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equallyshaw · 4 months

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home | luke hughes ↠ warnings: a few swear words! alludes to sex and just a broken heart. ↠ word count: 2.8k ↠ part two?

blair and luke met their freshman year at michigan, when blair had come over from scotland for her bachelors in art history. the two met in a gen ed writing course, and had sat with each other on the first day. as the course went on, luke realized he needed some help so he enlisted her and in return, luke taught her all about hockey. after some witty jokes and sarcastic banter, she agreed to learn about the very thing that kept luke going - through everything. and through it all, they fell for each other. and fell for each other hard.

after two years at michigan, luke had made his way over to jersey which made blair feel expectedly bittersweet about it. she was losing her best best friend for good at michigan during a time of uncertainty about her own future at michigan. when she returned to the states for her second year, she had difficulty readjusting. sure, her friends were still there as well as her roommate, and ofcourse luke. but things felt different. and then the possibility of luke leaving after the season, made things even more uneasy for her. the dark-haired girl had an inkling, that it too would be her last there. the fall semester was especially rough, with constant homesickness weaving in and out of her life. luke had been a godsend, as well as his parents; always inviting her over for meals or just to hang out. but it wasn't enough at the end of the day, especially as she missed out on seeing her grandmother before she passed. after she came back for the spring semester, she had made her decision. this would be her last, but as the season began to get more chaotic; her chance to tell him never came. and then luke made his debut in jersey, she did not have the heart to tell him after the game when his parents flew her out.

and as luck would have it, she would tell him when he came out to visit her.

luke arrived in the city of edniburgh around july 19th, and luke felt like he had never been happy to see somebody in his entire life. he quickly wrapped his arms around the brunette, twirling her around just a bit. he set her down, arms still hooked around her and looked down into her green eyes. "hi pretty girl." he whispered before kissing her. his hands found their way towards her pale cheeks, as hers found his wrists. "welcome moosey." she hummed, as they parted. she then took his hand in hers after he swatted her hand away from his suitcase, and the two walked out towards the parking lot. she opened up the trunk of the audi and he lifted it with ease. she rounded her way to the driver's side, and quickly turned it on. "coffee?" she mused, looking over at him a small smirk. "coffee." he responded, and she quickly pulled out of the spot and the two were on their way towards the heart of the city.

the two grabbed their coffee's before walking around the historical part of the downtown, catching up with one another since they had seen each other last. "i think tomorrow we can head over to my uncle's vacation home in roslin, which isn't too far from here. and we can have some quiet time together." she said with a soft smile as the two got back into the car. he looked over and then leaned over before pausing a few inches near her face, "cant wait." he hummed gazing at her rosy lips, before connecting for a kiss. her hand distinctly found the back of his head, pulling him closer and eliciting a soft moan from the hockey player. she pulled back by a few inches, looking into his hazel eyes, "god I've missed you." she hummed before reconnecting their lips together.

the two found their way back to her parents house, and her parents were ready to greet the 6 foot boy, as they shut the car doors. "so good to meet you me darlin." her mom gushed, pulling him in for a hug as her dad took his suitcase from blair. "good to meet you son." her dad said shaking luke's outstretched hand, "good to meet the both of you. have heard so many wonderful things about you both." he said sweetly, as blair walked into the house in front of them. "oh we've heard so much about you boy!" her mom gushed again, causing blair to roll her eyes. "do you like tea? we were just about to put the kettle on." her mom said with inquisitive eyes, and luke peered at blair who smirked in response. "sure! i may need a lot of sugar and cream." luke mused, causing her mom to giggle. "oh not a problem! just how blair takes it." her mom said making her way past them and towards the kitchen. "let's get you situated upstairs, and then we will be back down." blair said pulling him towards the stairs. "ten minutes!" her mom screamed from the kitchen, making blair and her dad chuckle.

luke and blair headed upstairs, and showed him the extra bedroom. "here you go." she said and luke walked in behind her, shutting the door softly. he nodded as she sat down at the door of the bed, and luke found his way between her legs. he placed his hands on her pale cheeks and brushed his thumbs against her soft skin.

