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Tori Lynn called for Addi to come into James' room. "I need your help. I need to send James a picture of me in just his jersey. I am not sending it until late tonight after the game."

"Um let's play with your hair and makeup after the jersey is on. We can get it right while watching the game." said Addi. Tori Lynn nodded.

"What are you two up to?" asked Colby standing in the door.

"Going to Playboy Tori Lynn up in Mr. Neal's jersey and give him a cheap thrill" replied Addi.

"Damn it Addison that is not what I said." laughed Tori Lynn.

"It's what you meant" smiled Addi.

Tori Lynn shook her head as Addi and Colby were arguing the merits of using a home or an away jersey. They finished dinner and started watching the game in the living room but soon all ended up in Neal's bed. Tori Lynn snapped a picture of all of them laying on his bed. She sent it Neal. Maybe he would check his phone between periods. During first intermission she ran next door and changed into what she wanted to have on under Neal's jersey.

The second period was getting under way as Addison pulled out a train case of makeup and more wicked curling implements. Colby was currently playing in Neal's massive closet. "Hey Tori Lynn I think I might be slightly in love with Neal myself. Or at least his wardrobe."

Tori Lynn started laughing. Addison then chimed in "I've seen what's under the suits the wardrobe doesn't matter."

"Addi" called Tori Lynn "I swear you are a hot mess."

"They all walk around in ball shorts and boxer briefs. Hell wait until your little Swede grows up. Still not complaining mind you." said Addi.

"So you have managed to see Clune, Neal, and the Swede undressed." asked Colby "I need to lounge around your place more."

Tori Lynn laughed. She pulled the hoodie off and threw it at Colby. "Throw me his home jersey."

"Umm which one would that be?"

"The blue and gold one. Not the white." she replied. Colby let out a whistle when he came out of Neal's closet.

"Maybe we should just send him a pic of that." said Colby. Tori Lynn was standing in the Neal's bedroom in a pair of navy blue booty shorts and the skull print corset.

"Not that kind of photo Colby" laughed Tori Lynn
"It could be" smirked Addison.

Tori Lynn ignored them and crawled into Neal's jersey. It was over her hands and down to her knees. "I'm pretty sure he would like the other outfit better. I'm not even into girls and I like the other outfit better." smirked Colby.

"Shut up" yelled Tori Lynn. She turned her attention back to the game. The Preds were playing well. They were well on their way to beating the Oilers. Addison was currently curling Tori Lynn's hair as she watched the game. Tori Lynn smacked Addison's ass when she blocked the TV. "I'm actually trying to watch this."

Addi laughed "And I am trying to make you look like a Victoria's Secret Angel. What's more important?"

"The game" said Tori Lynn "For future reference if this was Boston playing I would have stabbed you by now." Both Addison and Colby laughed. Addi sprayed her with more hair spray. Tori Lynn coughed. She saw Smith score his second goal of the night. "There is your man Colby." Colby was watching him on the big screen as it went to intermission.

"At least I can ogle them from afar." said Colby " And Fish promised to take me down to the locker room."

"I am so going with you" said Addi "We can check them out together." Colby tossed Tori Lynn her phone when it chirped.

Neal: So now you have random boys and girls in my bed.
TL: The couch sucks :(
Neal: Having fun?
TL: Yes shouldn't you be doing something like getting ready for the 3rd.
Neal: Probably but I was distracted by my girl
TL: You wish Neal!
Neal: Fuck yeah.
TL: Go score me a goal
Neal: Yes Ma'am
Neal: I'll call later.
TL: K. Give Jos and Smith a kiss for me. They are awesome tonight.
Neal: Jos is laughing saying he will collect later. No kissing on Jos by the way no more Swedes.
TL: He is SWISS
Neal: So you both just yelled at me. Talk to you soon.
TL: Goal Neal!

Colby shook his head "You really need to tell the little Swede. It's kind of mean to string him along."

"But I really like him." pouted Tori Lynn.

