James watched the remainder of her set. The guys in her band were definitely into her. James wanted her to stay with Richie where she would be safe. Moreover, he wanted her to be his neighbor. He would leave that part of the equation.

“Richie” James called over the noise of the bar “She needs to stay with you. I don’t trust guitar boy.”
“Nana said she is convinced she is going to live with the band in a studio apartment.I told Nana that she could stay with me. In fact I have a plan to get her there.” explained Clune.

“Clune your plans suck” repliedJames.

“Nope this one is foolproof.” laughedRichie “I need her to be my house sitter when we are away. I need her to feed the pup, make sure the house stays clean, and basically make sure we stay fed. No rent, no bills, and I don’t care that she chases her neon rainbow. “

“Not bad. Think she will go for it. Maybe I can get her to watch Nixon so I don’t have to board him.”
“Let me convince her to move in with me before we spring it on her that the only people on our floor are you and me. “

“You think I am a deal breaker.” Exclaimed James

“I’d say so Mr. Neal” snarked Tori Lynn.

“You promised Nana” snorted Richie.

“Fine” she said “I will be nice.”

Clune gave her a once over. He took in the flip flops, cut offs, and tiny tee shirt. Maybe not the best attire for roaming downtown Nashville in October, but he would improvise.“Hey Boo, where are your clothes?”

“In the truck” she replied turning a circle “What you don’t like what I’m wearing?”

“Nope, I liked that outfit fine when you were 16. I think that’s the last time that shirt fit” he smirked “I would have sent you a Preds one.”

“This one is vintage.” she said “I like it. Plus I think it might be 1of 4 in existence. My truck is over in the public lot. I need to grab it and come out back to load my instruments. I have not even been to the apartment yet.”

“Give me and Nealer the keys. We will go get it.” said Richie.

“No way you will never find it.” She said

“It Bodie’s old truck right” asked Richie

“Yes, but I will go. I need out of the bar. “ she said. Richie started to argue with her. James intervened.
“We can all go but you need to throw something over that outfit so that the photographers don’t start snapping pics of the three of us.”explained James.“You don’t need that starting out and we don’t need drama.”

Before she could respond James pulled his hoodie off and thrust it at her. She gave a him a look that conveyed that she felt he was an idiot. She pulled his hat off her head and pulled the hoodie on. James snatched his hat back and put on backwards. The hoodie hung well below her hands and almost to her knees.

“Great now I get to roam Nashville looking like I raided my big brother’s closet.”

“Better than freezing your cute little ass off” replied James.Both Richie and Tori Lynn looked at him but neither said a word.James headed to the door with Tori Lynn taking giant strides to keep up.Richie was walking behind the pair laughing. This was going to be so much fun.

“Wait” she called at James “I have short legs.” James looked her up and down and slowed his stride.She and Richie caught up to him as her band mate yelled for her.

“Hey guys” she said to the 4 guys in the band “I’m gonna get my truck and I will be ready to go.” James and Richie were both giving the band major hockey goon eyes. “Stop it both of you” she said as she smacked them both. James just laughed.

They made their way out of the bar. James was watching Richie struggle to figure out how to broach the subject with Tori Lynn.

“Tori Lynn” said James “Have you found your own place yet here in Nashville. Richie helped me find an apartment when I got traded.”

“Yeah, they guys in the band have a studio apartment and I am gonna crash there for awhile.” She replied.

“I don’t miss those days. In juniors we all tended to pile into one apartment.” Laughed James.

“It’s the best offer I have right now.” she said.

“You can move in with me Boo.” said Richie not even looking at her.

“No way” she said quickly “I can’t depend on you and get used to living pro athlete style.”
“What if I need to depend on you?” he asked carefully.

“Um what the hell could you possibly need me for” she asked.

“I’m gone a lot. I need someone at the apartment to feed the dog, get the mail, keep the house straightened so my cleaning lady doesn’t quit, and maybe you could cook.” he explained “And in exchange for that no rent, no bills, safe building, and you can chase the dream. Plus me, the bros, and my mom at your fingertips for help. Come on Tori Lynn help me out. I can’t exactly hire and assistant off the street.”

“I already told the guys that I would move in and help out.” she replied. James made a scoffing sound. “What the hell Neal?”

“Well if they can’t manage with 4 guys without you pitching in it’s a bad scene. Plus it’s probably in a scary area. Richie’s building is secure and has a door man. Plus a few of the other guys live there.Plus Cluner is a damn hot mess.” stated James “And I don’t want to have to get up in the middle of the night to help Cluner kick one of the guys in the bands ass for trying to put the moves on you.”

“They are good guys.” she said through gritted teeth.

