When I See You Again

Part 19

Stevie thought she heard someone knocking on her door. However, still half asleep, she hoped, it was just in her dream. Today wasn't a show day and she fully intended to stay in bed, unless it was absolutely necessary for her to get up. The knocking soon grew louder and more irritating. Fleetwood Mac were halfway through their shortened tour, so every minute of rest counted. 

"Give me a minute!" Stevie said to whoever was in the hallway.

Lazily, she rolled out of the bed and reached for her robe, making a mental note to buy a new one, so it would actually close in the front. Barefoot, she walked over to the door, only three people came to mind, who might have decided to disturb her at this early hour. 

However, it was neither Christine, Mick or Rick. For a second, Stevie wondered if she was still asleep, if this was just a part of her dream. Or a nightmare. 

"I woke you up."

"What the hell are you doing here?" For the first time in the past few months, Stevie felt her anger rise. "How did you know, where to find me? What do you want?"

"I- I came to check on you, see, how you're doing." Even as the words were coming from his mouth, Lindsey realized, how lame it sounded. 

"How I'm doing?" Stevie scoffed, her eyes wide. "Are you drunk? High?"

"I'm not either, Stevie." Lindsey shook his head, he didn't expect any other kind of welcome from her. "Can I come inside? I don't think, you want the whole floor to hear you."

"How dare you?" She narrowed her eyes at him. "Who says, I want you in here? I didn't ask you to come here! I don't want to see you!"

It was as if the baby sensed her distress and she felt a sharp kick. Taking a deep breath, Stevie opened the door wider and allowed Lindsey to come in. 

"I didn't come here to argue."

"Well, what else did you expect!" She asked, throwing her hands up in the air. "You should have at least called me first."

"I knew, you wouldn't have let me come." Lindsey shrugged, hands in the back pockets of his jeans.

"Damn right." Stevie pursed her lips, arms folded over her chest. 

"Steph, I'm sorry."

"You don't get to call me that." She shook her head. "I don't need your apology. You've made things pretty clear already."

"I haven't had a sip of alcohol in five weeks." Lindsey told her, it was something he was very proud of.

"Good for you." Stevie shrugged. "But I don't see, how it has something to do with me."

"I'm trying to get better." He took a step in her direction, but she took one backwards. He sighed. "I understand that I acted like a complete asshole. I said thing that I didn't mean. I just... I wanted to get out of that whole mess."

"And you succeeded." 

Lindsey lowered his eyes to her growing bump and he smiled. "You look beautiful."

"Oh Christ, Lindsey." Stevie sighed, shaking her head. "I'm happy that you're trying to get your life back on track, but please, don't involve me. You said, what you wanted to say, you did things you wanted to do. It's time to move on. I think, it's for the best for everyone."

He frowned, trying to close the gap between them again. "No, Steph. I'm getting better for you."

"You should do it for yourself. You didn't want to change for me, when I asked. It's too late now, Lindsey." 

"But it's not." Shaking his head, Lindsey now stood just a short distance away from her. "I broke up with Cheri, she's gone. It took me a while to realize it, but it's you, Steph, I want you."

"It's too late." Stevie repeated herself, holding her hands up, when he tried touching her. "I'm moving on, please, let me do that." She asked. "A while ago, this would have worked. I would have been happy to see you. By now we probably would have been in bed, but... Not anymore, Lindsey."

He stepped back and frowned. "So, it's true then."

"What are you talking about?"

"You and Rick." Lindsey said, his fists now clenched. 

"See? Lindsey, you haven't changed." Stevie looked at him sadly. "You're just assuming things. Rick and I became friends quickly. He gives me the support I need to get through this. But that's it."

"Right." Lindsey scoffed, rolling his eyes. "He's not going to be a father to my child." 

"Oh, that's rich! Someone has to be, right?" She knew, it was a mean thing to say, but it was true nevertheless. "How come, you're so sure this is your baby? The last time-"

"I've already said, I was sorry! God..." Lindsey took a deep breath in order to calm down. 

Shaking her head, Stevie sighed. She showed to the door. "Just leave, Lindsey. Please."

He lingered for a moment longer, looking at her. Before he left, he said. "This is not over."