What Dreams Forget

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Tori Lynn stretched out in the bed. She rolled towards Neal, but all she found was a note. She laughed when she read it.

TL
Gone to skate. Home soon. Will need food. And you.
18

Tori Lynn just shook her head. Carrie was right, life with Neal would never be boring. Tori Lynn's feet hit the floor and Nixon gave her a baleful look suggesting he believed she was trying to starve him. Tori Lynn grabbed Neal's button down from the floor and her Nike pros. After dressing she managed to feed Nix while the coffee was dripping into her cup. She looked at the clock, it was nearly 11 am. Which meant the stylist for the tour would be there in an hour. She needed to get cleaned up and she needed to feed Neal when he got home. The stylist and Neal would be here around the same time. Tori Lynn proceeded to dig in Neal's freezer. She pulled a French Toast Casserole free from the stacks of ready-made meals. At least he wouldn't starve when she was on tour. She popped it into the preheated oven.

Tori Lynn showered and quickly braided her hair. She quickly applied some mascara and lip gloss. She threw open the door and ran across the hall to her apartment. Tori Lynn managed to dress in record time. She glanced in the mirror and deemed herself presentable for the stylist. She headed across the hall to rescue the casserole from the oven. She poured bourbon spiked maple syrup over the casserole while it was still hot. She straightened up the apartment and made their bed. Tori Lynn chastised herself and reminded herself that it was Neal's bed. She grabbed her phone and glanced at the clock 11:55. One last look around for anything out of place.

Tori Lynn grabbed her guitar and notepad. She flopped down on the chaise side of the couch. Nixon left his bed in the corner of the room and came to stand beside her. He did his area rug impersonation on her feet.

"Nix, who is going to spoil you when Colby and I are on tour? Huh, Nixon? Who?" She laughed at his pitiful expression. It was almost as if the babyfied pit bull knew she was leaving him alone with Neal. "Addi will take care of you. You can stay with Addi, don’t worry." She scratched behind his ears and rubbed his jowls. She would miss Nixon. He was her constant companion when Neal was on the road. "You have to take care of your daddy. No wild parties, and no girls. Got it, Nixon?" Nixon whined his agreement. Tori Lynn smiled.

She started strumming her guitar and putting words to paper. She wasn't sure what it would be if anything, but she got it down. She was messing with an acoustic country version of "She Talks to Angels." Sam wanted her to do it live. She just wanted a recording of it so she could leave it for Neal. He thought of it as his song. Tori Lynn had reminded him that a song about heroin shouldn't be his lullaby. Nixon must have approved of the songs hypnotic qualities as he was now snoring at her feet.

James rushed out of the elevator towards the door. He had totally forgotten to tell Tori Lynn that their web show, “Beneath the Ice”, was coming today to film his apartment since Fish had told everyone it was decorated and Neal was settling in. He was pretty sure she was going to kill him. From the hall he could smell maple and sugar, maybe she made waffles. Hopefully enough waffles for the 4 guys following him. He stopped at the door when he heard her playing the guitar. The cameras were all rolling.

Nealer turned to the director of the piece "I forgot to tell Tori Lynn you all were coming. She is practicing. If we make any noise she will quit. She is temperamental like a goalie. Here's to hoping she doesn't kick my ass for the surprise."

James turned when Colby came out of the apartment next door. James introduced Colby to the crew. "Tori Lynn called me and told me to get my ass in gear. We have tour stuff to do." James shook his head and opened the door quietly. The camera man chuckled when James made a shushing motion.

"She keeps a lock of hair in her pocket. She wears a cross around her neck..." sang Tori Lynn "Yeah the hair is from a little boy and the cross is someone she has not met. Well not yet... Says she talks to angels..."

Tori Lynn was startled when Nixon started barking. She turned around to see Neal, Colby and a camera crew???

"What the actual hell, Neal?" she called as she sat the guitar on its stand. She kept detailed schedules for Fisher, and she would have remembered if Neal mentioned Beneath the Ice for Saturday.

"Would you believe they just followed me home?" he asked shrugging.Colby was of no help, he ventured into the kitchen and started getting out plates. "I forgot they were coming. It's Fisher's fault, he kept telling them I was putting down roots."

"The stylist for the tour will be here in less than 15 minutes with Sam and Chase." replied Tori Lynn.

"Even better, they get a glimpse of what life is like in Neal and Tori Lynn world." he gave her that naughty little boy smile.

"Damn it Neal, I could choke you but there are way too many witnesses." she said crossing into the kitchen.

