Not Just a Mirage

Chapter 10

Lindsey tried not to be too rattled by the sight of Stevie sitting on Mick's lap as he entered the living room. They likely just did a line together, now sitting with their limbs draped all over each other like it was the most natural thing in the world. He didn't have a right to be mad or jealous, Carol Ann had practically been wrapped around him all day long before she was set to fly to New York tomorrow. But that never stopped him before.

He watched curiously as John rubbed Christine's shoulders and realized this house was definitely doing something it shouldn't be to all the couples in this band. Well, not him and Stevie. They were always able to rationalize whatever happened between them, forever able to find a way to make themselves the exception.

"Hi Linds," Stevie's voice peppered through the room as she finally realized he'd been standing there.

"Hi."

"You look tired. No sleep last night?"

He fixed her with a look, she was playing with fire, but for what reason he wasn't sure. Was she just bored, or was she wanting everyone to suspect that he'd been lying in her bed the night before?

"I slept very well actually," he challenged her right back, "Did you?"

"Like a baby."

Christine raised a brow, "Since when? I thought your room has been too haunted for you to sleep in it?"

"Must have had an angel watching over me last night," she shrugged, her eyes focused on Lindsey. He tried not to appear too fazed or flattered by her games. 

"Are you still taking Carol Ann to her big romantic sendoff dinner this evening?" Mick asked. 

"It's not really a big romantic sendoff," Lindsey stammered, his hand running through his hair as he tried to downplay it, "Just a restaurant they recommended in town."

"Ooh la la," Mick teased. 

Stevie stayed quiet, situating herself further against Mick's lap as the current conversation stoked a flame of jealousy within her. She didn't want to think about Lindsey taking another woman out to a romantic dinner in France. Especially not after he held her last night. Even if it was only for 20 minutes. 

"Yeah...not really. Anyway, are we done recording for the day?" Lindsey asked. 

"I'd say so," John laughed, holding up a joint. 

"We're going to have a nice sendoff party tonight when you two lovebirds get back from dinner. We'll get everything set up for you."

Lindsey rolled his eyes, nodding his head in defeat as he left the room. He wanted to skip to the part where Carol Ann was leaving tomorrow morning. Instead, it seemed like today was the longest, slowest moving day of his life as he had to make eye contact with Stevie from across the room. He wasn't even sure what he was waiting for, there was nothing said that led him to believe once Carol left Stevie would suddenly want something to happen. But something about the way they kept looking at each other gave him hope. 

~~~~~~~~~

Stevie buzzed through the room, a little drunk, a little high, and on her silliest behavior. She was determined to have fun tonight to escape everything. Earlier she had a call with Robin, followed by a call with Jimmy, and now, she wanted to forget all of it if only for the night. She found herself settled on Christine's lap playfully now, lately she was always on someone's lap it seemed - a not so subtle yearning for a level of intimacy she was desperately missing. 

"You're on another one tonight," Christine laughed as Stevie twirled her hair around her fingers. 

"You're glowingggg," Stevie grinned, studying Christine's face, "Does this have anything to do with the bed creaking I heard this morning?"