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Neal led her out the door closest to the team bus. The boys were all standing around. The boys yelled at Nealer and Tori Lynn.

"Hey Jos" yelled Tori Lynn "I think I owe you a kiss or four because of all these goals." Jos walked over and leaned down so she could kiss his cheek. "There we are even now. I think I promised Smith kisses too." Tori Lynn started towards Smith and was corralled by Neal.

"That's enough kissing my teammates."

"Nope, deal is a deal. I told you to kiss them. If you would follow directions I wouldn't be kissing people." sassed Tori Lynn. Smith was rolling laughing. He tapped the side of his jaw and Tori Lynn kissed him.

"Nealer is gonna stroke" teased Shea.

"Oh Shea if you ever flash pictures of me around the locker room again I will kick your ass if I have to stand on Geno's shoulders to do it. You got it"

Shea started laughing harder. He pulled her in for a hug "I like you. I think you might keep that clown in line" he replied nodding towards Nealer.

"Hey Flicka" said Calle "You already threatening Weber." Tori Lynn smiled and nodded. She started towards Calle then stopped. She looked at Neal who was talking to Ribs. He nodded towards Calle.

Tori Lynn wrapped her arms around Calle's waist "I really am sorry."

"Nej" he replied squeezing her " It's okay. We will still be good friends. Ja?"

"Ja" she answered "Plus I think we need to set you up with my and Addi's dance instructor. Don't wrinkle your nose at me Calle Jarnkrok. She is our age and gorgeous." He started to laugh. "I mean it she is hot."

"Well invite your hot dance instructor out to the bar with us." he said "I won't judge until I meet her."

"See you in Nashville. Wait until you see my Jarnkrok shirt. It's a custom design by Tribe Kelly."

Calle squeezed her tight. He started to the bus then turned. He leaned in and whispered to her "I know I said I wouldn't deal with you going between my bed and Neal's. But the second he fucks up I am here for you. Be it as a friend or more. I won't interfere Flicka but he needs to know he better treat you like you deserve."

Tori Lynn was staring after him as he boarded the bus. Filip patted her back as he walked towards the bus. "He means it" said Filip "But Nealer knows all too well he can't fuck up." She nodded at Filip.

"Tori Lynn" called Ribs "How come I don't get goal kisses."

"Because I don't have a hazmat suit." she replied sweetly.

The entire team started laughing. "Your girl has jokes Neal." crowed Goose.

"You wound me Tori Lynn" said Ribs "Neal she is mean."

"And don't forget it Ribs" she responded.

"Get her out of here Neal " laughed Shea "Before she makes Ribs cry."

"Come on trouble" said Neal " Time for road trip number 2."

"I need coffee Neal" she replied taking his hand "Or more Ski."

They made their way around the arena. He kept looking down at her and smiling. Tori Lynn was busy telling him about the trip up. He was content to look at her. Her being here meant a lot. They made it to his Rover. He walked her to the passenger side of the vehicle.

"I'll drive so you can rest" said Tori Lynn.

"No way. I'll drive. We will be back in Nashville quick."

"Careful" she instructed. He smiled that wolfish smile at her. Neal pushed her up against the vehicle. His hands cradled her face as he kissed her breathless.

"I'm always careful" smirked Neal pulling open the door for Tori Lynn "Let's go home." He leaned into the SUV and buckled her in.

"I can buckle my own seat belt Neal" she was cut off when he kissed her again. She broke away from him "We are never going to make it to Nashville if you keep this up Jamie."

He kissed her quickly and backed out of the car. He was smiling like an idiot. He rounded the car and opened the back door. He stripped out of his suit jacket and tie. He climbed into the driver's seat. Tori Lynn was busy hooking up her phone to sound system. She then reversed the GPS as he was buckling in. She kicked off her boots and tucked her feet up. "Why are you grinning at me Neal."

"Because you called me Jamie and it wasn't proceeded by damn it." laughed Neal.

"Don't get used to it Neal" she replied "Hey where is my iPod?"

"In my jacket pocket in the back seat." he answered. She started to unbuckle. He leaned over and grabbed his jacket. Being a giant hockey boy was useful sometimes. He handed her the iPod. She then switched devices. He raised an eyebrow at her as he eased out into traffic.

"I have more songs on this one."

"I have mostly been listening to you. Plus that horde of rednecks you've been out with. I think I like Sam Hunt best out of that bunch." James watched her poke at her phone. She was texting someone.

