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James found Richie in the same place he was when he took Melanie down. "She is gone. Not allowed in the building. No visitors to this floor without one of our approval."

"Not enough Neal" Richie was shaking his head at Neal "Just stay away from her."

"I need to explain" said James pleading with Clune.

"No you need to let it go." replied Richie "We'll consider it a failed experiment. Give her a few days and it will be back to normal. Except now she has more than just Marchand as a reason to hate you."

"I don't want her to hate me. Rich let me talk to her."

"No" said Richie "Text her or call her but you are not coming in to this apartment unless she invites you herself. And if you use the key I will break both of your fucking knee caps." The door to Richie's apartment opened wide enough for his hoodie and t-shirt to hit the ground at his feet and slam shut.

"Clune, come on" pled Neal picking up his hoodie and t-shirt.

"No I told you not to fuck with her."

Clune walked in the apartment and shut the door. James was left standing outside. He laid his forehead against the cool wooden door. How the hell had his day gone from waking up with Tori Lynn in his arms to hell in less than an hour and a half. Shit he needed to get ready for practice.

Richie knocked on her bedroom door. He could hear her strumming on her guitar. She didn't have to say anything because she was playing Oasis. She was hurt. "Go away Rich" she mumbled "I am fine."

"No you aren't and you hate the word fine so now I know it's not okay." said Richie "Are you decent?"

"Of course I am. Any chance you are wearing pants?"

"Nope, Boo" he laughed "I really want to be a nudist. Shit Addison is still in my room."

"Go do the walk shame" laughed Tori Lynn "You want breakfast?"

"You don't have to cook Boo." said Richie "But if you are about to go into one of your baking frenzies can I have peanut butter blossoms."

"I will make you some. So am I feeding Addison too just making a shake for you."

"I guess if you want to cook she will hang out." replied Richie "But you don't have to."

"I know I don't but it gives me something to do. Do you have a waffle iron?"

"In the pantry I am pretty sure mom bought one." he answered.

Richie and Addison came out of his bedroom about 20 minutes later. Everyone was fully dressed which was a nice change. She knew Richie had practice at 11. She sat two plates of waffles and sausage links on the bar. Addison and Richie politely thanked her. Richie was walking on egg shells around.

"I am ok Richie." she said sitting down with juice and a waffle "I promise."

"So the Halloween party is tonight. I'm going as Captain Hook and Addison is going to be my Wendy. Want to be our Tinkerbelle?" he asked.

"You need a blonde" replied Tori Lynn "I think I will just stay home tonight."

There was a knock at the door. Tori Lynn braced herself for Neal. Richie went to answer the door and was surprised to see Calle Jarnkrok on the other side. "What's up Jarnkrok?" asked Richie.

"Not much, just wanted to see if Tori Lynn had made her mind up about going with me to the Halloween thing tonight." he answered.

"Hey Calle" said Tori Lynn from the bar stool "Want some waffles?"

Calle nodded and smiled at her "Sure Flicka".

Tori Lynn fixed Calle waffles. He sat down at the bar beside her. "So you gave any thought to being my date tonight." Richie watched the exchange between her and the Swede. He could always kill him if need be. He didn't want her home alone tonight after all the bullshit.

"I don't know" she said weakly "I should probably just stay out of the way."

"Nope, you either go with Jarnkrok or you are my Tinkerbelle." stated Richie putting his dishes in the dishwasher. Addison smacked him. "What?"

"You can't force her to date one of your boys and more than you can force her not too." said Addison. Richie winked at her.

"Jarnkrok or Tinkerbelle?" he said.

"Well not exactly the reaction I pictured from Richie the first time I asked you out." laughed Jarnkrok "So Flicka?"

"I don't have a costume?" she warned as she placed her and Calle's plates in the dishwasher. She looked around and saw him holding her guitar. "Stick to hockey sticks Jarnkrok you are holding it wrong."

