What Dreams Forget

Tori Lynn made it through lunch with the Fisher's. She had a good idea of what to expect from her job. She still couldn't believe she was going to the CMA's. It had been a wild evening but all in all Tori Lynn felt like she had everything under control. She texted James.

TL: Call me when you wake up from your nap.

Tori Lynn had barely made it home before Addison had shown up at Richie's. True to her word Addison forced Tori Lynn to get dressed and come to dance class. The term dance was loose term. The class was a cardiostrip tease class. It was a lot of fun. Tori Lynn hadn't danced that much in years. Who knew stripper poles were that hard to use? She had signed up for a hip hop class and a lyrical class. Addison had dropped her at the building with an extracted promise that she could do Tori Lynn's hair and make up for the CMA's. Tori Lynn promised her she had planned to ask her to fix her up. Addison was almost more excited about her job than Tori Lynn was. Almost.

She had immediately came home got a shower. She had been a sweaty mess. Tori Lynn was waiting for the Bruin's game to come on. She was poking on her iPad when she realized that Richie didn't have NHL Center Ice and she couldn't watch the boy's play without it. She wouldn't be able to watch the Bruins. She heard her phone ring. Tori Lynn walked through the apartment to retrieve her phone from the charger. She smiled when she saw it was Neal.

"You're alive" said Tori Lynn answering the phone.

"Yeah, feel like a new man. I've slept since the plane landed. Got team dinner in about 20 minutes but I wanted to call you since you left me the message. Sorry it took so long."

"No big deal" said Tori Lynn "I've been busy had band practice, had lunch with Carrie Underwood, got a job, went to a cardiostrip tease class with Addison, and now I am trying to figure out where I can go to watch the B's play."

"Wait you went to a cardiostrip tease class?" asked Neal

"Of all I said that's what you heard Neal?"

"You can't rattle that off in a big group of information. I blanked out everything but strip tease."

"You are still a perv, Neal." she laughed "Okay again band practice, then lunch with Carrie Underwood, got a job, and now I am trying to figure out where I can go to watch the B's play. Any bars have NHL center ice?"

"How was practice?" he asked

"It was great. Carrie and Mike came to watch for a little while. She worked with me and Colby. Any idea why she came by Mr. Neal?" asked Tori Lynn.

"She missed you after she met you last night?"

"Try again Nealer" said Tori Lynn

"She wanted to do another duet with you? I loved it by the way. Fish sent it to me."

"Damn it James" she intoned.

"No idea" he replied.

"You are a horrible liar Neal" said Tori Lynn. She walked to the living room and opened the Dobro. She shot a picture of it with her iPad and sent it to him. "Check your texts."

James was sitting in his hotel room on his disheveled bed. He had the room to himself since Cluner was sent down to the Ads. He checked his texts as Tori Lynn instructed. He saw a guitar in a very worn case. The guitar looked like someone had beat it half to death.

"Did you get the pic?" ask Tori Lynn

"It's not the one you want" said James "We can get it traded for one that not so beat up."

"It's a damn good thing you and Fish play hockey because your musical instrument knowledge sucks." she laughed "Fisher said the same thing that it was beat to hell."

"I probably told Carrie wrong. I was more than a little drunk. We'll fix it when I get back..." Tori Lynn cut him off "Shut up Jamie."

James stopped talking. "It's more than perfect. It's too much. You can't go around giving girls guitars worth more than my first car. You need to send it back!" exclaimed Tori Lynn "It's not beat to hell it's well loved. It's a 37 Regal. It's almost 80 years old."

"So I didn't fuck it up" he replied.

"No it's the right guitar. It's just too much. " she answered honestly.

"Have you played it yet?"

"Yes Carrie insisted." said Tori Lynn "It has a beautiful tone. It projects really well. The sound is amazing."

"So you love it" he asked.

"That's not the point." replied Tori Lynn.

"It's exactly the point." he answered "I wanted something to show you that I do listen to you. You said you would own one and now you do."

"Jamie..." she began.

