(Don't) Leave Me Behind

Part 3

Lindsey was nervous. He really shouldn't have told Mick that Stevie agreed to join his band. Looking at her across the table, eating her breakfast in silence, he was trying to come up with a way to tell her what he did. Lindsey was pretty sure Stevie was going to be angry. Very angry. 

"Um, babe?"

"Mm?" Stevie lifted her eyes up and Lindsey felt his mouth go dry.

"Well... while you were still asleep, uh, someone called. Mick called." He added and now he had her full attention.

"Yes? What did he want?" She raised an eyebrow and sat back, crossing her arms.

"Mick wanted to talk to you, I told him that you were sleeping."

"Come on, Lindsey, get to the point."

Taking in a deep breath, Lindsey decided to just come out with it. "I- I said, you changed your mind. I told Mick you decided to join Fleetwood Mac."

"YOU DID WHAT?!" Stevie exclaimed, jumping to her feet. "What gave you the right?! How could you do that, when you knew I didn't want to be in that goddamn band?!"

"Calm down, Steph." He tried, taking a step closer, than backwards. The look she was giving him was rather scary. "It's for your own good, baby."

"Excuse me?" Her eyebrows shot up. "What makes you think you know what's best for me, huh? You've seemed pretty sure before and look where we've ended up!" She yelled, throwing her hands up in the air. "I can't believe you did that, Lindsey..." Shaking her head, she started pacing. "You can't speak for me, I didn't say you could and you should know that you can't! Mick asked me, I was the one to decide and give him the answer myself!"

"I know, Steph, I'm sorry I did that, but I know deep down you wanted to say yes to him. You just care about my feelings too much. So, I helped you decided."

Scoffing, Stevie glared at him. "I'm capable of making my own decisions, Lindsey. I love you, I really do, but nothing pisses me off more than you thinking that you've got some right to dictate my life."

"I'm not doing that, I'm only trying to show you that I'm okay with this. Maybe this is your big break, Steph, think about it." Lindsey placed his hand on her shoulder, but Stevie shrugged it off.

"Even if it is, it was my choice. As usual, you don't give a fuck about what I want."

"You want to be a famous singer, I know that much. This is the path for you, baby." Lindsey spoke softly, but for some reason it only angered her more.

"Oh, shut up, Lindsey! You don't know that! I don't know that! I wanted to do this with you. I told you that I don't care if we don't become famous. What mattered to me the most was that it would have been you and me, us, creating music that we want to create. I've lost that opportunity now. I'm going to be told by others what songs to write and sing, what clothes to wear, how to do my hair and makeup..."

"That's the last thing you should worry about."

Sighing, Stevie shook her head. "It's just an example, Lindsey."

"I think you worry too much. You're overthinking the whole thing."

Her eyes narrowed and he knew he shouldn't have said that. "Overthinking? I'm upset that I don't get to do this with you, I'm upset that you felt like you had the right to make this decision for me even though I was quite clear about where I stood. I'm angry that you didn't care about my feelings about the whole thing." She echoed him. "Now I'm obliged to join Fleetwood Mac. I don't have a choice anymore. You told them I changed my mind. I can't back out now."

"But..." Again, trying to touch her, Lindsey placed his hands on her sides and she didn't push him away. "Is it such a bad thing? I am sorry I lied to Mick and hurt your feelings in the process, but truly, I only had your best interest in mind." Somewhat carefully, he brought one of his hands up to her face. "I know this isn't how we wanted it to be, but if it means you can make a name for yourself - leave me behind. Who knows, maybe our time is still ahead of us. You can never know what might happen."

Tilting her chin up, Stevie said tearfully. "You tell me these things, Linds, but I'm afraid you're going to resent me. I know how badly you'd like to be in my position right now. I know you want people to hear your music, to see how brilliant you are."

"Babe, I love you. I won't start resenting you for this. I just want you to be happy, with or without me. Musically that is."

"You're not just saying that, are you?"

Shaking his head, Lindsey smiled and leaned in for a brief kiss. "I'm not just saying, I mean it. I'll be happy to be your biggest fan. I already am anyway."

Smiling weakly, Stevie lifted her arms up and locked her hands behind his neck. "I love you."

"I love you, too." 

They stood embracing each other for a while. Stevie felt actually relieved; she wouldn't have agreed to Mick's offer on her own, because she didn't want to leave Lindsey behind. Lindsey... well, Lindsey was worried, as he held her close, unsure of how this change would impact their lives. Sex, drugs and rock and roll - the only thing on his mind. If they were doing it all together - fine, but now? When he had no way of keeping an eye on her? Shaking himself mentally, Lindsey shunned those thoughts away. His Stevie was different, she wouldn't do any of it. 

Or so he hoped.

~

A filler and I don't like it, but I hope it's okay. Thanks for reading!