Destiny Rules: The Sequel

Chapter 28

July 26, 2010, Nashville

One more day. One more day, Lindsey kept repeating in his head as he sat backstage waiting to get the signal that it was time to go out there. On the sidelines, his kids played amongst themselves - already bored of tour life and unfazed by their dad getting on stage every night. Tomorrow, Kristen would be taking them back to LA where they'd spent the next few weeks in summer camp and getting ready for back to school. And he would finally get a taste of that old tour freedom.

"TWO MINUTES, where's Stevie?" A man with a walkie talkie shouted out, looking around.

Moments later, Stevie emerged on the arm of her bodyguard, who walked her up to Lindsey. They'd been walking out on stage together arm in arm lately, a habit they both secretly came to love. It made things feel so full circle since they started out together all those decades before.

"Lindsey," she smirked, her arm lacing itself through his.

"Stevie," he grinned back, staring straight ahead but nudging his body against hers.

"Big show tonight."

"Oh? Why's that?"

"Just last one before we get two whole days off for resting."

"Ah," his smile widened as they walked, staring straight head, "I sure could use some rest."

"Mmmmm," she mused, the corners of her lips turning up as they politely nodded to the crew that they walked past.

As they finally walked out on stage alongside Christine, Mick, and John, Stevie gave his side a tiny squeeze, winking his way before walking off to her microphone. He shook his head at her with a laugh, running over to his side of the stage. The way she looked at him was enough to power him through the next two hours.

As she walked off stage hand-in-hand with Christine, she felt Lindsey's hand on the small of her back from behind them. Turning around as they all walked, she wrapped her arms around his neck for a quick hug, "Tomorrow," she whispered giddily against his ear as she skipped off. His heart skipped a beat - but the butterfly sensations were cut short as Kristen appeared from backstage with a glare.

"Hey honey," he grinned.

"Great show," she smiled, looking back over to Stevie as she walked away. She'd seen their whole encounter, it made her sick to her stomach to watch their little touches all night - and even sicker when it continued off stage.

"Thanks, I'm exhausted," he groaned as they walked to his dressing room.

"You know, I was thinking, maybe I could just stay on the road with you."

"What?"

"Casey can go back with the kids, get them ready for summer camp, and then I can stay here with you."

"You can't seriously expect to send the three of them on a plane alone?" Lindsey turned to her, suddenly filled with layers of rage at the situation.

"They wouldn't be alone, Lindsey, they'd be with the nanny we hired specifically for things like this."

"I don't want them traveling alone with her," he shook his head, "You said you were going to come meet us in Dallas next week, it's only a week away what's the big deal?"

Her eyes focused in on him and in that moment he suddenly understood. The issue was him being alone on the road with Stevie. She whipped her jacket off of the couch in his dressing room, ignoring him for a moment while she put it on.

"Why do you want us gone so quickly, I think that's the more important question?" She snapped back.

"I don't want you gone!" He yelled, "I'm just thinking about the kids!"