October 10, 2001
"Are you sure you don't mind this?" Her eyes darted around the room as she quietly pulled on her jacket. She didn't want him to notice she was sneaking out but couldn't actually see him to make sure.
"He's over there, behind you. Don't worry - he's not looking. Let's go."
They slipped out of a side door and made their way across the lot to where Sheryl's car was parked.
"He really was putting the moves on tonight, huh?"
"Yeah, you see him onstage?" They had reached the car and climbed in. "Happens every time. I convince myself I won't let it, but he just knows how to win me round; 'hey, we're Stevie and Don, Henley and Nicks, we just work together baby,' then I end up doing something stupid and regret it until the next time I see him and it happens again."
"Not tonight!"
"Not tonight. Thanks again for getting me out."
She turned to smile at her friend. It had been 6 months since the New York gig, and neither of them had brought it up. The album and tour were a hit, Sheryl either opening or appearing at most of the shows. It had been a little awkward at first but they soon worked through it and got back into their old rhythm.
They were back in California for some of the last performances, and somehow - Stevie refused to accept it had been her idea - Don Henley had been brought in to appear too. The crowds had of course gone wild to see the once golden couple of rock, so much so there was talk of them doing a tour together, but that was something she could think about later. Right now she was just glad to have avoided falling for his charm for the first time in a very long while.
"Which house are you staying in?"
"Oh, the condo."
Sheryl nodded and followed the signs toward Santa Monica. The rest of the journey was spent chatting about how they felt the tour had gone, what they might have changed, plans for the future. Stevie mentioned there might be an opportunity for Sheryl to join Fleetwood Mac - Christine had left a distinctly female void that she wanted to fill.
Sheryl couldn't quite believe her luck. She'd grown up listening firstly to Fleetwood Mac, then Stevie's solo work, dreaming of a chance of maybe meeting her one day. Now here she was, working with her, performing with her, friends with her - and the possibility of joining one of the biggest bands of all time being discussed. It was almost overwhelming.
"I'll think about it. This is you, right?" She turned down the drive and pulled up to the house. They sat in silence for a moment, the sound of the ocean crashing nearby. "Ok, well -"
"Do you want to come in?"
"I -"
"Just, you know. I mean you can have one drink. Hell, you can have more, I have...I have a guest room."
For the first time in six months there was a strange energy between them. Stevie shifted awkwardly in her seat, wondering if she'd made a mistake by asking. Sheryl couldn't refuse; doing so would make it glaringly obvious that she wasn't comfortable alone around Stevie. The truth was, not a day had gone by where she hadn't thought about what happened between them, what could have happened if they'd allowed it to. She once again pushed the thought out of her mind and grinned at her friend.
"Sure, why not?"
They were greeted by Stevie's dogs. Both were familiar with Sheryl and after an excited sniff of her ankles followed Stevie into the kitchen for food. Sheryl smiled to herself as she looked around the room. It was so Stevie. The pictures, the fabrics draped everywhere, the books...it was everything she imagined it would be. Walking over to the sliding doors, she opened them and stepped out onto the balcony. The rolling sea was inky black, the stars reflected on the rippling surface. It was easy to see why her hostess was so inspired by it.
"Not a bad view, I guess. Brandy ok?" Stevie had appeared at her side, offering her a glass.
"It's beautiful. Thanks."
"I don't normally drink the heavy stuff these days...well, I don't really drink at all, not often. Last time was..." her voice trailed off as she remembered.
Sheryl sipped her brandy, fighting the urge to get it all out in the open. They stood side by side for a while, watching the tide roll in and out, each lost in their own thoughts. Stevie was the one to break the silence.
"Did you want to stay? I can make up a room." There was the faintest trace of hope in her voice. Sheryl couldn't resist it and agreed.
~
"Need any help?" Two drinks later, Stevie had headed upstairs to make up one of the guest rooms. After a few minutes of listening to her banging around, Sheryl decided to check in on her.
"No, no, all done now." She turned to smile at the woman framed in the doorway and was struck by her relaxed beauty. Loose blonde curls tumbled over her shoulders, framing her smiling face. Her hands were shoved in the pockets of her jeans as she leant against the door frame.
"Cool, well - I guess I'll..." she gestured vaguely towards the bed.
"Do, uh, do you want any pajamas? I have spares if -"
"No, it's fine." Without a hint of embarrassment, she pulled her t shirt over her head and wriggled out of her jeans. Stevie caught a glimpse of her underwear-clad body before turning away, but it was too late. The image of Sheryl's tanned, athletic frame was seared into her mind.
Sheryl slipped between the sheets, cool against her skin.
"Here - some water." Stevie grabbed the bottle and glass from the dresser and carried it to the bedside table.
"Thanks. Stevie -" she caught her hand as she turned to walk away. Stevie paused, sighing deeply, before sitting on the edge of the bed next to where Sheryl lay. She knew this all had to be talked about, one way or another. Taking a deep breath, she began to explain.
"Look, I...I'm sorry about the way I acted. I was confused about how I felt about you. I had never - I have never had these kinds of feelings towards a woman. I was so sure of who I was my whole life and you came along and turned it on its head. And now, I don't know what to do. I've screwed up too many friendships with too many men by blurring the lines. I don't want to lose you." She twisted round to look at her.
Sheryl was sitting up, leaning on one hand. With her other, she began to ildly curl a tendril of Stevie's hair around her fingers.
"You could never lose me." She tucked the hair behind Stevie's ear and traced a finger down her jawline.
"I've been hurt so many times, Sheryl, you don't understand. I'm scared." As her brown eyes closed, a tear rolled down her cheek and Sheryl brushed it away.
"I can't tell you what the future holds, and I won't try to." She lightly tilted Stevie's face toward hers, moving close enough that she could feel her shallow breaths against her skin and dropping her voice to little more than a whisper. "All I can say to you right now is that I have been totally, insanely, defencelessly in love with you since the day I met you, and nothing could make me happier than proving that to you."
