Broken Promises

Part 13

Another successful show added to the list. A night out in yet another city. People surrounding him were seemingly having a great time. He saw their wide grins, he heard their laughter, he knew they were engaged in about five different conversation, however, Lindsey was lost in his thoughts. He kept going over and over again the conversation he had the night before. He was a complete professional onstage, but once he walked off and disappeared backstage, for a short moment he allowed his inner turmoil, his emotions show in the privacy of his dressing room.

"You're not a lot of fun tonight." Tom leaned in and Lindsey just gave a weak shrug of his shoulders. "Everything alright?"

"Just fine." 

"Is that why you haven't answered any of your wife's calls, because you're just fine?" Tom gave him a look. "She's been calling every few minutes."

Lindsey hadn't realized that his phone was out of his pocket and on the table in front of him. "With all due respect, this is none of your business."

Tom wasn't affected by the harsh reply. Having dealt with Lindsey for so long, he was used to it. "Do you want to talk?"

"No." Lindsey shook his head, his phone now in his hand. He looked at the screen and saw just how many calls from Stevie he had missed. 

"Not about whatever is going on. We can talk about the weather, last night's game, whatever." Tom shrugged. He knew that if Lindsey was in a mood, it was only going to be harder for him to do his job. When Lindsey didn't respond, Tom stood up and placed his hand on Lindsey's shoulder. "Come on, I'm going out for a smoke. You can keep me company."

With a heavy annoyed sigh, Lindsey rose to his feet and followed his assistant outside. His lips were still sealed, staring at nothing particular in the distance. Tom lit up a cigarette and took a long drag, waiting.

"It's personal." Lindsey spoke up eventually.

"And I would never ask you to spill." Tom shook his head. "But it's not that difficult to figure out it's got something to do with Stevie. I've known you both for years and I consider you and Stevie my friends. Whatever happened, she obviously wants to talk about it."

"I don't think I can do this over the phone." Lindsey sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. 

"You don't have to. Answer her to let her know you're still alive." Tom stubbed out his cigarette and opened the pack for another one. "You get angry easily and that anger blinds you. After twenty years of marriage or however long you two have been married for, don't you think you could at least pick up when she calls?"

"You're on her side." Lindsey glared at Tom. "You know nothing and you're on her side."

"I'm not on anyone's side." Tom replied calmly. "I just know what it's like to lose someone you love, without a chance to even have a damn argument. You have no idea, what I would give to have a stupid fight about dirty socks on the bedroom floor with Sharon again." His throat tightened at the mention of his wife's name. 

Lindsey shut his eyes, shaking his head. "Tom, I'm sorry, I-"

"You have nothing to be sorry about." 

The two men fell silent. Lindsey felt his phone vibrating in the inside pocket of his blazer. He took it out, then lifted his eyes up to look at Tom, who gave him a small nod of his head and walked back inside, leaving Lindsey by himself.

"Oh God, you finally answered! I was so worried, Lindsey. I hope, nothing happened. Are you okay?"

One question after another, Lindsey let Stevie get it all out of her system. He felt the stinging of tears and closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He cleared his throat and tried again.

"Stevie, I know."