Lindsey lays on your lap, reading a book and ignoring whatever it is you've decided to watch on TV. Things are finally comfortable between the two of you, as long as there isn't anyone else around. The second you introduce another person, everything unravels. You're not good at secrets, and at some point, this has to change. His glasses rest on his nose as he reads, and you keep glancing down at him, constantly distracted by how perfect this is.
After tomorrow night's show, you're supposed to fly back to Los Angeles to check on Stella again. There had been no news, and you knew it was eating away at him. The daily updates from the doctor were always the same, which was better than the unthinkable, but still not what you'd been hoping for.
His phone rings, and he answers it quickly. He always kept it by him now. "Hello? ... Oh, my God... Yes, of course. When will they operate? Okay. I'm in Glasgow right now... yes, the UK... I'll be back in twelve hours... That's okay. I know you'll be mid-surgery... Thank you."
"Did they..." you start, slightly in shock.
"She got a donor!" He was already dialing the number to the charter company for a jet, not able to give you any more details. You immediately get up and start packing for him. You realize quickly that you can't go. The show will have to be canceled, and it'll be too visible. You can't risk being seen at an airport together yet. Your heart aches that you won't be able to be with him, and you've got his bag ready by the time he makes the arrangements.
"Here you go, baby," you say, smiling as you kiss his cheek.
"Where's yours?"
"I can't go with you, Lindsey! Once it gets out the show's been canceled everyone's going to wonder what's going on..."
"Oh, no. No. We'll be in Los Angeles by the time word gets out. There's no way you're not coming. Even if you can't be at the hospital with me, you have to be nearby. I need you there," he starts to sound panicked, and you realize that he's dead serious. "It's 1am here. It'll be 4am when we land at LAX. No one will see us."
"Lindsey if we're seen on a private plane together, staying at my condo..."
"We won't be. I promise," he says, kissing your lips. "Pack your things, I'm calling a car."
"Okay." You obey, still slightly hesitant. He could get in a lot of trouble your relationship got out. You'd been expertly concealing it so far, but knowing the two of you that wouldn't go on forever. Karen is the only one who knows. She knows everything. The bellman arrives and loads your things, and you follow Lindsey through the hotel lobby. When you get into the car, he picks up his phone again. You can hear Mick answer.
"Mick... we've got to cancel the next few shows... I know that. Listen, Stella's been really sick. She needs a lung transplant, and they got a donor. I'm on my way to Los Angeles now... I know... No, I don't. I'll call you when I have more information. Thank you... Tell everyone I'm really sorry... I will. Thanks."
"That sounded entirely too easy."
"What's he going to say? This is my kid we're talking about," he says, grabbing your hand and squeezing it excitedly. You know he's nervous. He falls silent, and you don't say anything else.
You're rushed onto the plane and they're still fueling, so you wait for a minute. It's not even 2am yet. You need to call Karen this time. You dig for your phone and call her, knowing she's probably still with the girls. It's still early for after a show.
"Stevie? Is everything okay? Mick just said the show was canceled?"
"Karen, you don't tell anyone this, but I'm going to Los Angeles with Lindsey."