"No don't Jamie me." he said "I make stupid money playing a game. I should be able to spend it how I want. And I wanted you to have that. As usual I have really shitty timing. It's not a I'm sorry I fucked up gift, it's not a like me more than Jarnkrok gift, it's an I enjoy spending time with you and like to see you happy gift."

Tori Lynn didn't answer right away. He heard the boys pounding on his door. "Thank you" she said quietly "Usually only Richie does over the top. I love it. But you have to promise no more huge gifts."

"I promised I wouldn't lie to you" he answered. Tori Lynn heard him tell the guys he would be out in 5. "I can't promise I won't go overboard."

"Damn it" said Tori Lynn.

"Go over to my place and watch the game." he instructed "make yourself at home. I've gotta go. I'll facetime you later."

"Okay" she replied "It's too quiet around here without you and Richie."

"I miss you too" he answered. "Fuck I am coming" he yelled at the door. "I have to go babe."

"Go" she said "Sounds like they are breaking in the door."

Tori Lynn grabbed James' hoodie off her bed and slid it over the Bruins pj's she had on. She gathered up her phone, iPad, her guitar, and songbook. She grabbed his keys off the counter and let herself into his apartment. Tori Lynn made her way into his apartment and hung his keys by the door where he normally kept them. James didn't keep his apartment as cold as Richie so she shed his hoodie and hung it on it's normal peg. Tori Lynn sat on the couch. Neal was right it was miserable. She found the game just as it was beginning. Rene Rancourt was still singing. Her phone chirped as the anthem ended.

Jarnkrok: Hey Flicka!
TL: Calle how was your trip.
Jarnkrok: Better than Neal's. Poor bastard.
TL: He drank almost too much bourbon
Jarnkrok: Almost?
TL: His words.
Jarnkrok: What are you doing since you've been abandoned by us?
TL: I broke into Neal's apartment so I can watch the Bruins play.
Jarnkrok: Love the iPod case by the way. But the Bruins. You're killing me.
TL: You'll live. I'm going cheer on my other favorite Swedes.
Jarnkrok: I better be your favorite Swede.
TL: What about Olli and Matti
Jarnkrok: Harsh Flicka
TL: Aren't you supposed to be at team dinner
Jarnkrok: I am but you are way more interesting. Definitely more beautiful.
TL: You are a flirt Calle Jarnkrok
Jarnkrok: who me?
TL: Yes you. The B 's are playing.
Jarnkrok: Alright Flicka I will let you watch the enemy but first you have to play a game with me.
TL: A game
Jarnkrok: Yes I will give you two choices and you tell me which one you would pick
TL: OK
Jarnkrok: Roses or Lilies
TL: Lavender roses.
Jarnkrok: Nite älskling.
TL: Nite Calle. Football or Basketball
Jarnkrok: Basketball.
TL: Then we can watch a game together.
Jarnkrok: As soon as I get home.

Tori Lynn gave up on the uncomfortable couch. Tori Lynn flopped down on James bed. She flipped on the game. She watched the Bruins work up to a 3-1 lead at the beginning of the third. She was looking at bedroom suites on her iPad as the Bruins began to implode. She watched the Wild coming roaring back to tie the Bruins. She was screaming at the Bruins. Probably a good thing no one else was home. She was still hoping the Bruins could pull out a win. She watched as Brad Marchand was led to the penalty box. Fuck. Hell in a hand basket time. She narrowed her choice in bedroom furniture for the spare room. She would let James make the final decision. Fuck the Wild scored. She watched the clock expire with the Wild having the win over the Bruins. It was a nasty game. Tori Lynn was laying on the bed looking at couches on the iPad. She had to get some idea on what couch to get. But she knew she would want to see them in person. Maybe she could con Addi into going with her to Pottery Barn. She would pick a few and get James okay before heading over. She was looking at furniture when her iPad signaled an incoming call.

"Is it safe to talk to you?" asked Neal "Things went sideways for the Bruins."

"Did you FaceTime me to gloat about my boys losing?" asked Tori Lynn.

"Nah, I just wanted to talk to you. Plus I told you I would call later." he replied. James looked at her for a moment. He then realized she was wearing Bruins pjs. He then realized that she was laying on his bed. Holy hell he is in fucking Canada and she is in his bed in tiny pjs.