god, she was going to miss these moments.

he leaned down and kissed her softly, which turned passionate quickly. he slowly pushed her back into the bed, and hooked their legs together before they pulled away from one another. "as much as i'd love to continue this...i also don't want my parents to walk in." she whispered, and he chuckled laying down on top of the girl. his head rested on her chest, as they took in each other's familiar warmth that they had missed for the past two months. it felt like home, for the both of them. her fingers absentmindedly found themselves, pulling at luke's curls softly; not wanting to break them or pull them apart. the two heard her parents downstairs, sarcastically bickering with each other and luke picked his head up; "now i know where you got your sarcastic humor from." he teased causing her to blush, as he kissed the spot right between her chest, right above her ribcage. the exact place that made her body flood with heat and butterflies. "don't worry luke...two nights without anybody in 5 miles...will be heaven." she hummed as he kissed that exact spot a few more times. he groaned, plopping his face, face first into her chest again. she chuckled, and they laid there for a few more minutes before they heard her mom from the foot of the steps, calling for them.

"lets go big baby." she said trying to move, but he held on tighter. "come on giraffe, we gotta go." she teased, and he groaned again but began to move off of her. he placed one last peck on her lips before pulling her up by the hands, and in front of him. the two walked downstairs and headed towards the back living room that was used for tea. blair quickly sat down on the white plush couch, with luke right beside her. she pulled her legs to her chest, before reaching over and plucking a few sugar cubes and poured cream in it. she pulled it up to her lips and blew on it, as her parents began to ask luke about his family, and how their offseason was doing. "yeah as soon as you made your debut, we brought a sports package - probably illegally - to watch the playoffs." her dad said feeling so proud of himself, and that made luke's heart swell. "we don't know anything about the sport or how it works, but we've enjoyed getting into it. we also plan to watch a new york team or both. but from what blair said, you guys are rivals with the rangers?" her dad questioned and luke nodded. "that's what I've been told at least. it was pretty heated during our run. but yeah." he said shrugging. the three of them continued to talk about his schooling and his futures for his degree, and what not. "oh yeah in addition to my mom telling me i needed to finish, miss blair over here has been relentless about it too." and blaire snickered. "lest we forget." she said before snapping her fingers, and he nodded. "her and my mom both have given me the lecture on how fast things can change and they are right. i plan to take the minimum amount of credits this season. thankfully all my classes have online options." he said and her mom nodded. her dad gaze found his daughters, and he gave her a smile before lifting his tea cup towards her a bit.

"speaking of which, im super happy the university of glaslow also has online options. that means it'll be easier to go visit him." her mom said sweetly, and blair felt her heart plummet. luke looked over at her with a confused look, "wait what?" he questioned. her mom looked between the two before looking at her husband, who was looking away towards the sliding french doors. "what..?" he questioned, and finally blair looked towards him. she licked her lips before speaking, "it is true. im staying here, im staying home." she said and it felt like a blade had been lodged within luke's heart. "you know what? your father and i planned to run to the shop's today, we'll will be back soon!" blairs mom announced, pulling her husband up from the chair and out the room, and once they heard the front door close- luke let out a breath, he did not realize he had been holding in.

"what?" he asked again, but this time his voice gave out. tears pooled both of their eyes, as realization was settling in. and now that blair was not responding, luke's heart really began to break. "when?" he asked looking at the floor now, "when did you decide this? when blair, tell me now!" he said heatedly and cursed himself for his budding anger. she shook her head, wiping away a few tears. "blair baby, please..." he asked softly before grabbing ahold of her hand softly. she shook her head, before breaking down into a sob. he instinctively brought her body to his, wrapping his arms around her shaking figure. "im so-sorry lukey, i wanted to tell you i really did i just didn't know how and then you left - and i uh-" she paused to let out a strangled sob as she began to shake. this is what she'd fear would happen if she hadn't picked the right moment. luke placed a kiss to her shoulder, trying to calm her down a bit. "i was struggling so badly luke..like hell, i missed saying bye to my grandma and i hate that i couldn't be here. i hate myself for choosing a university over 3,000 goddamn miles. i hate that i wasn't here when my mom was simply losing it, because frankly, i was too. and i needed her and wanted her and i was there!" she said, making it sound as if she regretted meeting him too. she sniffled, "i was so fucking depressed last year lukey...i couldn't bring myself to show you last year. i couldn't distract you or have made you worried last year. i couldn't." she whispered, and that made his heart break even more.

