(Don't) Leave Me Behind

Part 11

"You and Lindsey made up then?" Christine asked Stevie hopefully, seeing as the younger blonde was packing up her things. However, Stevie only shook her head a little. "No? Then where are you headed to?"

Sighing, Stevie straightened up and ran a hand through her long hair. Just to prolong the pause. "I ended it with Lindsey."

"You did not!" Christine's eyes grew wide as she took a long drag from her cigarette. 

"I did. Just..." Stevie shrugged. "The love is there, but... we seem to hurt each other worse than anything else. I'm tired of it and I don't see the point in dragging it out. Our breakup was inevitable."

"That's unfortunate." Christine said in her calm as usual voice. Wrapping one arm around Stevie's shoulders she said. "I'm not kicking you out, you know."

"I know that, but for how long am I going to sleep on your couch really?"

Raising an eyebrow, Chris' hand fell from Stevie's shoulder and she folded her arms. "You've got somewhere to stay, don't you?"

"Yes, I do." Stevie replied, hoping she wouldn't have to elaborate.

"Who is he?"

"How do you know it's a man?"

"Isn't it?" Christine waited for an answer and Stevie mumbled something back to her. "Sorry, what was that?"

"It's Rick. I'm staying with him."

Christine scoffed, saying more to herself than to Stevie. "I knew it."

"You knew it?" Now Stevie frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, come on, Stevie." Chris rolled her eyes. "Rick had a thing for you since the first time he saw you. But he's not a bad guy, he knew you had a boyfriend, he would have never pursued you if you hadn't shown him you want him to pursue you. How long has it been going on?" When Stevie didn't say anything, Christine added. 

"It hasn't been going on. We slept together once." Packing the last of her things, Stevie faced Christine. "Thank you for letting me stay here, but I really don't care for you opinion on this, Chris. I don't know what's going to happen, but one thing I'm sure of is that Rick sure treats me a lot better than Lindsey. If it fails, whatever this is between us, well so be it."

Looking at the younger woman, Christine let out a heavy breath. Of course she had things to say, but it really wasn't her place to dictate Stevie how she should live her life. Choosing to keep her mouth shut on the matter, Christine gave Stevie a small smile and a hug. "Well, you know where to find me."

"Thank you." Stevie smiled back appreciatively. 

Soon, Stevie was walking out the door to meet Rick, who was waiting for her outside. She didn't explain to him anything yesterday, once she arrived at the studio after breaking up with Lindsey, she didn't really say a word to anyone. But she did call him today, asking if it were okay for her to stay with him while she finds a place. He was more than happy to say yes to her. 

"Hey." Rick got out of the car, seeing Stevie with two bags in each hand. He approached her and took over, Lindsey never did that, she thought. "Where to?"

"Um... can we go eat somewhere? I'd also like to talk to you." 

"Of course." Rick gave a nod of his head. He waited for Stevie to get into the passenger's seat before he closed the door and got in himself. He sensed something was up, Stevie was never this quiet, so he decided to wait until she opened up on her own terms.

Stopping by a diner a short time later, Rick turned off the engine, lifting his eyes up, he saw Stevie staring at him. "Really? A diner?"

"Uh, well, we could-"

"I'm just kidding." She chuckled lightly, placing her hand over his before the two of them got out. 

It was as nice as a diner can be. Luckily there weren't many people inside and they managed to find a table with no one around them. Once they ordered, Stevie told him. "Lindsey and I are over."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Rick gave her a sympathetic look and Stevie smiled sadly. 

"Are you? Aren't you happy?"

Sighing, Rick leaned back in his seat and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not happy, no, because I know how much you loved him and you probably still do. You're upset, which upsets me. But..." He paused for a moment, taking a sip of water. "There's no denying I like you, Stevie. A lot. Does the fact you're single now make me happy? Well, yes. I wish things had gone differently and you didn't have to go behind his back, but once I knew you were interested in me too..."

Leaning over the table, Stevie reached for his hand. She laced her fingers through his and spoke up. "And I am interested, but you're right. I think I'll always love Lindsey, I'm trying to keep it together, but the truth is, it's not very easy. I'm constantly on the verge of tears. He and I had something beautiful and it ended. It's sad, but it's over. I have to accept that and move on. Now, I'm not saying I want to jump into another relationship right away, but I like you too, Rick. The question is, can you give me some time and can you accept me, knowing a part of my heart will always belong to someone else?"

He didn't hesitate. "I'll give you all the time you need." Because I'm in love with you.

"I won't take forever, I promise." Stevie said, a hint of a smile on her lips.

"Even if you do." Rick shrugged, bringing her hand up to his lips.