the Albertan Rockies. 

“Well that’s all we really wanted to sort out tonight so we’ll let you guys go.” Laura concluded. “T we’ll talk to you tomorrow, we love you. Kels, you’re going to do just fine on your finals and your presentation, we can’t wait to see you in six weeks or so.” 

“I’m looking forward to it.” Kelsey agreed, saying her goodbyes before getting up and stepping out of Taylor’s room to get a glass of water, suddenly feeling a bit thirsty. 

Taylor ended the call with his parents before waiting for Kelsey to return. When she did, he wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her around excitedly, making her squeal trying not to spill her water. 

“You’re coming to Calgary!” 

“Course I am…” Kelsey replied, resting her head in Taylor’s neck. “Not looking forward to not being able to see you…so definitely not going to turn down the chance to spend part of summer with you.” 

“And it’s not gonna cause issues with your parents?” His voice questioned softly, concern tempering some of the excitement. 

“I mean mom won’t be happy…” Kelsey mused shrugging. “But that’s no surprise and dad will back me. I’m gonna be a senior in college…not really her choice how I spend my time anymore.” Kissing his skin softly, Kelsey breathed in his scent before smiling. “And before you go there…it’s not about you. She’d hate any guy I fell in love with because it means she’s losing control over me.” 

“You’re in love with me?” Out of everything Kelsey had just said somehow it wasn’t surprising that that was what Taylor had picked up on first. 

Nodding, Kelsey pulled back to look Taylor in the eye. 

“I know we still have things to figure out and life paths to navigate but I can’t imagine anything better than spending the rest of my life with you.” 

With Taylor suddenly kissing her, Kelsey sighed happily, feeling so loved and safe in his arms. 

“Someday I’m gonna make that happen.” He declared. “So long as you’re still willing to put up with me when the time comes.” 

She really hoped that was something he could make come true. For now though she was just going to enjoy kissing him and basking in the way he makes her feel. 

May 9th, 2023

Kelsey knew her paper like the back of her hand, she had prepped every question imaginable that her professor and other staff could ask her about it but she still couldn’t shake the nerves and dread as she walked across campus for her last big presentation of the semester. Feeling her phone buzz in her pocket she pulled it out, eyes going wide in surprise at the text notification on the screen. 

Laura Makar: Gary and I just wanted to wish you good luck on your presentation today. You’re going to do great, we have no doubt. 

Kelsey hadn’t gotten a text from Laura since they were in Massachusetts arranging hockey east game plans. It was out of the blue and yet showed that Laura had remembered Kelsey mentioning not looking forward to this presentation. 

And honestly…Kelsey wasn’t used to people remembering things like that. People being supportive like that. Her own parents always expected her to do well but never provided any emotional support to assist in that regard. 

This was….unexpected…and a bit overwhelming. 

As the text rolled through her mind, Kelsey arrived at the building, getting called in just a few minutes later in order to make her presentation. After the fact, she honestly couldn’t remember a single moment of it, so she had no idea how it had actually gone but all the same, a weight rolled off her shoulders and as she stepped back outside she sank to the ground under a tree. 

Unable to stop staring at the text Taylor’s mom had sent her, Kelsey eventually started to cry softly and found herself dialing Taylor’s number. Directed to voicemail after a few rings, Kelsey tried to regain control of her emotions, though her voice still betrayed the tears rolling down her face. 

“Hey T…it’s me. I don’t even know why I’m calling, everything’s fine just uh call me back when you get a chance. I love you.” 

It was no surprise that Taylor and his brother both had found the success they had when they had such supportive parents to back them. Parents that they could tell anything. Who they wanted to talk to every day. 

Kelsey was honestly a little jealous of the relationship that Taylor had with his parents when there was very little she saw eye to eye with her own parents on and rarely did she get any emotional support from them. 

*** When Taylor’s phone rang on the golf course where he was caddying for his teammate Tyson Dyck, he was a little surprised. He couldn’t exactly answer it, though as they drove to the next hole he saw that it had been Kelsey that called. 

Kelsey never called. At least not without them planning it first. She always texted. 

Taylor: I’m caddying for Tys today so can’t listen to your message rn. Everything ok? 

After a few minutes his phone buzzed again and he peeked at her message. 

Kelsey: Fine. Just call me when you can please.

By the time they finished it was about three hours after Kelsey had called him. As they headed back to campus Taylor listened to Kelsey’s message and hearing her tears on the call made him curse softly. That message didn’t exactly sound fine. 

Quickly he dialed her number waiting for her to answer the phone. When she did he skipped past all greetings. 

“What happened Kelsey? Your voicemail sounded the opposite of fine. Is everything okay?” 

“Your mom texted me.” 

Double checking his phone Taylor verified that his mom hadn’t texted or called him so everything had to be okay with his family. 

“Okay and?” 

“She and your dad wished me luck on my presentation this morning. And I…Taylor I couldn’t tell you the last time my parents wished me luck or told me they were certain I was going to do great. It’s stupid and silly but…” Kelsey trailed off with a sigh. 

"I mean of course you were going to do great. I'm sorry if she made you uncomfortable, that's just who my parents are though Kels."

“I said it was stupid and silly. I don’t know why it made me cry.” 

“Not stupid Kels.” Taylor assured her. 

“Anyway I’m sorry for interrupting your golfing, didn’t realize you were doing that today.” Kelsey murmured. 

“It’s fine.” Taylor stated. “How’d your presentation go anyway?” 

