What Dreams Forget

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Tori Lynn sat in her truck at the Bridgestone waiting for the boys to return from their game against San Jose. It had been a clusterfuck from the beginning. The guys couldn't manage to score. They were all frustrated and taking bad penalties. Neal however had lost his mind after crosschecking Tommy Wingels. They had ended up in a fight. Everyone at Rosie's had stopped what they were doing and focused on the big screen. Tori Lynn had been yelling at him not to fight. Colby had laughed.

"You love when your Bruins fight." teased Colby

"Yes, but they know what they're doing. They're known for fighting. Neal not so much." exclaimed Tori Lynn watching the fight. "Damn it Neal." She watched the fight along with the other fans. Red had clapped her on the shoulder and pronounced Neal the winner. She had watched them haul him to the box mouthing then entire way.

Tori Lynn hadn't talk to Neal. But, he sent her a text telling her that he would get a ride home from one of the boys. Tori Lynn didn't reply to the stupid text. She just set an alarm so she could get some sleep before going to pick him up. So, now she was sitting here waiting on him. It might be his second fight of the night, but he wasn't going to push her away. Tori Lynn jumped when someone knocked on her window. She saw Shea standing beside the window.

"Go easy on him. Lavi already ripped his ass. He won the fight. It's not his thing. I would have probably hit Wingels too. Lavi isn't pissed about the fight. He's mad about the dive. Neal will be lucky if he isn't fined. He is in a fucking foul mood. If he does or says anything remind him I will happily remove his spleen for you." explained Shea. "Nice truck kiddo. Remember no matter what stupid he pulls the dumbass really loves you. Cluner has close to $10,000 to prove it."

"Y'all are assholes betting on things like that" replied Tori Lynn "I'm not letting him keep it. It's all going to the foundation." Tori Lynn opened the door and came to stand in beside Shea.

"Let me know and I will match the donation." answered Shea. He gave her a quick hug. "Remember what I said about his spleen."

"Gotcha" laughed Tori Lynn. The boys were all milling through the parking lot. They called their hellos and good nights to Tori Lynn.

"Really a Bruins hoodie, Tori Lynn?" questioned Ribs "He's had a bad night."

"Yeah, well it was of his own design. I could have took him at his word and let one of y'all drag his ass home."

"He doesn't want to disappoint you" replied Calle coming to stand beside her "He's a dumbass. But, he is your dumbass. You picked him." She laughed.

"Remind me again what I was thinking." said Tori Lynn. Calle smiled that crooked grin at her. Life would be easier with Calle.

"Not sure älskling" teased Calle. Calle gave her a quick hug then headed to Matti's SUV.

James came around the bus and saw Calle hugging Tori Lynn. Fuck! Teen wolf needed to back the fuck off. He thought they had this squashed. He had told her he would get a ride. He wasn't sure whether he was relieved or pissed she was here. But, Calle snuggling her was definitely not good. Calle left her standing beside her truck. She must have went to bed and got up to get him. She had her hair twisted up, no make- up and was wearing a Bruins hoodie over her pj's. She had stuffed her feet into a worn pair of Uggs. She was absolutely beautiful. He couldn't think of one other girl he had ever been with that would have shown up to get him from a team trip in pjs with no make-up, or after he had been a dick and told them not to come at all.
Tori Lynn saw Neal, but didn't move from where she was. She wasn't really sure how he was going to react to her being there. He shouldered his bag and strided towards her. He wasn't his usual brash self.

"Hey" he said quietly coming to rest beside her "You should be in bed."

"That so Neal?" she asked " Because I thought I might need to come pick up my jackass boyfriend. Who apparently forgot he's a damn good hockey player and turned into a toddler." James didn't dispute what she was saying. He had heard this and worse from Lavi and the boys. They didn't mind the fight, but everyone was pissed about the trip. He'd been taught to sell penalties. Apparently, not in Nashville. Lavi had been on the phone most of the plane ride. They were pretty sure he was going to be fined. He didn't give a fuck but he didn't want Tori Lynn disappointed. She motioned him closer. James leaned down towards her. She was inspecting his face.

"He didn't actually hit me" explained Neal "It was mostly jerking each other around by our jerseys. I got a few licks in." She was still looking at his face. No major scuffs or injuries. "I'm fine Tori Lynn."

"You're going to piss of the wrong guy Neal and he's gonna mess up all that pretty." she answered "I kind of like you the way you are. Asshole and all." She smiled at him for the first time "Let's go home Neal. If you really want to be alone I'll go to my apartment." She nodded at the truck. He threw his gear in the back of the truck and climbed in the passenger seat.

