Torn

Part 5

After a small birthday celebration with the band, Stevie was back in her hotel. Lindsey was coming soon and she had a short window of time to finally get herself together and be there with him. Her mind was still racing and even though he apologized, she knew him better than that. She was sure, he hadn't let it go completely yet and since they were about to be alone for the rest of the night, she had to do everything in her power to assure him that he still was the only man in her life. Of course he is, Dave was just being stupid, nothing really happened.

"Good evening." Lindsey spoke up as if they hadn't spent the whole day together after Stevie opened the door for him.

"Hey." Stevie stepped aside, inviting him in, a smile on her face. "What have you got there?" She asked, noticing a gift bag in his hand. "Is it for me by any chance?"

"Well..." Lindsey smirked. "For you and me."

"Oh?" Stevie followed him into the room, arms folded over her chest. "What are we talking about here, Linds?"

"You're going to freak out, but don't, please? I just..." He shrugged, holding onto the bag. "I kind of wanted to, you know, spice things up a bit, that's all. Surely you're bored of me by now."

Instant alarm bells. "Are you crazy?" Stevie shook her head as she approached him, she gently took his face in the palms of her hands. "I love you, you know that."

"Well yeah, but still. We've been together for 40 years." 

"We haven't really be-"

"You know what I mean." Lindsey interrupted her. 

"Okay, so show me what you've got." Stevie took a step back. Taking a deep breath, Lindsey handed her the bag. Doing her best to keep a straight face after she'd taken a peek, Stevie looked up at him again. "Lingerie? Did you go and buy it yourself?" She asked, chewing on her bottom lip to keep herself from laughing. 

"Are you insane?" Lindsey shook his head. "Someone would take a picture for sure and post it all over the internet. Kristen would think-"

"Let me stop you right there." Stevie held up a hand. "Killing the mood."

"Right, sorry." Lindsey smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I did pick it out, though."

"I see." Stevie nodded, taking the rather skimpy looking piece out for closer inspection.  

"I mean, you don't have to-" He paused, shrugging his shoulders. "It's stupid."

"No, it's just that-" Stevie stopped too as she put her gift back in the bag and put it away. "This isn't really you. Usually, you can't wait to get me out of my clothes. What's going on?"

He wasn't planning on them having a serious conversation, not tonight. He wanted them to have a fun, silly time together, but...

"Are you happy with me?" Lindsey asked, slumping down on the couch.

Stevie frowned. She thought for a moment as she went to sit beside him. "Well, I'm not really with you, am I?"

"Stevie." Lindsey gave her a look. He didn't like being reminded of that. 

"But it's true." Stevie shrugged, clasping her hands together. "I'm happy when we're together." She corrected and he sighed, leaning forward in his seat. 

"You never laugh with me like that anymore." He shook his head, turning to face her. 

"Like what? What are you talking about?" Stevie was getting more confused by the second.

"In those pictures-"

"Oh, God... again, with those damn pictures!" She exclaimed. "I thought, we were past that. So what? I laughed at something Dave said, someone took a picture, big deal."

"What we have, it isn't enough for you." Lindsey stated. "You deserve so much more."

"We've been over this." Stevie sighed heavily. "This... this is how things are for us." She shrugged. "You're a married man, Lindsey. Things aren't going to be different. We can live in our fantasy world while we're on the road, but I'm not an idiot. Many men have promised to leave their wives, but they never did. I don't expect you to either."

"I'm old news." Lindsey said as if he hadn't heard a word from her. "It's not exciting anymore."

"Are you talking about you? Because you're putting words in my mouth." She briefly remembered Dave pushing her up against a wall and how excited she really was. "I never said that." But she thought about it.

"I wish I could-" Lindsey began, hand on his heart.

"I've heard that so many times." Stevie cut in. "You don't have to keep saying that. You know, if you truly wanted to, you could." She said, both knowing what she meant by that. "I'm going to go get ready for bed." She rose to her feet. "You can stay if you like, but if you want, feel free to go back to your own room."

Feeling like he ruined more than just her birthday, Lindsey opened his mouth to keep the fight alive, but all he could say, was... "I'm sorry."