She fixed the guitar so that he was holding it correctly. "I'll teach you to shoot you teach me to play this thing" teased Jarnkrok

"I can shoot just fine" she replied "But I can show you." She sat down on the couch and took the guitar and started strumming it. She started playing "I Walk the Line". Richie sighed he knew from her choice in song that she was still upset though she was smiling. She played and sang with Calle sitting beside her on the couch.

"Has Carrie heard her sing? " he asked Richie as if she weren't there.

"No" said Richie "I am hoping they will meet tonight."

"OMG" exclaimed Addison. They all turned and looked at the redhead. "You guys should come to the party dressed as Johnny and June."

"That is an awesome idea" said Richie "I know you have retro dresses in all that shit they carried in. We can find Calle some black clothing. Your guitar. And you guys are all set."

"Plus it will be flipping adorable." said Addison "I will do your hair and make-up Tori Lynn. That's what I do I work for MAC."

Calle and Tori were both kind of staring at each other. "I'm down" said Calle "But who are Johnny and June."

Richie, Addison, and Tori Lynn all looked at him like he was crazy. Tori Lynn fetched her iPad and showed him several pictures of Johnny and June. "Works for me. I will show up in black. You can see if you can get my hair to behave."

"Maybe wash that shit" said Richie "Your as bad as..." and he trailed off.

"Neal" said Tori Lynn.

"Mean Flicka" said Calle.

"Get your shit" instructed Rich "You are riding with me to practice. You can ride home with the rest of the Mafia if you want."

"Ok" laughed Calle "You should at least give me a hug since I am about to get the big brother speech." She stood up and hugged Calle. He was at least a foot taller than Tori Lynn and picked her up off the ground as her hugged. "See you in a few hours Flicka if Cluner doesn't kill me."

"Bye Tori Lynn" called Addison as she followed the boys out.

Tori Lynn stared at the door after they all left. She had gone from waking up in Neal's bed, to finding out he has a fiance, to having a date with his teammate. Heaven help her Nashville was chaos. She heard her phone chirp in her room.

Neal: Please talk to me. I need to explain everything.
TL: Nothing to explain. You gave a woman a ring less than a week ago.
Neal: I sent her away. I don't want to be with Melanie. But I didn't want to be alone.
TL: Not a good enough reason.
Neal: I haven't been lonely since we met.
TL: According to Melanie I am one of many to keep you company while she is away.
Neal: Fuck her. It was never like that.
TL: You have practice and I have band practice.
Neal: I am at the rink. I couldn't sit there knowing you were next door. Richie won't let me in.
TL: I don't want to talk. I'm not someone's second choice, Neal.
Neal: Don't start that Neal bullshit with me. Tori Lynn I don't want to fuck this up.
TL: Too late.
Neal: Why is Jarnkrok with Clune?

James stared at his phone waiting for it give him the symbol that she was answering him. That signal never came. He watched Clune and Jarnkrok come into the locker room. They were pretty friendly considering that Jarnkrok wanted to fuck Tori Lynn.

"She won't say more than a few words to me" James reported to Clune

"I am surprised she is talking at all." said Richie "but then again maybe she is over it."

"You think she is ready to talk?" asked James.

The rest of the Swedes entered the locker room. They were giving Calle shit for disappearing this am. He didn't understand what they were saying but he caught Tori Lynn's name in the mix of Swedish.

"What's got all the meatballs all a twitter?" asked Matt Cullen looking at the gaggle of Swedes in the corner of the room.

"Apparently Jarnkrok managed to convince Richie to let him bring his off limits little sister to the Halloween party tonight." replied Seth Jones

James head whipped around. His gaze found Richie's. He wanted to kill him. He wanted to do bodily harm that very second. "Fuck" said James as he threw the stick tape at Richie.

"Your fuck up Neal. I'm just making sure she is happy." said Clune "Throw shit at me again and I will kick your scrawny ass."

James glared at Jarnkrok. He might kill the kid. But then again this was his own damn fault.

Tori Lynn came in from band practice. She was tired and sweaty. But very excited they had decided on the name Neon Cathedral for the band. She wanted to get clean and get ready for the party. Even though she changed she could still smell Neal everywhere. She settled into her tub for a soak when her phone chirped.

