just one more down the hatchet

Blake Torrance; 32, athletic director and trivia addict

[ariel-hamilton-deactivated20221]

High Hopes || Lila & Blake

[blake-torrance]

lila--johnson:

“God, he was amazing. Tall, smart, brown eyes, dark brown hair, funny, caring, honest and loving. He was…wow, I just can’t even describe him. Parker definitely takes after and looks like Oliver. It’s uncanny how alike they are.” Lila laughed a little, shaking her head. She frowned a little when he described his injury and how it ruined his career. “That’s awful, I’m sorry.” she said softly. “I can imagine. I’m thinking about going into school counseling instead of working for a private firm.”

“It must be comforting to see him in your kids like that. And how is Parker doing with losing his dad?” He only mentioned the boy, considering her daughter wasn’t born until after. While Blake had lost his parents he was lucky to have many more years than her children. “Oh nah. It’s okay. It’s been a long time,” he shrugged it off. “Really? That would be really cool? I tell yeah, just from some of my interactions with the athletes in the school, a lot of kids need that. Who knows? Maybe we could be co-workers,” he nudged her gently with his elbow, smiling.

[ariel-hamilton-deactivated20221]

High Hopes || Lila & Blake

[blake-torrance]

lila--johnson:

“Well, I’m glad you liked hearing my life’s story. I haven’t talked much about Oliver since he passed, so it actually felt good to talk about him.” she smiled at him, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. Lila watched him as he talked, interested in what he had to say as they walked. “It must’ve been a pretty bad injury if it ended your career.” she frowned a little. “But, that’s awesome that you’re still involved in athletics.”

“Your husband... What was he like?” Blake looked over, tucking his hands in his front pockets. Thinking about the injury, he nodded. “It was. It was a pretty bad car crash. I ended up with a few injuries but it was the tearing of my rotator cuff that was so bad that even the surgery couldn’t fully heal it. It was my pitching arm so with that went my career,” he shrugged. It had taken him a long time to stop being angry about his arm. “Yeah, it’s great. Working with the kids is awesome, and just getting to be involved in the school in so many aspects has taught me a lot.”

[ariel-hamilton-deactivated20221]

High Hopes || Lila & Blake

Continued from here.

Lila had no idea where they were headed off to once they had finished at that bar, but she was really enjoying Blake’s company and part of her didn’t want to go home. She knew the kids were in good hands though, so she really wasn’t worried about them. Besides, she needed a night to herself every now and again, right? “So, tell me a bit about you. I feel like I poured my entire life story to you back there.”

( @blake-torrance )

[blake-torrance]

While it was still warm, the night air seemed to take away the humidity which he was thankful for. He was glad Lila suggested it. Though he loved a good time at the bar, the outside was a nice change of pace as he walked with the blonde, unsure where the evening was taking them. He laughed at her comment, shaking his head. “I liked hearing it,” he commented genuinely. “But about me, huh?” He mulled over where to start. “As I said, I’m from Kansas City. Born and raised. Moved here over a year ago because of my older sister. I, uh, I used to be a baseball player but had an injury that ended my career. I coached for a bit, but now I’m the athletic director at the public high school.”

[blake-torrance]

dallas-cat-lady:

“I will, I promise!” Derry laughed and then smiled when Jack began to purr thanks to the pets he was recieving from the man. “I’ll be back with your order in a few minutes,” she told him and then went back to the Cat Zone to leave the cat there and then go to the kitchen. She prepared everything, put everything on a tray and went back. “Here we go, I hope you like the bagels. We use a secret recipe.”

“Thank you,” Blake smiled as she walked away. His attention went to his phone as he waited, catching up on a few emails. With what he ordered it didn’t take long until his food came back. “Secret, huh? Is the secret what makes them so addicting?” He took a sip of the smoothie first, the fruity flavor refreshing om the hot day that it was. “So you waitress, make food, and take care of cats. Do you just do everything around here?”