he let out a loud breath, "did you regret meeting me? regret us?" he asked as loose tears fell from his eyes. she shook her head and looked up at him, pulling his face to her's. she pressed their foreheads together, "i have never and will never regret you luke. ever. i promise." she said looking into his eyes before pulling him in for a deep kiss. her hands rested on his cheeks, as they pulled away. "so you've decided then?" he whispered, hating that he was asking this. something he thought he'd never ask. she nodded, frowning. she pulled away, wiping her nose, and chuckled softly. he felt a smile growing and shook his head, that little chuckle she did always put a smile on his face.

she licked her lips as she stood up, and then looked back down towards luke. "how about we head to my uncles earlier? we can sort everything out there." she said and he nodded, and she held out a hand for him and he gladly took it.

his flight back to detroit was scheduled for the next morning, and after eating some thai food they found themselves wrapped in each other's arm before bed. she turned towards luke and kissed him passionately, to which luke recriproacted. his arms found her lower back as he pulled her on his lap, having her staddle him. she pulled her hair to one side before taking off her t-shirt. she leaned back into luke and pulled him up in a sitting position, pulling his shirt off now. he sucked that spot in between her chest, causing her to moan quietly. her body became inflamed, as he continued to kiss around her chest before his lips found her neck. as he continued to assault her neck, she sighed heavily. "luke..." she trailed off and he quickly found her gaze. "make love to me one more time, please." she begged and luke didn't need to be told twice.

the next morning luke woke up to an empty bed, and sighed. the anxiety in his chest seized, when he heard footsteps on the stairs and then he saw an exhausted blair walk through the door with two coffees and two breakfast sandwiches. "sorry, i popped down the street a bit ago." she said sitting up in bed and handing him his share. he nodded, taking it and sitting up. "i placed an uber for you to be picked up in about an hour and 20 minutes." she said sipping her coffee a bit more. luke sighed, "you didn't have to do that." he said giving her a knowing look. she shook her head, "least i could do for breaking your heart within 2 hours of you being here...and having to go back today." she said shrugging, and he took a bit of his sandwich before he said anything he'd regret later. "my parents send their well wishes...they feel rotten about everything and how it transpired." she said guiltily. he nodded, "your parents are lovely, you are the perfect mix of them." he hummed and she smiled. "yeah." was all was said for awhile. as the uber app notified her that the car was on it's way, the two found themselves at the front door, saying their goodbyes.

the two stared at one another, not sure what to say for a few minutes before luke pulled her in for a hug. she melted into his hold, savoring what felt like home. or what once was, home. "thankyou luke for our two years. ill forever be grateful for our time together." she whispered, and he pulled her in tighter. "can you promise me one thing?" he asked softly, "anything." she responded quickly. "promise me that if you find yourself back in the states, you'll reach out? promise me you'll say something and not from social media." he said pulling back just a bit to embrace the brunette. she nodded profusely, "i promise." she said feeling herself beginning to cry. he wiped away the tears, and her eyebrows crinkled. "do you...do you think we'll find each other again?" she asked softly and he smiled softly. "absolutely." he responded before bringing her in for one last kiss. her phone dinged, letting them know that the uber was here. she pulled away too quickly for the boys liking, but allowed her to roll the suitcase towards the awaiting vehicle, and allowed the uber driver to take it from her.

she turned it back towards luke, and pushed a few curls away from his eyesight. "have a safe flight and good luck with the upcoming season." she said and he nodded, "and good luck in glasglow." and now it was her turn to nod. she pulled him in for one more hug, and her hand found the base of his head and threaded her fingers in his curls.

oh how she'd miss them.

