Since none of the Pens had vehicles and Richie and Neal had brought sports cars they decided to take cabs over to the bar. Richie made a call and managed to get two mini van cabs. Kris Letang held the door open to the first cab open for Tori Lynn. She crawled into the back of the van. Kris crawled in after her and sat in the back seat beside her. Pauly shooed her into the middle of the bench seat and sat beside her. Geno and Sidney crawled into the middle two seats.

"Damn you dirty Pens" said Richie "She is like my baby sister. No touching. I am looking at you Letang." Kris laughed as Marc- Andre, Richie, Neal, and Pete got into the cab behind them. Tori Lynn laughed out loud and gave the address to the first cabbie. She then realized that she was alone in car full of random guys that she didn't know. Maybe not the best case scenario.

Paul Martin looked at Tori Lynn he noticed she was looking timid.

"We don't bite Tori Lynn" said Paul.

"Non at least not 'ard Chere" replied Kris Letang smiling at her "We are very civil." He turned that megawatt smile at Tori Lynn. Tori Lynn immediately started laughing. Lord have mercy that face and that smile.

"I'm not sure I believe you Letang" she giggled "In fact I'm pretty sure you are trouble with a capital T."

"Me" asked Kris looking as innocent as possible for sin incarnate.

"Oui" said Tori Lynn "I'm sure it would be a wild ride doll but not what I am looking for right now. So why don't you put all the smolder away before someone gets burned."

"Mon Dieu" laughed Kris "You 'ave broken my 'eart Tori Lynn. You will dance with me, no?"

"That I can do as long as you promise to be good." she replied

"I am always good Chere." he smirked

"I have no doubts Letang."

Tori Lynn looked at Paul who was trying to hold back laughter. They were all used to girls melting into puddles of goo at the first 'ello from their charming French friend. Paul smiled at Tori Lynn.

"So I think I might be in love with you" said Paul half seriously "You call Nealer out on his shit, you shut down Letang, and you didn't seem to be phased by Mr. Hockey up there."

"Aww Martin" said Tori Lynn throwing and arm around Paul "You are probably the best bet."

"How come pretty girl snuggle Pauly" asked Geno

"Because I'm always safe" laughed Paul "But seriously I am around if you need me. I'm sure before you get used to Nealsy you will need an ear." He handed Tori Lynn his phone and she typed in her info. He promised to text her later.

"So 10 minutes into this endeavor and Paul Martin has your number" questioned Sid.

"No worries Sid" she stated "I promise not give it to you for love nor money." The entire van started laughing "I'm pretty sure the Bruins are probably revoking my fan status as we speak. I mean I've ran around in Neal's clothes for 2 days, I went to a Preds game and actually cheered for the Preds, and now I am in a van full of Pens. I'm pretty sure I'll never convince Brad to marry me now."

"Marchand" said Letang

"Oh Tori Lynn say it isn't so" said Pauly

"Yep I am a Bruins fan. Hardcore. And I am slightly enamored with Brad Marchand." she replied

"No pretty girl" said Geno in his broken English "You not know him."

"I'm going with the Russian on this one" said Paul "Brad Marchand is an asshole."

"You know that he and Nealer have no love for one another" replied Sidney

"You know what Sid the Kid" she sassed "I'm gonna call you Captain Obvious. I am well aware of James and Marchand's issues. We've already discussed that little indiscretion."

"Wait you and Nealer talked about the knee heard round the world?" asked Paul.

"More like I told him to watch his knees because I am short and I wouldn't want to accidentally get kneed."

"Lazy say what?" inquired Geno

"Not a thing. In fact I told him to close his mouth" replied Tori Lynn

"You sure you won't marry me" asked Paul from the seat next to her.

"I'll think about it Martin" she laughed. The vans came to a stop in front of the little dive bar. Geno and Sid climbed out. Sidney was busy paying the fare. Tori Lynn started arguing. The boys all laughed. She was climbing out of the van and Evgeni extended his hand to help her out of the van. Once they were all in the parking lot Tori Lynn convinced them to let her buy the first round. The boys were a little taken aback by her wanting to pay her way. They were used to girls using them like an ATM. Geno had held his arm out and Tori Lynn looped her arm through his. She was leading them to the door as Richie, James, and Pete joined the group.

"Tori Lynn" growled Richie " No giant Russians"

"No worried Richie" replied Tori Lynn "Geno was just being a gentleman. I am however seriously considering marrying Martin."

