Tori Lynn accepted the Cherry coke from a grinning Chase. He was amped up. His band was even more wild. Both Addison and Colby appeared to be ready to drink and party. Tori Lynn really just wanted to scrub the makeup off her face and talk to Neal. The only reason she wasn’t in her PJs was because she knew the Pens would visit before they left. There was a knock on the bus door followed by a large Russian head.


“Hey, Pretty!” called Geno “We come say good bye.”


Tori Lynn laughed and motioned them on to the bus. “You’re bad, Mr. Malkin. What if Neal hates this jersey?”


“Lazy know, he fine. Lazy love. You marry Lazy.” shrugged Geno.


“I’m thinking maybe Neal might want to propose himself.” teased Pauly kissing Tori Lynn on the cheek. “But Jay did know about the jersey. And it was before Melanie showed up. So, in the Russian’s defense...”


“Semantics Martin”


“Aww, no be mad Fumee.” replied Letang “Come meet my Catherine.”


A beautiful blonde was standing just outside the bus. Scratch that half the Pens were standing just outside the bus. “Oh, I didn’t realize all of you were here.” Tori Lynn stepped off the bus.


“Everyone wanted to meet you.” said Sidney “Hope that’s okay. You managed to calm Neal’s ass down. They all think you have special powers.”


Kris introduced her to Catherine. Tori Lynn thought Kris was one of the most beautiful people on the planet. But Catherine was stunning as well. No wonder they have such a beautiful son. “You are absolutely beautiful.” said Tori Lynn offering her hand to Catherine.


“Non,” replied Catherine pulling her in for hug. She then kissed both Tori Lynn’s cheeks “If you ‘ave managed Jay you are family.”


“OH” said Tori Lynn “Why does everyone seem to think he needs managing?”


“Because we’ve all taken care of Jay some point.” stated a small dark haired man. Well, small was relative to Geno.


“This is Chris Kunitz and his wife Maureen.” explained Sidney pointing at the dark haired guy and his wife. He turned to another couple “This is Pascal Dupuis and his wife Carole-Lynn.” Tori Lynn nodded. Sidney continued introductions.


“There’s a quiz later.” teased Beau. Tori Lynn smiled at him before kissing his face. Beau flushed a bright red. “You sure you want to be Neal’s girl?” Tori Lynn nodded and kissed him again.


“Damn it, Beau.” said Paul “She has already agreed to move in with me if the Neal thing doesn’t work out.” Tori Lynn smiled at Pauly.


“I think I totally deserve to be third on the list before that little fellow.” laughed Sam walking up to the bus with Tyler and BK. Paul raised an eyebrow at Tori Lynn. He wasn’t sure he liked this guy. In fact, he was pretty sure that Neal had no idea old boy has designs on his girl.


“Guys, these are the Pens. Pens and company, Sam Hunt and Florida Georgia Line.” introduced Tori Lynn.


The boys threw a hand up. BK and Tyler looked at Catherine and shook their heads. Tori Lynn quirked an eyebrow at the boys.


“What?” asked Tori Lynn


“Not sure how all these hockey boys manage such hot chicks.” laughed Tyler.


“Boston, Nashville, and now Pitt?” said BK. He looked at Crosby “If we grab our jerseys will you guys sign them?”


“Only if you all autograph something for the girls” answered Sidney.


BK called out to a PA who went to fetch swag and jerseys. Tori Lynn smiled at Sidney. “You really are the Canadian version of Captain America.” Sidney blushed. “I’ll round up the rest of the yahoos to sign swag.”


The boys all laughed when she yelled into the bus. Chase and crew poured out the door. “Yes, my delicate angel?”

“Mr. Rice, these are the Penguins and their ladies. And their ladies would like autographs.” replied Tori Lynn. She laughed when Colby and Addi came out of the bus with beers in hand. “I see you two are bonding with the crew.”


“You know it.” smiled Addi. She then turned and winked at Crosby “Hey, handsome. Why don’t you have one of these beauties with you?”


“He’s socially awkward.” said Kuni holding out a hand. Kuni made introductions and smoothly saved Sid from Addi. In about 20 minutes, everyone had exchanged autographs. The Pens were mostly gone except G and Pauly. Addi and Colby had left with FGL and Chase. She wasn’t sure where they were going, but partying wasn’t her scene.


“One more autograph, Pretty.” said Geno holding out a small FGL shirt “Everyone sign but you and Sam. Is for my baby.”


“Sam!” she called as he climbed his bus step “One more, please.” Sam just shook his head and came back over.


“One condition,” he stated “You have to come hang with me while everyone is out drinking. I don’t want you by yourself on a bus.”


“Not bad idea, Pretty. The Burgh no all safe.” Said Geno


“Yes, Dads.” she replied finishing her autograph. She handed the shirt and marker to Sam.


“That’s hard to compete with Hall.” said Sam


“Deal with it Hunt.” she shrugged.


He signed the shirt and handed it back to Malkin. Geno looked at the signatures. All the big names signed the shirt. But he knew the thing Natashka would love most was Tori Lynn’s message. “Can’t wait to dance with my best girl, Love Aunt TL.” His baby had been referring to Pretty as aunt since her recital. Geno swung her around in a bear hug.


