Down All Your Darkest Roads

Chapter Two

"I'm really glad you called me last night."

Christine let her overnight guest plant soft kisses along her neck as she glanced at the alarm clock on her bedside table. She had exactly one hour to kick Eddy out, have a shower, then get dressed to make the twenty minute drive from her house to Lindsey's for work. Eddy, however, seemed determined to derail her plan as his hand grasped her hip while the other cupped her cheek to kiss her.

"You should probably get going," Christine said in between kisses. "I have to be there in an hour."

Eddy chuckled and attempted to push up the oversized t-shirt she wore. "You can probably stay here with me for another three hours and still be early. Your band isn't exactly known for being punctual."

Christine firmly smoothed her t-shirt down. "We're really trying to make an effort to produce this album before our deadline."

"Yeah, I can really imagine Stevie Nicks putting her best foot forward with all of her drama. Didn't you say Mick is still sleeping in your producer's house?"

Christine wriggled out of Eddy's grasp and pulled off the blanket with more dramatic flair than she'd intended. He had overstayed his welcome and she was beginning to regret inviting him over in the first place. What started off as a fun fling while she toured for her solo album had turned into a 'mutually beneficial' agreement she should have ended months ago.

"You really need to go." She directed as she picked up his clothes from her bedroom floor and tossed them to him.

"Oh come on, Chrissy, you know I was just playing." He gave her a stung, puppy dog look from her bed.

"Don't call me that," Christine snapped. "I really need you to leave. I'm already late as it is and you're starting to piss me off."

"What have I done wro-"

Christine stepped into her en suite and shut the door abruptly behind her.

----

Forty-five minutes later, Christine swung her car into Lindsey's driveway and parked near the band's RV that mostly served as Mick's cocaine comedown refuge. She stepped out and breathed in the dismal L.A. smog; yearning for the crisp, English country air she left behind all those years ago. If it weren't for the new album, she would have moved back home and taken a break from music and her life in the States for a while. It was a pervasive thought that entered her mind when she was stuck in peak hour L.A. traffic or every time she called Eddy when she felt lonely and empty, which happened frequently since recording began.

She made her way to Lindsey's master bedroom and was surprised to see John already setting up for the day. He looked up from his bass and grinned at her.

"Hey, Chrissy!" Unlike Eddy, her ex husband ironically was given a free pass to call her a nickname she generally disliked.

"I'm shocked you beat me here for once." Christine said, leaning over to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"Oh come on, give a man some credit." He laughed.

"I'll give it to you today, but everyone knows the title of 'Most Reliable Member of Fleetwood Mac' is mine!" She joked; secretly thrilled John had arrived on time. It indicated he didn't drink himself to a near catatonic stupor the night before.

They chatted companionably until Lindsey entered the room with his signature brooding look plastered across his face. Christine refused to let his bad mood ruin the joviality and smiled pleasantly at him.

Lindsey nodded to her. "Chris, can I talk to you outside for a minute?"

Christine looked at John who shrugged. Warily, Christine followed Lindsey out into the hallway.