The tension was absolutely unbearable.
John did his best to make jokes and Mick seemed to feel it was necessary to constantly fill every silence with inane ramblings on any subject that came into his head. None of this was doing anything to alleviate the situation; in fact it was only a little over an hour before Lindsey slammed his hands down on the desk as Mick was mid way through telling them about his attempts to jetski in Maui, stood up and marched out of the room.
Stevie yanked the headphones off and ran out of the booth to follow him, disregarding Mick's protests and suggestions to let him 'get some air'.
She caught up with him in the courtyard behind the house. The whole thing felt strangely reminiscent of the infamous Tango fight. She'd come off worse in that, and they hadn't spoken for 5 years.
"What is wrong with you?"
He didn't respond. His back was turned to her, hands clutching the back of a wooden bench. She softened. It must be a lot to process. Slowly, she made her way over to him. He flinched as she placed her hand over this.
"Lindsey? Please talk to me. I understand you must have a lot you want to -"
"Was it her? That night you came back? Was it her you were crying over?" He still didn't look at her. She sighed.
"Yes. We got into a stupid fight, over you of all things, then afterwards when I told her...anyway, yes, it was. Why?"
He pulled away from her and began to pace the courtyard.
"I just don't get it. I never knew."
"There was nothing to know, Linds -"
"All those years, our ridiculous dance, the back and forth, the...the sex! Did it mean anything to you?"
"Of course it did, it meant everything! Just because I'm with Sheryl now doesn't mean that's all I ever wanted all those years. I've been through all this with Mick -"
"Yeah sure, you both looked cozy this morning chatting about it. Nice how he got to have that conversation first." He shook his head, pressing the heels of his palms into his eyes. "After all we've been through, I'm the last to know. Thanks, Steph."
"It all happened so fast, I only decided yesterday to -"
"I mean before! You could have told me that night, Stevie! You could have walked in and told me and we'd have talked it through but that wasn't what you planned, was it?! You knew if you told me that I wouldn't have fucked you, and that was all you wanted. You tricked me, you manipulated me, you fucking used me -"
"Don't you dare talk to me about being used and manipulated, Lindsey Buckingham! Don't you fucking dare!" Their voices echoed around the courtyard. Mick and John would definitely have been able to hear them. They didn't care. "You want to talk about being used? Let's talk about you declaring your undying love, making plans, finally figuring it all out and knowing the whole time you'd gotten someone else knocked up!"
"I was confused!"
"Confused?! Lindsey, I was confused that night I came back! My feelings were all over the place because my stupid ass couldn't let you go! You were never confused, you just don't know how to keep your dick in your fucking pants and you never have! I didn't see you protesting that night, I didn't hear you mention your wife and kids!! You were more than happy to oblige."
"Because I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU!"
She froze. He was panting, tears in his eyes.
"Lindsey -"
"No, Steph! I don't want to hear it!" He stopped pacing and sank down onto the bench, head in his hands. Stevie was rooted to the spot. She'd always known, but they never admitted it. Not like that. He'd broken their silent code, never to look the facts in the eye. "I always thought...you were the constant thing in my life. We'd always find our way back to each other, men would come and go but you always would have me. I can't...I can't compete with whatever she's offering."
Stevie was crying, too. He was absolutely right. She realized this was what she'd been worrying about, facing up to the truth that this was the final page of her love story with Lindsey. An ending neither of them would have expected. She had something beautiful and rare with Sheryl, but she'd had something, whilst not always beautiful, but definitely rare, with him.
"I'm so sorry, Lindsey."
He finally met her gaze. Wiping his eyes, he got to his feet and wrapped his arms around her, planting a chaste kiss on her head.
"Don't be. Once I've gotten over myself, and you, I'll be the happiest person for you. You deserve this."
"Thank you. She's really something, you know?"
"I know." They made their way back towards the house. "Oh, and Steph?"
"Hm?"
"I'm really proud of you. That was crazy brave, coming out like that."
"Thanks, Linds."
Mick and John both stared, mouths hanging open, at the pair of them walking in smiling, arms around each other. It really was the end for them.