"Well during their implosion I managed to find 2 bedroom suites you might like and a few couch options."

"Huh" said James.

"You aren't even listening to me." she said.

"I was busy looking at you" he replied "So I leave the country and you crawl in my bed."

"That couch is miserable" she answered "I didn't figure you would care."

"Don't mind at all. Object to the sleepwear." he teased.

Tori Lynn slid the iPad away from her. She was wearing a white and black tank with the B's logo on it and tiny yoga shorts that were covered in the logo. He had never liked that logo so much.

"They are cute" said Tori Lynn "Plus comfy and over here I won't freeze to death."

"You can climb in my bed any time whether I am there or not." replied James "Though I would prefer I be there."

"It's not exactly as warm in here without you but no one will steal blankets. Which you apparently do even when so drunk you have to hang an arm and leg off the bed."

"Considering how drunk I was I guess I am glad that's the worst thing I did"

"Neal, you set off the smoke detectors. I came over and you had flaming toast. I do believe you said something about toastification."

"So maybe it was too much bourbon." he laughed "Thanks for taking care of me last night and this morning."

"Not like you gave me much of an option. You crawled in my bed and refused to move."

"For future reference will that work when I am sober." he asked smiling at her. FaceTime was great in the fact that you could see them. It was awful in the same way. Tori Lynn wanted to be able to touch him. However, she couldn't tell him that. She laughed at him.

"Nope it's invitation only Neal." replied Tori Lynn. He laughed.

"Hang tight let me get out of this suit"

"This isn't one of those kinds of call Neal" she said even though he was completely off the screen. She heard him laughing. "I mean it Neal clothing is not optional." She heard him laugh again. He came back into screen in a pair of Preds athletic shorts. "Damn it, Neal we need to have discussion of what constitutes dressed."

"I usually sleep in my boxers. I got dressed just for you." he laughed "What do you mean constitutes dressed?"

"You hockey boys think that as long as you have something covering your junk you are dressed. That's not normal" explained Tori Lynn.

"Comes from years of being in a locker room. I've done interviews in towels." replied James "No one has ever complained."

"Richie thinks boxer briefs are outerwear."

"Richie is a slightly closeted nudist."

"So he says" laughed Tori Lynn.

"Like you are one to talk Miss FaceTiming in the bathtub." replied Neal "You are the closest thing to a naked girl Sid has saw in a long time."

"Yeah well that's the closest he will ever get to seeing me naked."

"Does it make me a bad person that it makes ridiculously happy that you have no attraction to Sid?"

"No but then again I was pretty sure I wouldn't like you either. But after spending time with you you're alright. Maybe I need to spend more time with Sid."

"Hell no" said James. He heard her start laughing. "Damn it Tori Lynn."

"What?" she said still laughing "Is the Real Deal nervous about Crosby?"

James was really quiet. Tori Lynn could see him thinking. She was studying his face. Damn Geno and making her cognizant of hurting Neal's feels.

"Jamie I was teasing. I have more hockey players than I know what to do with now." explained Tori Lynn.

"It was hard in Pittsburgh with Sid. You could never be sure who wants you because of you and who wants you because you are a Pen or because you know Sid." said James "I'm pretty sure I was Melanie's second or third choice of Pen."

"I could care less about Sid. But I do love Geno and Pauly. And speaking of Geno I have narrowed the bedroom suite choice down to 2 different ones. I want you to look at them an choose."

"I am horrible at making decisions" he whined "I totally trust you."

"James it's your apartment."

"And if I am in charge it will all stay white and I will have the furniture I have now there."

"Your couch sucks it's why I am in your bed."

"Maybe I should keep the couch"

"Damn it Jamie" she said "Be serious."

"I am being serious if that's what it takes to get you in my bed. I will keep that couch forever."

"I already found 2 couches I like" she said "We are getting rid of it."

James smiled at her from her screen. She had no idea why he was smiling like a loon. James was aware he was smiling like an idiot. However, she had just said we in regards to his couch. That tiny word made him stupid happy. But he had no intention of pointing out her words to her.

"Just make sure that it's a couch big enough for me." he instructed "And preferably not some scary floral."