"Let me ask one question" said Addison "If you knew you could only see one of them for the rest of your life. No way around it. Which one would you want with you?"

Tori Lynn was quiet and pondering the question as Addison was busy applying eye makeup. She was coating her eyes with layers of mascara. Tori Lynn still hadn't answered.

"You don't have to answer" said Colby "Your choice is all over you. Literally Tor. It's Neal. You and the Swedish mafia can be friends. I think that's all it would have been either way. I've seen you and Neal together. His eyes never leave you. And whether you admit it or not yours never leave him."

"I know and I told Neal as much but he was too drunk to remember" answered Tori Lynn "I just don't want to hurt Calle."

"Then tell him soon" said Addison putting final touches on Tori Lynn's lips "Before someone else tells him." Tori Lynn nodded. Addison looked at her "No crying you will ruin your make up. Sweetie Calle knows. He knew when you went to put Neal in the cab. He knew when Neal ended up at your place after he dropped you off. At this point he just needs to hear it from you and not the guys. So tell the boy and make a play date for us and the entire Mafia to go club hopping."

Tori Lynn smiled at her friend. The third period clock expired. Preds won 4-1. It was a damn good game. Addison went in full stylist mode after the game was over. She shook out Tori Lynn's hair. She tamed it into at best a wild mess. Colby kept looking at her but wasn't saying anything. He came over and sank his hand into her hair and pulled her up against him. Colby slid his hands through her hair. "What the hell Colby" asked Tori Lynn.

"Oh that's better" said Addison looking at her hair. "I was trying to get it to look like someone had their hands in it."

"No problem I'm ladies here all night" teased Colby. He had ventured over to Neal's bed. "Which side does he sleep on?" Tori Lynn pointed at the right side. Colby started artfully destroying the bed.

"What are you doing?" asked Tori Lynn

"Setting the scene. Go get your guitar." instructed Colby

"I'm not sure when this became a photo shoot." whined Tori Lynn.

"The second you asked for my help" replied Addison "I don't do anything small."

Tori Lynn came back into the bedroom and Colby and Addison were scheming in the corner. You know you are in trouble when they both start giving instructions.

"On the bed Tori Lynn" said Colby. She sat on the edge of the bed. Colby instructed her to sit on one leg and hold her guitar. Her other leg dangled off the bed. She couldn't just hold it and not play it. She was strumming it picking out the tune to "I Told You Now" by Sam Smith. Addison was snapping pictures as she played. "look up" instructed Colby "just your eyes." Colby started walking around the edge of the bed "Follow me with just your eyes." She did as instructed while still playing the guitar. "Just pretend I am Neal"

Colby walked back towards Addison. "Come on Tori Lynn you miss him don't you." asked Colby "Act like it damn it."

"It's a little awkward with you all in here" replied Tori Lynn

"Well get over it" said Colby "I'm sure before you are famous we will change clothes in the same room hundreds of times."

Tori Lynn smiled at him. Addison was still snapping pictures. Colby took the guitar and sat it against the wall. Colby posed her so that she was looking over her shoulder at the camera you could see Neal's name and number in the picture. "That one is a keeper" said Colby.

A few more poses on the bed and Colby declared they had what they needed. Before Tori Lynn could look at them and decide she didn't want to send them to Neal Colby pushed send and sent a group of 6 shots. "No Colby" she cried "Let me see them"

"Too late" said Colby "You would have chickened out"

"He's right" replied Addi "If this singing thing doesn't work out you could always pose for dirty magazines."

"I think I hate you both." said Tori Lynn.

They laughed. Addi hugged her. Colby dropped a kiss on her head "I'd do you if I was into to that sort of thing." Tori Lynn started laughing. "Oh I sent one to Pauly to see what he thought."

"I'm going to murder you" said Tori Lynn "I didn't want everyone to see those."

"I'm going to drop Addi off on my way home. See you at 1pm for band practice." called Colby ushering Addi out of the apartment.

