I Can't Stop

Part 23

The tour was over. The plane was about to land back in the States. Neither Stevie or Lindsey spoke much to each other or to anyone else. They didn't know what was going to happen, they had no idea if they were going to separate again or... Lindsey held Stevie's hand in his for the majority of the flight, reassuring her that this time things might somehow turn out differently. 

Black SUV's were already waiting for the band, when the wheels of the plane touched the ground. Stevie unwillingly got out of her seat and followed after Lindsey into the fresh air of the night. They stopped, just looking at each other, unsure of how to say goodbye. He wanted to kiss her, but that wasn't appropriate with others around them. Lindsey pulled Stevie into a hug and held her close, tightly, whispering into her hair, the words bringing a somewhat sad smile to her face. He kept saying all the things that she wanted to hear, but the worst part was, she didn't know if she believed them. 

Lindsey kissed Stevie on the cheek, catching the corner of her lips. "I'll see you soon."

"I hope so." Again, Stevie smiled weakly, mouthing the words, I love you.

Lindsey stood back and watched as Stevie got into one of the SUV's with Karen along with her. He sighed heavily as the doors were shut and got in himself. Taking out his phone, Lindsey checked the time and he hoped to find Kristen already asleep, when he came through the door into his home. 

Completely zoned out, Lindsey watched the scenery pass by as he sat back, tapping his fingers on his knee. He knew that Stevie was upset and he probably wasn't going to be able to fall asleep that easily. 

Entering the house, Lindsey tried being as quiet as possible. One of the dogs came to greet him and he got down to pet it, in hopes of no barking. For a second, Lindsey wondered if he should just go to one of the guest rooms for the night, however, while he was considering the idea, Kristen appeared at the top of the stairs. He tried to mask his disappointment, when she came down and hugged him, pulling back just a little to give him a kiss, to which Lindsey didn't really respond. 

"I've missed you so much." Kristen said, hugging him again. "Another half an hour and I would have fallen asleep."

"You shouldn't have waited for me." Lindsey said, hoping it didn't come out like he didn't want her to stay up and wait for him.

"Don't be silly." She took him by the hand and jogged up the stairs, while Lindsey followed lazily behind.

The bedroom door had barely been shut, when Kristen slid Lindsey's jacket off his shoulders, reaching up to kiss him. For a second, Lindsey got lost in the moment, but just as quickly, he gently pushed her away.

"I'm really tired, Kristen." Lindsey only half lied. "All I want is to go to bed."

"But we haven't seen each other in so long." She whined.

Sighing, Lindsey shook his head, proceeding to take the rest of his clothes off. "Yeah, but I had a long flight, I'm exhausted."

Crossing her arms over her chest, Kristen pouted. "Really? Is that all this is?"

"What else could it be?" Lindsey asked, sitting on the edge of the bed hunched over. He really didn't want to deal with it right now. 

"Oh, I don't know." She pretended to think. "Maybe it's the same thing like every time you tour with Fleetwood Mac?"

"We're not really going to argue about Stevie, are we?" He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming. "I don't want to fight."

"I don't either, but I thought after months spent separately, you'd show a little bit more interest in your wife."

Lindsey wasn't going to have it. He was tired, he was upset and already missing Stevie. He didn't want to listen to Kristen's bitching. Getting back up on his feet, Lindsey headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Kristen had forgotten about their sleeping children, her voice growing louder. 

"I'm not sleeping here tonight." Lindsey replied with a shrug and left, making his way into a guest room without any regret.