When I See You Again

Part 8

Stevie watched Lindsey, his back turned to her as he was looking through a bunch of tapes. She was so focused on him that she was unaware of Christine's eyes on her. Taking a sip of her drink, Stevie leaned back in her seat, lifting one leg over the other. She and Lindsey had gone through various stages of their relationship, but she was completely stumped this time, she couldn't figure out what was going on between them exactly. Suddenly, a line from one of the Eagles' songs popped into her head.

They had one thing in common they were good in bed

It wasn't really a secret, who that song was about. But it couldn't be just that. There was love still there. Right? That first night, when Lindsey came to visit Stevie, it was so different, compared to their other recent encounters. Did she want something out of this? Did she truly believe that Lindsey would break up with Cheri and come back together? Was that what she wanted? 

"I'm going out for a smoke." Christine spoke up, laying her hand over Stevie's to catch her attention. "Care to join me?"

"I-"

"Come on." Christine didn't let her finish as she pulled Stevie up to her feet and walked them out of Lindsey's studio.

Once the two women were alone, Christine took her time lighting up a cigarette, hoping Stevie was going to start talking. When she didn't, Chris sighed heavily.

"You two are at it again, aren't you?"

"What? I don't know, what you mean." Stevie shrugged, already knowing that playing dumb wasn't going to work. 

"You and Lindsey, you're sleeping together again."

"We're not-"

"Cut the crap." Christine rolled her eyes, taking a long drag.

"We're not sleeping together, I don't think you could call it that." Stevie continued. "We fight, then we have a quick fuck and part ways."

"It's not gonna end well." 

Stevie had that feeling too. "More than ever before, I think, we truly hate each other."

"All the more reason to stop." Christine gave her a pointed look. "Why keep torturing yourself like that? There are plenty of men out there."

"But..." Stevie trailed off with a sigh. "But none of them are him."

"Personally, I think that you should stop, but you're going to do whatever you want." Christine shrugged. "So, I guess, what I'm saying is that I know about it and you if you need to talk, don't hesitate."

Stevie gave her a small smile. "Thank you."

When the two women returned, Lindsey, Mick and John were tapping their feet to one of Stevie's newly recorded tracks. She and Chris took their seats again and listened along with the others. When the recording ended, Lindsey turned around in his chair and leaned back.

"This is the best one we've got right now." He said. "It could use some work, but it's pretty good." His eyes shifted between the three Brits, completely ignoring Stevie. 

"What else you've got?" Mick asked, gulping down half a bottle of beer. 

"Nothing." 

"Nothing?" Stevie frowned. "We have other songs, Lindsey."

"Yeah, but..." Lindsey faked a cough, straightening up in his seat. "They're not good."

"I thought, you liked them." Stevie narrowed her eyes at him, crossing her arms over her chest. 

"I do like the songs, the lyrics and all, but let's be honest, you don't sound very good on those tracks we've recorded." 

The other band members, who weren't a part of this soon to happen argument, held their breaths. Stevie just stared at Lindsey, absolutely sure that he had a smirk on his face. 

"We've rerecorded them, after the first time you told me, I sounded like shit." Stevie was trying to remain calm, but something told her, Lindsey was doing this on purpose.

"True." He nodded. "But it's still not your best."

"Why am I even here?" Stevie asked, glancing at the other three as well. "If I don't match your expectations, maybe I should just leave?" She stood up and Mick was quick to stop her.

"Now, let's calm down for a second. Sure, Lindsey could be a bit nicer about this." Mick gave him a look. "But you know he means well, Stevie. He knows, what you can do. He's just trying to get it out of you."

As if Mick hadn't just said one word, Stevie's attention was on Lindsey. "I don't think that you mean well. I think, that you're being a jerk on purpose. I'm so tired of this whole hot and cold thing. You're constantly putting me down, while we're recording, but the second we're done, You can't get me naked fast enough! I'm not a fucking toy, Lindsey! You can't be an asshole to me one minute and expect me to suck your dick the next!"

"What?" 

All five turned towards the doorway, where Cheri stood. Nobody heard her come in. 

"It's not true!" Lindsey was quick to deny it as he jumped out of his seat. "Baby, she's lying. She wishes!" He cradled Cheri's face in his hands, kissing her unresponsive lips. 

"Right. I must have dreamt you telling me, you were unable to walk, because I'm just that good!" Stevie was past keeping it to herself. "And if I'm not wrong, you told me that last night."

"Stevie, shut up!" Lindsey glared at her.

"When did he come home last night, Cheri?" Stevie was the one smirking now. "Did you manage to stay up late or did you give up and cry yourself to sleep? Because you know exactly where he was."

"Oh God, just stop talking!" Lindsey let go of his girlfriend to walk over to Stevie, he grabbed onto her shoulders. "Keep your fucking fantasies to yourself!"

Mick got up from his seat, he felt like he had to step in and separate the two. "I think, it's time to leave." He said, taking Stevie by the hand.

Before they left, Stevie stopped and looked at Cheri, then at Lindsey. "She knows it's true."