"No picking up strange men" called Tori Lynn after them. She heard laughter in the elevator.

She picked up what few things were leftover from dinner and started the dishwasher. She went next door and scrubbed the make-up off and managed to tame her hair into a messy bun. She sat down on the couch in her apartment. She hopped up and went through the apartment shutting off lights before laying down in her bed. She smiled when her phone chirped.

Pauly: So I am sure you meant to send that Neal.
TL: No Colby sent it to you so you could tell me what Neal's reaction was going to be. Sorry.
Pauly: First the bathtub now this.
TL: Sorry
Pauly: You sure you don't want to forget Neal and the Swede and marry me.
TL: I probably should.
Pauly: Deal have the new furniture delivered here and catch the next plane.
TL: If only it were that simple Pauly
Pauly: I know Boo. So what is the question? The pic is hot
TL: Too much
Pauly: Um in the scheme of photos sent to Nealer it's a lot classier than what he is used to
TL: He said he wanted a pic of me in his jersey Pauly
Pauly: It makes you want to know what's under there. Better than just flashing him.
TL: Are you sure?
Pauly: Yes and I doubt he would show anyone those pics. You got this Boo.
TL: Thanks Pauly. Too bad I didn't meet you first.
Pauly: I know right. I will mail you a jersey if you want to take more pics.
TL: Night Pauly.

Tori Lynn clicked on the TV and laid in her bed. Her bed still reeked of bourbon and Nealer. She should wash the sheets. She stripped the bed and put on clean sheets. She put the others in the wash. She crawled into her freshly made bed. She looked at her phone again. Neal should be boarding the bus soon. He would be at the hotel in no time. They were headed to Calgary the next day. Tori Lynn read for about 15 minutes before she climbed out of her bed. She locked the door to her apartment. She unlocked Neal's door and clicked on the light on the range hood. She went to his room and crawled into his bed. She flipped the TV for noise and laid down. It was nearing midnight central time and her body still hadn't adjusted yet. Her phone chimed.

Jarnkrok: You awake Flicka.
TL: Unfortunately. Can't sleep.
Jarnkrok: Sorry.
TL: Good game for you guys.
Jarnkrok: You watched.
TL: Of course I watched y'all.
Jarnkrok: I got a question for you.
TL: Shoot
Jarnkrok: Me or Neal

Tori Lynn stared at her phone. Calle had made her promise not to choose before he got home. But she knew she had made her choice.

Jarnkrok: It's a hell of a picture. Nealer was in the shower. Good thing it had a pass code. Shea could only see the first one.
TL: Not how I intended this to go down.
Jarnkrok: It's okay Flicka. Neal is absolutely gone over you. I should have let you tell me at the bus.
TL: I'm so sorry Calle. But I really like you and the Mafia boys.
Jarnkrok: We can still hang out Flicka. In fact Matti is driving me crazy about the redhead.
TL: Well Addi thinks he is cute. Maybe we can have a big group thing.
Jarnkrok: Bring Nealer. He can drink and you can dance with us.
TL: I will be your wing chick.
Jarnkrok: Deal. We are going out drinking. Expect drunken Mafia texts.
TL: Be careful and have fun.
Jarnkrok: Nite Flicka.

Tori Lynn laid in Neal's bed and contemplated that Calle had called her about the picture before Neal had. She wasn't sure what to make out of the situation. She really hoped that she hadn't just made a horrible mistake by not giving Calle a chance. Her phone chirped again.

Jarnkrok: Hey it's Matti. So Shea's a dick. Calle will be fine. Fucking hot by the way. Think you might give me the hot red heads number.

Tori Lynn started laughing. He texted just like he spoke. Tori Lynn was starting to love Matti.

TL: Text me your number and I will get it to her.
Jarnkrok: You are the best. Now if you will excuse me we need to go drown my boys sorrows.
TL: I'm sorry Matti.

A strange number popped up. Tori Lynn laughed again.