[blake-torrance]

lila--johnson:

“Job opportunity and my husband’s death. But, it was a good decision. Hell, I wouldn’t have met you if I hadn’t moved to Boston.” she smirked, continuing to flirt with him. “Good, cause it’s getting a little too crowded in here for my taste.”

“Yeah? What is it that you do?” He was curious about her so genuinely wanted to know over just asking to ask. His smile widened at her comment. “You’re right. So really it was one of the best decisions you ever made,” he winked at her, throwing some cash down at the table before getting up. “Shall we?”

[blake-torrance]

seb-of-the-dead:

He let the bags go with no resistance, more concerned about them falling on the sidewalk than the small chance that this man would run off with his food. None of it had been particularly expensive. Turning, he started down the street toward his home. “…What’s, your name?” he asked, biting at the edge of his lower lip. “I’m, Sebastian.” Even though the man hadn’t asked, he felt the need to say something.

@blake-torrance​

Securing the bags in his hands, Blake followed the man he now knew as Sebastian down the street. Truthfully, he didn’t mind helping him out as his day didn’t consist of much. “Nice to meet you, Sebastian. My name’s Blake. Have you lived here long?” He asked, trying to make conversation.

[blake-torrance]

lila--johnson:

“I’m on my own. I grew up in Chicago, so that’s where my dad, stepmom and brother live.” she shrugged. “But my father came and visited for a week last week, so it was amazing to see him.” Lila smiled, watching him with his bright blue eyes and handsome smile. “How about we get out of here? I already ruined trivia night, let’s find something else to do.”

“I fellow Midwesterner. I’m from Kansas City. What made you move to Boston?” He asked, taking a drink. “That’s great that he got to visit as I’m sure it’s hard for you to travel with two kids.” He nodded at her suggestion, a smile staying in place. “You’re making up for it already, but yeah. I’m down,” he called over the waitress to pay for their drinks.

[blake-torrance]

caslonwilliamson:

“Oh, please, you say that every week and yet, here we are,” Cas said, spreading his arms wide to take in the scene of the lounge around them. “You should have learned by now that telling me not to do things typically has the opposite effect.” Caslon reached his hand across the table to ring the bell again for no reason other than he could. “The competition is the fun part anyway, winning’s just the bonus.” He winked as he lifted his beer mug to take the final sip. “Plus, it’s not like you can kick me off the team. I came up with the team name.”

“That’s because every week I’m thinking you did something to better yourself. I would think that you’d care enough about me to do that.” Blake ran a hand over his face, shaking his head at Caslon. “You’re an actual child. You know that? Hopeless.” He let out a sigh that was mixed with a chuckle as the bell rung in his ears. “Yeah, and for the team name alone you should be kicked off.”

[blake-torrance]

declanflanagan:

“Your lack of sense for realism is alarming. I thought athletes are supposed to be good at critical thinking”, he said, tilting his head at his company. “Aw hell, I’ve always wanted to know what it feels like to be 6'7”, Declan said. He liked pointing it out, that wasn’t even an exaggeration - he really was the last person to need any heel. “At least you’re not cocky about it.”

“Retired athlete now. I’ve earned my right. But hey, if you want me to think less of you then who am I to argue,” he shrugged, taking a sip of his beer. Blake only rolled his eyes at the man’s next comment, feeling he had encouraged Declan to go on just enough. “How can I be when your ego is taking up the space of the entire bar?”

[blake-torrance]

amaraxi:

“Are you my husband or my twin? I agree, 100%. One time I went to this restaurant with my father and he ordered some fish meal. The plate was almost as big as our table but the food almost fit inside his hand, it was both hilarious and tragic.“

“If that is your way of proposing I would leave off the sibling option next time around,” Blake laughed. “See now that... That is how you serve food. I want to be disgusted with how much I ate when I’m done to find a place worthy of five stars. After all, if you don’t hate yourself just a little by the end did you really enjoy your meal?”