"What fuck Pauly" yelled James "It was a 10 minute cab ride."

"She turned Tanger down flat, she calls you on your bullshit, and she is positively unimpressed with Sid. Other than the whole she is a Bruins fan she is perfect." said Paul snagging her from Geno. Paul threw and arm around Tori Lynn as they entered the bar. Tori Lynn recognized the guy checking IDs as Colby from the band. He looked at the group and his eyes got big. Before he could open his mouth Brian walked over.

"Chickie" said Brian "You are way early kid."

"I know" laughed Tori Lynn "But my friends wanted a place to hang out drink and spend lots of money. However they don't want to be recognized and filmed."

"No problem Chickie." replied Brian "any chance I can get you on stage."

"One set" remarked Tori Lynn "and no one bothers my guys."

"Deal" replied Brian he then sent Colby and another bouncer to put tables together for the group center stage. He also sent waitress around to tell the patrons the band was gearing up and he would appreciate no videos or photos of Tori Lynn's entourage. He in fact offered a free drink to anyone who would turn their phone off in front of the waitress.

"Wow boo" said Richie "I've had entourages but never been in someone else's."

"Live and learn Clune" smiling Tori Lynn. The guys in the band were making their way to the stage. She waved at them as she got the guys situated. She started towards the stairs of the stage. She looked down at the jersey. She started peeling it off as she walked the stairs.

"Hey Neal" she called. Both Pete and James turned and looked at her. She tossed the jersey off the stage at James. "Can't sing or play in it."

James grabbed the jersey before it hit the floor with his mouth. Holy hell she was gorgeous. But she needed his jersey back. She had on a pair of skin tight jeans that were strategically ripped, a Rolling Stones tank, a black lacy bra that was showing through the side of the tank, and her feet were clad in boots. James wanted to cover up every inch of exposed skin. Furthermore, he wanted all his friends to quit staring at her. She was talking with the band with her back to them.

"Nealer" called Richie "I am going to pull your spleen out."

"What?" asked Neal "She yelled for me."

"Or me" smirked Pete. Pete laughed as Tori Lynn sat on an amp and pulled of her boots. She came to the edge of the stage. Tori Lynn noticed Pete gesturing to Neal. She yelled for Pete and he came over to the stage. She handed him the boots.

Someone cat called. Another patron yelled take it off. James looked around but couldn't find the culprit. Tori Lynn let out a laugh and grabbed the mike.

"Nope wrong bar" she teased "Y'all having a good time."

James was entranced watching her introduce herself and the band. He placed his order with a waitress and turned back to Tori Lynn. He notice their entire table was focused on her.

"She sing" asked Geno.

"Fuckin A she does" replied Richie "Get ready for the show."

Tori Lynn nodded at the band and they fired up. She broke out into Gunpowder and Lead by Miranda Lambert. She was slaying the song and had the entire audience watching her. He looked at his former teammates and they were all sucked into Tori Lynn.

"Lazy" called Geno "She amazing." James just nodded at him.

"Nealsy" said Kris nudging "I think I might be in love."

"Definitely going to make her marry me" laughed Paul Martin. Marc-Andre and Sidney just nodded in agreement.

"You damn Pens get your eyeballs off my girl" said Richie.

"She isn't any ones girl. Yet?" said Pete drinking a beer "But she might be."

"Shut it baby Neal." growled Richie as James smacked him in the back of the head. Tori Lynn and the band launched into a second song.

Sidney leaned in closer to Neal "So Neal you don't have anything going with her. You are slipping man."

"Oui" replied Kris "I think if you are not wanting the girl I will give it a go."

"Shut the fuck up" said Neal looking at Richie "She isn't some damn puck fuck."

"Lazy likes her" replied Geno "So you like her you tell her. She might like Lazy too."

"She hates me." said Nealer "Tori Lynn doesn't want anything to do with me or any of the Pens for that matter."

"But she has no issue with me" laughed Pete clearly enjoying egging on Jamie's favorite team mates.

"It doesn't matter who she likes or dislikes because I truly will kill the lot of you" smirked Richie "She is here to get a record deal not become some hockey trophy."

