Down All Your Darkest Roads

Chapter Eight

Christine had always carried a torch for Stevie, even during the years when they were barely communicating. So the rest of their stay in Sausalito felt like something out a dream, a burst of technicolour magic that left them warm and giddy and wanting more of each other. The sex was unreal and unlike anything either of them had ever experienced. But Christine knew their relationship extended beyond physical intimacy and into the realms of something that both excited and terrified her.

She was going to miss waking up to the bay views with Stevie cuddled up to her side and the prospect of a lazy day stretched out before her, but she also felt energised and motivated to return to work. She spent the last night in their bungalow trying to convince a nervous Stevie to feel the same way.

"We're on the home stretch now with this album, Stevie." Christine advised the disgruntled blonde as they lay in bed together. "Before you know it we'll be touring and I know how much you love being on stage."

"I know, Chris." Stevie sighed, stroking Christine's hair as she held her against her chest. "I'm just sick of fighting with the boys and I'm sure there will be more of that when we go home."

Christine lifted her head to kiss her cheek softly. "You can't run away from real life forever, honey."

Stevie didn't respond; instead she kissed Christine passionately and soon they were repeating the evening's events for the third time around.

Two days later they were settling back in L.A. and trying to refocus. The band arranged to meet up at Lindsey's to listen to the playback of the album and Christine was excited to hear what the fruits of her labour sounded like. Stevie, however, remained indifferent and Christine was disappointed yet not surprised. She knew her heart wasn't in it and Fleetwood Mac had become somewhat of side project in the shadow of her glittery solo career.

Christine was making them breakfast-Stevie had yet to return to her own house and was sleeping soundly in Christine's bed-when the phone rang.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Hey, Chris, its Lindsey."

"Hi, Linds."

"Had a good break?" Without waiting for an answer Lindsey lowered his voice and said, "I need to talk to you about something."

Christine sighed as she flipped over an omelette; she hadn't missed Lindsey's foreboding way of speaking. "What is it?"

"Its about the playback. Firstly, I want you to know that your songs are amazing and you'll be really happy when you hear them."

"Wow, that's great." Christine replied, genuinely touched by Lindsey's appreciation for her music. "What about Stevie's?"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about." Lindsey took a deep breath. "It's been a struggle trying to master her vocals. Most of her material is total shit and her voice is horrendous, so she's only featured on two songs."

Christine slid the cooked omelette onto a plate and tried to process what Lindsey was saying. "Her people are going to throw a fit."

"Her management can go fuck themselves, this is the best I can do." Lindsey said defensively. "Unless she's willing to sober up and redo When I See You Again, she'll just have to deal with it. We've already wasted too much time pandering to her shit."

"Stevie's doing better." Christine tried to reason with him. "The break did her a world of good and I'm sure she can redo a couple of her songs with minimal drama."

"Hmm if you say so." Lindsey didn't sound convinced. "Where did you two go, anyway?"

"Sausalito."