Love Starts Out in the Darkness

Part 12

"Good morning."

Lindsey winced as he tried to open his eyes, he shielded them from the sunlight with his hand. However, he still caught a glimpse of Carol's face too close above his.

"Would you like some painkillers?" Carol asked, leaning against the back of the couch, her arms spread wide to support herself. 

"I would like for you to stop being so loud." Lindsey replied and turned on his side, closing his eyes again. He blindly searched for the blanket that he'd kicked off himself at some point during the night. He was uncomfortable, but getting up seemed like a worse idea.

"Well, if you had stopped at one glass and not half a bottle-"

"Shut up." Lindsey breathed out heavily.

"I see, you're still pissed." Lindsey would have laughed at if his head wasn't pounding so badly. "Someone's been trying to reach you." Lindsey's eyes snapped open and his heartbeat picked up pace. "Stevie, I believe."

Shit! Lindsey moved to sit up, regretting every single decision he made the night before. I should have made a wall out of pillows or something and slept in the bed, he thought.

"He's called a few times now." Carol added.

He, Lindsey frowned, Oh! Carol thinks Stevie's a guy. He was glad he hadn't added her to his contacts as Stephanie. It just saved him from yet another fight and he was really not in the mood for that. 

"Oh, yeah, Stevie." Lindsey nodded, clearing his throat, he ran his fingers through his curly hair. "We were, uh... we were supposed to meet today. What time is it?"

"Just past 1 pm." Carol answered.

"Christ, I've slept through half of the day." Lindsey said more to himself than her and got up on his feet, the room slightly spinning still. "I need to call he-him back." He faked a cough to mask his slip up.

Carol started saying something else, but Lindsey didn't stay to listen. He went straight for the bathroom and locked himself in there. First things first, he needed to do something about his horrible breath. He then jumped into the shower and washed off the sweat as well as some spilled alcohol. With a towel wrapped around his waist, Lindsey opened the medicine cabinet and reached for a pill bottle, he dropped a few into his hand and went to the kitchen for a glass of water. 

"You're going somewhere?" Carol asked, watching as Lindsey was frantically trying to get ready. "What about-"

"I think you should start looking for a place to stay." Lindsey spoke up, ignoring her question. "I don't know what's your financial situation, but I could help with the rent for the first month."

"Lindsey, what are you talking about?" Carol frowned, standing in the middle of the bedroom, while Lindsey was getting dressed. "We said, we would talk. I don't-"

"There's nothing to talk about." Lindsey shrugged, pulling a T-shirt he'd picked down over his head. "I don't know what you expected. That I would welcome you back with open arms?" He scoffed, shaking his head. "You said, we never officially broke up, well..." He pulled up his jeans. "Consider us broken up."

"What are you-"

"We're over, Carol." Lindsey repeated himself. "Done." He emphasized and turned towards the door to walk out.

"Lindsey, please. Don't make any rash decisions." Carol's tone of voice sounded as if she was close to begging. "You don't know what you're saying right now. Go, meet your friend. When you get back, we'll-"

"No we won't!" Lindsey yelled out. "No. I don't want to talk anymore. Last night you told me that I would see things differently in the morning, but guess what? I haven't changed my mind."

"So, you're just going to throw away a 6 year relationship, just like that?" Carol asked, snapping her fingers. "Don't you love me anymore?"

Lindsey gritted his teeth as he gathered his phone and car keys. Maybe not, he dropped the car keys, he was definitely not fit to drive yet.

"Have you fallen for someone else?"

"I have." It came out so easily.

Whoaa...

"What?" Carol couldn't believe it, her eyes widened as she stared at him. "Who?" Lindsey shocked himself too. He opened his mouth to speak, but... "Didn't you hear me? Who?" She asked again.

"I have to go." Lindsey was out the door with that, rushing to get outside. 

Lindsey impatiently waited for the car he requested. He didn't realize he was biting his nails, looking to the left then right, his heart beating out of his chest. Partly because he really didn't want to stick around long enough for Carol to come out, partly because he had just admitted that he'd fallen for Stevie. He had to have wanted for Carol to understand that their relationship was over, surely that was why he said it. He'd known Stevie for a couple short months, he wasn't in love with her. No way.

Soon, Lindsey was outside Stevie's apartment building. He should have called her back first. What if she was trying to reach him to let him know that she hated his guts and never wanted to see him again? Lindsey shook himself mentally and took a step forward.

The music playing loudly in the apartment could be heard in the hallway. Lindsey raised his fist and knocked, doubtful that Stevie was going to hear him. He then rang the doorbell. Nothing. He pressed it again and kept his finger on it for longer until the music was finally turned down.

The door opened and instead of that excited look on her face Stevie usually wore, she appeared with her eyebrows knitted. "Lindsey?" She was surprised to see him.

"Are you having a party in there?" Lindsey attempted to lighten the mood, but it only made her cross her arms. "Can I come in please?"

"You didn't answer my calls." Stevie remained standing in the doorway.

"I know, I know and I'm sorry." Lindsey apologized, trying to come up with an excuse quick.

"I..." Stevie paused for a second, unsure if she should continue. "I was worried about you." She was supposed to be mad at him instead.

"I'm okay." Lindsey smiled weakly. "I just had a terrible night. Can I-" He began again, but Stevie stepped out of the way before he could finish.

"You look rough." Stevie cupped his face with her hands. He wanted to touch her, but it somehow felt wrong. "I'm sorry you had a terrible night." A small smile crossed her lips. "I'm also sorry that I was so mean to you when you texted me. I was really excited to see you."

"Oh, it-it's alright." Lindsey was suddenly chocked up, he did his best not to show it. "I kinda ruined our date, so..."

"Don't worry about it." Stevie assured and rose to stand on her tiptoes as she put her arms around him. "Is there anything I can do to make you feel a little bitter?"

Lindsey closed his eyes as he buried his face in her neck, his arms firmly wrapped around her waist. He didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve her.