What Dreams Forget

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James stood beside the bus and watched the exchange between Jarnkrok and Tori Lynn. Fuck he couldn't believe Jarnkrok had the balls to grab her and kiss her. James boarded the bus that would take them to the airport. He flopped down in a window seat and leaned his head against the cool glass. He didn't think he needed to throw up anymore but the feeling of see Tori Lynn with Jarnkrok definitely made him ill. He was still contemplating how much trouble he would get in for killing the Swede when Ribs slid into the seat next to him.

"It lives" joked Ribs "You alright man? Richie said it was a rough morning."

"Richie has a big damn mouth" replied Neal quietly. He still thought everything was extremely loud.

"I told you last night to ease up on the bourbon. You left after karaoke. I thought you might have actually listened."

"Nah" said Neal "That would have made sense. I opened another bottle of Maker's. Yes I am aware I am a complete fuck up." James pulled his headphones out of his bag and plugged them into Tori Lynn's iPod. Ribs absolutely lost his shit laughing. "What the fuck man?"

"Nealer, is there something you need to tell us?" asked Ribs. Weber, Cullen, Gaustad, and a few other older Preds were all laughing.

"Fuck off guys" he replied "I am hung over as fuck I just want to sit here."

"So you are a closet Marchand fan. That why you kneed him. To get his attention?" asked Weber.

James just stared at them for a minute. What the fuck was Shea going on about. Ribs started laughing. "He is still drunk" said Ribs "he isn't even understanding what you are saying." James was still looking at the entire wad of Preds. He finally glanced down at Tori Lynn's iPod. Fucking hell. He was holding an iPod covered with a bedazzled Bruins case complete with Marchand's number studded on the back. James groaned "Fuck my life." The boys started laughing again. He then noticed Jarnkrok and the rest of the mafia board the bus. They were chattering in Swedish or Swenglish fuck if he knew but it made his ears bleed. Shea was filling the mafia in on James being too drunk to realize that he had a Marchand case on his iPod. They started laughing.

"Keep laughing, kid" replied James looking at the iPod "It's Tori Lynn's."

"You can have the iPod Neal" said Jarnkrok "I'd rather have her. Before James could even respond they all made their way to the back of the bus. Great now the Swedes were acting like the cool kids on the school bus. Maybe he should just go to sleep. James put his headphones on and ignored everyone around him. He flipped through the music until he located the Tori Lynn files. He found a track of her singing She Talks To Angels. He felt like he had heard her do this song before but knew it wasn't one she played at the bar. He set the iPod to shuffle her songs. He closed his eyes and listened.

"Wake the fuck up Nealer" said Ribs "You can sleep on the plane." Neal gathered his things and stuffed the iPod in his pocket. Since he really didn't want to talk to anyone he left his headphones on. He got off the bus. He went to get his bag but Ribs motioned him into the terminal. Apparently the staff handled everything but their carry on. James just wanted to be on the plane and asleep. His only hope for surviving the day was sleeping some off the bourbon. He flopped down in a seat and looked at the iPod screen. 10:45. Their flight left at 11:45. He could sleep for an hour.

James woke to Coach Laviolette kicking his feet. James looked at Coach and pulled the headphones off. "We are boarding Neal." He nodded at the Coach and picked up his bag to follow. "And Nealer if you ever show up to a roadie drunk again I will bench you until I trade you to Buffalo."

"Yes, Sir" said Neal. Making good impressions on his new team. He was pretty sure this wasn't what Tori Lynn meant. Lavi nodded and walked off. He walked onto the tarmac and climbed on the team plane. He flopped down in a seat beside Ribs. "Dick you couldn't have woke me up before Lavi did?"

"You looked so peaceful, Nealer" replied Ribs "Your lucky I didn't let the mafia kids have their way with you."

"Thanks" said Neal "How long is this flight?"

"About 4 hours" said Shea "Sleep it off man"

James pulled out his phone and started to power it off. He noticed a message from Tori Lynn.

TL: Take care of yourself. Have a good trip.

He stared at the message. How does he answer that? He continued to stare until Ribs poked him. "Man did you pass out staring at the phone?"

"No just collecting my thoughts" said Neal.

Neal: I will. Already feeling more human. Took a few naps.
TL: A few?
Neal: On the bus and at the airport.
TL: Sleeping your way around Nashville?
Neal: And apparently Edmonton.
TL: Got the Rover home safe.
Neal: Please drive it?
TL: I said I would.
Neal: Thanks for the iPod by the way. Sucky cover however.
TL: I love that cover. Marchy is awesome.
Neal: So much shit because of it. Even your little Swede was picking at me.
TL: Poor baby.
Neal: So you don't care I am being ridiculed.
TL: Not even a little.
Neal: The stewardess is giving me the evil eye.
TL: Then stop texting
Neal: Can't I'll miss you.
TL: Goodbye Neal.
Neal: Going to let you sing me to sleep.

