Tori Lynn was either ignoring him or giving him ridiculous tourist facts as they drove. James wasn't sure what was worse being ignored or robot tour guide. He noticed that she had began texting since they hit the Larue county line.

"Do you mind if we stop in town at the square. My friend Marc Alan is on duty and I want to see him before we head out the farm." asked Tori Lynn looking at James for the first time in about a half hour.

"Your road trip" he replied smiling at Tori Lynn "I'm just along for the ride. Or I guess drive."

"Thanks, Neal" she said as she tapped on her phone screen.

"He is on duty?" asked James

"He is a deputy sheriff" she explained "We've been friends since pre-school. He is probably my closest guy friend other than Richie."

"So Lincoln, cops, and daddies with shovels" exclaimed Neal "anything else you want to spring on me?"

"Um you are going to dinner at my Mamaw's before we leave. I promise she is scariest thing that will happen to you today."

"Aww grandparents love me" teased Nealer.

"She barely tolerates us. She calls Richie a carpetbagger."

"So you get your firecracker personality from Mamaw eh?"

"Maybe" she laughed "You might be able to charm her. By the way if she mentions Jesus, Lord, or anything churchy just nodded and smile."

"What the hell have you gotten me into." he asked

"Sunday in the South." she replied. Tori Lynn directed him to turn up a side road that was a short cut to town. She told him to drive until he hit Lincoln. She was busy texting her friend. James was watching for Lincoln road but was having no luck. When he ended up driving in a circle around 2 statues of Abraham Lincoln.

"Lincoln?" he asked

"He was born here. The town is a little obsessed. Maybe I'll drag you home for Lincoln Days. Pull over up there at the police cruiser in front of the book store. Oh Marc Alan isn't really a hockey fan. It's football and basketball country. So you can just be Neal no hiding." she said "Deal?"

"I'm trying Tori Lynn" he replied as he brought the Rover to a stop. Tori Lynn put her hand over his on the gear shift. He looked at her small hand on his he knew this was a peace offering from Tori Lynn. "I'm not good at not being a show. I'm not good at being just me. No one has wanted just me in a long time. So I either hide or it manifests in somewhere between asshole and douchebag."

Tori Lynn started to laugh. "Just be the guy who watched hockey with me the other night. If I like you James everyone else will." Tori Lynn watched him pull his hat down low. She was beginning to figure out this was almost a nervous gesture. He seemed to think if he couldn't see past the brim of that ball cap neither could anyone else.

James watched the cop in the car next to him unfold his body from the cruiser. James was used to big guys. He had stared Zdeno Chara in the eyes during face off all 7 ft of him. At 6'2" and 205 lbs James was not exactly a little guy, but the guy crawling out of that police car was huge. "There's Marc Alan" exclaimed Tori Lynn. She released his hand and clamored out of the SUV. "Neal, come on" she called looking at him as she shut the door.

Before James could get out of the driver seat the huge cop had scooped Tori Lynn up in a hug and was swinging her around like a rag doll. She thumped him on the chest demanding to be put down. "I've only been gone for like a week Marc Alan."

"But I miss you Tor." replied the cop. He then turned his laser focus on James who was striding toward them. Damn he was a big guy thought James. He dwarfed Tori Lynn who was only about 5 ft tall. Hell he made James look scrawny. Dude had to be 6'6 and at least 235lbs. Tori Lynn was smiling up at the behemoth like he hung the moon. James was not sure if he wanted to hit the guy or ask him for tips on how to get Tori Lynn to look at him like that.

"Nice ride" said the cop extending a hand towards Neal "I'm Marc Alan."

"James Neal" replied Nealer his hand looking like a toddlers near the big cop "Thanks."

"What is your last name?" inquired the cop "and where are you from?"

Tori Lynn smacked Marc Alan in the chest. She then turned on him and hit him even harder. "Damn it you aren't wearing your vest. I will kick your ass and call your mama. You promised!" she raged "and no interrogating Neal. He is Canadian."

"I can't interrogate Canadians?" teased Marc Alan.

"No you can't interrogate my....." she replied and stopped "well my friend."

"Neal is my last name." said Neal "I'm not sure my mother got the memo about needing to be
called by my first and middle name here in the South."

