Angel

Part 28

"So, how was your day?" Lindsey glanced at Stevie in the passenger's seat as he stopped at a red light. 

"It was fine, then it got interesting at one point." Stevie replied with a smirk, he laughed lightly. "It was good." Stevie shrugged. "We're making progress. A lot of tiny parts are slowly coming together."

"It's so weird." Lindsey admitted. "You're creating something and I'm not a part of it. Like, I have no idea what's going."

"Don't take it the wrong way-" Stevie lay a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. "But this is kind of the point."

"I know." Lindsey sighed, nodding his head. "Just something I'm trying to get used to." He smiled weakly at her and turned his head straight, focusing on the road again.

They arrived at Stevie's and Lindsey wasn't sure if that was it. He wouldn't even consider inviting himself in, but they hadn't really had the chance to talk about what happened almost a week ago yet.

"Are you coming inside or are we staying in the car?" Stevie joked and Lindsey couldn't follow her out fast enough.

Stevie turned the lights on as she entered the house and Lindsey closed the door behind him. He'd obviously been there before, but it felt a little odd being in her home this time. He didn't know if he should walk with her, wherever it was she was going, or hang back and wait for her to return.

"Would you like something to drink?" Stevie asked, walking away.

"Uh, sure." Lindsey shrugged, deciding to follow her. "Can I just start or are we going to pretend that-"

"You can start." Stevie interrupted, reaching for a bottle of brandy.

"Carol Ann is gone." Lindsey said. "After I drove you back, I went home and told her to leave. She's completely moved out, no trace of her in my house."

"How did she take it?" Stevie asked, handing him a glass. 

Lindsey frowned, he didn't expect he'd have to get into details. "Uh, well... not- she didn't want to leave obviously. She- she asked if there was a way to change my mind-" He gulped, taking a seat when Stevie did. "You know... but I pushed her away. Just told her to get the hell out of my house."

"So, if I suggested we go to your place..." Stevie trailed off, raising an eyebrow.

"Do you want to go right now?" Lindsey replied and saw a hint of a smile on her lips. "She meant nothing, Stevie. She's gone."

"I'm happy to hear that." Stevie took a sip and lowered her eyes, she stared into her glass, her lips sealed. 

"You don't seem happy." Lindsey spoke up after a short moment. 

"That's because I'm waiting for you to bring up Don." Stevie shrugged. "I know, this isn't over yet."

Lindsey breathed out heavily, shifting in his seat. "You could have warned me. You could have told me, you were planning to have him as a guest."

"That's the point, Lindsey. I shouldn't have to warn you." She emphasized, echoing his choice of word. "Yes, he and I dated for a bit, but that's over. It's just work. You didn't care about Tom."

"Because there's no history." Lindsey gave a weak shrug of his shoulders. "Jimmy is clearly interested and Don... well, you... he got you-"

"I made a choice, Lindsey, you know that. We're didn't stay together, we're not still madly in love with each other, we don't have..." Stevie sighed instead of finishing her sentence. "Our romantic relationship is over."

"I don't think, I'll ever be okay with this stuff." Lindsey told her honestly. "It's just..." He knocked back his drink first. "Way before you and I were even a thing, I thought, you were too good for me. When we started dating, I thought, you were too good for me. I still think that. I'm afraid that even if we're a couple, I could easily lose you because there has to be someone better than me."

"You can't be serious." Stevie shook her head. She put away her glass and took his from him too. "Lindsey, I love you. I have for many years. Yes, you've been a massive jerk to me in the past, but you've also been there for me, cared and loved me. Sometimes in your own strange way, but..." She smiled, moving closer. "What else could I possibly want?"

"Someone, who doesn't freak out over seeing you with another man?" Lindsey shrugged, his head hung low.

"I can't stop you from being jealous. All I'm asking is for you to trust me. To know that in here-" She held up his hand and placed it on her chest, above where her heart was beating fast. "There's only place for you. When you're about to freak out, remember that I love you."

Lindsey remained silent for a moment, swallowing the lump of tears in his throat. He tilted his head up, their eyes met. He opened his arms and she didn't hesitate, he pulled her in closer and held tightly. Yes, this was progress.