Neal put his headphones on and leaned back in his seat. He messed with the iPod and flipped through all the music and videos. He stopped when he realized that one section of the videos was Tori Lynn performing. He watched the first video. It was her talking to Richie laughing playing I Love Rock and Roll. The second video was of her sitting on her dad's piano playing a guitar. He could see Beau David Hall sitting beside her with a bass guitar. He recognized the song immediately. It was Champagne Supernova. He watched them interact together. He felt like he was intruding. But he couldn't not watch. Ribs was leaning over staring at the small screen.

"Is that Beau David Hall?" asked Ribs

"Yeah, he is Tori Lynn's brother." answered Neal.

"Jay" said Ribs "You do not need to fuck with this girl. That entire family went through hell."

"Thanks for the fucking vote of confidence." replied Neal "I don't want to fuck with her. Why is it so hard to believe that I might actually really like her. And that contrary to yesterday. I am not trying to actively sabotage whatever I have with her. I am a fuck up. She is very aware. And on top of everything else I have teen wolf back there hitting on my girl."

Ribiero stared at Neal as if he had grown a second head. Mike roared out in laughter. Fuck was all Neal could think. He put the headphones back on and flipped it to the files that were Tori Lynn's demo. He saw Ribs talking. He motioned for him to pull the headphones back.

"I owe Richie $100." said Ribiero.

"What the fuck?" asked James "What kind of bet did you all have going?"

"Richie is convinced you are already half in love with Tori Lynn. The bastard told us that in the locker room before he left. Asshole just won probably a grand." replied Ribs "Then be a man and tell teen wolf to stand down."

"She doesn't want him to stand down" replied James miserably. Ribs smirked at him. He looked at their gaggle of Swedes and then at Neal.

"Calle is a sweet kid. But he is just that a kid. You know how to treat women. Obviously Tori Lynn likes him but he could be friend zoned at any second. She is almost as fond of Matti as she is of him if you watch. Hell she danced with all of them last night. She may have kissed him before we left. But she left with your number on her back and in your Rover." explained Ribs "Way I see it she is yours to lose. Any more fiancés show up, you fuck around on her, or she realizes what a fucking douche bag you are and she will end up with Jarnkrok. Did you really fucking courier a ring to Melanie?"

"Yes that was a damn mistake. G and Pauly tried to talk me down." replied Neal "What makes you a relationship expert Ribs?"

"I moved to fucking Nashville to save my marriage. If I don't toe the party line she will take my kids and go back to Dallas. We all grow up some time Nealer. You have to decide when and if it's worth it. I know she is worth it. So before you royally fuck up come find me."

"I am not going to fuck up. I promised her I could walk her line. That was after all bourbon, following her home, and before her having to take care of me this morning."

"Then prove it." said Ribs "And show these assholes we play with more than the Real Deal shit. Let them get to know you. Me and Richie aren't exactly the welcoming committee."

James nodded and put his head phones back on. He put the device on shuffle all. He thought Tori Lynn mixed in with everyone else would be the test to if she were radio ready. He was about to close his eyes when Shea shook him.

"What the fuck does a guy have to do to go to sleep around you fuckers" asked James pulling the headphones from his ears. Shea started laughing. Great his captain has jokes.

"Fisher wants to know if your drunken ass remembers telling his wife that she could blow a few grand finding a certain guitar for Tori Lynn." asked Shea "He doesn't have your number. Well he does now."

"The Dobro" said Neal "Yes whatever Carrie thinks is best. Get it and I will give her a card number. Tell her to get whatever goes with it."

He watched Shea type out the message on his phone. James nearly laughed because it was kind of like watching a caveman invent the wheel. Neither the phone or Shea seems sized for one another.

"Fish says he hates you. Now he is headed to shop for guitars. What's the name of Tori Lynn's bar?"

"Rosie's" said Neal "Tell him it's kind of roadhousey."

"Roadhousey" replied Shea "So it's a rough joint don't let the country princess venture over alone."

"Exactly" said Neal "How are you texting."

"Plane has wifi. Jesus you are still drunk" replied Shea "Carrie said you and her will settle up on the guitar when you get home. And Fish says never tell his wife she can spend whatever in a music store. That's how he ended up with a pink baby grand piano."

"If Tori Lynn mentions wanting one I will deputize Carrie to find one" said Neal smiling at Shea.

"Fuck" cursed Shea looking at Ribiero "We owe Richie."

"Did any of you fuckers lay money on the fact that I might not fuck this up?" asked Neal

Shea leaned in close "Just Jarnkrok. I think the kid knows." Damn it now he felt kind of bad for teen wolf. He looked back at the mafia and they were all poking around on hand held video games and razzing each other.

"They really are 12" said Neal. Ribs and Shea both shook their heads in agreement. He settled his headphones and didn't wake up until they touched down in Edmonton.

Notes