Geno: So Pretty meet Melanie.
TL: Meeting is a nice way to say it
Geno: She call Pauly
TL: I will tell him I am sorry G
Geno: Pauly happy Lazy throw her out. She not good for Lazy
TL: He asked her to marry him
Geno: Lazy feels were hurt she not want to come to Nashville. I tell him stupid send ring
TL: He has the market on stupid G.
Geno: Da
Geno: Lazy like you. You make Lazy happy.
TL: Obviously not
Geno: Lazy slow sometimes. But he fast with like you
TL: Not wanting me to date someone else isn't the same as like
Geno: No he like you he say so. Sad right now. But is own fault
TL: I can't talk to him right now G
Geno: I know but think careful if you really want to date the Swede or if it just helps your feels because lazy hurt you
TL: Philosopher and hockey player.
Geno: Da, send pics of costume. I will be a Dracula.
TL: No you will be a vampire
Geno: That too Pretty
TL: I will be June Carter Cash and Jarnkrok is going to be my Johnny
Geno: Make promise Tori Lynn
TL: Let's hear it you called me by name
Geno: You listen to Lazy before he leave for 2 weeks
TL: I will G. I am going to miss him. I just can't say it's okay right now
Geno: And no making out with the Swede.
TL: Which promise do you want talk to Neal or no making out with the Swede?
Geno: Both
TL: Bye G got to get ready for the party.

Tori Lynn sank down in the bubbles in the tub. She heard the phone chirp again and saw a FaceTime request from Pauly. She sank further into the bubbles and hit accept on her iPad. Pauly was sitting in his locker at the Pens practice facility. His eyes got really wide.

"Are you in the bathtub?" asked Pauly.

"You should have been a detective Pauly" said Tori Lynn "This covers me more than the shirt I sang in."

"Smartass" laughed Pauly "How is it going?"

"Oh the usual wake up in bed with a stupid hockey player get yelled at by his fiance kind of day." she deadpanned

"Melanie is not Nealer's fiance. Yes the idiot bought her a ring. He was desperate for something from home to be with him in Nashville. She refused to marry him and move to Nashville."

"I don't care Pauly." said Tori Lynn "He never even mentioned her."

"That's because he was trying to forget." explained Pauly "They are toxic together. Neither one of them were ever faithful to the other one. It was almost a game."

"Not painting your boy in the best light there Pauly" replied Tori Lynn.

"Not trying too. James is a fucking idiot about 95% of the time. The other 5% he is the guy who played with you and that kid looking at Dinosaurs. The guy who climbed Lincoln with you."

"I already promised G that I would talk to him before he leaves for the road trip."

"I know. But what you need to know is James is not taking you going out with the Swede very well."

"Calle Jarnkrok isn't just some Swede. I just met him. It's a date Pauly. You know go somewhere with someone get to know them. Neal and I haven't even done that. And I've slept in his bed twice." she answered

"Yeah I know. But you need to realize that he doesn't just sleep with girls. One way or another those girls didn't stay the night. He had not mentioned Melanie since you moved in with Richie."

"I am not a replacement" she replied "He can't decide he wants to me because he can't have her. He can't decide he wants me because he doesn't want someone else to have me. "

"Tori Lynn I want you to listen to me." said Pauly calmly "He has never been with a girl like you. He has never not been with some who wasn't a random puck fuck or some social climbing whore. He hasn't had to make an effort. He doesn't normally associate with girls that don't fall all over him because he is the Real Deal. He never asks for my advice on people he dates. He doesn't know where he stands with you. It has nothing to do with you being a replacement."

"So I should let him do whatever while he learns to be a real boy?" asked Tori Lynn

"No" laughed Pauly "But comments like that are why I know you are good for him. He fucked up. I know he fucked up. He knows he fucked up. Richie knows he fucked up.
Hell the Russian threatened to fly down and beat his ass if he didn't fix it. Geno usually laughs at his shenanigans but he wasn't amused at all this time."