“I mean I can’t remember any of it so I couldn’t really tell you…” 

With Taylor snorting laughter but assuring her that he’s confident she did fine, their conversation shifted to other topics and within minutes he had her giggling as he told her about golf and how his roommates were preparing for finals. 

May 15th, 2023

Kelsey could only smile as she lounged on Taylor’s bed while he sat at his desk working on final edits of his paper for medical ethics. Her semester at Hampshire had ended on Friday but with the help of her aunt she’d managed to convince her parents that she was staying there until her UMass class was also finished. So after moving all of her stuff out of her dorm room and dropping it at her aunt’s, she’d made her way back to Taylor’s where she’d been staying since.

It was only three days, but it was extra time with Taylor that Kelsey was absolutely going to cherish. Summer was approaching far too quickly after all and even with plans in place for her to go to Calgary mid June she was still going to miss him. 

After a few minutes he pushed his chair back and stood up, bringing his computer over to her. 

“Would you mind reading it before I print it out?” 

As she’d joked with his parents about, Kelsey had expected Taylor to ask her for help multiple times while working on his final paper for medical ethics from topic to research, etc. Instead, he’d insisted that he knew what he was going to write about and that he had it all under control. So of course if he wanted a proofread or final thoughts Kelsey was more than willing to give them to him. 

“Of course.” She declared, taking the computer from him after sitting up on his bed. As soon as her eyes scanned over the title of Taylor’s paper, Kelsey immediately felt all the air leave her lungs. 

The Psychology of Abortion: Why Forced Pregnancies are Unethical

Kelsey practically held her breath while she read Taylor’s paper. It was good. He had clearly done considerable research, his argument was organized and well supported. There were a few typos that Kelsey fixed and a few phrasing things she highlighted that could possibly be a little clearer but it was everything beyond the page that held her captive. 

Reading this paper, no one would ever know that this subject was personal to Taylor. They would think that he was combining the knowledge from one of his majors with the class and that was it. 

But Kelsey knew. She knew that Taylor had picked this topic because of her. She knew that this was his way of showing her that he was trying to better understand what she had been through, that he supported her, and that he loved her. 

As she finished reading, tears rolled down her cheeks. 

“Taylor…” She whispered, voice wet. 

“Does this mean you like it?” He questioned, nervously running his fingers through his hair. 

“I can’t believe….god I love you Taylor…” She replied, shifting up onto her knees to kiss him. “You don’t know what that means to me.” 

“I love you Kels. And I’ve got your back. Always.” 

May 25, 2023

As fast as the school year had started, it came to an end. Taylor’s semester had finally ended and he was scheduled to fly home the next afternoon. With Kelsey taking him to the airport, he was doing one final dinner with his roommates. After that, they’d made plans for Taylor to meet her at her aunt and uncle’s for an early summer bonfire before spending one more night together. 

Having arrived at her aunt and uncle’s, Kelsey greeted everyone before grabbing a drink and settling into the backyard to relax for a bit and wait for Taylor. Really she’d just wanted to get out of her parents house so she’d left a bit earlier than anticipated. She knew at some point they’d probably get company be it her aunt and uncle or cousins before they went to bed but she was looking forward to one more evening spent with Taylor. 

When the back door burst open, Kelsey was not expecting Taylor’s roommates to come crashing through it. 

“There she is!” Mercs exclaimed. 

“I’m right where you should have expected me to be given that Tay and I are stealing my uncle’s fire pit for the night.” Kelsey mused, a tad confused. 

“We couldn’t leave without saying goodbye.” Lauts explained. 

Standing, Kelsey laughed as Mercs lifted her off her feet in a hug. Lauts’ hug was gentler but still firm and Kelsey grinned. 

“Is it really goodbye when I’m probably going to see you in what…like a month?” Kelsey questioned. 

“Tell yourself that when you drop T at the airport tomorrow….” Lauts trailed off with a knowing look. “And you’re gonna see him in what like two weeks.” 

“Don’t.” Kelsey insisted. “I don’t need to start crying.” 

“Then I guess I probably shouldn’t say it either since it actually is goodbye…” Mikey piped up from behind them. 

“Get over here.” Kelsey declared, hugging Taylor’s third roommate. “As if you won’t be around now and then…” She teased, though she did get choked up a little. “Don’t think those three are gonna get rid of you so easily and it’s only like 2 hours away.” 

Mikey nodded and gave Kelsey another squeeze before whispering in her ear. 

“Cut your idiot a little slack next year since he’s losing one of his chauffeurs. And try to keep him out of trouble…well all of them really.” 

“Yeah. Will do. You take care of yourself and don’t be a stranger.” As Mikey worked to shift his roommates back in the direction of the car since they did have places to be tonight, Kelsey sniffled softly. 

“Oh boy. I might have to take your aunt up on the offer of a tissue box won’t I.” Taylor declared having already said his goodbyes over dinner. His arms wrapped around her and Kelsey buried her face into his chest while taking a few calming breaths. 

“I’m fine.” She mumbled. 

“So I shouldn’t give you your present now then…” His voice was gentle but teasing and Kelsey pulled back to peer up at him. 

“You got me a present? What for Taylor?” 

“Just open it.” Taylor declared, picking up the large gift bag from its spot at his feet. 

Lifting the tissue paper off the top revealed lots of grey fluff. As she pulled the item out of the bag Kelsey’s eyes softened. A koala bear. At least 16 inches tall and supremely fluffy. It was absolutely adorable. 

“So you always have a koala to cuddle even when I’m away.” Taylor explained with a shrug, a self satisfied grin on his face. 

