(Don't) Leave Me Behind

Part 18

Things in the studio were... tense. To say the least. The actual recording of the album itself surprisingly was going well, but not much could be said about everything else. Stevie and Lindsey didn't speak. She avoided him like the plague. They only interacted if it was absolutely necessary, usually about something to do with lyrics or the melody of a certain song. It wasn't Lindsey, it was all on Stevie. He didn't mind her presence, actually, he wanted for the two of them to somehow find their way back, to become friends again. In his opinion, their breakup wasn't nasty. Of course, he was an asshole to her and she cheated on him. It hurt. But they just sort of parted ways after that and never spoke to each other again until Lindsey joined Fleetwood Mac. However, his intentions would take a turn every time Stevie draped herself around Mick. He was jealous and that was something that would never change. A part of Lindsey still considered Stevie his. Although, something else should have been more worrying to Lindsey - Stevie's increasing drug addiction. She waved it off, when someone would mention it, usually it being Christine, but it was beyond casual at this point. 

At the end of a particularly long and exhausting day, Stevie was gathering her things, more than ready to leave. It was somewhat of a norm; work, drink while working, smoke some put and snort a few lines, leave the studio to go to a party and drink some more. But not tonight, Stevie felt completely spent and all she wanted to do was have a nice bubble bath and go straight to bed. Seeing Mick coming her way, she was already prepared to tell him no.

Only he didn't ask. "Me and the guys are going out."

"You and the guys?" Stevie gave him a look. 

"Yeah, with Johnny and Lindsey. We figured, we need some time away from you lot." Mick, as usual, sounded cheerful and excited about what the night might bring, while Stevie was rather confused. It was their thing, it was what they did night after night.

 "What about me? What am I supposed to do?" She crossed her arms over her chest, her head tilted back to be able to look at him. 

"Don't know. Have a night out with Chris?" Mick shrugged. 

Stevie scoffed. "What, you've already had enough of me? Maybe you'll be going home, to your wife in the early hours of the morning?" She asked mockingly. 

"What's the big problem?" Mick genuinely didn't understand. "You're a big girl, I'm sure you can handle one evening without me. Or are you worried you won't have any coke to enjoy?" He was only half joking. "Relax, I told you, I'd take care of you." Fishing for 'something' in his pocket, he handed her its contents. 

"If you have sex with other women, please, use protection."

"Will do." Mick nodded, haven't sensed the sarcasm in her voice, which left Stevie a bit speechless. "Oh, you weren't serious."

"I just can't with you right now." She shook her head, pushing past him to go outside. 

Mick didn't follow, lingering for Lindsey and John.

Instead of going to Mick's place, Stevie decided to go home. She was renting a small apartment, which was just enough for her. Locking the door behind her, she unzipped her boots and put away her purse. Barefoot she went to the kitchen, where she opened one of the cabinets and reached for a bottle of brandy. She didn't bother with a glass, taking a swig from the bottle.

Stevie wasn't sure why, but she was overwhelmed with sadness. It hadn't even been one whole year since she joined Fleetwood Mac, but she already didn't recognize herself. This wasn't her. Who she had become was exactly why she didn't want to join the band. While it certainly brought the attention she wanted, she cursed Lindsey for making her do it, for forcing her into Fleetwood Mac. With the brandy in one hand, on her way to the bedroom, Stevie passed a floor length mirror, then stopped and took a step back. She looked... bad. Her hair was a mess, her makeup was the same, she was getting thinner by the day, she was pale and pale for Stevie was saying something. 

If only I could turn back time, she thought to herself, proceeding walking to the bedroom, where she undressed and naked she went to the bathroom for that bubble bath. She wished it was two years ago, when she and Lindsey were still together, poor, but extremely happy and oh so in love. A tear escaped, but Stevie didn't care, when more followed. She hadn't allowed herself a good cry in a while and she needed it. She needed to let out those pent up emotions. 

The water had gone cold, but Stevie didn't seem to have the energy to get out. She was left without a choice, however, when she heard the doorbell. Who could it be? She wasn't expecting anyone that's for sure and not that many knew where she lived anyway. 

With a heavy sigh, Stevie climbed out of the bathtub and reached for a towel, wrapping it around herself. The water was dripping off her as she padded to the door and without checking, who was on the other side, she pulled it open. 

"L-Lindsey?"