“Yeah well old boy with the guitar spent the better part of the night eye fucking you.”

“I guess you are an expert in womanizing assholes” she spat back.

“Damn right, little girl.” he said “You’ll do well to remember that there are people here who will take advantage. And moving into an apartment full of guys is ridiculous.”

“You aren’t in charge of me James Neal.”

“And I don’t want to be” he ground out.

Clune was watching the exchange between the 2 of them. Tori Lynn was toe to toe with him. They were both glaring at each other standing in front of her beat up pick up. He wasn’t sure if Tori Lynn was going hit him or kiss him. James was usually so chill you couldn’t get a reaction. Hence why they people thought he was lazy. Cluner knew better but James played the Real Deal really well.
Tori Lynn was so mad that she could spit. How dare James assume she was a bubble headed twit who couldn’t take care of herself.

“I can take care of myself” she responded to James and Richie unlocking her truck door.
“But you don’t have to. And it would help me out. Come on. I really don’t want the wrath of Nanas. Please move in with me. If you hate it I will help you find and apartment. You can still work for me and I will pay the rent.” said Richie “It’s an awesome deal Boo.”

“I’m not stupid” she said.

“Nobody said you were.” said Richie “But think of your mom and nana. They have a lot to lose.”
“Dirty even for you” she said. Tori Lynn leaned into Richie and hugged him. James felt himself getting jealous of Clune. Fuck, fuck, fuck, thought James. I am a fucking mess.“Fine I will move in and take care of your sorry ass. But you have to promise that you won’t leave me to rid the apartment of bunnies and sluts.”

“Deal” he said swinging her around.

“I guess we need to go over to the bar and get my instruments. I don’t want to leave them with the band.”

“So you would stay with them but you don’t trust them with a guitar?” asked James

“They are worth a lot more than me.”

Not fucking likely. James was amazed that she didn’t seem to realize how beautiful and talented she was. She sure as hell was worth more than a guitar.

Richie told James to ride over to the bar with Tori Lynn and he would bring his SUV over as well so they could load all her equipment.James held his hand out for the keys.

“As if Neal” she said climbing in the driver’s seat “you are drunk.”

“Actually I’m not but you are right I shouldn’t drive” he replied.
“What say that again?” she said

“You are right I don’t need to be driving.” He flipped his hat around and pulled it low over his eyes. He was stealing glances at her as she navigated the streets. James was so quiet that she thought he had passed out in the seat.She parked and James started to climb out.

“You can hang out. You aren’t a roadie” she said.

“Nope,but I can play security” he said winking at her. Oh that wasn’t good thought Tori Lynn.She felt that all the way to her toes.

“Hey baby” ready to roll said the guitar player.James shouldered past him and asked her what instruments to load. She pointed at her equipment. James picked up her fiddle case and one of the guitars.He walked wordlessly out the door and opened the hatch to Richie SUV.He loaded her equipmentand strolled back into the backstage area. He saw Tori Lynn talking to the guitar guy. He wasn’t sure what was being said but guitar guy looked pissed.

“When you auditioned for this band you neglected to tell us you were a puck fuck for the Preds.”snarled the guitar guy.He grabbed her wrist as she tried to walk away. Tori Lynn looked as if he had physically slapped her.James stepped up beside her and pushed her behind his tall frame.
James’ finger went into guitar guy’s face before she could stop him. James smiled at the guy. Oh she knew that look. It was the one that said he wasn’t afraid to throw down.“Listen” began James “ I’m not sure who the fuck you think you are. But your band needs her a hell of a lot more than she needs you all. It was apparent in that bar who the talent was. She is not and never has been a puck fuck for any team. But I can make you a promise, eh? If you ever disrespect her again I will beat you like a bass drum. You put your hands on her again and I will enjoy doing you bodily harm. You get me.”

“You don’t have your team to back you here” said guitar guy stepping forward. Neal smiled at him again. Tori Lynn stepped up beside James.He felt her small hand close around his bicep. She was branding him with her fingers.

“Please walk away James” she pled “I don’t want you in trouble here in Nashville.”

“Listen to her , Slick” he said “Move on.”

“I don’t need my team to whip your ass. And I don’t care to spend the night in jail.” said James eerily calm “But Tori Lynn asked very nicely. So I am going to pick up her equipment and we are going to leave. And you won’t ever bother her again. And if I hear a single rumor about Tori Lynn or she gets blackballed at any venue I will have you sued. Got it?”

“What’s going on” asked Richie walking in the door.

“It’s handled” said James “Grab the rest of her shit and let’s get out of here.”

James and Richie gathered her belongings. The guitar grabbed a notebook off an amp. He shoved it in his back pocket.