"I know your name but I can't place why." replied Marc Alan. He looked at Tori Lynn and looked at the hoodie she was wearing. That wasn't the normal NHL team she loved. He knew that was Boston. Marc Alan had been to Nashville with Tori Lynn to watch the Bruins play Nashville. He knew enough about Brad Marchand to make him want to gag. But that hoodie was a Pens hoodie. She hated everything about the Pens except their big Russian.

"No you don't Marc Alan. You leave him alone." James rolled his eyes. He played in the NHL he could handle the backwoods cop.

"I got into the state police academy" reported Marc Alan. Tori Lynn screeched and hugged him again. James leaned against the Rover and watched their interaction. She had no fucking clue this dude was head over heels in love with her. James suspected that she left a trail of hearts wherever she went. She thought this was a congratulations hug Marc Alan on the other hand was trying to impress what he thought of as his girl. "I leave in January."

"Proud of you Marc Alan. What did your daddy say?" she asked smiling at him. Tori Lynn was bouncing she was so excited.

"Not much you know dad. Wants to know why I can't be happy on a tractor?" laughed Marc Alan. He whipped his head towards James and then back to Tori Lynn. "I know how I know who he is Tori Lynn. He was the dude that kneed your little prick of hockey player in the head. You bitched and bitched about poor Marchand."

James looked at Tori Lynn and tried not to laugh. She wheeled around and stuck a finger in Marc Alan's chest "Just for that you get no banana pudding from Mamaw. You pay absolutely no attention when we watch hockey and you remember that,"

"You were wilder than a Commanche, Tor. Poor Marchand. Thorton is fucked. Thorton got 15 Neal only got 5. Bullshit." replied Marc Alan he winked at Tori Lynn "Baby I do listen to you when you talk."

"Don't baby me Marc Alan Thompson." she said. Tori Lynn was trying to figure why Neal was being so quiet. She could tell he was amused.

Tori Lynn started towards Neal and Marc Alan grabbed her and pulled her into his chest. "Don't be mad Tor. I promise not to tell your tiny Canadian that you brought his arch enemy home. But then again with your lil fellow that doesn't narrow it down."

"He is still 9 inches taller than me Marc Alan." she shot back "Not everyone is giant."

"Come on now Tori Lynn" he teased "You see that boy in person not in hockey gear and you would tell him he isn't tall enough to ride that ride" Marc Alan gestured to Tori Lynn's body "You know as well as I do any guy that small isn't going to be your first pick."

"I hate you" she replied "Why are we best friends?" Marc Alan grabbed her and placed a smacking kiss on her lips. James stood up to his full height in case he needed to rescue her.

"Because you love me." replied Marc Alan "I promise no more short jokes, no more I wanna be a real boy jokes, and no more mention of the nemesis."

"Can we please bring him to the locker room before we play Boston. He might help the boys actually out chirp Marchy." said James.

"Nope" said Tori Lynn grabbing James by the hand. She led him down the sidewalk and across the street to the seated statue of Lincoln. "Time to get Richie's picture"

"Tori Lynn" yelled Marc Alan "I can't let you climb the statue."

She was still holding Neal's hand when Marc Alan got to the circle. "So arrest me" she called as tossed her phone to Marc Alan. "Climb up here Neal."

"Not happening" replied Neal "I'm pretty sure climbing American landmarks might get me deported."

"Don't be a pansy ass Neal. Climb up. Don't make me come down and drag you up here."

"I'm not sitting in his lap" called James climbing up beside Tori Lynn. James stood with his feet on the beside the chair of the statue. Tori Lynn stood up in front of him. She was balanced precariously. James snaked an arm around her. He pulled her back against his hard body. She smiled up at him.

"Marc Alan take a few pics please" she begged "I need one for G and one for Richie."

"This isn't low profile Tori Lynn" James said as he leaned down to her ear. Tori Lynn shivered in his hold. His ball cap kept him from getting as close as he wanted.

"Got it" called Marc Alan "now get the fuck down before I arrest you."

James climbed down first then helped Tori Lynn down. She slid down his lanky frame. She grabbed her phone from Marc Alan. She flipped through the pictures. One was of her and James laughing. The second was of her and James with him holding her tight against him. Third was him holding her leaning down to whisper in her ear. The angle of his hat covered both of their faces. You couldn't tell if they were talking or kissing. It was really intimate. She was startled out of the photos when Marc Alan's radio chirped.

