A Hundred Years Underground

You Were Amazing...

Stevie tried to relax as she waited in the front row for the show to begin.

Since getting off the plane everything  felt like a whirlwind. She'd been whisked away from the plane in a limo that had waited on the tarmac for her arrival. Her luggage was spirited away to her hotel, while she was deposited at the stadium.

She'd been met there by a short guy in a shiny jacket. His mousy mustache had twitched as he introduced himself in a mellow English accent as Tony, Lindsey's manager. He had placed a VIP pass around her neck and marched her backstage to enjoy refreshments with a bunch of other people, who judging from their unruly behaviour had already helped themselves to copious amounts of the free drinks on offer.

She felt like a fish out of water, a dorky school teacher surrounded by all the hip rockers in the room.  And she hadn't yet set eyes on Lindsey. Tony had explained he was busy with his pre-show routine and would see her after.

She remembered the few shows they had played together as a duo in bars and clubs where the audiences were indifferent, or worse, hostile. Lindsey was always so calm beforehand while she was a bundle of nerves. He would take her hands in his and raise them, gently pressing a kiss to each, calming her mind and her soul. She realised she had no idea about his pre show ritual now, was he still so calm?

Her thoughts were interrupted as the audience broke into cacophonous applause as the band started up the first song and bounded onto the stage. The sound rose to a crescendo as Lindsey himself strode out in his trademark tight jeans and black tee, his guitar slung around his neck.

As the performance wore on Stevie found herself falling under his spell, along with at least half the audience. His talent and energy was infectious and she hummed along to his songs, the raw energy of the crowd amplifying everything. Towards the end of the show she saw Lindsey speak with Tony at the side of the stage, his eyes following Tony's gesture toward her. His eyes locked on hers and a grin spread across his face.  For the rest of the concert he kept glancing her way and against her better judgement she felt herself enjoying his attention and smiling back.

As soon as the encore was over and the band had taken their bows, Tony guided her backstage and she found herself outside Lindsey's dressing room, suddenly nervous.

"Go in" called Tony as he headed away down the corridor.

Stevie knocked and waited, her mouth dry and her hands sticky.

....

Lindsey headed quickly backstage, still on a high from the show. There were hugs and fist bumps with the guys as they said their goodbyes, Lindsey promising to catch up with the band tomorrow.

Back in his dressing room he stripped off his stage clothes, now soaked from his exertions, and stepped under the hot shower, letting the  water wash him clean as the steam rose up around him.

He had seen Stevie in the front row, in her sundress, swaying to his music and tapping her booted feet. He still felt the same electric connection with her that he always had, and he was now sure she felt it too.  Every time he got a chance to glance her way she was staring up at him with a smile. By the time his encore ended, he was desperate to get backstage to see her.

He dressed quickly and as he was buttoning his clean white shirt, a knock came at the door.

He flew across the room and opened the door to see Stevie smiling up at him.

"Hi Lindsey. You were amazing out th..."

Before she had time to finish her sentence he had pulled her into an embrace, hugging her close.

"Stevie! I'm so glad you came." He couldn't help himself from quietly adding "I missed you so much."

Stevie pulled away far enough to look up into his electric blue eyes, the  intensity surprising her.  She didn't know if it was the infectious energy from the show, the connection she had felt when he was onstage or seeing him living the dream they forged together, but before she even knew what she was doing,  she raised up and kissed him gently.

"You really made it Lindsey, everything we ever wanted..."

He returned her kiss, tasting her, overwhelmed with having her so close. He looked down into her dark eyes "Not everything".

She tangled her hand in his shirt and pulled him closer.  He caressed her face, her hair, and breathed in her perfume, a flood of memories flashing through his mind. Their bodies pressed together, and he deepened the kiss as she wrapped herself around him.

They continued to make out against the door, their breath quickening, their passions rising, until a sharp knock caused them both to jump apart.

"Who is it?"

"Lindsey it's Tony. Can I come in?"

Lindsey moved a few steps from the door as he entered. Stevie had already fled a safe distance behind the leather sofa, smoothing down her dress. She hoped it wasn't too obvious what they had been doing against the door.

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Just checking when you'll be ready?  The cars waiting out back to take you to the hotel."

He glanced across at Stevie, her face flushed with embarrassment or passion, he wasn't sure which "Ready now?"

She nodded.

....

Stevie rushed around her hotel room, the clothes from her suitcase now strewn across the bed, her makeup scattered haphazardly over the dresser. She had finally decided on the red cocktail dress she'd worn at the club the night she'd seen Lindsey. It was simple but elegant and she knew it clung to her curves attractively.

Although she really didn't know why she was so bothered!  She wasn't sure who she was more mad at, herself or Lindsey. Seconds after they were alone all her good intentions of keeping things platonic had disintegrated when he'd pulled her into that hug.

She sighed. She needed to keep her feelings in check and not get dragged back in. No more kissing, she admonished herself, no matter how good it felt. Steeling herself and taking one last glance in the mirror, she headed down to the bar to meet Lindsey.

....

Lindsey waited self consciously in the bar, now on his second beer. He'd tried to find a dark corner, but he could still hear the whispered conversations and feel the stares of the other patrons as they recognised him.

Where was she? Stevie could always be relied on to be late. That obviously hadn't changed. He should have remembered to give her a time at least half an hour before he wanted to meet, to have any hope she'd be even close to on time.

His mind wandered back to their encounter in his dressing room. The way she felt in his arms, her soft lips her little moans... He was through lying to himself. He wanted, no he needed, her back in his life again.

Despite all his success, the money,  the fame, the attention, he had never been truly happy or comfortable with it. He had always thought he'd have those things with Stevie. In truth he had only ever wanted those things because of her.  When she'd left to go back to college he had every intention to give up and follow her. But then he had got his lucky break and before he knew it he was a star, riding a runaway fame train.

In the back of the limo, they'd chatted all the way to the hotel, catching up on their families and exchanging news about former friends. Although he noticed she had kept her distance he'd been content just listening to her chat away, her words tumbling out as she recounted one story after another as the city lights had flashed past them.

Now as he waited for her, he wondered if she was still writing music. She hadn't mentioned it yet. She was so talented. He often caught himself humming one of her old songs, bringing all the memories of her back to him.

Just then a murmur went around the bar and he looked up to see Stevie walking towards him in a red cocktail dress.

His mouth went dry as he felt himself react to the sight of her. When he was able to recover his thoughts he was hit with an honesty and clarity that he seldom had. In that instant he knew that he still loved her and that he had never really stopped.