"You were singing my song." he said coming over to her. James wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against his chest. "You going to play it on tour?" He didn't wait for her answer. He had already began telling the film crew that she was leaving Monday on tour with FGL, Chase Rice,and Sam Hunt. "You guys are lucky you get to see Neon Cathedral before they're famous."

"Umm, Nealer…" said the director "Can we talk for a minute about why your girl is wearing a Marchand shirt?"

"Babe!" yelled Neal "Really? You all lost last night."

"We'll win in the Garden!" she sassed "Y'all hungry? I made French toast casserole."

"So, Tori Lynn is a Bruins fan? But is dating James Neal?" asked the director in amazement.

"Not only does my girl bleed blue for the University of Kentucky, but she is a black and gold wearing Bruins fan whose favorite player is Brad Marchand." said Neal. He leaned in and kissed her smiling lips "She’s coming around to this whole Preds thing, though."

"Coming around," smirked Tori Lynn "I love the Mafia boys, I've sang the anthem, and played at your games James Deter Neal. I even purposefully didn't wear my Marchy jersey."

"I know," he replied "You totally love me." The camera crew and director weren't dictating the conversation. Instead they seemed amused by the interaction between her and Neal.

"Maybe." she said over her shoulder "So, you guys want the 10 cent tour?" James started laughing as the camera crew followed her into the living room. She was telling them about the art work and the vintage bar. They followed her into Nat's room. Back into the hall where they filmed the wall of pictures of Neal and his hockey teammates. Neal joined them and talked about the pictures of Tori Lynn. She opened the door to James' bedroom.

"Whoa" said one of the camera guys "I love the jerseys."

"See, I told you the love me wall was a go." replied Tori Lynn smiling at Neal.

"That's a damn big bed, Nealer." teased the other camera guy.

"He sleeps sideways sprawled out on his stomach. It doesn't matter if it's on this huge bed or a twin bed." answered Tori Lynn.

"Damn it woman, you are giving away all my secrets."

Tori Lynn heard a commotion in the living room. She excused herself to check on Colby. Sam and Chase were in the kitchen high fiving.

"Hey!" called Tori Lynn "Help yourselves." she said as the boys dished up casserole.

"Maple bourbon?" said Chase digging in to the food.

"Why yes, Chase." she scolded "Napkins. Act civilized. Neal has a film crew here. They are capturing a normal Nealer day." Tori Lynn rolled her eyes "So, pretend it's not just a settin' on the washin' machine."

"Hey! Your country boys are eating my French Toast stuff." whined Neal coming into the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around her again and settled her against him. "Do I smell bourbon?"

"A little bit," she answered "I spiked the maple syrup. Added a little bit of Kentucky to your Canadian gold."

"I happen to enjoy Kentucky." said Neal kissing her as he fixed himself a plate. Tori Lynn handed plates to the rest of the crew. They fixed their own plates and sat at the counter. Chase, Sam, and Colby were sitting on various parts of the kitchen counter. She made coffee in Neal's large coffee pot. He looked at the machine perking dubiously. "Didn't know that thing worked." he shrugged. There was a knock on the door as she poured the last of the coffee.

"How are you not 300lbs, Nealer?" asked one of the camera guys.

Neal laughed "She doesn't cook like this all the time." He pulled open the fridge and freezer to show them the fruits, veggies, and other healthy stuff. "She knew her country boys were coming. So I'd have to share. "

"How do you feel about her being on tour while you are in season?" asked the director

"She puts up with my schedule, so I will live with hers." he answered "We'll miss her. It's really quiet when she isn't here."

"Are you saying we are loud, James Neal?" asked Addi coming into the kitchen.

"You are a force of nature, Addi. Ekholm should be terrified." teased James.

"Just remember I am right next door if you need me while she is gone." she sassed "I am on toastification patrol."

"That was one time!" exclaimed James "When are we letting that go?"

Tori Lynn told them the toastification story as the stylist wheeled in racks of clothes. The crew seemed to be taking all the chaos in stride.

"Come on," said Addi "I need to fix you up some so we can tell what works best.

"No!" wailed Tori Lynn "I just want to try things on and be done."

"No makeup on the clothes." said Savi the stylist "Who does the film crew belong to? I have some clothes that haven't been released to the public yet."

Tori Lynn stuck her tongue out at Addi. James smacked her on the ass. "Be nice." he said.

"I am being nice." she replied rubbing her booty "Just for that, you lose all veto power."

"Veto power?" asked Neal.

"Yep, I was going to let you veto the 3 outfits you didn't want me to wear on stage. But you lost all veto power." stated Tori Lynn leading Savi and the racks of clothes into her room "Now I guess you are at Chase and Sam's mercy.

