(Don't) Leave Me Behind

Part 13

Taking a small bottle, which resembled Christine's a lot, from her boot, Stevie went to the bathroom, making sure Rick wasn't paying attention. Mick was being very generous lately, sharing with Stevie, whenever she approached him. And she was approaching him often, it wasn't just now and then anymore. She probably should have listened to Chris, when she was told not to try it. At least she didn't think about Lindsey, instead most of the time she was thinking about the next time she could have just a little bit more.

Rick. What was she doing with him? Stevie realized he was just a rebound, he was a good guy and he surely didn't deserve to be used, because she was going through a rough time, but he treated her well and that was all Stevie had ever wanted. She wanted her man to respect her, to pay attention to her, to listen to her, to love her. 

"Are you ready to go?" Rick asked, spinning the car keys around his finger.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm ready." Stevie nodded once, grabbing her bag on her way out. 

Stevie didn't say a word after that. The whole drive to the studio was a silent one. Rick stole a glance at her a few times, wanting to ask if something was wrong, but a part of him believed he was overthinking. 

"We're here, Stevie." 

She felt Rick's hand on her forearm, which brought her back to the present. It was as if she wasn't there, as if there was nothing behind those beautiful brown eyes of hers. Opening the car door Stevie got out and without waiting for Rick, started walking towards the building. He jogged towards her to catch up, frowning. 

"Is everything okay?" 

"Why wouldn't it be?" She forced a smile at him, when he opened the door for her. 

Joining the other members of the band, the last thing Stevie wanted to do was work on their album. She found herself a corner and sat down, pulling out her journal out of her bag. 

"What's her problem?" Christine asked Rick, already enjoying a glass of wine. 

"Honestly, I don't know." Rick shrugged, leaning forward as he sighed. He clasped his hands and looked over his shoulder back at Chris. His voice got noticeably lower. "She's doing coke. I think."

Christine choked on her drink, coughing a few times. She put her wine down and looked away. "What makes you say that?"

"I've been in this business long enough to notice something like that. She thinks I don't suspect a thing." 

"Well, are you sure though?" 

Sitting back against the uncomfortable couch, Rick ran a hand through his hair, shrugging his shoulders. Minutes later, he saw some kind of exchange between Mick and Stevie, then they left. Rick faced Christine. "Yeah, I'm sure. I mean, she's not even hiding it."

"I'm not saying doing drugs is a good thing, but it's her choice, Rick. One idiot believed he could control her, look how that ended."

"That's another thing that bothers me." He admitted. "They just broke up, but Stevie hasn't said a word, besides when she told me their relationship was over. I understand her thinking it might make me feel uncomfortable, listening to her about an ex boyfriend, which is true, but nothing? Not a single word? How else can she deal with the breakup? Bottling up emotions isn't the way, that much I know."

Christine didn't really know why it was her, who had to sort this mess out, but all parties involved came to her, seeking advice lately. She couldn't say no, she cared too much about them, they weren't just bandmates, they were her friends, too.

"Do you want my honest opinion?"

"Is there another kind of opinion you give?" Rick smiled sadly, lifting his eyes up to look into hers.

"You and Stevie... it's not going to work. I know it's hard to hear, but she's still in love with Lindsey. She's going to break your heart. It's up to you if you want to go to the point where you can't live without her or end it now, while your heart can still be mended."

Unfortunately Christine had to leave Rick with that, because the other two had returned with John behind them, who had been uncharacteristically late.  

The band called it a day earlier than usual. Something just wasn't working, so avoiding an argument and not wanting to waste time, they bid each other goodbye until the following day. Stevie was clearly not ready to go home just yet.

Energetic and already a bit tipsy, she clung to Rick. "Mick's asking us to join him, he's been invited to some party."

"I don't know, I really don't feel like it." Rick shook his head. "You go if you want."

"Seriously? You're not going?" Pulling away from him, Stevie folded her arms. "It's still early!"

"That's not the point, I simply don't want to go to a party. I want to go home."

Scoffing, Stevie said. "Fine! Don't. I'll go with Mick!"

As if on cue, Mick reappeared and Stevie looped her arm through his and they were off. Rick just shook his head, maybe Christine was right. 

~

I don't know why I made Christine such a big part of this story, but it sort of just happened. I hope you don't mind. Thanks for your feedback ♥