Though she tried, Kelsey could not find any words to say…Taylor had left her speechless. This had to be top 5 in the most romantic things he’d done since they started dating. 

Hugging it tight, Kelsey got a faint whiff of Taylor’s cologne and suddenly found herself crying while laughing. 

“I love you so goddamn much Taylor.” She murmured before launching herself at him to kiss him fiercely. 

Kissing her back, Taylor hummed, pleased that she liked her present. 

“Love you too Kelsey. But if you want a fire tonight you’re gonna have to let me go so I can get it started for us before it gets dark.” 

Pouting a bit, Kelsey kissed him once more before pulling back, hugging the koala to her chest. She legitimately has the best boyfriend in the whole world and even though it was sad to think about him leaving, the way he tried to make it just a little bit easier meant everything. 

And it was only going to be 2.5 weeks until she’d see him again anyway which objectively wasn’t that long. 

Watching as Taylor gathered the things needed to make a fire, Kelsey sunk into the chair behind her just snuggling her new present. Even once Taylor had finished building their fire and moved her to sit on his lap, she continued holding onto the stuffed koala bear. 

And that was how her aunt, uncle, and oldest cousin Kat found them when they joined them outside after sending the younger kids to bed for school in the morning. Cuddled together with Kelsey on Taylor’s lap, snuggling a stuffed koala, and sharing occasional kisses and soft conversation as they relaxed. 

“Haven’t I told you to keep it in your pants…” Greg declared, rolling his eyes at how wrapped up his niece was in her boyfriend. 

“Leave them alone dad, they’re cute.” Kat insisted. 

“Don’t go getting any ideas Kathryn.” 

“I’m just saying they’re cute.” The teenager sent her cousin a wink before immediately asking her mom if they had things for s’mores in the house. 

With her aunt unsure, Kat ran back inside to check and see, leaving Kelsey and Taylor with just her aunt and uncle. 

“So I hear you’re taking Kelsey home to meet Cale…” Carvy chirped. “Man would I love to see that.” 

Kelsey couldn’t help but be a bit confused on why anything would be exciting about her meeting Taylor’s brother when she’d already met his parents and seemingly gained their approval. 

She wasn’t going to let it bother her though knowing her Uncle was probably just being a bit of a jerk. 

“My parents love her so Cale���s outnumbered.” Taylor simply shrugged as if he wasn’t worried at all. “Hell I’m more worried that Mark, Joey, or Lucas are going to steal her from me.” 

“Think you might be stuck with her.” Carvy continued chirping. 

“Fine by me.” Taylor grinned, kissing Kelsey’s head gently because she was the only person he wanted to be with. 

“Any exciting plans for when Kels is visiting?” Her aunt inquired. Though Taylor insisted that they didn’t have a full agenda planned yet, he mentioned taking her on a hike as his parents had suggested and that they were going to spend a week at the lake house among other things. 

When Kat reappeared with things for s’mores, Taylor shifted Kelsey enough to make them both a fireside treat as conversation settled for a bit, everyone enjoying the early summer evening.

As the fire started to die down with no more wood being added to it, Taylor felt Kelsey yawn against his shoulder and he kissed the top of her head softly. 

“Think we should probably head out.” He mused knowing that otherwise Kelsey was going to fall asleep on his lap. 

Bidding goodnight to her aunt and uncle, Kelsey and Taylor made their way out to Kelsey’s car, koala still tucked under her arm. 

Finally releasing it, Kelsey drove them back to Taylor’s dorm for the final time, something that felt weird, even if it was only going to be a month or so until she was right back to it. 

It was weird how quiet the apartment was with all three of Taylor’s roommates already gone. As Kelsey moved through to Taylor’s room she saw his packed bags tucked inside the doorway and the sight made her heart clench. She knew it was silly to get emotional when she was going to see him in two and a half weeks but he was going to be thousands of miles away during that stretch and she knew it was going to be impossible not to miss seeing him multiple times a week. 

Sensing the turmoil rising in her, Taylor’s arms slipped around her from behind and he dipped his head into her neck. 

“It’s just a couple weeks Kels.” He murmured. “And you have med school applications and your thesis to keep you busy, plus I’m only a phone call away.” 

“Doesn’t mean I won’t miss you.” 

“Just like I’m gonna miss you.” Taylor confirmed. “But we’re going to have so much fun in Calgary and at the lake. I just want you to get excited, not sad.” 

“I’ll try. But no promises.” Kelsey shrugged. Gently turning her in his arms, Taylor cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing over her skin. 

“Hey…we’ve made it through much bigger bumps than this. We’re gonna get through the next two weeks just fine, they’re going to fly by and before you know it you’ll be on a plane to come see me.” 

Deep down Kelsey knew he was right and she took a deep breath trying to suppress that sinking feeling in her gut. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin their last night together by moping. 

“I know. You’re right Tay. Just don’t make fun of me when I cry dropping you off tomorrow.” 

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He assured her, dipping down to kiss her softly. “Now….are you gonna stand here moping or can I show you how much I love you?” 

Kelsey was never going to turn down being on the receiving end of Taylor’s love. Sliding her palms down his upper arms she squeaked as Taylor gripped her ass before lifting her up onto his bed and slotting himself between her thighs. 

There was something about being kissed like this that Kelsey adored. There was no hurry, no sense that this was a mere formality before transitioning to something else, it was just them enjoying each other in one of the simplest ways. Of course, as they kissed, hands wandered and explored, stroking skin softly as each committed the other to memory. 