"tell everybody ill miss them and tell your brothers i wish them well this upcoming season." she whispered before pulling away. luke nodded, "i promise." he responded before hopping into the vehicle. she stood there as it made it's way back into town and towards the airport. as she turned to go inside her phone dinged, and she saw that a deposit had been transferred to her account. tears swelled in her eyes as she saw a greater amount, well above the uber ride and a note that read, "when you need a way home."

im so sorry, but i would love to write a second part to this ngl

random tags: @toasttt11 @cuttergauthier @bedsyandco @jackhues @lukehughes43 @hockeyboysarehot @heavenlyhischier @mirrorballhughes

#luke hughes #luke hughes x oc #Luke hughes blurb #luke hughes imagine #new jersey devils #umich hockey #equallyshaw masterlist #nhl #hockey #nhl blurb #hockey imagine #nhl imagine #hockey blurb

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readyforthegarden · 10 months

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Silver Springs - Part One

Pairing: Sam Kiszka x Original Female Character

Synopsis: The year was 1976, the season was summer. The days were hot and the nights were hotter. Music was the best it had ever been, especially rock music. Sam Kiszka has been riding the high of being in one of the top bands on the scene, but when his bands tour is accompanied by another up-and-coming band, with a lead singer that gets on his very last nerve, will everything come crashing down or will they end up making music that changes the world?

Warnings: Mentions of drug use, misogyny typical of the 1970s, 18+ only, Minors DNI

WC: 2712

🎶 🎶 🎶

“What is it like, being on top?” Sam smirked at the question, dragging his hand across his forehead in the hot sun as sweat beaded against his tanned skin. He held back a laugh at the obvious innuendo, leaning against the warm brick of the building.

“It’s a crazy feeling,” Sam answered the interviewer, who was holding a microphone out to him with a slightly shaking hand. “I never thought in a million years our music would reach so many people. We’re just some kids from the suburbs of Michigan, so to be at this level is insane.”

“You’re turning into hometown heroes, really.” the interviewer replied, chuckling at his moniker. “Record sales are at an all time high, you’re at the top of the charts, do you have any advice for any kids back home in their garages, trying to be the next Greta Van Fleet?”

“Yeah, don’t try to be the next Greta Van Fleet.” Sam grinned. “Be yourselves, write what speaks to you, play what sounds good to you. As long as you’re yourself you’ll go far.” They wrapped up the interview and Sam parted from the young man, starting his journey back to his bus across the parking lot. He pulled a cigarette out of the pack in the front pocket of his half buttoned shirt, slipping a lighter from his jeans pocket and lighting it.

“Hey, you’re Sam Kiszka, right?” Sam squinted in the sun, turning and seeing a young woman walking fast to catch up to his long stride.

“I am.” he replied. “If you want an autograph, I’m afraid I don’t have a pen. If you wanna shag, there’s a line forming over on the other side of the venue.”

“I don’t want either of those things, thank you though.” the girl scoffed lightly, slowing down now that she was beside him. “I’m actually a musician, a singer-songwriter, and I was wondering if you’d look over a few of my songs? I really dig the music you make, and it’d mean a lot.” Sam stopped with a sigh, turning to the girl. Her light, sandy brown hair was frizzed from the humidity, unkempt waves looking like she slept with her hair wet and the window open while tossing and turning.

Her wide hazel eyes blinked up at him, and Sam glanced down, seeing her clutching a worn, tattered journal in her hands. She wore overalls with patches on the wide legged knees. They hung loosely on her and were faded, the t-shirt underneath short and snug to her body, making them clear signs of hand-me-downs or thrift finds.

“I guess,” Sam sighed, holding out his hand. The girl opened the book in her hands, flipping through the pages before handing it over to Sam. The page Sam looked down on was scribbled all over, words etched out, messy writing across the lines. A few spots were discolored, spots where maybe some water, possibly even tears had spilled over. His eyes scanned the lyrics, keeping a blank face as the young woman bit her lip nervously, ruffling her hair, a smattering of bracelets clattering along her wrist and forearm as she moved.

