Fool Me Once... (Part 2)

Part 8

Lindsey's POV

We're in the car, I'm taking Stevie to the rehearsal with Don. I know she's talking about something, I'm hearing her voice, but I'm not really listening to what she's saying. I feel her lay her hand over mine and I glance at her.

"What are you thinking about?"

I sigh. "About Mia and Ryan."

"Care to share your thoughts with me?" Stevie asks, I don't want to worry her.

"I don't know, Steph. Something doesn't feel right." I tell her. "I just have a feeling."

"I know what you mean." Stevie agrees, nodding her head. "I do believe Mia has genuine feelings for Ryan, but I'm not sure about him. I mean, I have plenty of reasons not to trust him. Mia says, she's happy, but I don't want her to get hurt."

"Right." I second that. "It seemed very forced to me, when they were visiting us. I don't think Ryan is sincere."

"Unfortunately, I don't either. I'm so torn, Linds. I want to support my daughter, but..."

"You can't." I finish the thought for her and Stevie sighs, looking out the window. 

"I can't." She says. "The worst part is that Mia is not going to listen to me. And I don't have any kind of proof that Ryan's got some ulterior motive either."

The whole evening I watched Ryan. I don't think he noticed, but I kept my eyes on him. He kept his eyes on Stevie. I doubt he's over her. I don't know Ryan very well personally, I can't make any claims about the man, but he's just... I don't know, he's giving off a weird vibe.

"Can I be honest with you?" I ask, somewhat carefully. 

"Of course, always." Stevie's full attention is on me.

"I think that Ryan is still in love with you. Mia is just a substitute. She's like a version of you to him." Stevie stays quiet for a moment. I don't want to scare her or anything, but that's just what I think. "I'm not saying that something is mentally wrong with Ryan and that he's pretending Mia is you. She's like the second best for him."

"I truly wish you haven't said that..." Stevie's delicate hand squeezes mine and I turn to look at her. "The Ryan I was in a relationship with, he wasn't a bad guy. He just made a mistake." She shrugs. "But this- this new version of him..." She shakes her head slightly. "He's not the same man and he claims not to be, just that I think he changed for the worse. I almost feel like he's trying too hard to impress us, to prove that Mia is his one true love."

"Those are exactly the same thoughts I have, Steph."

"What do I do about it? Mia is completely blind, she's so infatuated with him." I hear desperation in Stevie's voice and I hate that I can't really help in any way. 

"And now she thinks that you're on her side. If you try and tell her otherwise, you're going to have another argument."

"Exactly." 

We're both lost in our thoughts for some time, trying to figure out this mess. I know I don't have a say in things, I can only express my feelings to Stevie. Mia wouldn't listen to me if she doesn't listen her mother. But maybe...

"What if you give Mick a call?"

Stevie laughs without any humor. "I hardly think he cares, Lindsey. I haven't talked to him for a very long time."

"I don't think it matters. He's Mia's father. They had a very close relationship until the last few years. Maybe he could get through to her. You should give him a chance."

Stevie chews on her bottom lip, she's considering it. "I don't want Mia to feel blindsided."

"Sweetheart, I'll be blunt. Your daughter is dating a total creep. Mick as Mia's father deserves to know what's going on. What if our feelings are confirmed? What if Ryan's hiding something?"

Pinching the bridge of her nose, she sighs. She nods her head. "Maybe you're right. I would never forgive myself if something happened to my daughter."

"You wouldn't." I agree. 

"I wonder if Mick will find the time to be a father." There are still some ill feelings definitely. 

"Maybe he's changed." I shrug my shoulders, I don't truly believe that.

"Yeah, I hope..." Stevie trails off and we remain quiet for the rest of the drive.