Matti: Ok now I have your number and the hot red head will have my number. It's better that he have time to adjust to you and Neal. He knew when he got on the bus.
TL: I still love you guys.
Matti: What's not to love? We need to get you a Mafia shirt to wear to games. Think Red will wear my jersey.
TL: Addi may be more than you can handle. AWW Addi and Matti rhyme.
Matti: Girls are fucking weird.
TL: And this is why you are single.
Matti: Not for long.
TL: Good luck you are going to need it.
Matti: Nite TL
TL: Nite take care of my boy

Tori Lynn texted Addi and told her about Calle and Matti. Addi called and squealed. She wanted Matti's number. Tori Lynn laughed and texted her the number. She warned them that the Mafia was out drinking and he might not respond. Addison informed her that he would most definitely answer. Tori Lynn explained she still had not heard from James yet. Addi assured her that he would call. Tori Lynn told Addison that she was going to bed. Addison laughed and informed her that she was going to text Blondie. Tori Lynn laughed Blondie and Red were all ready a hot mess.

Tori Lynn still couldn't sleep. She retrieved her guitar from the living room and her notebook. She was strumming her guitar contemplating what she wanted to play or write. She was picking out a tune but not really getting anywhere. She played around with a melody. It might work. She made a few scribbles in the notebook laying on Neal's pillow. Her iPad signaled an incoming FaceTime request. Tori Lynn was looking at the incoming call from Neal. She debated even answering it. She answered the call and laid him on his pillow.

"Fucking Christ Tori Lynn" he said "Are you trying to fucking kill me?"

"Well hello Neal. Yes I am good. Missed you too."

"Oh hell no you don't get to change the fucking subject to random polite chatter." replied Neal.

"This is not the reaction I was hoping for Neal. I didn't want you piss off." she answered.

"Baby I am not pissed off" he growled "I am a country and half a fucking continent away from you. I can't even touch you. And that's all I want right now. I just spent 40 minutes trying to figure out if I could fly to Nashville and back to fucking Calgary before the puck dropped tomorrow. It won't fucking work no matter what I do." He took a minute to look at her. She was still wearing his jersey. She still had her guitar in his bed. But she was scrubbed free of all the make-up and her hair was pull up in a messy knot. Fuck if that sight didn't make him just as hard as the pics did. "Wanna fly to Calgary?"

"Damn it Jamie. Be serious." laughed Tori Lynn "I have band practice tomorrow and I have to meet Carrie and Fish. Plus paint the spare bedroom."

"I am serious Tori Lynn." he replied "I need to see you."

"There is no way. I'm looking at your schedule. I can't blow everyone off." she answered "I wish I could. It's just 9 more days. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. But you really are trying to kill me."

"I didn't realize that it would incite riots" said Tori Lynn "Colby and Addi hit send before I could chicken out. I would have probably sent one of them before bed. I didn't want it to be locker room bullshit."

"I'm sorry about Calle. I didn't show him. Shea didn't even think about Calle. He was just giving me shit." replied Neal "It was like he kicked a fucking puppy. I like the kid."

"I needed to tell him anyway." she said quietly. He noticed that she had leaned the guitar by the bed and was laying down facing him.

"Tell him what Tori Lynn?" asked Neal.

Tori Lynn was looking at Neal on the iPad. He was stretched out on his bed at the hotel. He was laying on his stomach resting his chin on his arms. She could see his broad shoulders and all the ink spilling down his arm. She wanted to touch to him. She wanted him to kiss her. Hell she just wanted James Neal.

"Nope, I already told you once before you left for this trip. I'm not telling you again." she said "Just because you were drunk doesn't mean I have to repeat myself."

"Baby I drank the better part of 2 bottles of bourbon to deal with you going out with Jarnkrok. Have mercy on me. By the way I love that song you should sing it." Neal made a pouty face at her. "And yes I know being drunk and you going out with Jarnkrok were both my fault."

"I love Duffy as well. Not in my range Neal."