Sam flipped through a few more pages before snapping the book shut, looking over to her. He thought carefully about what he wanted to say. The words she had written were good, and he couldn’t help the artistic jealousy that bubbled up in his chest that he never thought of stringing them together himself.

“What’s your name, kid?”

“Brandy.” she responded. “Brandy Lawson.”

“Well, Brandy Lawson,” Sam held up the book in front of him. “I wouldn’t quit your day job. You’ve got some potential, but nothing big in here. No one wants to hear a woman whining about her broken heart.” he watched Brandy’s eyes dim, her cheeks turning pink as she rolled her shoulders back against the blow to her ego.

“I appreciate the honesty.” Brandy reached out, taking her book back from Sam. “Really, thank you.” Sam felt a small twist in his gut, guilt setting in at crushing the girls’ dreams. He ran a hand through his brown, shoulder length hair with a sigh.

“Listen, it’s nothing personal,” he shrugged. He wanted to continue but couldn’t find decent enough words to tell her he thought her words were shit.

“No, no it’s not.” Brandy shook her head, clutching the journal to her chest again, a new spark in her eyes. “Thank you for your opinion, Mr. Kiszka. Have a good show.” she began to move away and Sam reached out, placing a large hand on her shoulder.

“Do you want an autograph or something?” he offered, trying to take the edge off the conversation. Brandy turned, smiling at him with a shake of her head.

“No. But you’ll be wanting mine one day.” she replied, so self-assured Sam was taken aback by the confidence. “See you around, Kiszka.”

Sam watched her walk away across the venue parking lot, the heels of her boots thunking against the pavement. She propelled herself with enough force the wind blew her hair back around her as she went. Something in him felt an inkling of admiration and a pang of annoyance at her sudden conviction.

“Hey, you coming to sound check?” Sam looked to his left, seeing his brother Jake ushering flagging him down. He and the rest of the band were heading inside the venue now. Sam nodded, jogging over to him. “What kept you so long? The magazine guy left a while ago.”

“Just some fan, wanted me to give advice on their songwriting.” Sam replied, waving his hand in front of him like Brandy had been an annoying fly buzzing around his head for the few minutes they interacted.

“Were they any good?” Jake asked curiously. Sam huffed out a laugh, holding open the stage door as his brother shuffled in.

“Just some school-kid drivel.” Sam shrugged.

“Aw, you mean like what you used to write?” Josh, Sam’s eldest brother wrapped an arm around Sam’s shoulder, using his knuckles to give him a playful noogie to the side of his head.

“Knock it off,” Sam pushed Josh off of him gently.

“We all have to start somewhere, Sammy.” Josh reminded him.

“Well, she seems to think I’ll be asking for her autograph one day,” Sam rolled his eyes. “So she must think she’s ahead of the game.” He followed his brothers onto the stage, taking place at his microphone as a roadie handed him his guitar.

“Who knows, maybe we’ll even be opening for her.” Jake joked into his mic, making the other men laugh. That was the last they had spoken of it, and the last Sam thought of Brandy Lawson for a very long while.

Until she stormed back into his life, a new name, a new band, and fiery attitude.

🎶 🎶 🎶

“Los Angeles are you ready for a night of love and rock and roll?!” the crowd in the Troubadour roared. “My name is Harlow, and with me are the Blue Jean Babies. And we’re here tonight to make sweet love to you through music and leave you wanting more.” a few wolf whistles echoed through the room as Harlow gripped her microphone stand, bringing her body towards it. The bell sleeves of her dress fell back towards her elbows and she shook her shaggy bangs out of her face, licking her lips before beginning to sing.

“It’s a little crowded tonight.” Jake groaned, worming his way through the crowd to the bar, nodding at a few people who recognized him.

“You were the one who wanted to come.” Sam laughed back, finally resting against the sticky bar as his brother ordered them beers.

