What Dreams Forget

Tori Lynn watched the farm fade as they headed towards the interstate. She loved Hodgenville but knew she would be trapped there. If she didn't attempt Nashville she would end up married living in house somewhere on her daddy's land. Living with Brodie's ghost. Tori Lynn wasn't going to fail. She hooked her music into James' Rover. She turned on Miranda Lambert's Another Sunday in the South. She was singing along quietly. She had pulled her sunglasses over eyes even though it would be dark in less than 2 hours.

"So straight to Nashville" asked Neal interrupting her singing. She seemed subdued after they had left. "We can go back and stay the night if you want."

"Thanks, James" she replied "I always get a little sad leaving. I know I need to go to Nashville, New York, or somewhere I can make music. But it's hard because of Bodie. I hate momma and mamaw being upset."

"They love you Tori Lynn" he said "It's obvious. They are proud of your talent. They want you to do well. Your mamaw informed me you are one of a kind. I am inclined to agree."

"Yeah well I don't feel very special. Girls like me are a dime a dozen in Nashville, Neal. You are new down there so you haven't seen it yet."

"Oh trust me Richie has shown me the country cuties, the southern dolls, and I survived the Dallas debs. The thing is most of them have no talent. They dress the part and act the part. But I'm not sure any of them play instruments, sing, or write music." explained Neal "You actually have talent."

"You don't like the debs, dolls, and belles" asked Tori Lynn smiling at Neal "I would think with your reputation you would love them all."

"My reputation is greatly exaggerated." laughed Neal "If I was a busy as the people say I wouldn't have time for hockey or anything else."

"Cocky are we Neal" replied Tori Lynn.

"Nope. New strategy. I am going to be completely honest with you Tori Lynn." said Neal grinning at Tori Lynn "But in turn you have to do the same."

"Deal" said Tori Lynn. She flipped the iPhone to more Florida Georgian Line. James just laughed.

"You know this isn't country right?" asked James

"Look who has lived in Nashville less than 6 months and is an expert." she teased.

"The guys used to listen to them in the locker room in the Burgh. I think I probably know most of this pop rock country." he answered

"Okay so you want real country" asked Tori Lynn. She immediately began flipping through the songs. "Here ya go."

Tori Lynn settled in the passenger seat. The music in the song was interesting. He heard the singer begin. He wasn't sure who it was. "Who is this?"

"Loretta Lynn" she replied singing along about a Van Lear Rose.

"The voice sounds traditional but the music is more modern." said Neal

"You have a decent ear." smiled Tori Lynn "this entire album was produced by Jack White of the White Stripes. He has a studio in Nashville. I would love for him to produce something for me."

"So we should track him down" said James

"It's not that simple Neal. You don't just walk up to Jack White." laughed Tori Lynn "I've got some dues to pay before I get a deal."

"You know Richie could talk to some people. Hell we can see if Sid can do anything?"

"Don't you dare James Neal." she shot back "I can do this"

"I know but why not make it easier" he asked.

"Because I want people to respect me." she replied "Oh take this exit coming up."

"Why" asked James looking at the gas gauge.

"Dinosaurs" said Tori Lynn smiling at him.

"Really" began Neal "we are stopping to see dinosaurs."

"You need some fun Neal" she said "Fun that doesn't involve booze, easy women, or a hockey stick."

James laughed. Tori Lynn was smiling behind her sunglasses. She was singing along to some song about a Blank Space. Tori Lynn looked at her phone as they pulled into the parking lot. "Let me out at the office we only have about an hour. I'll grab tickets and you park. Meet you at the T-Rex legs." James did as she instructed. He parked and made his way over to the office. He saw the legs she was talking about. They held up the porch of the small office.

"Bad news Neal, we can't dig for fossils." she said "But we can still take lots pictures."

"I would have paid Tori Lynn" admonished Neal.

"Nope, you bought the snacks I pay for the dinosaurs." she smiled "Still kinda sad about the fossils."

"We can come back when it's open" he laughed. Tori Lynn grabbed his hand and pulled him through the gate. "Is there a tour guide?"

"Nope we just wonder around looking at the dinos." she explained "Come on I want to get a few pics for G."

James pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of a mammoth as they walked by. He still had Tori Lynn by the hand. He couldn't think of a time when he just aimlessly spent an afternoon holding a girls hand. She pulled him towards a spiky little dinosaur. She took a selfie with him and the critter. Tori Lynn was telling him about all the critters. James was laughing.

"What are you laughing about Neal." she asked.

"You get excited about dinosaurs" he replied. He gave her that lop sided grin. Tori Lynn snapped a pic of him with a giant plant eater behind him. They had managed to catch up with a family with a little boy. Tori Lynn smiled at the small child. She looped an arm through James and headed toward the giant T-Rex. As they got close to the statue she noticed the little boy pulling at his dad's coat and pointing at them. Tori Lynn started laughing at the little fellow. She took a snap of James and the T-Rex. Tori Lynn ask the little boys mom if she minded to take a picture of her and her friend. She agreed. James grabbed her and pulled her up against him near the dino. She smiled up at him. The lady took several shots of them.

"You know your boyfriend favors my sons favorite hockey player." said the mom "He is convinced that your boyfriend is Neal. I've explained to him that James Neal wouldn't be running around Dinosaur World in Cave City, KY."

"Really?" asked Tori Lynn. The little boy was nodding his head. "Who is your favorite hockey player?"

"James Neal and Geno" said the little guy.

"What's your name" asked Tori Lynn

"Matthew" he answered. Tori Lynn saw the Malkin jersey he had on under his coat.

"I'm Tori Lynn" she replied holding a hand out to the little guy. James was watching them carefully. There weren't many people crazy enough to be out in the chilly weather near dark looking at dinosaurs. "Can you help me with something, Matthew?"

He looked at his mom. She nodded at Tori Lynn and the boy. They walked hand and hand to where Neal was standing. "His mom thinks my you favor his favorite hockey player."

"I do huh" he said kneeling down beside the boy "If I am your favorite hockey player why are you wearing G's jersey?"

Matthew's eyes got huge "You are James Neal" said the little boy. He started bouncing up and down. He looked at Tori Lynn "He is James Neal."

"Yep" said Tori Lynn "But you promised to help me remember." He shook his head. She told James to pick the little guy up and put him in the T-Rex's mouth. His parents had came over at this point and were laughing. Tori Lynn handed Matthew's mom her camera.

"Alright Neal" directed Tori Lynn "me and you are gonna rescue Matthew from the T-Rex and send this to G."

James and Tori Lynn both stretched up and grabbed Matthew's hands. They took a second shot of James getting him down. And a final shot of them running away in fake slow motion, Tori Lynn flipped through the pictures and they were all awesome. She sent them to G. She asked him if he wasn't busy to facetime her to meet his little fan. She slipped her phone into the pocket of Neal's hoodie.

James was talking with Matthew. He was actually being himself. Tori Lynn was glad she would hate to have to kill him in front of a small child.

"So your boyfriend is James Neal" said the mom who introduced herself as Trista.

"Oh Neal and I aren't dating." she responded.

"So you drag a lot of NHL players around by the hand at roadside attractions." asked Trista.

"Nope just the one who go on road trips with her " replied Neal "Tori Lynn is a Boston fan. She isn't sure she likes me yet."

Before she could respond her phone chimed. She pulled it out of her pocket and saw a smiling Evgeni Malkin.

"Hey Pretty" called Malkin "You and Lazy find dinosaurs."

"Yeah, we are at Dinosaur World" she replied "Thought you would enjoy the pics"

"Yes you and Lazy having fun."

"Yes" smiled Tori Lynn "and we've made friends with Matthew. We saved him from the t-rex. He is your biggest fan. Has a little jersey on."

"I see you save him" said G "He still there."

"Yep" she said "Will you say hi?"

"Of course Pretty." laughed G

"Matthew come here" she called. She handed the little boy her phone and grabbed James phone to take pics of the boy with her phone. He was so excited. Tori Lynn knew that Bodie had always liked the kids.

"Hello I am Evgeni" said Geno to the little boy

"Mom" he yelled over his shoulder "Geno is on her phone."

"Well talk to him" admonished his mom

"Sorry Mr. Geno" said Matthew "Mom didn't believe me that James Neal was here."

"Yeah Lazy not really get out much" said G "He do what Tori Lynn say. He like Tori Lynn."

"She should be his girlfriend" replied the little guy "She is pretty and funny."

"You tell Lazy" said Geno "Let me see jersey."