Eventually the make out shifted fully onto Taylor’s bed, not an inch between them as they expressed their love and desire. Clothes fell to the wayside piece by piece and by the time they both finally began dozing off, both were spent and sated from the intimate activities of the evening. 

***

Waking ungodly early with Taylor’s alarm, Kelsey watched as her boyfriend did a final check of his room, gathering his things for his trip home. She’d known this morning would be hard but now that it was here it was hitting her just how hard it was. Locking up, they made their way to her car and after a stop for breakfast and coffee they were on their way to the airport. As she drove Taylor played music having connected his phone to her speakers, his hand rubbing back and forth against her thigh. 

He didn’t push her to speak as if he knew as well as she did that once she started crying she wouldn’t be able to stop. 

Once Kelsey pulled to a stop in the drop off lane, Taylor gathered his bags out of the back of her car before pulling Kelsey into a hard hug. 

“I love you and I’ll see you in a couple weeks.” Taylor promised as her tears started soaking his shoulder. 

“Love you too.” Kelsey managed to mumble before her voice cracked completely. 

“Hey.” Taylor whispered comfortingly. “18 days. That’s all.” Though Kelsey nodded, that number didn’t stop her from continuing to cry. “Kels…” Both knew there was nothing Taylor could say to stop Kelsey from crying so he just held her until he knew he had to leave because they were tying up the drop off lane. 

Stealing one last kiss, Taylor gave her a squeeze and then gathered his bags up off the ground. 

“Hey Kels, please don’t drive home while crying. Promise me.” He pleaded as she climbed back in the car. Even when she nodded he repeated for her to promise him. 

“I promise.” She mumbled softly as she settled behind the wheel. “Call me when you’re home safe.” 

“You know it.” 

Watching as he entered the building, Kelsey drove to the free short term parking lot and let loose all her tears. As much as she wanted to just go home she had promised she wouldn’t drive while crying and that was the least she could do after making Taylor deal with her heavy emotions over him leaving. 

When she finally composed herself, Kelsey made the trek back to her parents, grateful they were both working and therefore the house was quiet. Napping for a bit, new koala in her arms, Kelsey woke and finally checked her phone to see if Taylor had sent any updates. To her surprise, her lock screen was a photo of them from the night before cuddled up and enjoying the fire at her uncles and there was a widget counting down the days until she was going to Calgary. 

Kelsey had no idea where Taylor had gotten the photo but she couldn’t help but smile at how sneaky her boyfriend was and how he would have known that it would make her smile. 

Only 18 days until she was back in his arms. 

