Nothing came out when Lindsey opened his mouth to speak. He had a choice to make between the woman he had loved his whole life and his children. He loved all of them, but his children were more important, so he stuck to his story about wanting to fix his marriage and that Stevie should leave and forget about him.
Stevie didn't think the situation could get any worse, but it did, when Lindsey started being mean to her. It was hard when he ignored her, but once he began making all kinds of comments, she was getting nearer to losing it completely. She hadn't cried over Lindsey that much for years and years, and they were supposed to be two grown up people, able to deal with whatever life was throwing at them like adults. That wasn't the case at all.
John never enjoyed being a part of the drama in the band, but Mick could hardly keep silent. The tension in the air was thick and everyone was becoming miserable. He invited everyone out to dinner, hoping he would find a way to make his colleagues realize, they weren't creating a very nice environment to work in. When both Stevie and Lindsey agreed, Mick was more than surprised. Maybe this wasn't going to be so hard after all.
"I'd say the tour is going pretty great right now, don't you think?" Mick ended the uncomfortable silence, while they waited for their food.
"It's not bad. It's more about the music and not so much about all the other nonsense." Lindsey was clearly referring to his and Stevie's previous closeness and playfulness on stage.
"By that you mean us performing together and not as we were playing in a different band?"
"Why do you always think anything I say has to relate to you?"
"Because I know you too well and you don't have to try and cover it now, Lindsey." He gave an exaggerated sigh, not saying anything back. "Right, just keep on ignoring me. That's what you're best at lately."
"Will you quit bitching!"
"Guys." Mick looked pointedly at them. "We're in public, we're getting looks as it is, we don't need someone to post some rumour about how we're not getting along on the internet."
"But we're not getting along. Can't you see that he hates me?"
"You're not that important, Stevie, for me to hate you."
Deathly silence.
Nobody said another word and when their food was delivered, they all were eating silently too. Lindsey couldn't believe himself he went that far and Stevie was stunned he did too. She couldn't care less about dinner, all she wanted was to return to her hotel room and pour her heart out, writing in her journal.
"More wine?"
"No, thank you." Stevie said, lifting up her eyes. "Hank! Oh my God!" She jumped up, pressing her little body to his. "What are you doing here?"
"Surprise, baby." He emphasized the endearing term, holding her tightly. As she drew back a little, he leaned in for a kiss and she didn't resist it at all, moaning slightly too loudly into his mouth, while wrapping her arms around his neck. "I had a job in the city."
Mick faked a cough, causing the two to look his way. "Aren't you going to introduce?"
"Stevie's new married boyfriend." Lindsey spat out, proud of himself.
"Quit it, Lindsey. You never cared about being married, while you had me on my knees in front of you." John chocked on his water, desperately fighting back laughter, he knew he shouldn't do it or it wouldn't end well.
"Would you like to join us?" Mick offered and Lindsey shot a look at him.
"I was with a couple of friends, I just wanted to say hello really." Hank felt that it wouldn't be a very pleasant evening if he did join the four.
"Well, I don't imagine you would leave Stevie with us now if you left."
"That's right, Hank. I would have to follow you." She was still standing by his side, smiling from ear to ear. "Please?"
"I wouldn't want to interrupt anything you were previously on about. Maybe I should meet you at the hotel later instead?"
"Oh, don't worry. We weren't even talking. And please, Hank. I don't want you to leave me." Stevie pecked him on the lips quickly, lacing her fingers through his.
"If you're sure."
"Thank you. Although, I'll make sure to thank you properly later." She winked, which didn't pass Lindsey's deathly stare.
One more chair was brought to the table and Hank sat down next to Stevie, who was paying him extra attention for the remainder of the night. She was constantly touching him, unable to tear her eyes away from him, giving him kisses, some of which he would deepen, making the rest of the group slightly uncomfortable. Stevie couldn't deny she was doing all of it for no reason, but still, from aside to Mick and John, who rarely cared about these things, everything seemed rather natural.
It was getting late. Hank leaned closer to Stevie, to whisper something. When he sat straight again, she looked at her bandmates. "Thanks for suggesting a night out, Mick. But Hank and I will be leaving now."
"I'm surprised you stayed this long with us." He joked, smirking. "Don't worry about the bill."
"Thanks."
"It was nice meeting you, Hank." They shook hands, then Hank held his hand out for John too.
"Likewise. Maybe we'll meet up again soon."
"Of course, you seem like a great guy and it's what all of us want for our Stephanie." Stevie hugged Mick and John, not bothering to try it with Lindsey, said goodbye and the two were on their way out of the restaurant.
Mick took his glass of wine, wanting to finish what was left of it, but he felt Lindsey's burning stare. "What?"
"Some friend you are, Mick."
"You don't get to be like this, mate. She spent years waiting for you. You can't be jealous, you made your decision."
"You know nothing about him."
"Hey, what I saw tonight was the sparkle returning to Stevie's eyes and all I want for her is to be happy. You stopped caring about it, but now she has someone who does."
Lindsey wasn't going to sit there and listen to it. Without saying anything else, he upped and left.
