Jo is practically buzzing.

Riley told her that he'd take her out tonight so she can see Broadway. She's praying that their fakes work.

Jo yawns as they take the elevator to the third floor. "You can take a nap if you wanna 'fore we go out." Riley says softly.

"No, I'm okay." She mumbles, leaning against the wall. She hasn't been able to get solid sleep for the past few nights for some reason.

Riley sighs as the door opens.

He unlocks their door and flicks on the light. "One bed?" She asks, setting her bag on the floor.

"It's all they had left. I- I can sleep on the floor if you want."

"No, Ri. It'll be fine." She smiles tiredly at him.

Jo drops her body on the bed, flopping right on top of the sheets and as soon as her head hits the shitty hotel pillows, she's out like a light.

Riley's lips tug at a small smile as he carefully takes her shoes off for her and tucks her under the sheets. He brushes some stray hairs out of her face then sits next to her, turning the tv on and muting it so she isn't disturbed.

He lets her nap for about an hour, maybe an hour and a half. He has made his way lower down the bed and Jo has made her way into his arms.

He has an arm around her, her head on his chest as she sleeps. He mindlessly plays with her hair, the soft brunette strands gliding through his fingers. He presses a kiss to the top of her head and she presses her face further against him, her leg coming up to lay across his.

She hums softly, nuzzling her face against his neck. He smiles slightly, his hand resting on her head.

She finally wakes.

"What time is it?" Her voice is thick with sleep.

"Almost six." He whispers back, still stroking her hair.

"Mmm." She hums again, pressing herself closer against him. "I gotta get ready."

"For what?" He asks, watching her slowly get up.

"Broadway. Y'know, you're busy tomorrow so we should go out tonight."

"Okay." He smiles, one arm behind his head the other resting on his torso. "Yeah, I'll- I'll get dressed too."

Jo picks up some clothes from her bag then disappears into the bathroom. Riley figures she's going to be a while so he changes out in the room.

He pulls his shirt off and tosses it on his bag. He snags a button down and pulls it on, snapping the buttons shut over his bare chest.

The door opens and out walks Jo looking beautiful as ever in a simple pair of jeans and plain tank top.

"Wow." He says, biting his lip as he looks her over.

She blushes and rolls her eyes. "C'mon now."

"Let's get goin', Joey."

+++

Their fake IDs work like a fucking charm.

Riley and Jo have been in and out of bars for a few hours now. He's been pacing himself while Jo has been having the time of her life.

She can see herself living in Nashville with Riley Green and she hopes it happens.

Jo's been keeping her hand tight around his bicep, afraid that they'll get split up. Riley can't stop smiling.

This feels so right; Nashville with Jo on his arm.

It's nearing midnight and Riley's got an appointment early in the morning so they're on their way back to the hotel.

When Jo drops her grip, Riley wraps his arm around her shoulders, keeping her against his side as they weave through the crowded sidewalks.

She pulls away from his grasp, falls behind then suddenly is booking it down the street, laughing wildly.

"Jo- Jo!" He shouts after her, running too.

They make it back to the hotel and up the steps to the third floor, breathing hard. "What the hell, Josephine!?"

She stops in her tracks, all signs of silliness gone. "What the hell did you just call me?"

Riley feels his heart pick up. "J- Josephine." He repeats weakly.

She bites her lip to keep her scowl in but a smile breaks through. "I stole someone's hat." She holds up the cream colored cowboy hat then giggles. "Hey, at least I didn't get into a bar fight." She shrugs, dropping the hat on the desk. "Almost happened."

"What? When?"

"You went to the bathroom and this guy started hittin' on me then his girlfriend went off on me like it was my fault." She shrugs again.

Jo gives him a once over then takes a few steps toward him. Her hands rest on his chest and his automatically go to her waist. She gently grabs the back of his neck and brings him down for a kiss.

Maybe she's starting to feel the same way about Riley.

Maybe they can give dating a shot.

They act like they're dating right now anyways. What would be the difference?

+++

"You got signed."

"I got signed."

"You got signed!"

"I got signed!"

Riley laughs, wrapping his arms around Jo. She holds on to him tightly, taking a deep breath in, his cologne filling her nose. They hold each other a little longer than they expected but they're not complaining.

He presses her forehead against hers then chuckles again. "Wow."

"Guess we're movin' to Nashville."

"Really? You want to?"

"Yeah." She nods. "I called admissions at Belmont and I can transfer all my credits."

He grins, wrapping her in another tight hug, spinning her in a small circle. Jo giggles, kicking her feel up behind her.

"I'll start lookin' for a house when we get home." He says, setting her down on her feet. "Figured we move up here in the summer so you can start on a new semester."

"You're somethin' else, Riley Green." She squeezes his bicep.

He smiles again, taking her hand as they start down the sidewalk.

"Jo?"

They turn around and are met with Sean Stemaly and some other guy with glasses and dimples.

"What're you doin' here?" He asks.

"Visitin'." She responds.

"Why are you with him?"

Riley rolls his eyes as he subconsciously grazes the small of her back. Sean clenches his hands into fists.

"None of your damn business." Riley responds.

Jo bites her lip. "Let's just go, Ri." She whispers, her hand around his forearm.

"Fuckin' slut." Sean mutters, turning around to the door his friend is standing at.

"What?" Riley hisses through gritted teeth. "What the fuck did you say?"

"C'mon, Ri. It's fine." Jo says, pulling his hand. He isn't one to get pissed off and seeing him like this is making her nervous.

"No, it ain't fine! This asshole- I swear I'm gonna-"

"Gonna what? Huh? Gonna what, tough guy!?"

Riley suddenly throws his fist into Sean's face, catching everyone off guard and Sean quickly hits him back.

Jo is frozen in shock as her best friend and ex boyfriend beat each other up. Sean's friend tries to pull them apart but Sean is too fired up.

"Ri- Hey- Riley!" Jo grabs said guy by the back of his shirt and pulls him away from Sean. He's on the sidewalk with blood gushing from his nose and mouth. He's coughing and gagging on blood as he's sitting himself up.

Riley beat the shit out of Sean, every ounce of pent up agression is out of his system and he feels so much better.

He definitely feels awful for beating up Jo's ex in front of her. He hates that he did that in front of her.

"Ri, c'mon." She says quietly, taking his reddening hand.

"I'm sorry, Joey." He says, his tone pulls at her heart strings. "I'm so sorry."

She doesn't say anything.

It's a silent walk back to the hotel.

Jo pushes him into the bathroom. "Sit." Riley does, his eyes stuck on the floor. "Look at me." She uses a damp washcloth to clean up his face, sighing softly. "Usually, I'd chew your ass out for doin' this but he deserved it."

"Damn right he did." He mutters.

Jo takes his hand. "You're a dumbass." She states, brushing her thumb across his swelling knuckles.

"A dumbass who cares about you."