She couldn’t wait.

~~~~

Kelsey's koala:

[spawn-universe]

Comic book creator Todd McFarlane talks Spawn reboot, working with Ozzy and competing with the giants

Credit Calgary herald

Todd McFarlane has not forgotten the vow he made to Calgary back in 2017.

At the time, the comic book artist, producer and toy entrepreneur was a guest at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo and was asked about the long-gestating reboot of Spawn, which had spent years in developmental purgatory. He told the audience at the Stampede Corral that the film would hold its premiere in Calgary if he gets it “off the ground.

Fast-forward six years later McFarlane says the film is back on track. A-list writers Scott Silver, who co-wrote the 2019 hit Joker, and Malcolm Spellman, who created the Disney+ superhero series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, are currently working on the screenplay. Jamie Foxx has long been attached to play the lead role, a superhero/antihero that McFarlane first created at the age of 16 in his parents’ basement near Crowchild and 24th Avenue N.W.

The 1992 comic book debut, which came out on McFarlane’s Image Comics, sold more than 1.7 million copies and the Spawn series holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running, creator-owned, superhero comic book title. There was a 1997 live-action film with Michael Jae White, which grossed more than $100 million, and an Emmy-winning animated series that ran on HBO from 1997 to 1999. The reboot has been in the works in one form or another for years.

“On the movie front, hopefully – fingers crossed – by the middle of this year we should be making a big announcement that we found our studio, we made our deal and potentially, as part of that deal, they’ve given us our production start date,” says McFarlane. “Really, all fans care about is ‘When can I go see it?’ But at least I’ve got to be able to say ‘This year. We’ve got the money, we’ve got the backing and we’ve even got a start date.'

When it does come out, McFarlane still wants to hold one of the premieres in his hometown.

“Let me tell you right now, if I possibly can, I’m putting it into the contract,” McFarlane says. “It might be the dealbreaker. And I get two premiere spots. I live in Phoenix, I think the Phoenix people will come out in droves because they did the first time we did Spawn. I think they will come out in droves and have a good time in Calgary. That’s it. There it is: If you don’t give me that, then I pull this entire deal. I’m going to see if I can negotiate that.”

McFarlane was back in Calgary this week visiting family. On Sunday, hundreds of fans showed up at Video Game Trader in Lake Bonavista for an autograph session. In 1981, the William Aberhart High School grad left Calgary at the age of 18 on a baseball scholarship to Eastern Washington University, where he studied art and design. Within a few weeks of graduation, he got his first comic book job for Marvel. He would go on to illustrate for both Marvel and DC, drawing for Batman: Year 2, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk and co-creating the Spider-Man villain/anti-hero Venom.

But he is arguably still best known for creating Spawn and for co-founding Image Comics in 1992, which also became home to Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore’s Walking Dead comic-book series. In 1994, he revolutionized the toy industry with the realistic action figures he created for McFarlane Toys. In 1999, he won an Emmy for the animated Spawn series and earned a Grammy nod for directing Pearl Jam’s animated video for Do The Evolution. The following year, he won a Grammy for directing the video for Korn’s Freak on a Leash.

Late last year, he returned to the medium to direct the video for Ozzy Osbourne’s Patient Number Nine, which resulted in a lengthy feature in Rolling Stone magazine about McFarlane’s work in music videos.

“The request came from (Ozzy’s wife) Sharon Osbourne,” McFarlane says. “I knew her from the past. We had done some stuff with toys and comic books with her and had always done well. In the pre-preparation for shooting, I was dealing mostly with the record label and Sharon. I’m sure she showed everything to Ozzy to get the sign-off. The day of the shoot, that dude was a pro. It’s one thing I’ve always been super impressed with for all the music videos I’ve been involved with. When you say ‘Action,’ all of them are performers. They know what to do when they are on stage. This switch goes on and they just do it. At that point when we shot it, I think it was about a week before his back surgery. He just had pretty extensive back surgery and was living in severe pain. You could see he was in pain and his mobility was limited and all that. So he paced himself, which is what a smart person would do. But when I said ‘Action,’ he turned into the 25, 30-year-old Ozzy.”

On top of the promising developments in the Spawn reboot, McFarlane has continued to find success in both the comic book and toy worlds. He credits the relatively small group of people he works with for the company’s David-versus-Goliath success.

“I’ve got a good core of people,” he says. “We’re scrappy. We’re the Bad News Bears of our industry.”

In 2021, Spawn beat out behemoths DC Comics and Marvel to become the No. 1 selling comic book. That same year, his Spawn spinoff titles – Scorched, Gunslinger Spawn and King Spawn – broke sales records. Last year, the crossover Batman Spawn title became a bestseller.

McFarlane Toys’ beat out Fortune 500 companies such as Hasbro and Mattel with the bestselling action-figure line of 2021. The company is currently licensed to create figures for Black Adam, Shazam, The Flash and Batman movies for the DC Multiverse, James Cameron’s Avatar, Dune and even Ted Lasso.

“Their size is their blessing and their curse,” says McFarlane about the giant corporations he competes with. “I could say the same thing about my smallness: it’s my blessing and my curse. Here’s the blessing: I can move quick, I can move fast. Here’s their curse: They are so big and bloated, they can’t move fast. If I see an opening, I can see that opening way faster than they can get into it. I’m not trying to compete, let’s say on the toy front, directly with what the giants are doing. I’m not trying to slay the giants, that’s not the victory. The victory is saying: Where have they left the gap?”

[postsgrowthgrid]

Tips and Tricks for Using a Coin Operated Car Wash

Maintaining your car’s appearance is an essential part of ownership, and using a coin operated car wash is one of the most convenient and affordable ways to do so. These self-service car washes allow you to control the cleaning process and customize it to meet your vehicle's specific needs. Whether you’re a regular user of coin operated car washes or just trying it for the first time, following a few tips and tricks can help you get the most out of your experience and achieve the best results.

Benefits of Using a Coin Operated Car Wash

