I Thought You Were a Bitch

Chapter VII: What are we going to do now?

 Christine's POV

I was  boiling with anger when I reached the living room. Mick was holding Stevie in his arms as she was crying her heart out and holding ice wrapped in a towel against her face. She was a total mess, her face was bruised badly and her eyes were puffy of all the tears.

"Stevie, honey, are you alright?" I asked trying to remain calm as I sat next to her. Mick gave me a thankful look and stood up.

"Thank god you're here now, Chris." Stevie's whispers were barely audible. I took her into my embrace to soothe her. "I'm not going anywhere," I reassured.

"How could he hit me?" she asked me. I again felt the rage creep up inside me. "He's a bastard, Stevie, you deserve better."

"But I love him." Her eyes were swelling with tears again.

I didn't say a thing. I just held her and rocked her a little. I gently brushed through her locks with my fingers. At that moment I hated myself for leaving Stevie alone with the guys. I should have gone out with them.

John and Catherine had also stepped into the living room. They were standing near the door and discussing something with Mick I couldn't hear. I could see Cat getting very furious over something. She noticed me watching and hurried towards me and Stevie. She crouched down in front of us and took Stevie's left hand in hers. "I'm so sorry I treated you so poorly before. I really am, Stevie." Cat gave her a faint smile. Stevie was so broken but still managed to smile a little. "Why'd you do that anyway?" she asked the redhead. "You know, I find people who sell their music through sex and their bodies disgusting. I thought you were one of those but Chris here told me before that you didn't want to do that album cover of yours. So, I really am sorry. I'd like to be your friend if you still want me to." Cat looked Stevie straight in the eyes. How dear I held both of these women. Beautiful, fragile and good-hearted Stevie with sandy locks, baby brown eyes and the voice of an angel who had become my best friend since she joined Fleetwood Mac and fierce, strong-willed Catherine who was  more gorgeous than any woman I had ever encountered, whom I had known for just a day but who already had won a special place in my heart.  I wanted nothing more than these two to become friends. 

"Sure, I'd like to have you as a friend not an enemy." Stevie gripped Cat's hand. She had stopped crying. She dried off her tears. "So, how was your night out?" she asked us.

I looked at Catherine not sure of what to say. "Uhm..." I mumbled.

"It was great!" Cat saved my ass. "We went to that awesome bar and Christine got me a date with a bartender." Cat was beaming.

Stevie smacked my hand. "Did you really get her a date?"

"Yeah. Remember, I told you about Spence? Well, it's him I set Cat up with."

John called my name. "Chris, honey, can we talk?"  He looked a bit troubled.

"Sure, hon." I stood up and let Cat take my place on the couch and went to the kitchen with John. Mick was fixing a drink for himself.

"What are we going to do now?" Mick asked.

"What do you mean?" I leaned against the kitchen counter.

"How are we going to go on? Did you take a good look at Stevie? Did you see her bruises? It's a good thing her nose isn't broken. Lindsey really lost his marbles, he could have beaten her to death if we hadn't intervened." Mick seemed to be at the verge of tears.

John stayed silent. I cleared my throat but before I could say anything I realised that I needed a drink. There were a few unopened wine bottles on the table. I opened one but didn't bother to search for a glass. I drank straight from the bottle. Then I finally spoke out what I was thinking.