On My Way To You

9

Lindsey didn't make it in time for the performances. But Karen was outside talking to someone and she saw him.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Karen inquires. They weren't the best of friends. She and Lindsey didn't really talk to each other, but that was because they didn't really interact. Stevie very rarely had Karen with her, when she was with him and Stella. There were only a couple of instances where they had crossed paths. 

"I told her that I was going to try and make it for the show. But I think I missed it." 

"By ten minutes...but she's at the after party. I can bring you back there." She tells him. 

"Yeah, thank you that would be great." Lindsey nods. 

"She'll be so happy to see you." Karen assures as she leads him around the venue. 

Even though it was October and it was slightly chilly, the after party was being held on the rooftop of the building. When he got up there, Stevie was taking a selfie with Irving, Don, and a couple of other people. He paused and stopped, staring at her through the glass. He sat there for several minutes just watching her laugh and mingle and then when he heard Don announce a song he was going to sing he stepped out onto the rooftop. 

"This is a new song of mine, and I want to dedicate this song to the beautiful Ms. Stephanie Nicks. This is for you baby " Don Henley had a sickeningly sweet as honey southern accent and they way he was looking at Stevie didn't sit right with Lindsey. They were an interesting dynamic, but it didn't stop Lindsey from being absolutely jealous and he didn't like the feeling one little bit. 

And as the song was playing, he knew that it was a love song for Stevie, asking for her forgiveness and that's when it hit Lindsey. The two of them- Don and Stevie -had a history that Lindsey would never fully understand. They had been through so much together and they had been getting married for christ sakes. Lindsey didn't fit. He simply didn't. He was a measly school teacher, and she was this big rock legend. They started "seeing" each other days after she and Don ended things and it didn't feel good at all. 

He sighed and zeroed in on Stevie who seemed to be entranced by that song. He shook his head and went up to her gently laying his hand on her shoulder. She startled and then she squealed launching herself at him. 

"Oh my god, you made it! How did they do?"

"They um, they won yeah." He returns her hug kind of lightly and stiffly. 

"Well, did you see me singing with Don?" 

"I um...I missed it live, but Stella was streaming it on the way home so I did, see it." Lindsey nods.

"Well, did you like it?" She inquires.

"I thought it was great. I'm really happy for you, I think you're amazing...um can we, can we talk a minute." He asks.

"Oh um, sure...yeah...let's...over here." She leads him to a secluded corner of the roof. "What's going on?" 

"Nothing, the performance was great. Social Media is exploding...people are even saying that you two are back together." 

"Well if Social Media says it, it must be true." She rolls her eyes. He knew she was trying to say fuck social media. However, she was laughing and he wasn't. "Wait are you okay? What's wrong? Is Stella okay?" 

"No, no...I'm good, we're all good. I'm just...I'm looking at you here, and I'm happy for you because it all worked out." 

"What? What worked out?"

"You and Don are better now. His cheating scandal is long gone." 

"It's crazy right...so totally crazy. it is honestly like none of that happened. It feels normal not forced like I thought it was going to feel." 

"I'm happy for you, you deserve all of this...you really do....Heart of the Matter, sounds like you guys had a talk and worked things out." 

"It's just a song Lindsey...he's probably had it written for a while. He's like me and stockpiles things. It's probably just a new single." 

"Maybe, and Maybe it's something more." Lindsey shakes his head. Stevie's smile falls and a lump forms in her throat. 

"What's going on?" 

"Look, your grammy is a big deal and that's why I wanted to come down here. I knew you were singing it tonight and that song means a lot to you and Don...Steph, I don't fit...I think that's objectively pretty true and we don't need too..."

"What are you saying Lindsey?" 

"If I'm being honest with myself...I don't think this works." 

"What are you..." 

"I'm a teacher, you could have any guy in the world...hell, there's a famous rockstar right there who clearly wants you." Lindsey points out.

"Are you breaking up with me? Lindsey I chose you I..." 

"But did you, a week after you two broke up you came to me...and I'm so glad that I could be there to support you and mend your broken heart, but we live two separate lives. 

"Lindsey I..." But before Stevie could finish her thought, Don's song ended and he cut her off.

"Steves, come on up here...Steves." 

"Go, we'll talk later." 

"No, I want to..." 

"Stevie come on." Don was getting impatient. 

"Go." Lindsey stated. 

Stevie looked at him, then looked at Don, then back at Lindsey. She gulped and Lindsey mouthed 'go' again and she swallowed thickly and made her way towards the stage. But when she was on stage, and Don was toasting her, she kept an eye on Lindsey. Don had said something to cause her to turn her head to look at him for a moment and then when she broke away from Don's eyes, she looked for Lindsey. But he was gone. And her heart shattered into a million little pieces. 

It took every ounce of her being not to burst into tears while Don was toasting her, but when she was finally able to break free, her hand found her stomach, and she bit into her lip. She found Karen and as they were on their way to Stevie's house she finally broke down and started to sob and wail. Even her breakup from Don - though it hurt like hell - didn't even compare to the pain that she was feeling now.