Coin operated car washes offer several advantages over automatic or full-service car washes. First, they are often more cost-effective, allowing you to only pay for the time you use, typically charging by the minute. This flexibility is perfect for those who want a thorough clean without the higher costs of automatic washes. Another benefit is the level of control you have over the cleaning process. You can focus on specific areas of the car, adjust the water pressure, and even spend extra time on particularly dirty spots. This level of attention can help you achieve the best car wash results, leaving your car looking as good as new.

Tips and Tricks for Getting the Best Results

Preparation is Key

Before you arrive at the car wash, ensure you have enough coins or tokens to operate the machine. Many car washes now accept card payments, but it’s always good to have some change on hand just in case. Also, bring your own cleaning supplies, such as microfiber cloths, a bucket, and soap, if you prefer using your own products.

Pre-Rinse the Car

Start by using the high-pressure rinse setting to thoroughly wet the vehicle and loosen any dirt or debris. Focus on areas like the wheels, undercarriage, and grille, as these tend to collect the most dirt. Pre-rinsing is essential to ensure that dirt and grime don’t scratch the paint during the washing process.

Use the Soap Setting Wisely

After the pre-rinse, switch to the soap setting. Some coin operated car washes provide a foam brush for this step. Use the brush gently to avoid scratching the paint, and make sure to cover the entire surface of the car with soap. For stubborn areas, like bugs on the front bumper or bird droppings on the roof, spend a bit more time scrubbing.

Work in Sections

To avoid the soap drying on your car, it’s a good idea to wash the vehicle in sections. Start with the roof and work your way down. After soaping a section, immediately rinse it off with the high-pressure water to prevent soap spots.

Rinse Thoroughly

Once the entire car has been washed, use the high-pressure rinse again to remove all the soap. Pay extra attention to crevices around windows, mirrors, and door handles, where soap residue tends to linger. A thorough rinse ensures that no streaks or water spots are left behind.

Finish with a Wax or Spot-Free Rinse

Many coin operated car wash stations offer a wax or spot-free rinse option. The wax coating helps protect the paint, while the spot-free rinse uses deionized water to prevent water spots from forming on your car as it dries.

Best Car Wash Practices in Calgary

If you’re looking for the best car wash in Calgary, it’s important to take into account factors like location, the type of services offered, and user reviews. Many coin operated car washes in Calgary are known for their convenience and accessibility. They are ideal for drivers who prefer to handle the washing themselves but still want high-quality results. Choosing a car wash in Calgary that is well-maintained and offers up-to-date equipment will ensure you get the most value for your time and money.

Additionally, Calgary's changing weather conditions can cause significant dirt buildup on your vehicle. In winter, salt and grime from the roads can damage your car’s paint if not properly cleaned. Regular trips to a coin operated car wash during this season can prevent long-term wear and tear.

Conclusion

Using a coin operated car wash is an excellent way to keep your vehicle clean without spending a lot of money. By following these simple tips and tricks, you can make sure your car looks its best after every wash. Whether you’re looking for the best car wash or just want a quick and affordable solution, a car wash in Calgary can meet all your needs. With proper preparation, the right technique, and attention to detail, you’ll enjoy a spotless, shiny vehicle every time.

[monolithm007]

Best Places in Calgary for a Date

Let’s face it. 

Finding a new spot to take your date to places can be difficult and time consuming. Maybe you’re new here or you’re just simply overwhelmed by all the options. We really do live in an up and coming city that has so much to offer (but seriously, thank goodness). Our team is big on supporting local, which is why we have created a list of our favourite places for dinner, activities and speakeasy bars in and around YYC. Visit us here: "Monolith Marketing".

Check out our recommendations and wow your date with places on your next outing! 

Dinner

A foodie or not, impress your date with places and an unforgettable dining experience. These restaurants not only offer a tasty menu, but also include their own unique vibes. 

Ten Foot Henry

What to expect: a fresh vegetable focused menu, shareable plates, rustic vibes 

Location: 1209 1 St SW, Calgary, AB

Major Tom

What to expect: elevated menu, 40th floor views of downtown

Location: 700 2 St SW #4000, Calgary, AB

Fortuna’s Row

What to expect: contemporary Latin American dishes, shareable plates, dark & relaxing vibes

Location: 421 Riverfront Ave, Calgary, AB

River Cafe

What to expect: locally sourced protein & seafood entres, beautiful location

Location: 25 Prince’s Island Park, Calgary, AB 

Orchard 

What to expect: Asian & Mediterranean dishes, beautiful space with chandeliers & greenery

Location: 620 10 Ave SW #134, Calgary, AB

Teatro 

What to expect: Mediterranean dishes, award winning wine cellar, elegant space 

Location: 200 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB

Porch

What to expect: stylish shareable cuisine, laid back summer porch vibes, intimate atomsphere

Location: 730 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB 

Lulu Bar 

What to expect: asain-fusion cuisine, refreshing atmosphere, reminiscent vacation vibes 

Location: 510 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB

Model Milk 

What to expect: refined comfort food, old exposed brick walls, highly energetic setting

Location: 308 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB

Eight

What to expect: innovative regional dishes, full engagement with chef during dining experience

Location: 631 Confluence Way SE, Calgary, AB

D.O.P

What to expect: Italian cuisine, intimate atmosphere Location: 1005A 1 St SW, Calgary, AB 

OLEA

What to expect: mediterranean and western European focused menu, bright-modern vibe 

Location: 1520 14 St SW, Calgary, AB

Fire & Flora

What to expect: Canadian cuisine, vegetable forward menu, local & seasonal ingredients

Location: 227 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB

Luca Restaurant 

What to expect: Italian fare dishes, stylish dining environment 

Location: 524 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB

Activities 

These are for the ones who seek entertainment. With plenty to choose from, you can’t go wrong with one of these fun activities. 

Watch the Calgary Flames at the Saddledome

Location: 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary, AB

Check out a live blues performance at Blue’s Can

Location: 1429 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB 

Take a ceramic class at Workshop Studio

Location: 2501 Alyth Rd SE, Calgary, AB 

Enjoy live jazz music at Alvin’s Jazz House

Location: 176 Mahogany Centre SE, Calgary, AB 

Get competitive with a game of bowling at National on 10th 

Location: 341 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB  

