Too Late

III. All These Things

Here's the Stevie/Lindsey showdown! The linked song, OneRepublic's "All These Things," is so chill and lovely, like B and N's inner feelings--not at all like their screwed-up emotional vomit that they launch at each other in this chapter. Let the party begin :) Lena

Just looking at the blonde bimbo, Stevie wanted to gag. You'd think after the Kristen fiasco of '97, he could keep it in his pants! This one is a toddler in comparison! 

It's not what it looks like, Lindsey protested in his mind with a groan. He had really stepped in it this time!

"Lindsey," Stevie spoke authoritatively. It was her mom tone; usually Lindsey liked to hear it, as she was a natural-born mother that in another life would have mothered his children. But in this life and in this moment, it chilled him to the bone. "Lindsey, why don't you introduce us?" The easy-going lilt to her voice did not match her pinched smile.

"Stevie, I'd like you to meet Caroline Ames." Stevie felt Lindsey's hand touch the small of her back, but she deftly stepped away. "Caroline, this is my- well, this is Stevie Nicks."

"A pleasure," Stevie spat, popping the p. 

Careful, Angel. That sour tone is giving away your game a bit. Lindsey almost smiled at the thoughts in his head, but then realized how inappropriate a response that'd be in this moment.

"Ahhh, Stevie!" Caroline stepped up grasped the older blonde's upper arms, startling her with the closeness. "Here, let me take your coat! Lindsey's told me soooo much about you!"

"He has, has he?" Stevie looked askance at him. 

"Oh, but you know I was such a fan of Fleetwood Mac already! You know my mother and father were obsessed with you guys, and that's how I learned about you all. Actually, I was named after your Tango in the Night song. My mom has such a crush on you, Linds!" Caroline started laughing uproariously to the point where she was tearing up.

Stevie also laughed lightly, very amused. Take that, Lindsey! If it wasn't already obvious, we're at least her parent's age--maybe even older! And Caroline, Caroline, tsk tsk tsk, you must not know Lindsey very well if you don't know his insecurities. That's probably the LAST thing he wanted to hear from his baby girlfriend! This is just too funny!

Lindsey was bewildered. I didn't hear anything funny!

"Caroline, sweetie," Stevie's voice dripped with sarcasm, "could you give Lindsey and I a moment?"

"Sure. That's fine." Turning to Lindsey, "I've gotta go, darling. There's this shoot that I don't want to be late for, and Anthony said the photographer's very temperamental, so..." Caroline ran into the bedroom and then came out with her purse. She pecked Lindsey on the cheek and headed out of the apartment.

"Explain this to me!" Stevie demanded.

"Explain what, Stevie? The fact that I'm staying with Caroline? She's a good person, not what you're probably making her out to be in your head. And she's just a friend!" Lindsey replied indignantly, caught off guard by Stevie being here and her catching him in this state. She had no right!  "But that's none of your business! I want you to explain to me why you came here in such a rush! And how did you even know I was here?!"

"No, no, no! Don't turn this around on me, mister!" 

Stevie would not let him get away with this! Who does he think he is?! He's not the one who asks the questions here! And how dare he be calling me 'Stephanie' in that horrible tone!

"Turn what around?! You are driving me crazy! NO! You know what? You are being CRAZY!!!" Lindsey screamed in her face. He had meant to calm her down and explain--but Stevie sure didn't deserve an explanation now!