"I don't want everyone involved" replied Tori Lynn "It has to be me and James. He asked her to marry him less than a week ago. That's not a decision you make lightly."

"You obviously don't know how impulsive Nealer is" deadpanned Pauly "He makes lots of questionable decisions on and off the ice. She refused to come so he bought a ring thinking she would come. It didn't work the way he planned."

"So he is stupid, immature, impulsive, has proclivity to date whores, and is borderline obnoxious at best" she replied "and you think I should listen to him and give him another chance."

Pauly just smiled. "When you say it like that it sounds bad. But yes don't give up on him."

"I will hear him out. But I am going to this party with Calle. And James better be on his best behavior. No interfering. No being an asshole to Calle or any of the Swedes. And no douchebaggery."

Pauly was cracking up. She saw Geno and Sid lean over and look at the screen. "I'm not sure he can abstain from douchebaggery" laughed Sidney "If you can teach him that we will all be amazed."

"Yes miracle Pretty" replied the Russian.

"He can't help it" said Pauly.

"He can I have witnessed him refrain" explained Tori Lynn "He can just be James. I have to get ready guys. The water is cold."

"Holy hell are you in the bath tub?" asked Sidney

"Once again Captain Obvious" laughed Tori Lynn "I've already had this conversation with Pauly. I am completely covered."

"Pretty most girls not talk to random boys while in tub." said Geno

"Aww Geno y'all aren't random." replied Tori Lynn

"Nope we are friend zoned" said Pauly "Talk later chick. Call if you need us."

"Will do" answered Tori Lynn "Good luck tonight." Tori Lynn heard a chorus of thanks as the boys hung up.

Tori Lynn toed the hot water on and heard the front door slam. She heard Richie talking loudly but wasn't sure what was going on.

"Hey boo" called Richie "You decent?"

"Yeah" called Tori Lynn sinking back into the bubbles. Richie came into the bathroom. He didn't appeared to have showered. He was still sweaty like he came straight off the ice. He looked pissed.

"You didn't kill Jarnkrok" asked Tori Lynn "Or Neal for that matter?"

"No Boo I have not injured either of your boy toys." replied Richie flopping into the bathroom floor.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm on waivers" he replied.

"Oh Rich" she answered "I'm sorry."

"No one will pick me up, Tor" he stated "So I am heading back to the Ads."

"You liked playing for the Ads." she reminded him "You said it was a great club."

"It is but it isn't the NHL" he reported.

"No it isn't but they can always bring you back up." said Tori Lynn "Let me wash my hair and I will be right out."

Richie nodded and head out of the small bathroom. He flopped down on Tori Lynn's bed. "I want you to stay here in the apartment Tori Lynn."

"Richie, that's crazy to pay rent on two places." she replied

"I bought this apartment. It's an investment. I don't owe a dime on it other than utilities. I want you to stay here where you are safe. I won't be close to rescue you."

"I don't need rescued Richie" she answered annoyed

"You might" he replied "I just want to know you have a safe place to land. It would just sit empty. So you keep it alive for me. I will be rooming with a few of the other ads. Financially I am fine."

"Richie it's too much"

"No, Bodie would do the same if he were here." he answered "It's the one thing I can control right now."

"Fine but I pay the utilities" said Tori Lynn "And you upgrade the cable so I can watch the Cats."

"No, but we can upgrade the cable" laughed Richie.

"Richie" she whined "That isn't fair."

"Not worried about fair. If you get a paying gig that gets more than grocery money we will talk. Deal?" he asked

Tori Lynn came out of the bathroom in a huge Bruins t-shirt with her hair wrapped in another t-shirt. "Okay" she replied as she flopped down beside him.

"Have you even slept in this bed?" asked Richie.

"Asshole" she said smacking his chest "Yes, I slept here the first night I was here."

"But the other 2 you've been with Nealer." he asked.

"Yes, dad" she answered.

She sat up and turned to look at Richie. He wasn't his normal hyper self. She leaned over and kissed his forehead as she pulled the t-shirt from her hair. She was sitting beside him running a comb through her wild curls. Richie wasn't really talking but she recognized that he needed to be near someone.

