Destiny Rules

Part 15

Lindsey knew better. He should have told her, no. How, though? He looked back at her and was able to truly see her; lonely, sad and maybe even a little scared. Of what? Of returning to her reality? Of him leaving her this time? He doubted that the tears brimming her eyes were fake, he didn't believe that it was an act to force him to say, yes.

They were in the backseat of a cab, what felt like miles away from each other. Lindsey didn't dare glance at Stevie, sitting beside him, knowing that he'd pull her in closer. Stevie stared out the window, watching the city, all the bright lights merging into one continuous stream. Part of her expected, even wanted to see him shake his head and hear him say something rational. No, Stevie, you should go home. No, Stevie, this isn't right. No, Stevie, you have a boyfriend waiting at home. He didn't. If he had, maybe she would have been able to convince herself that they were simply a bit emotional tonight, that they could move on from the things they said, from their kiss, from how absolutely incredible it felt to be held by him again.

"Stevie?" Lindsey's voice managed to finally stop her inner monologue, questioning every single moment they shared so far. 

"Huh?" Stevie turned to face him, not having realized that the car had stopped. She saw a glimpse of a smile on his lips as he held out his hand for her, telling her that they'd arrived. "Oh." She replied, somewhat embarrassed, and reached for his hand.

"Now, I must warn you." Lindsey began while they waited for the elevator. "I don't live in a mansion like some of us do."

Stevie nudged him in the ribs, chuckling lowly. "Stop it. You know, I don't care about that."

"No, I know." Lindsey nodded, showing her to step into the elevator once the doors opened. "Still, you're used to a certain lifestyle." He pressed one of the many buttons and the doors closed again. 

Stevie's eyebrows slightly furrowed as she leaned against the back wall. "I remember you living in a house, too. A big one."

"Yeah, I sold it about three months later after Fleetwood Mac were done. I dunno..." He shrugged. "I just- I didn't need it, I guess. I certainly didn't need that recording studio, I was all alone there, so..."

Stevie kept quiet. They didn't need to get into that right now. 

They walked out of the elevator and Lindsey turned left, leading the way. They were side by side and, not entirely sure why, Lindsey blindly searched for Stevie's hand, his fingers slipped through hers and in felt completely natural. She didn't think, why, either.

"Are you prepared to be blown away by-"

"Lindsey, shut up!" Stevie interrupted him, making him laugh as he pulled out his keys. "I'm not some princess, okay? I don't live in a castle either."

Well... he thought, but kept it to himself. "After you." Lindsey stepped aside and allowed Stevie to enter first. 

Stevie didn't know what Lindsey was so worried about. Clearly, he'd spent a good amount of money from the house he sold for the apartment he currently lived in. It had everything a bachelor needed and it was actually pretty tidy, much to her surprise. She joked about how he never cleaned, when they lived together, while Lindsey showed her around. He never realized, how much their time together as a couple meant to her to this day. She didn't admit it out loud, but she didn't really have to.

"Do you, uh..." Lindsey scratched the back of his head. "I don't know-" He shrugged. "Do you wanna make a call?"

Call Jimmy, let him know, where you are.

"No." Stevie replied, shaking her head. "I highly doubt anyone would answer." She added, knowing that Jimmy had to be pissed and out of the house by now.

Unsure of how to respond, Lindsey decided to change the subject and offered her a drink. He didn't really know, what her being at his place meant yet, so he was a little lost, when she declined that as well. 

"Can you play something for me?" Stevie asked, that wasn't what Lindsey expected. "Just... whatever." She shrugged, making herself comfortable on the couch in his living room.

"Uhm-" Lindsey didn't understand her request either, he stood in the middle of the room, hands on his hips, looking at her. "Do you want to listen to some records or..."

"Whatever." Stevie repeated, a small smile on her lips. "You can play something if you like."

Oh! Duh. Lindsey nodded and disappeared for a minute. Stevie's smile grew wider, when he returned with his acoustic guitar. She shifted more towards one end of the couch, thinking that he was going to join her, but he sat down on the floor right in front of her instead.

I really should be saying goodnight

I really shouldn't stay anymore

His voice softly, quietly accompanied the melody. It took Stevie some time until she recognized the song. It was from the one and only record Lindsey had released as a solo artist, she heard it on the radio a few times, but the acoustic, the slowed down version, the setting they were in gave the song a different feeling. 

So come to me darlin' and hold me

Let your honey keep you warm

Stevie wiped a tear that had escaped and hugged her knees to her chest. She lowered her chin and hid her face from Lindsey's eyes that hadn't left hers for a second. He noticed her shoulders slightly shaking and it pained him to see her crying, but something in him didn't let him stop until he went through the song in full. He wanted her to hear it, he wanted her to feel the whirlwind of emotions he was currently pulled into and he'd never learned a better way to channel it than through music.

Carefully putting his guitar down, Lindsey got back up on his feet and sat down beside Stevie. He put his arms around her and she leaned into him, allowing him to hold her just a tad bit longer. Lindsey pressed a kiss to her hair and Stevie, sniffling, lifted her head up, her eyes now puffy and red.

"I'm sorry." She said. "I don't know where that came from." She added, smiling tearfully, as if wanting to justify her emotions.

"It's okay." Lindsey assured, pressing her cheek against his chest, his fingers gently combing through her hair. "Do you maybe... want to..." Like earlier, he struggled to get the sentence out, however, this time for a completely different reason. "... stay here tonight?"

~

AN: Thank you all so much for your comments! I looove writing this story and I'm glad you're enjoying it too ♥ I'll try my best and not leave you here for a whole week again. I might come back later tonight :)