"Babe!" called Nealer "What kind of outfits are we talking about?"

"Stage wear," said Sam clapping him on the shoulder "Things she will wear with me and Chase."

"For fucks sake" said Neal as Tori Lynn emerged from the bedroom with Savi and Addi. "Veto! Veto! Veto!” yelled James looking at Tori Lynn "WonderWoman wears more clothes than that." He heard the camera guy beside him let out a whistle. Tori Lynn was wearing a very short pair of white frayed out denim shorts and a red, blue, and white star print bustier.

"Chase Rice," said Tori Lynn "Where in the world would this be appropriate?" She asked turning a circle.

"Come over here, U-turn." said Chase from the kitchen counter "I think it looks pretty good. We have a few shows at military bases."

"What goes over it?" asked Neal

"Over it?" quizzed Savi

"You know a shirt, jacket, or burka." deadpanned Neal.

The front door opened and Matti, Calle, Filip, and Josi walked in. They all 4 stopped and looked at Tori Lynn.


"Is this where we say God Bless the USA?" asked Matti laughing.

"Hey Ekholm, stand there beside Tori Lynn. I want to get a photo" instructed Sam. Matti wrapped and an arm around Tori Lynn. Sam snapped several photos. "Tor, turn towards Matti." She followed instructions. Sam snapped a few more pictures. He then held his phone out to Chase. "See man?" he said as Chase flicked through the photos.

"Go change" said Chase "There are 50 outfits."

"I'm going" she said looking at the boys "What's up with the pics of me and Matti?"

"I'm thinking" said Sam.

While Tori Lynn was changing outfit James ushered out the film crew. He had a sneaking feeling his beautiful girlfriend and her circus had stolen this episode. James didn't mind in fact he was glad she had called it their home. James sat down on the couch with the mafia boys. Her second outfit was a pair of even shorter denim frayed outs and a Johnny Cash t-shirt. The mafia nodded in approval and she went to change. The next outfit was a pair of boot cut jeans and a long sleeve Browning t-shirt. James wholeheartedly approved the look. She was covered from head to toe.

James laughed at her next outfit. She had on ripped up jeans and a t-shirt that read "I'd rather be someone’s shot of whiskey than everyone’s cup of tea." "I like that one, babe." said James. She shook her head and ventured back in. She tried on several short lacy dresses in all colors and lengths. She was back to the tiny shorts and tank combos this tank read "Hell on Heels." James wasn't sure his heart could take all these tiny clothes. She then put on a slouchy black sweater, skin tight frayed jeans, and jeweled belt buckle.

"I definitely want that one on stage." said Chase "With the boots with the angel wings." Savi made notes as she sent Tori Lynn to change. She came out in a white t-shirt and jeans combo.
"I like that one." said Sam "I think it works for “Make Me Miss You”." he then eyed Matti. "Come over, Ekholm. I want to see something. Take that hoodie off and put it on her." Matti complied. Both Sam and Chase were watching. "Now pull her over to you by the hoodie." Matti again did what he asked. "See?" said Sam "It's perfect."

"Not that I don't like snuggling with Matti, but what the hell guys?" asked Tori Lynn.

"Go change, I'll explain in a few." said Sam. Tori Lynn changed at least 40 more times before they determined she had enough stage clothes. Tori Lynn snagged a few extra t-shirts and tanks that she loved. Savi packed it all in and rolled the racks out to the elevator.

Tori Lynn returned to the living room wearing a hot pink tank with navy writing that said "Ready, Set, Let's Roll" and a pair of ripped up skinny jeans. Chase gave her a thumbs up.

"Okay," she said "What is up with Matti?"

"Look at these pics." replied Sam. She flipped through several photos of her and Mattias from the dance lessons, a few of her looking at Matti on the ice, and a bunch from today. "Do you see it?" asked Sam.

"What?" questioned Tori Lynn scrolling through the pics with Addi.

"You're fucking gorgeous together" said Addi "His blonde, with your dark. It's a photographer’s wet dream."

"Nej," said Matti snuggling Addi "I am partial to crazy redheads."

"It has nothing to with that." replied Addi "You are pretty on camera together. So, what are you thinking Sam?"

Sam turned on "Make You Miss Me". "I want you two to be the couple in my video for this song." Tori Lynn's eyes got wide and she looked at Neal. She could tell he was upset. She shook her head no.

"It would be perfect." said Colby.

"I don't mind." said Addi

"Do I have a say?" asked Matti.

"Nope," said Addi "It's the cross you carry for being beautiful and Swedish."

