Five Days

Day Four

She was upstairs in the large guest room the Buckinghams had prepared for her, sitting cross-legged on the bed, when she heard the raised voices. Lindsey's was instantly recognizable - she'd had him angry at her more than a few times, after all. The other? Oh. Kristen. Kristen had always been polite to her, erring on the side of coldly possessive rather than loudly jealous, and this was something different altogether. This was serious.

Stevie uncertainly got up to close her door, trying to block out the noise but her curiosity got the better of her and she found herself leaning against the wall, listening to the conversation that was taking place in a room only a few feet away.

"Look, Kristen, I've explained this time and time again..."

"Yes, you have. And I've so appreciated your explanations as to why you have to always act like you're in love with Stevie in, oh, every fucking interview, every live show, every photoshoot, every -"

"Hey, hang on a moment. I don't -"

"Every time you talk about her, for god's sake!"

"That's not true. I've told you numerous times about how many fights we've had."

Kristen's voice was quieter now, more intense and Stevie felt an involuntary shiver run up her spine. "Yes, and Mr Superior, I also know that having fights and being in love aren't mutually exclusive."

"That is true."

"It is. You're right. Also, you're right when you said you weren't sure if I'd like this new photoshoot you did today. Seriously, Lindsey?! You really thought these were a good idea?"

"We didn't actually choose the poses, right. We're the subjects, not the photographer."

"And so it didn't occur to you to say 'maybe that's not a great idea' when a mere photographer told you to basically grope Stevie and look like you want to make love to her in numerous photographs."

"Oh, for Christ's sake. It's just a few photographs. We're in a BAND. We were in a relationship. Believe it or not, people like seeing us play up that aspect of our history."

"I do believe it. I just can't believe how obviously you both get a kick out of playing it up as well. I, I -" Stevie wrapped her arms around herself and tilted her head slightly, feeling almost shameful at still listening. "I just wish you weren't so obvious. At least if I could pretend you -" And sniffles.

"Kristen, darling, don't. Don't."

"I'll be in our bedroom. Make sure Stevie gets home safely. Then we'll talk."

Footsteps faded. Lindsey sighed. Stevie closed the door.