Take a cooking class at The Cookbook Co. Cooks 

Location: 722 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB 

Practice your swing at Launchpad Golf 

Location: 31 Heritage Pointe Dr, Heritage Pointe, AB

Pack a picnic and head to Prince Island’s Park 

Location: 698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary, AB 

Kick back and watch a film at Plaza Theatre 

Location: 1133 Kensington Rd NW, Calgary, AB 

Get your game on at the Rec Room

Location: 1180-901 64 Ave NE, Calgary, AB 

Share some laughs at The Laugh Shop

Location: 5940 Blackfoot Trail SE, Calgary, AB 

Cocktail Bars

Maybe your date is more interested in sipping delicious cocktails somewhere. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered for that as well. With most of these being on the DL, we can guarantee that your date will be very impressed with one of these spots.

Prickett Richard 

Vibe: dark & intimate speakeasy 

Location: 638 17 Ave SW #1, Calgary, AB

Paper Lantern 

Vibe: underground tropical & Vietnamese spot Location: 115 2 Ave SE Basement, Calgary, AB

Betty Lou’s Library 

Vibe: American 1920’s Prohibition era with Paris’ Lost Generation speakeasy in old library

Location: The Devenish Building, 908 17 Avenue Southwest, Calgary, AB

Shelter 

Vibe: private speakeasy for a weary urban traveler looking to escape the outside world

Location: 1210 1 St SW, Calgary, AB

Bar Annabelle 

Vibe: vintage & warm speakeasy 

Location: 109a, 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB

Frenchie Wine Bar 

Vibe: French-focused menu, intimate hideaway 

Location: 616 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB (through Una Takeaway) 

Ajito 

Vibe: luxurious speakeasy with Japanese food & drinks 

Location: 7212 Macleod Trail SE #110, Calgary, AB

[stilltravels]

Canada

This vacation is filled with breathtaking beauty! This 7-night getaway brings you to the finest spots of Calgary, Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise. Immerse yourself in nature as you hike, explore, and sightsee through the national parks and wilderness of your dreams.

Date - Sept 12 -19, 2024

What's Included

Roundtrip economy class airfare to Calgary (YYC)

Avis automatic, intermediate size car rental for duration

Pick up and drop off YYC

1 night in Calgary at the Calgary Marriott Hotel

2 nights in Banff at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge

2 nights in Jasper at The Crimson

1 night in Lake Louise at Mountaineer Lodge

1 night at Calgary Airport at the Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel

Banff Lake Cruise (Lake Minnewanka)

Banff Gondola Ride

Ice Explorer Ride on the Athabasca Glacier

Lake Louise Sightseeing Lift

Total Package Price - $ 2,578.85 (per person)

Call or text 6784691977 or email yourstilltravels@gmail.com

www.stilltravelsllc.com

**Prices and availability are subject to change

** Can price different departure airports, numbers of travelers, hotel rooms and dates.

#jasper#canada#lakelouise#banff#Banff#slowtravel#slowtravelling#travelling#travellingram#travellingtheworld#travellife#luxurylife#luxurytravel#luxury#vacations#travels#travelinspiration#travelagent#travellovers#traveltheworld#stilltravels

[puckthedrama]

dont think rempe is going to date or mess around a lot this summer. man knows hes gotta fight tooth and nail for a spot on the team this fall and cant afford any distractions. its also a contract year for him so he has to prove himself.

true true true!!!

you know what he’s going to be messing with though? that free calgary beer. 😎

[scambitcoin]

BBS Limited Review

BBS Limited Review - Is this broker legitimate or a fraud? Given the growing evidence pointing to BBS Limited's involvement in fraudulent operations, potential investors are advised to proceed with care before investing, particularly in areas prone to forex scams, cryptocurrency scams, dating scams, and CFD scams. We provide a complete study and throw light on the broker's operations and any red flags with our in-depth BBS Limited Review. Even though you should always do your research, the information at hand suggests that BBS Limited is quite likely to be a scam broker. BBS Limited Website - www.bbslimited.co Website Availability - NO BBS Limited Address - 207 9 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 1K3, Canada BBS Limited Warning - Ontario Securities Commission (Ontario), Autorité des marchés financiers (Quebec), and British Columbia Securities Commission (Columbia) Domain Age - - Domain Name: bbslimited.co - Registry Domain ID: D2E0A4CD178004F6282EC002A3FD9B06D-GDREG - Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.publicdomainregistry.com - Registrar URL: publicdomainregistry.com - Updated Date: 2024-03-07T03:19:27Z - Creation Date: 2023-01-31T18:30:24Z - Registry Expiry Date: 2025-01-31T18:30:24Z

Key indicators that show if BBS Limited is a scam

Several compelling reasons and disturbing data have led to the identification of BBS Limited as a probable scam. Most scam brokers lack openness in their operations, neglecting to disclose detailed information about their management team, company plan, and financial status. This lack of openness raises concerns and prevents potential investors from making sound decisions. BBS Limited, based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, operates without financial market monitoring and is unregulated. Despite its claim of offering a simple trading platform with automatic options, the lack of a trading license raises concerns. The platform's features, including software characteristics and mobile app availability, are unknown and put potential traders in a state of uncertainty. Due to these concerns, proceed with caution while considering an involvement with BBS Limited.

Exposing the Negative BBS Limited Reviews

The number of unfavorable BBS Limited reviews on several websites is a major element in the classification of BBS Limited as a possible fraud. Reputable websites like Trustpilot, Sitejabber, Scam Bitcoin, and others are quickly examined and show a steady flow of complaints against BBS Limited. It is crucial to examine every detail carefully to determine a broker's reliability.

Taking Preventative Actions Against Unreliable Brokers like BBS Limited

Conduct Comprehensive Research Before engaging with any broker, such as BBS Limited, safeguard your interests by conducting an extensive investigation to thwart potential scams. Ensure their legitimacy by delving into various sources, including an BBS Limitedreview. Scrutinize reviews, testimonials, and user feedback from credible outlets to gauge their trustworthiness. Verify Regulatory Credentials Ensure that the broker holds accreditation and operates under the oversight of a recognized financial regulatory authority in your jurisdiction. This step provides a crucial layer of oversight and protection for traders. Prioritize Secure Payment Methods Prioritize the use of secure payment options that offer buyer protection. It's essential not to divulge sensitive financial information to unfamiliar or untrustworthy brokers. Beware of Unattainable Promises Exercise caution when encountering brokers that make extravagant claims of substantial profits with minimal risk. Such promises often serve as warning signs of potential scams. Stay Informed Staying informed is your shield against financial fraud. By keeping up with the latest fraud trends and warning signs in the financial sector, you enhance your ability to spot potential scams and protect your investments. Vigilance and knowledge are essential in identifying red flags, particularly when dealing with brokers. File a Complaint against BBS Limited if scammed