"Oui she is more than a trophy." laughed Letang "Listen to 'er. She will be singing somewhere 'uge"

'Exactly and she doesn't need you fuckers to derail her." explained Richie. Tori Lynn launched into Piece of my Heart. The band was being dwarved by her talent. James took another pull from his beer he kept his eyes on Tori Lynn. The boys were all into third round of drinks when James wondered over to the bar. He ordered another beer and a cherry coke from the bartender. He ventured back to the table with the drinks. Both Richie and Pete looked at the drinks.

"What" said Neal.

"Cherry coke?" asked Pete "you normally don't care for cherries."

"Ah but Tori Lynn does" said Richie looking at Nealer. Jesus when did Nealer become the best option of all these guys to even look at Tori Lynn. Richie had to admit James was like another brother to him. However that still didn't mean he wanted Tori Lynn with Neal. Nealer wasn't exactly the faithful type. He had promised Bodie that he would watch out for Tori Lynn. Richie new that Bodie's death had played a major role in the last 5 years of her life. He didn't want the next 5 colored by her being twisted up with a hockey player. However, Richie knew enough not to push her. She would end up with one of these guys just to spite him. "Look at her Neal. She is in her element."

"I see her Richie." said James

"I know you do that's what worries me" replied Richie "Your eyes haven't left her since we got here."

"She's on the fucking stage man" Neal fired back "Everyone is looking at her."

"Yeah but not everyone sees past the sass. She can't be played with Neal." said Richie taking a drink of the water he was holding.

"I have no intention of playing with her." replied Neal "She hates me. Maybe you should threaten Pete."

"Why she isn't looking back at Pete." said Richie walking off.

Well fuck thought James. He looked at the stage and noticed that Tori Lynn no longer was at the mic. She was standing on top of a speaker box with an electric guitar. He heard a guy in the band say that Tori Lynn was going to let him sing and she was going to take his guitar and he promised it would be a show. His former team mates gathered around him at the foot of the stage. Tori Lynn smiled down at all of them. Tori Lynn turned her back to the crowd as the bad launched into Shake it for Me by Luke Bryan.

Tori Lynn was swaying and grinding against that guitar. Every male in the place was wishing he was that guitar. James looked at Richie. He laughed as heard Richie mutter fucking hell under his breath. As many times as James had heard this song he had never really understood it until he saw Tori Lynn with that guitar. And now he wished that no one else could see her with that guitar. All of his boys were staring at her. Hell Pete seemed to be ready to propose. Richie had walked off talking to a girl he met at the bar.

"Lazy" began G "You girl is very good at sing. You should get her sing the songs at the game."

"She might actually want to do that. She isn't my girl." replied James

"Well she only not your girl cause you scared of Marchand." laughed G "Marchand not know girl. You know girl. "

"She iz going 'ome with me" said Letang.

"We are all going to the hotel alone" said Sid

"We fly out at 9:15 am" said Marc- Andre

"That is plenty of time" said Kris winking at Pete and James.

James killed the rest of his beer as Tori Lynn took the mic again. He noticed that she had an acoustic guitar and the rest of the stage was dark except the light on her. James nudged the boys to turn and watch her. She came to the edge of stage and sat down with the guitar. She was talking to them about the band being kind enough to let her slow it down. As tiny as she was she was about eye level with Geno who stood at the edge of the stage with the rest of the guys. James heard the opening chords of the song and was not sure if he was right about the melody. She was playing Beyonce Crazy In Love acoustic in a dive bar straight out of Roadhouse.

"She really is good" said Sidney coming up beside Neal "I know we are all giving you shit. But if she likes you she will over look a lot of your character flaws."

"Fucker" said James "What character flaws?"

The boys all launched in to lists of James flaws. The list culminated with jabs about his hair. "And you fuckers are supposed to be my boys." He heard Tori Lynn say she was getting ready to play her last song of the night. He watched the stage lights come up and the band join back in. He was watching Tori Lynn. She looked directly at Kris and winked at him. She launched into a song called Whiskey. He listened to the song and wanted to laugh. She had Kris figured out. She finished her set. She spoke with the boys from the band and waved at the crowd before she came over to the edge of the stage.

"Hey Pete" she called "I need my boots."

Pete was busy talking to Sid and Marc Andre. James walked over to the edge of the stage.
"Need a hand?" he asked Tori Lynn.

"Just my boots" she laughed "Richie might be right about the level of ick in this place." James laughed and stepped up closer to her. He held out a hand to her. She looked at his hand then looked for Pete. It was either barefoot on the bar floor or Neal.

"Wow you are really considering what is worse me or the shit on this floor" said Neal walking away.

Notes