Everybody Finds Out

Part 23

Lindsey didn't say a word about where he'd gone or what he had to get done. He returned and the band got down to work. Stevie had an uneasy feeling she couldn't quite explain, however, she didn't want to ask if it was something personal. If he wanted to, he was going to share whatever it was with her on his own time. She did notice the change in his mood, though. Somehow, he seemed more relaxed, compared to the past several days. Maybe he went to the spa? Stevie shook her head to herself, thinking, that was a ridiculous idea. 

"Stevie, are you with me?" Lindsey asked, waving a hand in front of her face.

"Wha-" She looked up. "Sorry, I was somewhere else." She smiled sheepishly, now realizing that Mick and John had left.

"Are you okay?" Lindsey knelt before her, laying his hands on her thighs. 

"Fine. I'm- I'm fine." Stevie nodded, forcing her smile to grow wider. "Are we done for today?"

"Looks like it." Lindsey replied, standing up. "Do you want to do something?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know, whatever." He shrugged, hoping that she'd say, yes. "I'm growing tired of these walls. We could go for a drive maybe?"

Raising an eyebrow, she looked at him suspiciously. "What have you got planned?"

"Nothing, honestly." Lindsey shook his head. "Although, I feel like maybe I should have planned something." He laughed nervously.

"Last time we were in a car together didn't go so well." Stevie reminded him as she too rose to her feet. 

"We don't have to talk. I've just been missing you, that's all." Lindsey looked away, then faced her again, feeling her hand slip into his. 

"Sure, let's go for a drive." Stevie said, the smile on her face now a lot more sincere. 

Only a few minutes later, the two of them were seated in Lindsey's car. He wasn't quite sure, what their destination was, but he didn't think it mattered. Pulling out of the driveway, he just turned left. 

The radio filled the silence, old nostalgic songs kept playing one after the other and eventually Stevie began humming, then singing along to some of them. Most of them. Lindsey took it as a good sign - she was comfortable in his presence. Her mind wasn't occupied with any dangerous thoughts, she allowed herself to enjoy their time together and it was all he could ask for.

Tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, Lindsey glanced to his right at Stevie. He wondered if he should say something as to where he went in the morning or should he just let her be. He wanted to, but he was afraid of her reaction and right now, things seemed fine between them, he didn't want to ruin the moment.

"What?"

"Nothing." Lindsey replied, when Stevie caught him staring. 

"You should keep your eyes on the road." She said and her hand fell on his leg. They hadn't had any physical contact for several days and that was several days too many. He cursed himself for being so affected by her touch. "What's going through your mind?"

"Really, it's nothing. I'm just happy you wanted to spend time with me." Lindsey brought her hand up to his lips. 

In an hour or so, they had returned to their temporary home. The unspoken question hung in the air, but Lindsey didn't want to assume, so he waited for Stevie to speak up first. As they slowly made their way up the stairs, she finally asked if it was okay for her to stay the night with him. He was eager to say, yes. 

"It's so good to have you here." Lindsey pressed a kiss to her forehead as Stevie lay on his chest. 

There wasn't a lot talking going on, but it did feel like they were back to normal. Then the phone started ringing. Lindsey hoped that someone would answer the call, but no one seemed in any rush to do so. He had a pretty good idea of who was calling. 

"Hello?" Lindsey picked up at last, a heavy sigh followed. 

"Well, have you calmed down?"

"What do you mean, have I calmed down?" He frowned. "I wasn't kidding."

Stevie quickly realized it was Kristen. She wanted to leave, but the grip Lindsey had on her, prevented her from doing so. 

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm coming over tomorrow, so we can talk this out."

"There's nothing to talk about. I said, what I said and I stand by it."

"Lindsey, come on." He knew, his wife was rolling her eyes. "We both know that once the album is recorded and you're no longer forced to be around her, your feelings are going to change."

"Think what you will, Kristen. I stand by my word." Lindsey repeated, sounding completely sure. "And do not come here."

"You can't tell me what to do." She replied and added. "See you tomorrow, honey."

Lindsey cringed at the last word, slamming the receiver down. His mood instantly went sour, but he tried to mask it. However, Stevie saw right through him, she knew that something was going on.

"What have you told her that you stand by?" Stevie asked after a moment of silence between them. "And why is she coming over tomorrow?"