“Yeah, well I heard this band is really something.” Jake turned, handing a tepid, sweating amber bottle to his younger brother. “They’ve been blowing up the charts, and the label is thinking of having them on tour with us.”

“You mean the tour we’re about to go on in a little less than a month?” Sam was wide-eyed. “Who dropped out?”

“I guess one of the openers, one of their wives just had a baby and she’s threatening divorce if he doesn’t stay home with them since he was gone most of the pregnancy.” Jake shrugged. “It’s bullshit, but if you love the woman you do what you have to.”

“Happy wife, happy life and all that, yeah?” Sam chuckled as he took a sip of his own beer. He could never imagine himself kowtowing to anyone like that. No one was going to keep him from being on the road and living out his dream. If he was going to be with someone, they had to understand that music was the most important thing to him.

“More like he’ll have to pay out the ass in spousal and child support.” Jake rolled his eyes. Sam laughed loudly before having a few dirty looks thrown his way for interrupting the show. He smiled sheepishly and put a finger to his lips, promising to keep quiet with a wink. He turned his attention to the stage, allowing himself to focus on the music.

The woman singing was vaguely familiar, he’d probably seen her out and about in the LA scene. It was a small circle, no matter how many new faces moved to the city of Angels, so he was sure he’d met her at some party somewhere. Maybe they’d shared a joint or a bump. Maybe a beer.

“She’s pretty good, huh?” Jake leaned over to Sam, yelling over the music.

“Yeah, she’s all right.” Sam sniffed. He watched the singer on stage as she danced around, singing and banging a tambourine against the heel of her hand. Her hair flew around her wildly as she spun, and Sam couldn’t help to smirk at her free movements, they reminded him of his eldest brother in a way, and how he would move on stage during Jake’s guitar solos. “I think they’d fit in nicely as openers.”

“Yeah?” Jake quirked an eyebrow over at Sam, watching his eyes carefully. The singer was now leaning down, smiling as she interacted with concert-goers. She had a wrist laden with bangles and beaded bracelets, and Jake caught the small smirk on Sam’s face as he watched the singer slip a few off and put them over the hand of a fan who was reaching out before standing back up and continuing the show. When the band left the stage, Jake patted Sam on the shoulder, and they moved to go backstage.

As they approached the green room, they heard loud laughter, the clinking of bottles and energetic talking between bandmates, and Sam felt the energy inside him prick up. There was something so contagious about a post-show high, and he could tell Jake was feeling it too as they rounded the corner into the room. It took a few minutes of the chaos to settle down as they joined the party, and someone stopped to notice them.

“Woah,” a young man stopped when he saw Jake and Sam, his lips still glistening from the pull from the bottle of Jack Daniels he held in his hand. His mustache was barely grown in enough to collect any droplets and he wiped the back of his hand across his mouth as he stared in awe. “You’re…you’re Jake and Sam Kiskza.”

“Yeah, we are.” Jake chuckled, reaching a hand out. The young man switched the booze to his other hand and shook Jake’s outstretched hand, before shaking Sam’s as well. “We came out to see the show, you guys are good.”

“No shit!” the man grinned. “I’m Billy, I’m the guitarist. It’s an honor to meet you guys, I’ve looked up to your guitar playing since I heard your first record.”

“Appreciate that, man.” Jake grinned. “Are the rest of your bandmates here?”

“Yeah!” Billy turned, putting his hand on another man’s shoulder and getting his attention, whispering to him before gathering a few others around. “Where’s Harlow?”

“I’m right here.” they turned around again, and parted, making room for the leading lady of the night to join. It took him a few moments, but up close, all it took was a few moments, and the glimmer of gold in those hazel eyes for him to fully recognize her. His memory pulled up the scene in a parking lot where he’d essentially told her she was a talentless hack. “Hello boys.”

“Hi, I’m Jake,” Jake reached out his hand to her with a smile. She took it gently, squeezing his fingertips and holding his hand in hers for a few moments, telling him how nice it was to meet him before letting go. She turned to Sam, a smirk tugging at the corner of her smile.