[blake-torrance]

marlene-bregman:

“Lis-ten,” Marlene protested, her eyes narrowing over at Blake. She was a competitive person herself, but put a little alcohol in her and it didn’t really matter - she thought she knew the answer, so she shouted it out without a care if she was right or not. “I thought I was right! I thought I knew it, and I only realized I didn’t know it when they told me that. It’s the effort that counts,” she teased back, pushing her lower lip out into a pout.

As she defended herself with not the greatest argument, Blake couldn’t help but laugh. He leaned forward in his seat, placing his nearly empty bottle on the table. “Uh, no. No, it’s not,” he shook his head but his frustration was more amusement now. “And put that lip away. That’s not going to get you anywhere with me.”

[blake-torrance]

seb-of-the-dead:

Double bag. Yes, that would help. He nodded quickly. The other man was right and he knew it. Still, the nagging voice at the back of his mind continued to whisper that he had done something terrible. Slowly, he took a steady breath then looked back up to the other’s face from behind his hair. “Are you…sure? That would, be really helpful…please.”

@blake-torrance​

Blake wasn’t sure if it was the incident with the milk that seemed to throw the man off or if he was just the overly shy type. “Absolutely. I don’t want to see any more groceries become another sidewalk victim,” he smiled, grabbing some of the bags from the man. “Just lead the way.”

[blake-torrance]

ryan-dempsey:

Ryan quickly came to realize that Blake was just messing with him, playing on his fears of failing, no matter the size of the task at hand. “Look pretty, huh? I guess you’re right. I’m the only one on this team attractive enough to do that,” he teased back, giving Blake a dose of his own medicine. 

Blake popped a peanut in his mouth, fighting back a smile as he listened. “Don’t get too cocky on me now,” he shook his head at his friend. “Pretty fades. So why you might be enjoying this now, it’s us rugged men that will get the glory in the end.”

[blake-torrance]

mrfrakenanny:

Mason smiled looking at him. “ I am from Georgia, I only moved here a few years ago as a needed to break away and be my own Person. My parents were amazing but they were always trying to have their say while was still in Georgia even though I had moved out.” 

“A southern man. That’s cool,” he said with a nod. “I can definitely respect that. Every man needs his space to find his niche in life. How long ago did you move up here?”

[blake-torrance]

lila--johnson:

“It really is. Life is definitely funny like that.” The blonde said as she tucked her hair behind her ear, her cheeks still somewhat red from all of her blushing from before. “Is that so?” Lila asked, raising an eyebrow. “Then I must really be up your alley then”

“You’ve talked about your dad. Does he live around here to help with the kids or are you on your own?” He was curious about her. The thought of being a widow seemed hard enough along with being a single mom. “You most definitely are, Lila Johnson,” a charming smile pulled at his lips.

[blake-torrance]

cassidyxmichealis:

“Hey it’s not my fault they didn’t get the Golden Girls question-no one can beat me in Golden Girls trivia,” Cassidy explained, even though they lost. “And for the record, Blanche didn’t say ‘Better late than never.’ she said pregnant instead of never so…” she shrugged as she took a sip of her whiskey.

Blake listened to Cassidy ramble on, a smile of amusement growing on his face the longer she went. “Right because naturally, most people would have gotten that. Maybe I should be signing you up for Bingo at the retirement home instead. Seems more your speed, Golden Girl,” he chuckled.

[blake-torrance]

mrfrakenanny:

Sitting back in his seat as he put the menu’s down and got comfortable again Mason smiled. “ If that’s how you prefer to do things sure, who goes first?” He asked as he looked at the other lifting an eyebrow. Mason knew as much as they liked having a Laugh, Blake was someone he wanted to get to know better.

He took a sip of the new beer before answering. “I’ll ask first.” Blake leaned back as he thought of a question. “We’ll start off easy. Where are you originally from?”