"Made for giant hockey boys and no floral. How do you feel about leather?"

"You wearing leather, awesome" he said "couch sleeping it sucks. you stick to it."

"Duly noted Nealer" she answered "No leather. Recliners or no recliners"

"Does that mean we are getting rid of my recliner?"

"No you can keep it we can match other stuff to it."

He smiled at her again. She enjoyed this James. She wanted to talk to this James, she wanted to snuggle with James, hell she just wanted this James.

"Every female including my mom wants rid of that recliner."

"Maybe they haven't snuggled with you in that recliner." she replied "I kind of like that recliner. But that might be awkward with mama Neal."

"You wanna snuggle in my chair" he asked wiggling his eyebrows.

"Again you only hear what you want Neal" she laughed.

"Well when you say things like snuggling and cardiostrip tease I lose focus."

James saw her yawn. He looked at the clock on the bedside table. It was nearing midnight. They had been on the tablets for almost an hour. He knew they had morning skate and a game the following day but he didn't want to disconnect the call. He was tired but slept most of the day away due to his hangover. He was trying to think of anything to keep her from disconnecting.

Tori Lynn was close to falling asleep. It had been a wild day with James' shenanigans, band practice, Carrie and Mike, hurricane Addi, and the B's losing. Tori Lynn laid her iPad on the pillow that James slept on. She laid on her side of his bed. James smiled at her. He was content just to look at her.

"So are you sleeping in my bed or going back over to Richie's?" he asked.

"I need to go back over but I am plugged into your spare charger right now. Plus my bed smells like bourbon and Neal."

James laughed. Then he realized she had laid her iPad on his pillow. For the first time in his adult life he wished he had a normal job instead of playing hockey. He now realized why the married guys dreaded roadies. He never missed Melanie when he was on the road. But then again he was never faithful to Melanie. James laid down and stretched out on the bed. He laid his iPad against the pile of pillows he had made on the other side of the hotel bed.

"Babe, I am not sure that bed smells any better."

"It doesn't have that death by sink full of bourbon smell." she laughed "It smells more like you. Citrus, bourbon, and boy."

"Right now I smell like gummi bears and bourbon." he replied watching her yawn again "You are tired Tori Lynn."

"I wonder why Neal"

"Thanks for taking care of me so I didn't burn down the building. And for not throwing me out of your bed. And for getting me there this morning."

Tori Lynn smiled at him "You're a lot of damn work Neal."

"Would you believe me if I said I am worth it." he asked.

"That's what Pauly said" replied Tori Lynn "You should really fire your PR people and let Pauly take over."

"Glad it wasn't all bad." said James quietly.

"Nope a wise woman told me every coin had two sides and I have to take both sides."

"I need to send her flowers" laughed James. Tori Lynn yawned again. "Go to bed Tori Lynn."

"I need to but I don't want to get up." she whined.

"So don't." he said "Sleep there."

"I should go to my bed. But I've slept in this bed as much as I have the other one."

"Go to sleep" he replied "I'll talk to you tomorrow. I miss you."

"You're bossy" said Tori Lynn pulling the blankets up. He watched her snuggle into his bed. "Drive the Rover, keep the guitar, watch the game at my place, and go to bed in my bed."

"I just want to take care of you" he said quietly. He wasn't sure how she was going to respond to that.

"You know what I miss most" asked Tori Lynn. James was afraid to ask. So she simply stared at her. "You are super warm. I think I will be cold the entire road trip without you."

"Raid the closet babe" laughed James "I have enough hoodies and sweaters to keep you warm. You can borrow anything you want on one condition."

"What's that Neal?"

"Be waiting for me in that bed when I get back on the 9th."

"Jamie I can't promise you that right now. And you know that."

"I've got 2 weeks to make you miss me enough to be waiting in that bed." he replied "I don't back down from challenges. And teen wolf needs to find his own girl."

"Make me miss you then" said Tori Lynn "Good night Jamie." with that being said she disconnected. James stared at the screen for a minute after she disconnected. She didn't say no. James pulled out the black and gold iPod and turned the music on. For the second night in a row Tori Lynn sang him to sleep.

Notes