“And, you are?” Sam felt his cheeks prickle with heat flushed with embarrassment that she would pretend she had no clue who he was in front of everyone, in front of his own brother. All the while her eyes glimmered with recognition. He swallowed down his pride and put on a smile, taking her hand and instead of letting her feel like she had control like she did with Jake’s, as she squeezed his fingertips he brought the back of her hands to his lips, pressing a kiss to it as he kept eye contact, smiling as he lowered her hand. Her eyes narrowed slightly and he felt his chest swell at her reaction.

“Samuel.” he replied. “But you can call me Sam.” he tossed in a wink for good effort, her cheeks turning pink from it.

“Well, to what do we owe the honor of a visit from you both?” Harlow tore her eyes from Sam, glancing back to Jake.

“We just wanted to come check out the potential new openers for our next tour.” Jake grinned. It took a moment for what he said to sink in, and the band began jumping around excited.

“What, for real?!” Billy exclaimed, and Jake nodded.

“We don’t know for sure, but they told us you guys were in the running, and we thought it’d be a good idea to check you guys out when we saw you were playing tonight.” Sam offered.

“It was a really good show,” Jake chimed in, smiling. “Reminded me a bit of us when we were first getting crowd attention, feeding off of it. I’m definitely putting my name behind you guys for our openers.”

“And what about you, Sam?” Harlow’s gaze was back to him, the question leaving her lips and cutting through to him sharply. “Did you like the show?”

“It was very entertaining.” Sam replied coolly to her challenge. “You guys are up on my list, for sure.” Harlow kept her eyes on him as the rest of the Blue Jean Babies celebrated behind her. After a few moments more, they were called to their bus to start the next leg of their journey to the next city, and had to begin packing up.

“It was great to meet you all, hopefully we’ll see you soon.” Jake told them all as he and Sam headed for the door.

“Hopefully very soon.” Harlow agreed, shooting him a charming smile. “Have a good night Jake. You too, Sam.”

“Goodnight, Harlow.” Sam replied, meeting her eyes one more time before wishing everyone else a goodnight too.

“I really liked them.” Jake turned to Sam as they walked out of the building. Most of the concert-goers had left, only a few stragglers smoking or drinking at their cars. “They seem really cool and they genuinely are excited about music.”

“Yeah, they’re pretty cool.” Jake smirked at Sam’s blaise response.

“You seemed to have a connection with that Harlow chick.” Jake nudged his little brother in the ribs with his own elbow. “Are we going to have to worry about some hanky-panky if we bring them on tour?”

“Not at all,” Sam rolled his eyes. “If anything, she has an attitude that’s annoying to me.”

“Well, if they come on tour with us, maybe it’ll humble her a little bit.” Jake shrugged, getting into his car. Sam climbed into the passenger seat, thinking of all the ways he could humble Brandy “Harlow” Lawson.

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retropopcult · 11 months

Photo

Vintage postcard showing the Hazel Park High School Band marching in the 1966 Hazel Park, Michigan Memorial Day Parade.

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hellomynameisbisexual · 1 year

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Luke Londo, a former Schuette staffer, wears his sexual orientation 'like armor'

By Ellen Shanna Knoppow|December 16th, 2022|Michigan, News

Luke Londo said learning of his appointment to the Michigan Civil Rights Commission (MCRC) was the “second coolest” thing that happened to him that week. Becoming a dad was the first. And to be honest, he said, having applied for the Commission many months earlier, Londo forgot about it.

“Three days after the birth of my son, on the way back from our very first pediatric appointment, I got a call from Gov. Whitmer’s office informing me that I was being appointed to the Michigan Civil Rights Commission,” said Londo, who is openly bisexual. He called it “the honor of a lifetime.”

In 1964, Michigan became the first state to enshrine civil rights protections in its constitution. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights carries out the work of the Commission. While the MCRC is not a lawmaking body, it has power and influence.