"Gotta go baby" said Marc Alan dragging her in for another hug and kiss "Duty calls."

"Be careful. We are headed to the Cabin then home. Come find us if you want."

James stuck his hand out again "Nice meeting you man." Marc Alan took his hand and pulled him in for a one armed bro hug. The giant thumped James on the back. Marc Alan was eerily quiet when he spoke in James' ear. "If you hurt her I will end you. And I know all the good places to hide the body."

"Careful out there" said James. Marc Alan gave him another good thump before releasing him.

"What the hell Marc Alan" asked Tori Lynn

"It's a guy thing" said Marc Alan "James what your favorite college basketball team?"

"Pitt" replied James. Marc Alan started laughing.

"Good luck with Mamaw." said Marc Alan sliding in his cruiser "Bye Tor in case I don't see you."

Tori Lynn watched him pull out and throw blue lights as he headed towards Carter Brothers road. She waved as he left. "What did Marc Alan say to you?"

"He asked me about college basketball" he replied.

"Before that jackass" she stated annoyed.

"Standard kill you if you hurt her speech."

"He is all talk. He doesn't mean it. I don't bring guys home."

"How long has he been in love with you Tori Lynn?" quizzed Neal


"You must have brain damage" said Tori Lynn "We are like brother and sister."

"You think so, Baby" said Neal coming closer to her "But he wants you to be his."

Tori Lynn stepped up to Neal, his lanky frame was posted up on the light pole next to the cannon. She snapped a picture of him with the cannon and the Masonic Lodge in the background. "He does not Neal. We are friends. He is like Richie."

"Poor fucker" said Neal coming toward Tori Lynn. James had a predatory look in his eye. He backed Tori Lynn up until she was between him and the door of the SUV. He caged her against the door with his arms. She was trapped between him and the door. "It's not like...." Neal cut her off by fastening his mouth to hers. He kissed her gently at first. He stopped "I told you not to argue with me. I know things Tori Lynn."

She pushed against him. He didn't budge. "I wanted to kiss you up on that stupid statue. But I didn't want to get shot or tazered."

"He wouldn't" she replied. The bill of his ball cap was in her face. Tori Lynn turned the hat around backwards. His turquoise eyes locked on hers now that they weren't hidden behind that hat. He was beautifully made. Long lashes, eyes between blue and green, sharp jaw line, and his mouth was perfection. He started to kiss her a second time. "No Neal. We aren't doing this." He rested his forehead on hers. He stepped away from her and pulled the door open to the Rover. Tori Lynn climbed in and he shut the door.

When James climbed into the SUV she was busy texting. Tori Lynn looked up and gave him directions to get to Lincoln's boyhood home. After exiting the car she grabbed James by the arm and let him up at least a million stairs. She showed him the tiny log cabin. He made her stand with him and take a selfie. Which was remarkably challenging with their height difference. James flopped down on the top step and pulled Tori Lynn into his lap. With the height issue fixed he snapped a picture with the cabin in the background. They took several silly pictures with both phones. She sat in his lap and scrolled through the photos. James gave in put into which pics he liked. They agreed on the one to send to Geno. James was hesitant to say anything. He was enjoying hold her in his lap.

Geno: Hey pretty. You and Lazy see sights.
TL: Yep, hitting the Lincolns.
Geno: Have fun. Get to know him.
TL: I'm trying G.
Geno: Lazy look happy.
TL: I think I like Lazy but not the Real Deal
Geno: He no like he Real Deal but he hide
TL: No more hiding G
Geno: Poor Lazy never know what hit
TL: I'll send more pics.

"What did G say?" asked Neal

"That you look happy." she replied "Which makes the big Russian happy."

"G is a good guy." he stated "Pauly is a great guy."

"So I should accept Paul's proposal."

"Fuck no" he replied. James turned her so that she was sitting sideways in his lap but their faces were looking at one another. Tori Lynn laughed at the fierceness of his expression. She shivered all over. "Shivers because of me or because your cold." he asked giving her that smile that was pure James Neal.

Notes