Fifteen minutes later they were in the parking garage of their complex. James had been quiet the entire ride home and Tori Lynn had simply sang along with the radio to pass time. The ride in the elevator was eerily quiet. She knew the boys got into funks. She would just ride this out. She stepped out of the elevator and headed to her apartment. If he wanted her he would stop her, but he didn't. She leaned against the large wooden door. She hadn't even noticed Colby until he spoke.

"Where's Nealer?" asked Colby.

"At his place" she replied "Bad hockey night. He doesn't want me around tonight, apparently."

"He always wants you around" stated Colby "He just doesn't know how to tell you. You are both bull headed. Go get him."

"Nope" said Tori Lynn "I told him it was up to him."

"You two deserve each other." groused Colby as she went to her room.

Tori Lynn peeled off her hoodie and climbed back into her bed. She wasn't going to dwell on him not stopping her. She snuggled back into her bed and kicked her tv on to the NHL channel. She was going to sleep Neal or no Neal.

Neal had tossed his bag in the corner of the living room. He was stripping out of his suit coat as he walked through his apartment. He pulled the bottle of bourbon out of the corner bar and splashed several fingers into a glass. He grabbed the glass and headed to his room. He tossed his suit coat on the dresser. He pulled the cuff links and tie free from the shirt. He looked at his giant bed that was still perfectly made. She hadn't even been in his bed tonight. She'd gotten out of her own bed to come get him. Why was he such a fuck up?

James took a drink of the bourbon. He sat the glass on his nightstand as he stripped out his suit pants and undershirt. He took the glass of bourbon with him to the shower. He let the water run over him. He finished the bourbon and rinsed the soap from his body. He got a second glass of bourbon after wrapping up in a towel. He knew bourbon wasn't the answer. Why didn't she make him talk to her? Why was she hugging Calle? He couldn't decide if he was more upset about the game or Calle. He drained the last of the bourbon and tossed the glass in the sink. The damn thing shattered. That's why he drank out of a plastic Pens cup. He left the broken glass where it lay. He went to his closet and grabbed a pair of boxer briefs and a Pens t-shirt. He looked at his giant perfectly made bed. He couldn't even bring himself to crawl into it without Tori Lynn.

James sat in the living room of his apartment. Tori Lynn was everywhere, and that's how he wanted it. He had been off kilter all day. He had been worried about Ally and Nat. He knew G meant well but he needed to man up or leave her be. As much of a fuck up as he was Ally always called him. Why the hell could he give her good advice but screw things up with Tori Lynn? He headed to his room it was after 2am and he needed to sleep the game and the bourbon off. He stopped in the hallway and stared at the pic of Tori Lynn in his jersey. He didn't want to be alone. He didn't need the bourbon. He needed her. James was out the door before he could talk himself out of going to Tori Lynn.

James knocked quietly on the door. He didn't want to wake her up if she was asleep. He said a silent prayer that she wasn't asleep. The door flew open. Colby yawned. "Sorry man I didn't mean to wake you up." said James

"You didn't, I stayed on the couch until one of y'all went to the other one." replied Colby "Don't push her away. Anyone of the ratpack guys will gladly take your place. Bad game or not don't be a douche."

"Message received" answered Neal "Is she asleep?"

"Not sure" he answered "But, I can hear the replay of your game going. Fix it Nealer. Lock the door. I'm going to bed."

"We'll lock up" he assured Colby as he headed to Tori Lynn's room. He nudged her door open. She was laying on the side of the bed closest to the wall. She had tossed the Bruins hoodie. She was wearing one of his Whaler's tees and a pair of Nike pro shorts. She didn't move when he came into the room. He wasn't sure if she was ignoring him or if she was asleep. The game was playing in the background. Her hair was slipping out of the knot she put it in. James stopped himself from pushing the hair away from her face. All he wanted to do was crawl in that bed and let her comfort him. But, on some level he didn't think he deserved that comfort.

"Jamie either get in the bed or go home." she said stretching "But, staring at me isn't an option."

James stretched out beside her on the bed. He still hadn't said anything. Tori Lynn turned so that she was laying on her back. He laid his head on her stomach. Her hands threaded through his hair. It was still damp from his shower.

"You smell like my shampoo and a distillery." said Tori Lynn. Her fingers were massaging his scalp. He could feel himself relax into her touch.

"Bourbon" he replied "And I used whatever was on the ledge of the shower. You didn't even sleep at my place earlier tonight."

"Your message was pretty clear you wanted space." she answered "I thought you might have changed your mind by the time you got here. I was ready to make you talk. But, Shea and the boys said it was a bad night. I let it go Neal. Calle even stopped to tell me that I needed to give you a chance. So, I put the ball in your court."

"I'm sorry"

"Nothing to be sorry about, Neal. I don't want you to shut me out."

"I knew you would be disappointed" he replied honestly.