Matthew showed him his jersey. "Awesome" replied Geno "Make Lazy sign it. Have Tori Lynn tag you mom in pictures so I find you. I send you signed puck."

"Mom" yelled Matthew "You have to have Tori Lynn tag you so Geno can find me."

Tori Lynn and Nealer were standing behind the boy. It was getting dark and an employee indicated the park was closing. Tori Lynn had the little guy say good bye to G.

"Bye Geno" said Tori Lynn "Definitely my favorite Russian today."

"I always favorite Russian, Pretty" called G "Be nice to Lazy no hurt his feels."

"I'm trying G" she replied blowing a kiss at the big Russian.

Tori Lynn caught up with the small family and Neal as they were making their way out of the park.
"I have a puck and a marker in the car" said Neal to the family "If you walk out with us. I will sign his jersey and give him a puck."

"Really" squealed Matthew "Can we?"

One autographed jersey and puck later they were buckling seat belts getting ready to head to Nashville. Tori Lynn kept smiling at James. She was thrilled about making the little boys day. James had to admit it was pretty awesome to spend someone one on one time with a kid. Tori Lynn kicked off her Toms and drew her feet up into the seat. Before she buckled up she leaned across the console and kissed James cheek at the corner of his mouth.

"What was that all about" asked James.

"For being totally decent to that kid" she replied smiling at him "I like that James Neal a lot."

"I like kids Tori Lynn" he said "In fact I like them better than adults for the most part. They really just want to see us. No ulterior motives."

"No kids are awesome. Brodie always loved the kids" replied Tori Lynn.

"Ready to head to Nashville" asked James "Or any other thing you think I need to see."

"Nope" laughed Tori Lynn "We can head to Nashville."

Tori Lynn turned the music back on and sang herself to sleep. James laughed. Her music continued even as she slept. He drove along the interstate thinking about Tori Lynn, Brodie, her family, and how much he liked spending time with Tori Lynn. James needed to convince Tori Lynn that she wanted to spend time with him. He was taking the Broadway exit when a song came on about a guy making a girl miss him. That was exactly what he needed to do during this 2 week road trip. He pulled into the apartment complex . He leaned across the console and nudged Tori Lynn.

"Tori Lynn" he said softly "hey sleeping beauty you going to wake up or do I need to carry you upstairs."

Tori Lynn cracked her eye open and looked at Neal. "You should have woke me up" she said "I'm sorry."

"Why" asked Neal " I have been at your iPhones musical mercy."

"It wasn't that bad was it" quizzed Tori Lynn.

"No but I need you to help me find some of the songs I liked." replied Neal

"Do you remember which ones" she asked as she opened the door to the SUV.

"I can find them. I know both of the Sam's on there and some acoustic stuff like you do" he answered pulling boxes out of the back seat. James pulled his phone out and texted Josi and the boys upstairs. They agreed to come down and grab boxes for Tori Lynn. She had opened the hatch and was pulling instruments free of the trunk. After a few minutes Forsberg, Jarnkrok, Ekholm, and Josi met them in the garage.

"What brings the entire Swedish Mafia to the garage" asked Tori Lynn.

"Well Jos said that Neal's hot neighbor needs helping dragging things to Richie's apartment" said Ekholm.

"Oh really" said Tori Lynn looking at Josi who was staring at his feet. "And how is that going for y'all?"

"I don't know" said Jarnkrok "You are definitely hot, but the Neal hoodie is a party foul." He winked at Tori Lynn and started picking up the cases at her feet.

"Calle" yelled Neal "Less flirting more carrying Tori Lynn's shit."

Jarnkrok smiled at Tori Lynn. They managed to get all of the stuff in one trip. The boys were depositing her belongings in her bedroom. Tori Lynn was sitting on her bed opening her instrument cases with the boys looking on. Richie ventured into her bedroom in his boxer briefs.

"Why do you have a herd of Swedes in your bedroom?" asked Richie "and where the hell is Neal"

"He is done babysitting me for the day" snapped Tori Lynn "He probably went home. The boys answered James call for help to get all my stuff up here. And why are you not wearing pants?"

Josi and the boys started laughing. "It's my apartment I don't have to wear pants." replied Richie "So Neal just left you with the Swedish Mafia here."

"Yes and when you leave for your date I get to be captain of team Sweden" replied Tori Lynn "Right boys?"