“She love.” he said as he sat her on her feet. He then pulled her close “You tell football cowboy hands to self.”


Paul started laughing because Geno’s whispers were never whispers. Sam smiled at Tori Lynn. Paul gave her a quick squeeze “I agree with the crazy Russian. Neal should be home soon.”


“Y’all worry too much. Sam is just like y’all.” she whispered to Paul before kissing his cheek “I’ll be fine. Your babysitting duty is over.”


“Hell of a show Tori Lynn.” said Paul as he and Geno headed towards the player lot. “Careful on the road.”


“I will!” she called after them “Love y’all! The guys responded before disappearing around the maze of buses.


“Well Pretty,” began Sam “I’m not sure the Pens like me.”


“They just don’t know ya.” replied Tori Lynn “So, what are we doing?”


“Same thing I do almost every night. Grab a snack and watch some Netflix.” said Sam.


“What kind of snacks?” asked Tori Lynn.



“I’m thinking PBJ. Peach or Strawberry jelly? Ladies choice.” he answered “I’ve got regular
cokes, water, coffee, and coconut water. No ski or cherry coke.”


“Sold.” she said smiling at him. “Let me wash my make up off and grab a drink and I’ll venture over.”


“I’ll wait,” he replied “Weirdos sometimes sneak close to the buses.” Tori Lynn held the door open to Chase’s bus. Sam flopped down on the front couch. Tori Lynn headed to the small bathroom. She managed to scrub all the make-up off her face with the wipes Addi had brought. Tori Lynn replaced her cutoffs with a pair of navy Nike pros. She ditched the confining bra for the matching sports bra. Her hair was still wound up into a braided crown. She grabbed her hair brush. She moved quickly to her bunk. She grabbed her iPad, her cream blanket, and her tote bag. Tori Lynn stuffed the items inside the bag. In the kitchen she retrieved her gummy bears, a cherry coke, and a ski. She slid her feet back into her Cardi boots.


“You moving in?” asked Sam holding his hand out for the tote bag.


“I’ve got it. Just my iPad, a hair brush, snacks, and my blanket. I’m leaving the mess with Chase.” She answered.


They crossed the parking lot and she shivered. Maybe a tank top and shorts was a bad idea for December in Pittsburgh. “You’re gonna freeze.” said Sam “You did bring a coat, right?”


“I have a peacoat,” she replied “But I didn’t think to grab it.” Sam just laughed and tucked her closer to his body. At least someone is warm thought Tori Lynn.


“If it’s not warm enough I’ll find you a hoodie,” he said pulling the bus door open “Definitely before you go back over to Chase.” Sam ushered her into the bus. “Make yourself at home. I’m gonna change.”


Tori Lynn was checking out Sam’s bus when her iPad chirped. She pulled it free from her bag and flopped down on the couch. She smiled when she saw the text from Neal.


Jamie: I’m home. Nixon misses you. FaceTime whenever. I love you.


Tori Lynn immediately hit the button to connect to Neal. She was greeted with Nixon’s block like head. “Hey Nixon,” she cooed “I miss you. Are you being a good boy?”


“You know he isn’t going to answer, right?” teased Neal. Nixon made a keening sound.


“Shut it Neal, you’ll hurt his feels.” laughed Tori Lynn


“Traitor.” said Neal getting off the couch. He pulled the cheese toast out of the oven. “Look! I made cheese toast.”


“I’m so proud.” she replied “A goal and an assist. Not a bad day at the office, Neal.”


“Not a concert debut,” he stated “But I’ll take it. According to the grapevine Geno proposed for me tonight.”


“Your Russian is a damn mess.” she smiled at him. He was going about his normal after game routine she was just on the iPad as opposed to sitting on the counter. Well the iPad was on the counter so technically. “He said you knew.”


“I did.” He replied polishing of a slice of toast. “Wanna get married?”


“Damn it, Jamie.” she scolded “Did you learn nothing from proposing when you are a half a continent away?”


“Fine,” he pouted “I’ll wait until I have you here.”


“Neal!” she shouted.


“I didn’t say tomorrow. By the way Mamaw is bringing your hope chest down during the Christmas visit.” He drained a gatorade and put his toast plate in the kitchen.


“You talked to Mamaw?” she asked

“I sent her an email of a few of your performances tonight. She said I better remember you’re prettier. And she said meaner. I denied that.”


“Thanks, Jamie.”


“I sent it to Marc-Alan, your mom, and Ally.” He said as he stretched across the bed. Tori Lynn saw Sam come down the hall. He was wearing an ancient UNC shirt and ball shorts. She was positive that most of the female population would die to be in her place. “Hey, I lost ya.” he stated.


“Nope, still here. Sam just came from changing. He has promised me snacks and Netflix. The gang all went to Diesel. Not my scene. Plus, I don’t need to meet your fan base.”


“You’d like Diesel. It’s got a decent dance area in the VIP.” he said “I’ll take you sometime. You can dance with Beau.”


“I see, I get handed off to Sunshine.”


