Destiny Rules

Part 12

It very much felt like the first day at a new job. I guess, it is, Lindsey thought to himself as he maneuvered his way through the halls of a massive building, his guitar case in hand. Was he nervous? A little. Musically, he and Stevie worked perfectly fine, it was the personal stuff that always got in the way. It was also a major factor in him deciding whether to accept yet another offer from her. He couldn't, he just couldn't say, no, to this. Playing at some bar was one thing, but standing in an arena in front of thousands of diehard Stevie Nicks fans? That was a whole different thing. Even the thought made him uncomfortable. However, support her as in being by her side night after night? That, he decided, he could do. He'd done it a hundred times before. And maybe, just maybe it would also open some doors for him too.

Lindsey found the rehearsal space at last, he did have to ask someone for directions, though. The makeshift stage was set and there were already some people around. Lindsey checked his watch and realized that he arrived a little earlier than was agreed. Unsure of what to do now, he glanced at the drummer and had no clue who the drummer was. He looked over at the keyboard player - nope, no idea. The others - he didn't know anyone. Lindsey then turned towards the microphone stands for the backup singers and, just as his eyes went in that direction, a familiar face appeared, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief. On the other hand, would she even remember him?

Lindsey cleared his throat. "Uhm, excuse me-" He spoke up, catching the attention of the tall, slim brunette. "I was wondering if Stevie's around here somewhere?"

Sharon Celani smiled warmly at him and gave a small nod. "She's just getting ready." 

How was he supposed to respond? There was no follow up question, really, but he still felt out of place and the time seemed to have stopped.

"You can come up here, you know." Sharon continued, sensing his discomfort. "You're part of the band, are you not?"

God... Lindsey scratched the back of his head, laughing nervously. Did she like him or didn't she? He didn't know Sharon well, she had remained a mystery to him. Taking the first unsure step towards his new touring bandmates, Lindsey approached the stage. He put down his instrument and went to the side to climb up the three steps that were there. 

"Welcome." Sharon added as he passed her by. Maybe she had nothing against him after all, Lindsey wondered, giving her a small smile.

Okay, he knew the next part. Lindsey bent over to open his guitar case, carefully removing the instrument. He looked it over, pretending that he was inspecting something specific, which he wasn't, he simply hoped that before his hands were free once again, Stevie would appear and save him.

"I know, I know!" 

Music to his ears.

"I'm sorry, I'm late." Stevie apologized, practically running onto the stage. 

Nobody paid much attention, Stevie never showed up on time. Lindsey, looked around. A nod, a wave from the other musicians. Was he supposed to greet her in the same manner? Was it okay if he gave her a hug? 

"Hey." Lindsey chose an awkward wave.

"Hi." Stevie replied, a wide grin on her face only for him. She opened her arms and drew him in for a hug. "I'm so happy you're here." She whispered.

"Th-thank you." Lindsey stuttered, a little taken aback. 

Why? Who knows. He had to pull the phone away after he said a simple, yes, and Stevie shrieked so loud it got him worried about damage to his eardrum. He already knew she was excited. Maybe it was this new Stevie? The one who praised him any chance she got, who was affectionate towards him, who didn't seem like she absolutely despised him. Yeah, he was probably just getting used to the person he'd once known a long time ago again.

Lindsey had about two weeks to learn the setlist. Easy task, especially since he already knew some of the songs, he was the one who originally played on them. While the guitar parts sounded good, they were nowhere near as complex as what he would have come up with and did during the Fleetwood Mac days. He would never tell Stevie that, though, he just assured her that he was ready to go, when she stepped up to the mic.

They played through the set to the mostly empty room except for Stevie's assistant, manager and a few other friends who were there. Lindsey realized that Jimmy was nowhere to be seen, but he wasn't going to ask, none of his business. Stevie seemed alright, happy even, so it was unlikely that the lack of Jimmy's presence had anything to do with some problems in their relationship.

Stevie announced a short break before going through the setlist at least once more. A break. What was Lindsey supposed to do with it? He watched as some of the members left the stage for God knows what, while others stayed. 

Feeling a light tap on his shoulder, Lindsey turned to face Stevie. Shit, he screwed up. She didn't want to embarrass him in front of everybody, so she suggested they take a break. Already dejected, Lindsey waited for her to speak.

"I would like to hear your opinion on something." Stevie began, her hands clasped, twiddling her thumbs.

Opinion. His opinion? "Huh, um, sure." Lindsey nodded.

"Waddy- you remember Waddy, right?" Lindsey nodded his head again. Waddy Wachtel was the only other person Stevie trusted as much as she did Lindsey when it came to her songs. Actually, it came as a surprise that he was taking Waddy's place, but he didn't want to get into that. "Anyway. We used to do Stop Draggin' My Heart Around together, but he's not here, so... it just doesn't sound as good with only me." She added as if justifying her proposition, which Lindsey had yet to catch.

"But the girls-" Lindsey showed in the general direction of where the backup singers stood. 

Stevie gave him a look as if saying, really? "It needs a man's voice." How much more obvious could she make it?

"O-ohhhh..." You idiot. "You mean-" Lindsey pointed at himself. "me?"

"Yes." Stevie nodded. "I mean, it wouldn't hurt to try, right? If it's no good, we'll forget I ever brought it up."

Friends or not, Lindsey felt obliged to agree. After all, Stevie was his employer. He didn't expect to do anything else besides play lead guitar, but... it was one song. "Of course, we can try."

"Do you need the lyrics or-" Stevie was already going to fetch them from where she had laid them out next to her spot on the stage.

Lindsey shook his head. "I've only heard the song a thousand times on the radio, I think, I've got it." He joked.  

Stop Draggin' My Heart Around was currently placed towards the end of the set, which took the band some time to get to due to some minor technical issues, meaning that they were now going over the booked time. That wasn't the issue, money was never the issue, however, Jimmy was supposed to come pick Stevie up around the time the rehearsals were meant to be finished for the day...

Jimmy stood by the door, at the back of the room. He didn't expect to see Lindsey performing a duet with Stevie, he was supposed to just be a hired hand, play his guitar and stay back. The shades on the bridge of his nose did a great job of shielding his annoyance otherwise not evident on his face.

"So? What do you think?" Stevie stopped to ask Lindsey.

Lindsey shrugged, taking a step back from the microphone stand that was now placed for him. "I think, it sounded alright."

"It sounded great!" Stevie exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

"I think so too." A third voice joined in the conversation, causing Stevie and Lindsey to look away from each other. "You guys sound really good together." Jimmy was in no way actually complimenting them, it sounded more like an accusation.