"Boo" he said quietly

"Yeah, Rich" she replied

"You have to take care of Nealer for me."

"What?" asked Tori Lynn "You wouldn't even let him talk to me earlier"

"I know I was mad. More mad at myself for not asking what the hell happened with Melanie." he answered honestly "Melanie is poison in a pretty package. She has came on to me more than once. Neal was never an angel in the relationship either. He didn't want to marry Melanie. He just wanted her here."

"So I've been told"

"He won't have anyone here when I am gone. The boys are barely tolerant of him. Ribs is the only one who knows him. He is awkward."

"He will learn" she replied "I can't hold his hand at practice."

"He just needs someone outside the team."

"I don't know. What if I really like Calle?" she asked.

"You won't" said Richie "Not like you like Neal."

"What the hell does that mean?" she asked

"If you didn't really like Neal you would have been in your bed." he answered "And you would have ditched him instead of taking him to Kentucky. You like Neal."

"That was before I realized he was engaged" deadpanned Tori Lynn.

"He isn't fucking engaged. Couriering a ring to a girl is not the same as getting engaged. He more bribed her with a diamond than asked her to marry him." teased Richie "Being the blood sucking whore she is she came the minute he didn't want her here. He told her about you last night when you were with the meatballs."

"He disappeared" she replied "I looked up it was me and the Swedes."

"He went to talk to her. He told her he didn't want to see her when we came west. He also told her he was seeing someone. He hadn't whined about Melanie since we walked into the bar that first night. He was really getting over her. Melanie came here just to cause havoc Boo."

"He could have mentioned her" said Tori Lynn hiding behind her wet hair.

"Have you told him about Luke" asked Richie

"No" she snapped "But we are done never ever."

"I know I just think you all need to talk."

"I promised G and Pauly that I will talk to him before he leaves." she replied "I can't promise to forgive him."

Richie sat up and leaned over and kissed her cheek "Give him a chance. But don't break your date with Jarnkrok. Let him sweat."

"I might fall head over heels in love with Jarnkrok"

"Nope" said Richie "friendzone all the way."

"Out" yelled Tori Lynn "I need to get ready."

"Addison will be here in 30 minutes" he called stripping as he left her bedroom. "Gotta get my pirate on."

Tori Lynn carried her dress through the apartment and headed to the laundry room to iron it. She was busy ironing when Addison came into the room. "Are you ready to become June?"

"I guess" replied Tori Lynn. Addison pulled her into the living room and sat her on one of Richie's bar stools. She pulled out curling irons, wands, and huge curlers. Then a huge train case of makeup. Addison was rattling and talking the entire time she worked on Tori Lynn. The only reprieve Tori Lynn got was when she went to retrieve her chirping phone.

Jarnkrok: So I just wear all black. Suit?
TL: Yes all black. No tie
Jarnkrok: I think I will bring my suit down and get dressed there so I don't screw up my clothes when we fix my hair.
TL: Yeah come down whenever Addison is working on me now
Jarnkrok: Let me hit the shower and I will be down
TL: See you soon
Jarnkrok: K Flicka

Addison smiled and asked "the pretty Swede?" She steered Tori Lynn back into her chair.

"Yes, that was Calle. He is coming down to get dressed. He needs help with his hair." she answered.

"Ooh I get to play with his hair" said Addison.

"Nope" said Richie coming into the living room "No more loving on the Swedes." Richie kissed Addison on the cheek and flopped down on the couch.

Once she had Tori Lynn's hair set in huge rollers. She started doing Tori Lynn's make up. Tori Lynn's phone chirped again.

Neal: Can I talk to you before you leave for the party?
TL: Addison is already here Neal and Calle is on his way down. I don't think it's a good idea.
Neal: Please I just need to explain. Ten minutes.

"Addison, how close are you to being done with my make up?" asked Tori Lynn "Neal wants to talk to me."