"Not disappointed" she said "But, I want you to play your game."

Neal looked up at her. "Will you come home?"

"I am home, Neal" she laughed.

"No, you aren't. My place isn't home without you." he fussed. "please."

"But, I'm comfy" she replied. James decided it was time to take matters into this own hands. He climbed off the bed. He then swept her up in his arms and stalked towards the living room. "Damn it Neal."

"You can be comfy in my bed. Do you want your phone?" he asked grabbing it from the night stand. He carried her into the living room. He heard a laugh. Kase was standing the kitchen drinking a Gatorade.

"I'll lock the door" called Kase.

"Thanks" replied Neal "Got my hands full."

"That you do, man. That you do" laughed Kase "Nite Tori Lynn."

"I can walk" said Tori Lynn

"But, I like carrying you" he replied

He sat her on her feet once inside his apartment. He was locking the door when he heard her clear her throat. "I thought we agreed to no more shenanigans in the sink after the flaming toast."

"I tossed it a little too hard" he said shrugging.

"Uh huh" said Tori Lynn cleaning up the glass. He sat down at the bar and watched.

"So how would you like to see the Nutcracker tomorrow?" he asked

"That's not until later in the month" she answered tossing broken glass.

"Not that show. How would you like to go to Kentucky tomorrow?"

"Where in Kentucky?"

"Umm... " he said pulling out his phone "Prestonsburg."

"That's way Eastern Kentucky" she answered "Why in the hell would you want to see the Nutcracker there."

"Nat is performing, and G showed up unannounced. Ally will need back up."

"Ooooh, I get to meet Ally and Nat?" she asked.

"Yes, it's like a six hour drive." he responded "You willing to road trip it with me?" He had walked over and wrapped his arms around her.

"It's a good thing I love you, Neal" she replied. He smiled down at her.

"I love you more" he answered "I'm sorry I was a dumbass earlier."

Before she could say anything else she was being carried to his bed "Damn it, Jamie. What are you doing?"

"We need to get some sleep we need to be there by 6 tomorrow." he replied "So, we are going to bed." He stood her next to the bed and turned back the duvet. He hauled her over and kissed her senseless. "Get in." he said excitedly. Tori Lynn just shook her head and crawled in the bed. Neal was in bed with her with the lights off in minutes.

"Excited Neal?" asked Tori Lynn laughing. He pulled her into a spooning position. He kissed her neck.

"Yes" he responded "All my best girls together. You and Ally will get along great. But, you will love Nat. It's hard not to love Nat."

"I'm sure I will love them both. Plus, you know I love G."

"Why do we always talk about G in bed?" he asked.

"Would you rather talk about Pauly?" she teased "I know leaving him has been hard."

James growled "No talking about other guys. I love you."

"Love you too, Neal." she replied.

Tori Lynn woke up to the sound of an iPad chirping. She looked over and Neal wasn't in bed. She called out "Neal your iPad is chirping." He called out from the shower "Who is it?" Tori Lynn looked at it. "It's Nat." He told her to answer it.

Tori Lynn accepted the FaceTime request. She recognized the little girl from the photo in the bedroom. She was beautiful. She obviously had Evgeni's eyes.

"Where is Uncle Jay?" asked Nat.

"He is taking a shower. He asked me to answer this for him" she replied "I'm Tori Lynn."

"Are you Uncle Jay's girlfriend?"

"I guess so. Is that okay?" she asked the little girl.

"Are you stupid or vapid?" asked Nat "Momma says Uncle Jay only dates stupid vapid models."

"Well I'm not a model. I'm a singer." replied Tori Lynn laughing.

"Can you sing Let it Go?" asked Nat

"I most definitely can. Plus, most other Disney songs."

"Will you sing for me" asked Nat.

"Sure but you have to dance for me. Deal?"

The little girl smiled and nodded. "Are you coming with Uncle Jay to watch me?"

"Yes I am very excited. I'm from Kentucky too. But, I live on the other side of the state."

"OHHH" exclaimed Nat "Maybe Uncle Jay can live in Kentucky if he marries you. My mom and papa are getting married. I'm going to wear a tux. He gave her a ring."

Tori Lynn heard a commotion behind the little girl.

"Natalya Evgeniya Shafer-Malkin" called Ally "who are you talking to?"

"The girl in Uncle Jay's bed" she replied.

"Jay" called Ally grabbing the iPad "Go straight to your daddy and take a bath." She instructed.

"Bye, Tori Lynn" called Nat "Make sure you bring Jay here."

Ally looked at the FaceTime screen. She saw a beautiful brunette start to laugh "Bye Nat. Can't wait to meet you." The brunette was looking back at Ally "You must be Ally. Sorry if you didn't know she was talking to me. Neal is in the shower. He told me to answer her so she wouldn't be disappointed."