“The commission is so important, the department is so important, to really ensure that all Michiganders feel like they have a place they can come if they feel like their civil rights and human rights have been violated,” said Portia Roberson, chair of the MCRC. “There are a lot of education pieces that we have done and want to continue to do to really make people aware of the many issues that arise and that we can help them navigate.”

Londo cited one issue of particular significance to him: the Commission’s 2018 ruling that the definition of “sex” in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act is inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity. Once they began taking complaints on that basis, one was litigated up to the Michigan Supreme Court, which recently concurred with that ruling. Londo said being part of a body that protects the rights of LGBTQ+ Michiganders was extremely appealing to him.

The Commission is nonpartisan. And while Londo identifies politically as an Independent, until recently, he was a registered Republican with a resume that includes working in constituent relations for former Congressman Dan Benishek as well as a stint with former Attorney General Bill Schuette in 2017 and 2018.

“Oh, my goodness, it was wonderful,” Londo said of the experience working in Schuette’s office. “The Michigan Department of Attorney General does so much amazing work.” He cited in particular his tasks educating seniors on consumer fraud and educating students on how to report bullying and threats as “extremely rewarding and fulfilling work,” adding, “Bill Schuette is the kindest, sweetest man I’ve ever met. And it was just an absolute pleasure and honor to work for him.” Londo made clear his boss knew he was queer.

Londo’s tenure with the office of the attorney general coincided with a period of time that Schuette did battle with the MCRC over the body’s interpretive statement of “sex,” the very issue that Londo is so passionate about today. It cannot be overstated how roundly disliked by LGBTQ+ Michiganders — particularly those in leadership — Schuette was at the time.

Londo called Schuette’s disagreement with the MCRC “legal and academic,” and that as someone with a degree in political science and also studying for a master’s in public administration, he could see both sides. But he was quick to add, “I certainly was not part of those conversations. I didn’t actively provide input. However, you know, I always felt that the Michigan Civil Rights Commission had the better argument and I was happy to see that the Michigan Supreme Court agreed with me.”

Currently a Hazel Park City Councilmember, Londo has led the charge for his hometown to be more inclusive of its LGBTQ+ residents. He introduced an inclusive human rights ordinance and a conversion therapy ban, both of which are now on the books.

As a bisexual man married to a woman and also a father, Londo acknowledges his privilege. He can pass easily, but chooses to be openly queer. He spoke of a time after being elected Executive Committeeman on the First Congressional District Republican party that he received pushback and realized there were people eager to use his sexual orientation against him.

“I realized that the best thing that I could do in that moment was to wear it like armor,” said Londo, of his sexual orientation. “So, after that, it was extremely important to me to be not just out, but forcefully out about my representation [to] force people in these spaces to not just tolerate but accept me and people like me.”

Growing up queer in Marquette as the son of a deacon wasn’t easy, said Londo, who is 34.

“At that particular moment, high school was a difficult experience for me,” he said. “And in addition to growing up, you know, extraordinarily Catholic, [I] always just sort of felt a bit like a pariah. Coming out and being able to find my people and find my tribe was extremely important. And now it’s important to me to just look out for people like me.”

After participating in his first MCRC meeting, Londo has already made an impression. Roberson spoke of diversity on the Commission. “I think it’s so hugely important and I’m so privileged to serve on the commission with him,” Roberson said of Londo.

After their first meeting, “he spoke to young people who are out there who may be feeling very isolated, who may be feeling that they’re not protected, maybe at home, maybe at school, just in life in general,” Roberson said. “And [he] talked about how he was happy to serve on the Commission because he could be a symbol of the representation that now we are acknowledging and really bringing to the forefront in Michigan.”

Not only that, it’s because of Londo and others that beginning next year, one of their meetings will take place in the Upper Peninsula.

The admiration is mutual. Londo appreciates the “titans” he now serves with on the Commission.

“All the people on the Commission have such remarkable resumes and just this really deep abiding commitment to making lives better as part of their day jobs,” Londo said. “And I’m just so deeply honored to be part of such a significant body with so many great leaders.”

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