"So about what you said when I was drunk. I'm pretty sure I would have remembered you professing undying love and devotion."

"You wish Neal" she replied "So are you going to tell me which picture is your favorite?"

"After you tell me what you told Calle" he answered.

"We've been playing a game. He gives me two choices and wants me to pick. Silly things roses or lilies, basketball or football, suits or jean, DVD or theater. I always answer. Tonight it was me or Neal?" she replied

"What did you say?"

"I didn't" replied Tori Lynn "He told me he saw the picture. I really like him and the boys. By the way we're all going out when you all get home. You can drink I can dance with the Mafia, Colby, and Addi."

Tori Lynn watched his expression soften. " I didn't show it to him. I didn't want anyone seeing those but me. Those pics are fucking perfect."

"I know Matti said Shea was being a dick." replied Tori Lynn.

"Matti took my phone" said Neal "He slung it at me and informed me that you deserved better. He's right."

"My favorite one is the first one he sent." replied Neal

"Which one? One of the guitar shots?" asked Tori Lynn. She watched him send her a text from his phone. She looked at the text. It wasn't any of the pics that she was expecting. It was one of her completely focused on her guitar. It wasn't one of the sexy posed shots it was a candid Addi snapped before all that began.

"That's the pic everyone saw?" asked Tori Lynn.

"Yeah" he replied "I was pissed about that one. But when I saw the rest I was glad it was the tame one. By the way when they do the NHL issue of Playboy you are so not participating."

Tori Lynn threw back her head and laughed. "I had been imagining the worst. That it was a pic of me sprawl out on your bed looking like a puck slut."

"Not fucking even" he said looking at her. "You are fucking gorgeous."
"Addi is amazing" she answered.

"No I mean right now laying in my bed" he said quietly "Wish I were there."

"Me too Neal."

"Seeing you in my jersey brings out my inner caveman. I just want to pull it off of you." replied James "But then again I like looking at you in it. It's a horrible predicament."

"You've saw me in your jersey live and person." she replied.

"Doesn't count Pete tricked you." answered James "I wanted to you to wear it because you wanted to."

"I'm still wearing it Neal" she moved the iPad so he could see the length of her body in his jersey. She heard him groan. "What?" she demanded.

"I've never hated a road trip more."

"You'll be home in 9 days Neal. That's not that long. Plus you will be playing planes, trains, and automobiles around the continent." she replied "You will be home before you know it."

"Home sounds good." he countered "Will I recognize the place when I get there."

"Maybe" teased Tori Lynn "I think the black and gold chevron wall in the living room will look great."
"As long as it's Pens colors and not Boston I think I can live with it." he fired back "Any other hints?"

"Nope" replied Tori Lynn "You are going to be surprised."

"I'm always surprised with you." said James "So any chance you will show me what's under that jersey." he asked quirking his eyebrows at her.

"Damn it Neal" she laughed "This isn't some 900 number call."

"It could be" said smirking at her. Dear Lord he made her melt when he did that." If I hang up and call you will you talk dirty to me."

"Go to bed Neal"

"Fine" pouted Neal "I'll call after we land in Calgary"

" Be careful" she replied "Nite Neal."

"Good night Tori Lynn. I really do miss you. I miss talking to you face to face and I miss using you as a pillow."

"Miss you too Jamie" she answered "You be back her before you know it."

"Won't be soon enough" he replied as he disconnected the session. James laid in his bed wondering when the hell he became such a damn mess over a girl. He hadn't been lying when he said he checked every possible commercial flight to get him to from Edmonton to Nashville and to Calgary. He wanted to see her, touch her, and kiss her. He wanted her.

Tori Lynn snuggled into the duvet. She was cuddled up with James' pillow. She was contemplating paint schemes, dressers, and that fact that of all the sexed up pictures she had sent James he picked the one that wasn't posed. There might be more to the Real Deal than she originally thought. Maybe Geno was right. Maybe Nealer did have feels. And damned if she didn't have feels for him.

Notes