"I'm glad it's you and not some random." replied Ally as Evgeni came into the room. He leaned over her shoulder and smiled at Tori Lynn.

"G" called Tori Lynn "We'll be there by 3:30 ish. No scratch that 4:30 y'all are Eastern time."

"Hey pretty" he answered "You take care of Lazy. Him fight yesterday."

"He is obviously soft in the head G" she replied. Evgeni grabbed Ally's hand and held it up for Tori Lynn to see. She squealed "I told you that you could fix it. I am so happy for you G. You too Ally. The dumbass loves you. He might also be soft in the head."

"What" asked Neal coming into the screen "I heard you yell"

"Damn it Jamie we have discussed the fact that covering your junk doesn't mean you are dressed." said Tori Lynn smacking him. He smiled stupidly at her. "Look at Ally's ring."

"About fucking time you gave it to her" said Nealer "What's it been 5 years since you bought it? Congrats. Dinner on me when I get there. Hey, where's my best girl?"

Tori Lynn smacked him "I swear he has ADHD." Neal stole a kiss and darted off screen. "See y'all soon"

"Da" said Evgeni "You and Ally no gang up on me and Lazy."

"No promises" said Tori Lynn "Hey Ally how dressed up are we talking for tonight?"

"Church dress" replied Ally "Jay doesn't need a tie."

"Got it." answered Tori Lynn "See you all soon. We have a Preds nutcracker for her."

"You didn't have to do that" replied Ally.

"Yes, we did or Mr. More Money than brains would have bought her a puppy or something equally over the top and inappropriate."

Ally laughed. Jay yelled "I heard that!" Ally loved Tori Lynn already.

"Gotta go I hurt his feels." said Tori Lynn.

Tori Lynn was ready within 30 minutes. They both loaded into the Rover since it was the most comfortable for the long road trip. He laughed when she demanded they stop for gummies and drinks. They had barely made it out of Tennessee when she fell asleep in the passenger seat. James pulled a hoodie from the backseat and covered her up. He was listening to her EP as he drove. He wasn't sure he liked the song "Sleep with a Stranger." but it was pure Tori Lynn.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" asked Tori Lynn blinking.

"Because you were up late because of me. Plus, you talk in your sleep." he replied

"I do not" she exclaimed "Where are we?"

"Jenkins maybe" he answered.

"Oh, we're only about an hour away."

"Good deal"

They talked the rest of the trip to Ally's house. The car was barely in park before Nat came darting out the door. Neal caught the tiny girl. He laughed at her jersey and booty shorts. "How's my best girl?" he asked kissing her round face. Nat looped her arms around Neal's neck.

"We're getting married" said Nat proudly.

"That so?" asked Neal

"Yep, me and you are wearing tuxedos." she said very seriously. Neal started laughing. "It's okay Uncle Jay you will be pretty in a tux. Maybe you can bring Calle. He would be pretty in a tux."

Tori Lynn started laughing at the expression on Neal's face. "What's with my best girls all liking Jarnkrok?" he said tickling Nat "I thought you were going to grow up and marry Pauly."

"EWW Pauly is like you!" said Nat making a face. "Oh you brought her." she said finally noticing Tori Lynn. She squirmed until he put her down. Nat made a beeline for Tori Lynn. "I'm Natalya" she said in way introduction "But you can call me Nat. Do you want to play in my room? Will you sing for me? Are you going to marry uncle Jay? Uncle Pauly said you forgave Jay for being a douche bag."

"Nat" called Jay "Don't repeat things grown ups say. Especially your hockey playing uncles. Hey where is Ally and G."

Nat looked at Jay and then turned away and started talking to Tori Lynn again. "Nat" called James "Where's your momma."

"Sleeping with papa." she replied "They take a nap. I woke up early. "

"No coming outside without parents." admonished James "I know nothing about kids but I know that. Natalya Evgeniya Shafer-Malkin go inside and wake them up."

Tori Lynn started laughing. Natalya was giving him a fierce look. Tori Lynn loved it. It was the same look G had when he got hauled to the box. Somehow it was even more adorable in miniature form. Nat stomped into the house clearly not pleased that Uncle Jay fussed at her. "She looks like G." said Tori Lynn "How was this kept quiet?"

"She has been raised here in this little town." said Neal "No one knew until G showed up. So you can imagine how overwhelmed Ally is."

Tori Lynn just nodded. Everything about these boys were overwhelming. They headed into the house. She wasn't sure what to expect. Neal grabbed her hand. "I love you. No need to be nervous." he said.

"Love you too, Neal" she answered.

"I think you both love, Evgeni" said G from the door ushering them inside.

Notes