Part 15

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Stevie's POV

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So, the evening isn't going as awkward as I thought it was going to be. Our friends, who we're with tonight, know that Lindsey and I have broken up. So far nobody has brought it up and I'm glad. Lindsey is sitting on the opposite side of the table, one seat over to my left. I know I've glanced at him a couple of times and I've caught him looking as well. Not enough time has passed for me to be able to be completely indifferent, no, I care about him and I'd like to talk to him instead of any of the other four people here. On the other hand, what's there to talk about right now? The same thing over and over again? How we're both hurting? How breaking up sucks really fucking bad? 

"Is everything alright?" Our waiter approaches, giving us all a big bright smile. "Can I bring something else?"

"I'd like another glass, please." I show to my empty one and he nods.

I know it's rude, but I feel my phone vibrate and I take it out under the table. It's Brandon, he wants to know, how things are going. I smile to myself, he's always so caring. I quickly type a response and put my phone away.

I'm sitting next to one of the very few female friends I have, Kelly, and she turns to me, making sure that everyone's occupied, talking among themselves. 

"How are you doing?" She leans in. 

"I'm fine." That answer comes automatically. "Really, one day at a time."

"You're lying. Lindsey isn't doing much better." Kelly gives me look. "You might think that no one notices, but you two keep looking at each other."

"And? What's your point?" I don't want to talk about it, not here, not right now. "We miss each other, the wounds are still very raw."

"That's my point exactly. Stevie, you're meant to be. Can't you patch things up?" 

I know that she means well, but it's really nobody's business. I feel my mood change immediately and I'm uncomfortable. I don't want to raise my voice, I don't want to explain anything. 

"You know nothing, Kelly." I say, taking a very unladylike gulp of my wine. "We're past just patching things up."

"Oh, but you two are so-"

"Excuse me." I push back my chair and walk away from the table, leaving Kelly a little stunned. 

I'm not sure, where I plan on going, but I don't want to have to listen to any more of what Kelly thinks about me and Lindsey. Or anyone else for that matter. So, I walk outside for a breath of fresh air. There's really nowhere to go, I just stand on the sidewalk and stare into the distance, hugging myself around the middle. I didn't think it was so chilly outside.

A moment later, I feel someone behind me, placing a jacket over my shoulders. I don't need him to talk, I don't need to look at him. The jacket smells like him.

"You okay?" Lindsey asks, now standing beside me.

"Yeah, I just needed a minute." I sigh, wrapping myself up in his scent as a I close my eyes. "I'm okay, Lindsey, really. You can go back inside."

"I'm not having a lot of fun in there." He shrugs.

"It was okay until Kelly started asking about us."

"I figured something like that." 

"I think I'm going to go home. Suddenly, I'm not in the mood." I wonder aloud, not necessarily waiting for a response from Lindsey.

"I could walk with you, I don't want you to be wandering the streets at night by yourself."

I want to say, yes, but I can't. "You don't have to. My roommate is going to come pick me up." I take off Lindsey's jacket and hand it back to him. "I'll just go back in to say goodbye and get my things."

Our hands touch, when Lindsey reaches for his jacket and I get goosebumps, I truly do. "Steph, can we-" He stops himself.

"What?"

"Nothing." Lindsey shakes his head. "Bad idea."

I look at him a second longer, but he doesn't continue. Disappointed I reenter the restaurant to gather my things, wishing Lindsey asked me, what he wanted to ask.

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