"Sam said thanks"

"So now we are texting the rat pack" he laughed.

"They are going to produce an EP for us."

"That is great Tori Lynn"
"Sam wrote the song they want us to cut. I am in absolute love with it." she replied "It's perfect for me and Colby. Now we need 5 other songs. I have a few but Chase and Sam have others. "

"So I guess I have to get used to the rat pack"

"Yep" she smiled at him "You know you have nothing to worry about Neal. Hell I made him call you before I ever agreed to anything. I am not good at juggling guys."

"I know but I keep waiting for you to decide you have more in common with them." he answered without looking at her.

Tori Lynn grabbed the hand he had on the console. "I am not bad to change my mind James. Even when I was with Calle I was thinking about you." He intertwined his fingers with hers.

"I'm used to fucking relationships up" replied Neal

"Well that shit is done. Got it Neal." He started laughing. "I'm serious no more mysterious women showing up, no puck bunnies, and no random bar whores on road trips."

"I've got you" he answered "I don't need anything else."

"You keep that in mind when you have girls flashing you in the arena" she teased.

"The only other girls in my life are Nat, Ally, Becca, and Mom. And maybe Addi because I think I am stuck with her since you adopted her."

"Yep Hurricane Addi will likely blow through your life too. I'm excited to meet Nat and Ally. You might kill me when you see the guest room. It's totally set up for Nat. She is going to love the dollhouse."

"She probably did need stuff to play with down here. I know that G and Sid were gonna hit up American Girl before Christmas. I guess I need to see what to send up to her." he answered "She isn't here a lot and usually for just a game or maybe the weekend."

James glanced at Tori Lynn. She was smiling at him. "You James Neal love little kids."

"Yeah well don't be telling people" he replied "Bad for the Real Deal's image."

"Of course we wouldn't want to damage your stellar reputation, Neal." laughed Tori Lynn. Once back on the interstate Tori Lynn set her iPod to play her calming playlist. She yawned.

"You tired" he asked.

"It's been a wild few days. Plus I have been woke up by Addi jumping on my bed at 9 am. So averaging about 4 hours of sleep a night for the past week."

"Now you know why I locked the door when I lived with Richie."

"I totally get it now. I am not getting up early in the morning Neal. In fact I might stay in bed until Monday."

"Are you expecting me to object?" he asked "Wait unless you plan on spending all that time in your bed?"

"I haven't decided yet" she retorted.

"I have my ways of making you decide to stay with me" he stated "So why 4 hours. I know you are in bed fairly early."

"Apparently I have gotten used to sleeping in your bed" she answered "So sleeping in my bed alone wasn't comfy."

"You missed me" he said in a sing song manner.

"No I missed having a 215lb heater in the bed."

"You're mean. I only weigh 208. I am in lean mean hockey mode."

"And I hurt your feels again" she laughed.

"Yes" he said "Now you have to sleep in my bed so that my feels get better."

"You win, Nealer."

James just laughed and smirked at her. "I usually do."

"We are going to change that Mr. Neal."

"Getting formal in here."

"Yep" she said as she yawned again.

"I am all amped up from the game. So why don't you take a nap and we will be in Nashville in about 2.5 hours."

"That's not fair. I fell asleep on you last time we went on a road trip."

"It's okay. I plan to keep you up the rest of the night" he replied.

"James Deter Neal" she admonished "Get your mind out of the gutter."

"I thought you wanted to show me all the redecorating you've done." he smiled "Now who's mind is in the gutter Victoria Lynn Hall."

"I think I will go home and snuggle Colby."

"Not a chance in hell. I've waited 14 days to be able to hold you. I guess we'll both snuggle with Colby."

"You never know Neal" she teased "Colby might be into that. Plus y'all can fix each others hair and compare monograms."

"Brat" he said "Go to sleep." James watched her wiggle around in her seat. She leaned over against the window. James didn't think she looked very comfortable. He laughed. "Wait recline the seat. It will be much more comfortable." She managed to stretch out on the reclined seat.

"If you get tired and want me to drive I will" she said as she yawned again.

"I'll wake you up when we are home" Tori Lynn nodded at him. After a few minutes she was asleep and he was alone with her and his thoughts. He couldn't believe that she had surprised him in St. Louis. Tori Lynn was serious about making a go this relationship. James needed to make sure he didn't fuck this up. James pulled his suit coat out of the back seat and covered her up. She snuggled into his coat. According to the GPS it was 2 hours until home. He was sure he could beat that time.

Notes