"Ja söt flicka" replied Jarnkrok " Du kan vara min stjärna." He winked at Tori Lynn again.

"No idea what you Swedish fuckers are saying but she's not interested" said Richie ushering them out the door.

"Bye" called Tori Lynn "Thanks for helping me."

" Inga problem söt flicka" said Jarnkrok "We'll be upstairs if you get bored. Maybe you should give me your number in case you need help again." Tori Lynn programmed the number into the phone he handed her. He promised to text her so she would have his number. Richie shooed them out of the hallway and away from Tori Lynn.

Tori Lynn watched them all head to the stairs. "Hey" she called after Jarnkrok "You know Flicka is a horse here in the states."

"It means girl in Swedish" laughed Josi "He said you are a pretty girl."

"How do you say thanks" she asked

"Tack" said Josi.

"Tack Jarnkrok" called Tori Lynn. She watched them all go up the stairs.

"No" said Richie "no, no, no hanging with the Swedish mafia."

"They seem sweet" said Tori Lynn.

"Nope most of those boys are faster than Neal's Ferrari." said Richie "Besides I thought you kind of liked Neal."
"What happened to no Neal" asked Tori Lynn.

"The devil you know is better than a gaggle of Swedes." laughed Richie "Come pick out my outfit."

Tori Lynn sat on the edge of Richie's bed on top of the made duvet. Richie pulled his jeans on and white undershirt. He held up different button downs. Tori Lynn was debating the merits of each shirt when Neal ventured into the room.

"Didn't mean to abandon you to the Swedes" he replied "I got a call I had to take."

"I thought you were sick of me Neal" she laughed. She selected a green plaid button down for Richie. He pulled it on. He grabbed a worn pair of boots.

"Not yet" said Neal "Where you headed, Cluner?"

"Date with the redhead from last night" he replied. Richie leaned over and kissed Tori Lynn's head "Don't wait up Boo."

"Can you gag her?" asked Tori Lynn "I don't think I can handle as second night of the porn moaning."

"She might be into it" teased Richie "I'll try not to sexile you. What are you going to do?"

James laughed at their interaction. He could imagine her and Beau. He was glad she had Richie. "Order pizza and watch the Cats."

"That's fine. Come here I will show you the menus" said Richie "No Swedes"

" I like the Swedes" pouted Tori Lynn walking into the living room.

"Like them from a far" said Richie grabbing his keys. Tori Lynn headed for the kitchen. Richie wheeled around at Neal "Jarnkrok is spewing Swedish at her. Those boys will have her all over Nashville, Nealer. You know how they are."

"I left her for 5 minutes." said Neal "I was dealing with Melanie. She didn't need to hear me be a complete dick. Melanie is apparently interested in seeing me on our Western swing. I told her hell would freeze over."

"If you are still fucking around with Melanie you stay away from Tori Lynn." replied Richie "Maybe she is better off with the Swedes."

"I'm not fucking around with Melanie." he said "Speaking of secrets. Beau Hall?"

"Not my story Bro" intoned Richie "I'm out. You going to keep her company?"

"Don't know we didn't talk much on the way home. She fell asleep."

"Boring fucker" chirped Richie walking out the door.

James flopped down on the couch in Richie's apartment. He needed a new couch that wasn't hard as concrete. Tori Lynn came back into the room. She was wearing a white UK tank top, a white sports bra, and a pair of UK blue Nike Pros. She sat down on the couch opposite James. She crossed her legs under her.

"You staying for pizza and basketball" she asked.

"I think I will head over to the apartment to pack." replied Neal "I haven't even started packing." He headed for the door. Part of him wished she would stop him. The other part knew she wouldn't.

"K" said Tori Lynn "Don't be alarmed if you hear screaming UK is playing at 10"

James laughed and walked out the door. He headed to his apartment. The place was much too quiet without Richie, Pete, or Tori Lynn. He threw a load of gym clothes in the washer. They weren't leaving until Tuesday so he had all day tomorrow to pack. He still needed to find a costume for the Preds Halloween party the following night. He should have asked Tori Lynn to go. James pulled a beer from his fridge and sat down on his uncomfortable couch. He should head next door and watch the game with Tori Lynn. Or he could head to bed and get some much needed sleep before he went on the road.

Notes