James flopped down on his couch deflated. It was bad enough that she was leaving him to go on tour. But now her entire entourage thought she looked better with Ekholm? Tori Lynn shook her head no as they all discussed it around her as if she wasn't there. James wanted to scream no, but decided against it. Tori Lynn crossed the room and sat down in his lap. She laid her head over on Neal's chest. James held her while everyone else was busy discussing the video. After a few minutes Sam turned around to look for her. He found her in Neal's lap. Sam wasn't sure what she was whispering to Neal. But it was obvious to him that even if she and Matti were beautiful together they didn't have her and Neal's chemistry. Sam snapped a few pictures. He filtered them black and white. He held the phone out to Addi and Chase.

"I think it's just a pretty." said Addi "Come Matti and crew. Y'all promised me monopoly and Swedish cookies." The mafia crew left. Colby headed back next door. Chase said his goodbyes.

"Tori Lynn, I really want you to be in my “Make Me Miss You” video. I thought I wanted Mattias with you. But I’m thinking I want Neal in it. Maybe live footage from the tour and game spliced with a few scripted scenes. You two think about it." said Sam before heading out the door.

Tori Lynn climbed out of Neal's lap and locked the front door behind Sam. She then locked the back patio door. Tori Lynn crossover to the bar and poured a splash of bourbon in a glass. She brought the glass over to Neal and handed it to him as she sat in his lap. This mess had begun at noon, and it was now after 5. She was glad they had it all taken care of, but she was tired. She was leaving in less than 24 hours, and she wanted to spend them all with Neal.

"What is this for?" asked Neal holding the bourbon.

"To take the edge off." she replied "It's been a busy day. Cameras, tour stuff, mafia invasion, and video shenanigans."

"You can do the video with Matti. I know that it will be acting. I know you are going to make videos, and you are going to be on stage in all those outfits. I'll learn to deal."

"I don't want you to learn to deal. We will talk about all this stuff before it happens. I was teasing about the vetoes. If there are outfits you don't agree with I can change them." she explained "We have to talk about everything or it will ruin us."

"Just come home to me." he whispered "Promise you'll come home."

"I'll be home for Christmas." she answered as he drained the bourbon from the glass "It's not even a full 3 weeks. 15 days is all. Then I'll be home."

"15 days is a long time." he replied.

"Just like your Western swing." she stated "It's not like I won't talk to you every day."

"I know," he said quietly "I'm used to me leaving. Just not used to you leaving me."

"Jamie, I'm not leaving you." she said kissing him "I'm just going to work,Just like you do. I'll be back before you miss me." She kissed him again. "Then I am going home to Whitby with you."

"I can't wait to show you Whitby." he said as held her tighter.

"It's your chance to prove you aren't just a pretty city boy." teased Tori Lynn.

"I'll be whatever you want me to be." said James.

"I just want you to be you." she said as his mouth came down on hers.

"That's the hardest thing to be." said Neal between kisses "Fuck, I'm going to miss you."

Tori Lynn turned so she was facing him. She kissed him. He smelled like ice, Neal, and bourbon. She needed to bottle that smell for her tour. She leaned closer to Neal and kissed his scruffy jaw. She found his mouth again. Tori Lynn wanted to stay here with him until the buses rolled out Monday. She knew this was impossible.

"So, I vote we hide here in the apartment and don't come out until you have practice or I leave." she said brushing his hair back from his forehead "I'll fix dinner, we can watch the UK game, and then we'll do whatever you want to do until Monday."

"What time is the game?" asked Neal looking at the clock above the mantle.

"8 eastern, 7 here" she answered "We have 2 hours, Neal. So, what do you want to eat?"

"You" he growled. James stood up with Tori Lynn wrapped around him. His hands grabbed her ass and her arms went around his neck. He gave a feral smile. He devoured her mouth as he walked through their apartment. Her back hit the wall near the photos in the hall. He pulled the tank from her body and tossed it. Still balanced between him and the wall he deftly undid her bra and sent it flying towards the living room. His tongue stroked against hers. He totally understood the song that said something about sunshine and whiskey. That was Tori Lynn. She was definitely more potent than a shot of whiskey. Tori Lynn bit his bottom lip. Then stroked her tongue across the mark.

