(Don't) Leave Me Behind

Part 6

Stevie jumped at the sound of the phone ringing. She rushed to answer whoever was calling, hoping it was Lindsey.

"Hello, dear." Came the voice of Lindsey's mother. "I hope I haven't woken you up."

"No, no." Stevie said, shaking her head as well. "I just thought it might be Lindsey calling."

"Well, I'm calling for him." Ruth sighed on the other end of the line.

"Is he okay? Please, tell me he's okay!" Stevie pleaded, a hand over her chest as her breathing quickened.

"Physically, yes. Lindsey came home yesterday and he's been acting rather strange. He didn't explain anything, he just... well, he said he's going to stay at home for some time. I was wondering if you could give me some insight to what's going on."

Stevie told Lindsey's mother all about her joining Fleetwood Mac, pointing out that it was Lindsey who basically made the decision for her, claiming he was alright with her trying to achieve stardom with someone else rather than him. She also mentioned how lately that had seemingly changed and she guessed it was due to the fact Fleetwood Mac had three male members, two of which gave her more attention that Lindsey was comfortable with.

"I swear, they're just my bandmates, Ruth. You saw Lindsey and I at the very beginning of our relationship and even then I couldn't really look at another guy without him thinking I got tired of him and fancied someone else."

"I know, honey, I know." Ruth sounded a lot like Stevie's own mother, her voice calming Stevie down even if only a little. "I believe you."

"Could you please ask Lindsey to talk to me?"

"I'm not sure he-" Ruth began, but Stevie heard some kind of commotion and the older woman's voice was replaced by Lindsey's.

"So, you care about me now that I'm gone?"

"Linds, I always care about you! I was sick with worry because you didn't come home last night."

She heard him scoff and he was probably rolling his eyes. "You mean to tell me you have time to think of me with your busy schedule and everything?"

"Why are you being so mean to me? Wasn't this what you wanted? Weren't you the one saying I should give this thing a chance?" Stevie tried not to sound angry, but she wasn't calm exactly either. She knew in her heart that Fleetwood Mac would trouble their relationship, she knew it.

"Whatever." Was his childish reply. "Listen, don't call here, I don't want you to bother Mom." Stevie gasped at that, desperately wanting to reply, but she couldn't form a coherent sentence. "I need some time away from you. I think it's only going to help us both. You can decide what's more important to you; the band or me. I understand you need to practice with them, but not the whole day, that's just stupid."

"What the hell, Lindsey?!" Stevie yelled, angry tears springing to her eyes. "I can't-"

"Goodbye, Stevie."

And that was the end of their conversation. Stevie just stared at the phone for a moment in disbelief. What changed? A month ago Lindsey was begging her to join that goddamn band and now he went back home to his mother and gave her an ultimatum because of it?

Glancing at the clock on the wall, Stevie realized she only had about half an hour until Rick would arrive to pick her up for rehearsals. She had a hard time starting the car yesterday, which resulted in her cursing and kicking the tires a few times. Rick was a witness to it, so he kindly offered to give her a lift.

The doorbell rang a short time later. 

Even thought she tried to fight it, she started crying after Lindsey hung up. Her eyes were puffy and red, as she went to open the door. It wasn't hard to guess she had been crying.

"Stevie, hey." Rick greeted, quickly growing concerned at the sight of her. "What's wrong?"

Sniffling, Stevie waved it off and let Rick enter the modest flat. "Just... had a very pleasant chat with my boyfriend."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that." 

"He's always been that way, jealous. Apparently he doesn't like the amount of time I spend with you, well, the band. Especially because there are three men and the way Lindsey sees it, we don't even play music, we just have some ongoing party! God... he's such an idiot sometimes." Stevie sighed, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I lay it all on you like that, but I'm so frustrated."

"It's okay. We all need to let off some steam sometimes." Rick smiled, opening his arms for a hug, which Stevie gladly reciprocated. 

"I'm sure you don't want to hear about the problems in my relationship."

"Well, if you need to talk, Stevie, like I've already told you, I'm there for you." He said, rubbing her back slowly, as he closed his eyes, inhaling her scent. They had never been this close for this long before and he had a hard time standing back. 

"I need to freshen up, give me a few minutes and we can go." Stevie was the one who eventually pulled back. "Thank you." She smiled weakly at Rick.

"What for? I didn't do anything."

Stevie just shrugged her shoulders. "And yet it was enough for me."