“Is that everything” James asked Tori Lynn.She hadn’t left his side even when Richie came in. She shook her head yes but wouldn’t look at him. “Tori Lynn what is missing?” He knew It was something important.

“He has my notebook. It’s got all my current songs that I have written.” she replied “Let him have it. It’s only about half done and half the songs suck anyway.”

James wheeled around and stalked towards the guitar guy. The guy’s eyes got really wide. James realized Richie was right behind him. “Give the notebook to me.”The guy pulled the notebook from his back pocket. He threw it at James. James caught it. He grabbed Tori Lynn’s hand and led her from the loading dock towards her truck. Richie followed them out of the bar.

James stood at the driver’s side door of Tori Lynn’s truck. He still had her hand in his hand. Her hands were small like the rest of her. But unlike most girls he knew hers were slightly roughened from her handling her instruments. He was rubbing his thumb in the space between her thumb and first finger.

“I’m sorry” she said looking up at him “I don’t want you in trouble.”

“I’m sorry” she said looking up at him “I don’t want you in trouble.”
“Not your fault” said James clearly irritated.

“What the fuck happened” asked Richie
“Apparently, you guys were right about my band.” she said. James knew that look. She was biting her lip to keep from crying.Fuck thought James.
“Don’t cry. Please don’t fucking cry” said James.
“I am not crying because I am sad” she said “I’m about to cry because I am mad.”
“Well don’t cry for that reason either” he replied.He opened her truck door and she climbed inside. “I’ll ride with you Richie can meet us there.”
“You don’t have too” she said not meeting his eyes.
“Fuck, yes I do.” he replied. He watched her follow Richie. The drive to the apartment took all of 10 minutes.They parked side by side. Between the 3 of them they got all the instruments in one trip. James had slung her bag across his shoulder before picking of any instruments. They were in the lobby and up the elevator in the blink of the eye.
“ Are you going to crash here” asked Tori Lynn “You know since you have been drinking.”
James didn’t answer her he just walked into Richie’s and walked straight to her room. He deposited the bags and cases. James and Tori Lynn were standing face to face in room.
“Thanks” she said. James was shocked when she wrapped her arms around his waist.“I’ll sleep on the couch. You can have this bed.”
“No I’ll go home” he said. She still had her arms around him when she looked up at him. Those icy blue eyes were still shiny with tears.
“No you can’t drive after you’ve been drinking.” she said“Please stay.”
“Nah I would rather sleep in my own bed.” He replied “But you can walk me home if you want.”
“Okay” she replied following him. He said his good bye to Richie. James opened the door and motioned her on through.
“Nealer” cautioned Richie.

“No worries” he said grinning “She is just walking me home.”Richie started laughing.
James met her in the hall. He turned toward the elevators.She started to push the down button. Then she noticed he walked past the elevator. If the drunk wanted to take the stairs they would take the stairs. He didn’t go in the stairwell. Instead he stopped in front of the door opposite Richie’s.
“What are you doing Neal?” she asked. James towered over her. “Seriously let’s go so I can crawl in bed.” Images of her sprawled across his black sheets flashed in his mind. His brain short circuited. He grabbed her by the waist and hauled her up against his body. He might get smacked but what the hell. He had one arm around her waist and he sank the other into her riotous brown waves. His mouth crashed down on hers.Holy Hell thought Neal. I want to do this for the rest of the night. She started to protest and he took advantage and thrust his tongue in her mouth. She was kissing him back. And then she pushed him away.
“I am not some puck slut” she rasped.
“I know. I’ve wanted to do that since you sang Jolene.” he said leaning against the wall by his door. He pulled his keys from his pocket and unlocked the door.
“Damn it why didn’t you tell me that you lived next door” she asked.
“Because I wanted you to stay with Richie?” he replied “I am a deal breaker.”
Tori Lynn cringed. She pulled his hoodie off. She started to hand it back to him.
“Hang on to it” he said “You might need it Richie keeps that apartment rink temperature.” With that he disappeared into his apartment leaving her in the hallway.She carried the hoodie back to Richie’s.Richie called at her from his bedroom.
“I’m going to bed” he yelled “ make yourself at home.”
Tori Lynn got undressed and ready for bed. She threw on a tank and a pair of black bootie shorts. Before climbing into bed she pulled James’ hoodie back on. He was right it was cold as an igloo in the apartment. Holy Hell James Neal kissed me.She flopped back on the bed.She was pretty sure she liked it. This was not part of the plan. This wasn’t going to happen. She was falling asleep thinking of avoiding Nealand smelling his hoodie bourbon, citrus, and a soap.And for some reason it was comforting. She was in big trouble but her eyes closed her eyes before she made a plan.

Notes