“He’s one of the better dancers. Which is surprising as he has trouble walking on flat surfaces.” replied Neal.


“Peach or strawberry?” called Sam. She turned the iPad towards Sam.


“Peach.” she answered “Wave at Neal.” Sam dutifully waved and went back to making the sandwiches.


“You have morning skate?”


“Ya, then we headed to Columbus.” he answered.


“You need to get some rest, James”


“I know,” he stated “But I miss you.”


“I miss you, too. I love you.”


“I love you. too.”


“Go to bed, Jamie” she replied “Call me in the morning before you head to Columbus.”


“Beds lonely.” he pouted.


“Did you see my bunk?” she asked


“You mean coffin.” he stated


“I’m little, it works.” she said.


“I’m so buying you a big bus with room for me.”


“Is that so, Neal?”


“Yep, giant bus with room for Nixon. An oven to make cheese toast,” he yawned “and a hockey trainer.”


“So Scary Gary is designing my tour bus.”


“Yep me, Gary, and Nixon.” he said.


“Deal.” she replied “Go to bed, Jamie. I love you.”


“Okay. Love you, too. Gonna listen to you sing on loop.”


“Night.”

“Night, baby.” she answered waving as she hung up.


Sam was watching their exchange. She really did love Neal. He wondered if Neal could really be what she needed. Sam watched as she pulled a ski and cherry coke out of her bag. She moved towards the kitchen and put the ski in the fridge. She then pulled a blanket and gummy bears out of her bag.


“Are those all clear?” he asked.


“Pineapple are my favorite.” she said shrugging


“Mine, too.” he replied


“Maybe I should hide these.”


“Probably.” he laughed “Come on Linus grab your blankie and your drink.”


Tori Lynn laughed and followed Sam through the bus. Sam stopped and pushed a button a large flat screen came down from the ceiling in the bedroom. “Sorry, SmartTV is in the bedroom. I’m usually by myself. So, we are going to have a bed picnic.”


Tori Lynn climbed up on the bed and kicked her boots off. Sam handed her the paper plate of PB&Js. She smiled at him. He tossed his snapback on the side table and grabbed the remote. “Fine china.” he said winking at her.


“I see.” she replied as she looked at the pile of sandwiches “I hope you don’t expect me to eat all 5 of these.”


“You have to share,” he answered “I made both flavors.” He grabbed one of the triangles of strawberry.


“You didn’t have to make both flavors.” she replied “I could have eaten strawberry.”


“You wanted peach,” he shrugged “You ready for the best show on television?”


“You watch the Bachelor?” she said teasingly.


“Every episode.” he deadpanned “No, we are gonna watch the Walking Dead.”


“Confession, I’ve never watched the Walking Dead. And I jump during horror movies.”


“It’s really the best thing I’ve watched.” stated Sam “I promise to turn it off if you get scared. And I’m right here.” He cued up the first season.


“If I have nightmares, Sam Hunt...” she groused.


“You won’t,” he said “But if you do you can sleep here with me.”


They finished their sandwiches as he told her the premise of the show. Zombie viral disaster. He moved from the bed and tossed the snack garbage. He returned to find her pulling bobby pins from her hair. He watched for a second as she unwound the braids. She then tied the waving mess into a messy bun. Sam smiled. Her boots were in the floor, bobby pins everywhere, she was snuggled up in his bed, and she totally belonged to someone else. Fuck my life, he thought as he pulled open the closet. He tossed her an old UNC hoodie. It was smaller than the rest, but would still swallow her. She tugged it on as he climbed on to the bed. Sam started the first episode as she scooted up next to him with her blanket.


Tori Lynn was quickly engrossed with the first episode. She was asking questions. Sam laughed and told her to watch. When the first walkers appeared she jumped. Sam hauled her over closer to him. “That’s about as scary as it gets,” he said in her ear “but I got you.”


“I’m not a scary movie girl.” she replied “I might've been okay but my brother and Richie used to scare the hell out of me when we watched them.” Sam laughed. He was watching her reaction more than the show. “Why is she kissing his best friend? He’s not even been presumed dead that long.” Before he could answer she announced “She didn’t like Lori.” Boo had good instincts.
They were nearing the end of the first episode when she was hiding her face when the walkers were eating the horse. “Hey, that’s as gory as it gets.”


She and Sam discussed the first and second episode. Sam had stretched out on the bed midway through the second episode. Tori Lynn was now laying with her head on his chest watching the walkers. She had stopped asking questions after declaring she liked Daryl. He was enjoying just chilling with her. At the end of the third episode he realized she was asleep. Sam contemplated waking her up. He contemplated just staying put. He however knew her well enough to know they couldn’t stay in the bed. He managed to move her from his shoulder on to the pillow. He moved from the bed. He fired off a text to Chase telling him that Tori Lynn was staying with him. Sam pulled the blanket up over her shoulders. He flipped the nightlight on and shut the bedroom pocket door. Before flopping down on his couch. Sam grabbed his notebook and jotted down notes: bobby pins all over place, smell of her hair, hoodies, and mess. He might not have her but he could write about her. He started humming a tune until he fell asleep.

Notes