Seeking Justice: File Complaints against BBS Limited at Scam Bitcoin

If you suspect you have been a victim of the BBS Limited scam or any other forex scam, cryptocurrency scam, binary scam, or investment fraud, you should first know that recovery is possible from scams. Scam Bitcoin Team is a valuable resource, including the BBS Limited review, that offers assistance to victims of fraudulent schemes. Our consultation is free and we guide you through the process of recovering from financial losses. File a Quick Complaint Here

More Scam Broker Reviews

Moreover, we offer insights through the BBS Limited review and other relevant reviews to raise awareness about potential scams. Keep in mind that staying informed and aware is important if you want to safeguard yourself against fraud and make wise choices in trading and investing. If you believe you've been scammed, seeking help from reputable organizations like Scam Bitcoin can be crucial to recovering and preventing future incidents. Read Scam Brokers 2024 Scam Broker Reviews Our Social Pages Facebook Page Twitter Reddit Read the full article

[sunblindsyyc]

Tips For Cleaning And Maintaining Calgary Blinds And Shutters

Are your Calgary blinds and shutters starting to look dull and worn out? Want to keep these window dressings in pristine condition doesn’t have to be a challenge. It can be a surprisingly simple and satisfying process with the right knowledge. 

In this guide, SunBlinds YYC, unveils the secrets to effortless cleaning and maintenance, ensuring your blinds and shutters not only maintain their charm but also stand the test of time. Dive into these expert tips and discover how to transform your window coverings into timeless pieces that enhance your home's aesthetics. Let’s embark on a journey of care, preservation, and elegance.

Seven Essential Cleaning And Maintenance Tips for Calgary Blinds and Shutters 

By following these helpful tips, you're not just preserving your window treatments; you're also making sure they stay functional. This way, your living space will always have the ideal mix of style, privacy, and control over natural light. 

1. Dusting: A Simple Gesture with Profound Impact

Regular cleaning is essential to keep your Calgary blinds and shutters in great shape. Start by dusting them carefully with a feather duster or a vacuum cleaner brush. For delicate blinds, use a soft cloth to wipe away dust gently. Wooden shutters and vinyl blinds can be cleaned with a slightly damp cloth. Remember to turn the slats while cleaning to ensure every part gets cleaned well.

But maintenance isn't just about cleaning. You should also check for any damage, like broken slats or loose cords, from time to time. Fix these issues as soon as you notice them to prevent more problems. If you have wooden blinds or shutters, consider adding a protective coating to shield them from moisture and sunlight. By keeping up with regular cleaning, checking for damage, and making timely repairs, your blinds and shutters will not only look good but also last longer.

2. Keeping Your Blinds and Shutters Clean and Fresh

To maintain your Calgary blinds and shutters in excellent condition, periodic deep cleaning is essential. For wooden or vinyl shutters, create a mild soapy water solution and delicately wipe down each slat with a soft sponge. Take care not to over-saturate, especially with wood, to prevent damage. Dry them thoroughly after cleaning to avoid any potential issues.

When it comes to fabric blinds like Roman or vertical blinds, a different approach is needed. For stains, use a gentle soapy water mixture and softly blot the affected areas with a sponge. Avoid vigorous rubbing to prevent fabric damage. After spot cleaning, let the blinds air dry naturally to prevent watermarks and maintain their quality. Regularly following these cleaning methods not only preserves their appearance but also contributes to a cleaner and healthier living space.

3. Mastering the Vacuum Cleaner

Ever wondered about the dust accumulating in the corners and crevices of your shutters? Enter the vacuum cleaner, your unsung hero in this cleaning saga. Equipped with a brush attachment, it effortlessly reaches every nook and cranny, ensuring no dust particle is left behind. A regular date with your vacuum cleaner not only keeps your blinds and shutters clean but also elevates your indoor air quality.

4. The Power of Professional Cleaning: When to Call in the Experts

Sometimes, our Calgary blinds and shutters need expert cleaning. If they have complex designs, delicate fabrics, or stubborn stains, professionals can help. These experts know exactly how to clean them without damage. 

5. Weatherproofing Your Calgary Blinds and Shutters

Calgary weather can be harsh, and your blinds and shutters often bear the brunt of it. To enhance their durability, consider weatherproofing treatments. These treatments act as shields, protecting your window dressings from moisture, UV rays, and temperature fluctuations. Think of it as armour for your blinds and shutters, ensuring they remain resilient against the ever-changing weather moods of Calgary.

6. The Gentle Touch of Lubrication

If your blinds or shutters have movable parts, a touch of lubrication can work wonders. Use a silicone-based spray or a small amount of olive oil on hinges and other moving components. This prevents squeaking, ensures smooth operation, and prolongs the life of your window adornments. A small gesture like this goes a long way in maintaining the functionality of your blinds and shutters.

7. Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions

In the era of eco-consciousness, why not extend your green practices to your cleaning routine? Baking soda and white vinegar are your allies here. Create a paste with baking soda and water, apply it gently on stains, let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe it away. For a natural deodorizer, mix equal parts water and white vinegar and spritz on blinds and shutters to freshen the air and promote sustainability.

Wrapping up all...

Our blinds and shutters aren’t just window coverings, they are statements of your style and taste. By following these tips and tricks, you are not just cleaning them; you are extending their lifespan, maintaining their elegance, and preserving their functionality. So, the next time you look at your Calgary blinds and shutters, choose SunBlinds YYC. We have years of experience all across western Canada, making us the perfect choice for your home. Happy cleaning!

The article was originally posted on: https://sunblinds.ca/calgary/tips-for-cleaning-and-maintaining-calgary-blinds-and-shutters/

Book Your In-Home Consultation: https://sunblinds.ca/calgary/contact-us-blinds-in-calgary/