(Don't) Leave Me Behind

Part 23

Stevie was surprised Mick hadn't fired her from the band after their exchange several weeks ago. He knew Fleetwood Mac needed her and from what he saw day after day, it was clear that if Stevie had to go, Lindsey would follow after her out as well. They ignored each other the best they could; Stevie only needed Lindsey to make her songs great and she didn't care for Mick's opinion. She was there to record a couple of songs for the album and that was what she was doing and if Mick didn't like the finished product, he wasn't obliged to use it.

The relationship between Stevie and Lindsey hadn't escalated besides spending time and working together in the studio. They had become a lot nicer to each other though, they hadn't had a serious argument so far either. Lindsey wanted to take the next step, he wanted to ask her to be his girlfriend again, but he wasn't sure what her answer would be. He feared he might ruin any progress they had made, so he remained silent, taking from her as much as she offered him. 

And one night she offered him dinner at her place. 

"It's just dinner, Linds." Stevie added, seeing he was a bit hesitant. "You don't have to come if you don't want to."

"I do." He rushed to deny what she said. "I mean... are you sure it's a good idea? Things have been pretty greet between us lately."

"I know and I hope they keep improving, which is why I want to spend more time with you."

"Yeah?" Lindsey asked, half smiling. 

"Do you?"

"Absolutely." He nodded. "Let me grab my things and we can go."

Christine heard the exchange between the two and she winked at Stevie on her way out. Stevie chuckled, shaking her head. It was still surprising to her how happy Chris was for them, she wasn't even sure why the woman cared so much. Because what you two have, it's real, Christine had told her once, when Stevie asked.

With a guitar case in his hand, Lindsey returned to Stevie, his palm on the small of her back as he guided her outside. It came naturally to him, he didn't even think about it, while Stevie did, but she didn't mind. 

"Are you sure you want to cook? We could just stop somewhere." Lindsey suggested, already on the way to Stevie's.

"Well, I lied." Her bottom lip in between her teeth as she looked at him innocently. "I didn't ask you over to my place to eat, though I do have leftovers from yesterday. I just..." Blushing, she looked away. "I meant it, saying I want to spend more time with you."

Lindsey's heart fluttered hearing that and he smiled, reaching for her hand. "You could have just told me that, you know I wouldn't have said no either way."

Shrugging her shoulders, Stevie teased him. "Well, I don't know. You and the receptionist at the studio seem pretty chatty lately."

Lindsey burst out laughing at that as he then shook his head. "That's hilarious. She's just a kid, Steph, really. She's nice to me, I'm nice to her in return. You should know by now that I only have eyes for you." He lifted her hand up and kissed the back of it. "I love you."

Comfortable silence settled among them until they got to Stevie's. She led the way to her apartment and Lindsey lingered behind her, while she searched for her keys. Pushing the door open, Stevie entered her home and turned the light on, handing the key to Lindsey, so he could lock it again.

"Are you actually hungry?" Stevie asked, going to the kitchen after she took off her boots. 

"Well..." Lindsey trailed off, scratching the back of his head.

"Stupid question, when are you not?" Stevie joked, opening the fridge.

Taking out what she had prepared the day before, Stevie reheated the food and divided it, so both of them could eat, giving Lindsey at least two thirds. They sat down opposite each other and Lindsey dug in. 

"I've missed home cooked food. I haven't had any since you left." 

"I'll be sure to make it up to you." Stevie smiled, eating at a much slower pace. "Would you like a drink? I mean, like a glass of water." Both of them had stopped drinking alcohol. 

"I can get it myself." Lindsey said, showing her to remain seated as he went to get a glass. 

"So you're not utterly useless then." Stevie bit the inside of her cheek, then started laughing seeing the expression on Lindsey's face. 

"For your information, I've learnt a thing or two. I can boil an egg, I do my own laundry, I clean."  

Smirking at him, Stevie said. "You'll make a great husband then. Someday." 

He didn't expect that answer in particular, but the thought of being married to Stevie sometime in the future warmed his heart. 

"Have you brought your guitar with you?" Stevie asked, after she handed the last dish to Lindsey to dry.

"I left in the car."

"Oh."

"You want me to go get it?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Stevie then nodded. "We haven't sung in a while, just the two of us. I miss that."

That was enough for Lindsey to go put on his shoes again and a moment later, Stevie heard him shut the door. While Lindsey was out, Stevie went to change, slipping into a nightie as she then went to wash her face off makeup. She had started brushing her hair when Lindsey returned and she left the bathroom to join him.

"I hope you don't mind me getting more comfortable." She noticed his Adam's apple rise and fall slowly, he then shook his head. "Good. Come on." Stevie showed him to the bedroom and Lindsey felt about sixteen right now, being in the bedroom of the girl he liked. 

"What would you like to sing?" Lindsey asked, sitting down on the bed after Stevie did. 

"I want you to sing. I want to hear Crystal." She said and Lindsey began playing the melody to the song she had written, she just happened to prefer his voice on it.

"Any other requests?" Lindsey asked, once he finished that one. 

Stevie was half sitting up, her back resting against the headboard, a content smile on her face. Taking a deep breath, she shook her head and moved forward on her knees towards him. She took the instrument from him and put it away carefully. 

"Now I want you." She said, straddling his lap.