"Too many clothes, Nealer." she said as his hand slid into the back of her jeans. He let her slide down his body until her feet were on the floor. Both of his hands were inside the waist band of her jean pulling her body against his. Tori Lynn grabbed the bottom of his t-shirt and tugged it upwards. Neal reluctantly released his hold and pulled the tee of and slung it towards the growing pile of clothes in the hallway. He crushed her against him and the wall again. She shivered at the sensation of the cool drywall and how hot Neal's body was against hers. His tongue brushed against the seam of her mouth seeking entrance as his hand flicked open the button to her jeans. Neal plunged his hand into her jeans. His tongue was stroking and coaxing moans. His roving fingers made their way into her panties. She gasped as he skillfully played her body. Rubbing light circles then shocking her by applying so much friction it bordered on pain. Tori Lynn canted her hips towards Neal, but couldn't get the angle she wanted because of her jeans. Her hands fell from his strong shoulders to pushing at the tight denim. Neal's hand kept roving as she tried to free herself. She pulled her mouth free from his. Her chest was heaving. "Damn it Jamie, get these jeans off me." James pulled his hand free from her body.

James threw her and her tangled jeans over his shoulder. She kept struggling. James smacked her ass. James sat her down on the low part of his dresser. Tori Lynn was still trying to kick out of the jeans. He dropped to his knees in front of her. He grabbed one of her feet and pulled it free from the twisted denim. He then released her second foot sailing the offending pants towards the bathroom. He held her left ankle in his hand. James pulled her forward towards the edge of the dresser. He trailed hot wet kissed up the inside of her calf. He stopped long enough to lave at the pulse point behind her knee. "Come here" she demanded. James shook his head no. He continued kissing a path up the inside of her thigh. James grabbed the tiny pair of lace panties and pulled them free from her body. He shifted so that her legs were splayed open by his wide shoulders. He kissed every inch of her except the one place she needed to feel him. Her body was on fire and she was melting. How the hell was she going to be away from Neal for 15 days? His index finger settled against her hot center. He pushed forward meeting no resistance.

"Fuck" growled at her. He withdrew and pushed and second finger into her weeping core. She gasp and tilted her hips towards him. He was forcing her higher and higher with his movements. His tongue hit her tiny button and she cried out. She was gasping as he rasped his tongue against her most delicate place. Her hands sank into his hair and she tried squeezing her legs closed. "Keep them open" he demanded. Her eyes were closed. "Eyes too" he admonished. Tori Lynn followed the instructions. Her gaze locked on his mouth feasting on her body. He went from lazy delicate circles to sucking on the stiff little bud as his finger brought her to closer. She was saying his name over and over. Not Neal, not Nealer, not James, but Jamie. That was almost enough to make him go over the edge too. He pulled his hand free and stood up abruptly. "Not like this together." he said. James shed the last of his clothes. He grabbed her off the dresser and placed her on the bed. James stopped long enough to grab a condom. He climbed into the huge bed with Tori Lynn. His mouth found hers. Her tongue tangled with his and she pulled him closer to her body. She took the condom from his hand and shoved him back on the bed. She nipped at his jaw then worked her way down his body. James laid very still and let her take control even though every fiber of his being was screaming at him to take her. Her tongue lapped at his hipbone before sliding lower. She her hand closed around him and he thrust into her grasp. She tore open the condom and rolled it into place. She climbed back up his body and kissed him. James moved so that she was laying beneath her.

James thrust his tongue into her mouth at the same time he seated himself inside her body. James set a leisurely pace. Tori Lynn bit down on his earlobe "Faster, Jamie. We can do slow later." she panted "Need you now." Her hand slid between their body and she was rubbing her clit. Fuck if that wasn't one of the hottest things he'd ever seen. It would be seared into is brain. Imagining what she could do to herself. James moved her up to her knees and slowly guided himself back into her body. He set a vigorous pace as she urged him on. He could feel how close she was. He thrust into her as she contracted around him. He continued pushing her until a second wave hit her. She cried out his name. He delved into her body one more time before his climax crashed over him. Tori Lynn collapsed on the bed beneath him. James followed suit. He withdrew from her body over her objection.

James returned from the bathroom to find her still in the exact same position. James ran his hand over the curve of her ass and up the small of her back. Placing kisses everywhere his hand touched. He kissed his way up to her shoulder. Tori Lynn smiled over her shoulder and rolled over as he stretched out beside on her the giant bed. James turned her face towards him. They were locked in a kiss that seemed to go on forever. His hands roamed lower and lower. His lips then found the slope of her breast before pulling a distended nipple into his mouth. He paid equal attention to her breasts as she gasped. "What are you doing, Neal?" she asked as he kissed her belly button. He kept sliding lower. His mouth found her overly sensitized clit. She cried out "Jamie?" He stopped long enough to give her a wicked grin. "I'm just making sure you miss me, Tori Lynn."

Notes