"I can take a break and snuggle Richie. Any advice." asked the redhead

"He doesn't want pity. He is still playing the game he loves. Just take his mind off it. I'll only be gone 10 minutes." said Tori Lynn "So behave"

"No promises" she replied sitting down on Richie's lap. Tori Lynn heard her say something to the effect of Hey sailor as she walked out the apartment door. She knocked on Neal's door.

Tori Lynn started to walk back to Richie's as Neal's door opened "Sorry I was getting out of the shower" replied Neal "Don't go come talk to me." Tori Lynn took in his appearance. He had a towel slung low across his hips and the familiar citrus smell of his soap assaulted her sense. "I'll get dressed." Tori Lynn came into his living room and sat down in his recliner.

"What time are you leaving for the party" called Neal.

"Not sure yet Calle is coming down for Addison to see if she can do something with his hair. I don't know the actual plan." she said "I think I am mostly done. Just some lipstick and she has to tease this mess."

"I'm not sure she can tame Jarnkrok's flow" laughed James coming back into the living room. Apparently ball shorts constituted dressed around these guys. "You on the other hand are easy to make beautiful."

"Reign it in Neal" said Tori Lynn "I'm still majorly pissed at you."

James sat down on the edge of his couch facing Tori Lynn. He was rubbing the back of his neck. Tori Lynn knew that this meant he was nervous. She watched him struggle with figuring out what to say.

"Sorry doesn't seem like it's even a good enough start" he began "I had no idea Melanie was coming here. She refused to even visit."

"Yeah well it was a hell of surprise Neal" she replied "And she is fucking vicious. I had no idea of what to do with her."

"When I got traded to Nashville I begged her to come with me. She refused she wanted to stay and work on her journalism career. Really she stayed behind banged a few of former teammates and several other guys. She took a job in San Jose after she refused to come here. I sent the ring hoping it would be enough to get her here. I didn't propose. But I guess it was implied. The night I met you was the day she told me she was never coming here."

"Hence the bourbon in the sippy cup" she replied.

"Yes, not one of my finer ideas but I'm full of bad ideas." he replied "She called last night and said she watched my games. She said I was really picking up momentum here. Melanie said she had no idea that celebrities came to Preds games. She wanted to see me when I came west for this trip. I told her I was done. I told her I was seeing someone. I don't want to be with her."

"Neal I can't be just a placeholder" said Tori Lynn "I can't be here just so you won't be lonely. I don't want to be a rebound."

"You are not a placeholder" he said eerily calm "If I wanted a fuck buddy I would find some random puck slut. "

"So Pauly said" she replied.

"Fuck my life" said James standing up and pacing "Melanie and I were not good together. We both fucked around on each other."

"Got that memo too" she answered.

"I have not looked at another woman since you stepped on that stage." replied James

"I need to get back James" said Tori Lynn "Are you coming to the party?"

"I'm not sure yet." he replied.

"You need to get to know your teammates. You should come. They need to know you off the ice."

"Go with me Tori Lynn" he pled "Please go with me."

"No Neal" she answer "I promised Calle."

Tori Lynn stood up from the recliner. James watched as she pulled the big t-shirt down. He wanted to grab her and beg her to forgive him, he wanted to kiss her, and he wanted to hold her. But he fucked that up. He stood up from the couch. He walked her to the door. Before she could exit James stepped in front of the door. Tori Lynn was looking up at him. Why of all people did she have to fall for James Neal. His turquoise eyes held her gaze. He leaned in. Tori Lynn didn't know if she had the strength to push him away. He instead gathered her up in his arms. He hugged her as if he wasn't sure he would see her again. It was all she could do not to tell him it was okay and pull him down for a kiss. She knew that would be a mistake. She squeezed him tightly.

"Let me go Jamie" she said into his chest. His heart skipped several beats. He hadn't completely lost her. She had called him Jamie.

"I don't want to" he replied honestly looking down at her upturned face "Can I see you before I leave tomorrow?"

"Maybe" she said as he let her go "but you will see me at the party." She was out his door before he could even reply.

Notes