One Night Only

Part 16

Lindsey barely got any sleep. His mind was occupied by thoughts of Stevie. Something unspoken happened between them last night and when he walked out of her room, he felt his heart ache for leaving her. And he wasn't even going back to the woman he loved or had any genuine feelings for. He shouldn't have left her. When Lindsey tired himself out, Lauren rolled over and nearly on top of him. She reeked of alcohol and her body heat was making him uncomfortable. It was getting light outside, when he finally managed to drift off into a restless sleep.

It seemed that he had just closed his eyes, when he felt a pinch on his back and Lindsey winced, moving away. He felt it again and looked back over his shoulder to see Lauren, taking a long blond hair off his t-shirt. "Were you rolling around in Stevie's hair?"

"Huh?" Lindsey's eyes were open, but he wasn't fully awake yet. "Was I doing what?"

"I guess, it's shedding season." Lauren chuckled to herself as she turned on her back and stretched, yawning loudly. "My God, my head is killing me!"

"Told you, you were going to regret all those cocktails." Lindsey didn't quite understand, how another woman's hair on him didn't turn out to be a bigger deal. 

"When did you come to bed?" Lauren cuddled up against him, draping her arm over his middle. 

"I don't know, not long after I helped you lie down."

Lauren pulled away again and got out of bed. "I need to find some painkillers." She said and went to the bathroom.

Lindsey reached for his phone to check the time and he saw a message from Stevie. He swallowed uneasily and opened it.

"I think, we should take a break."

His whole body went numb. A break, she wanted a break from them. How was Lindsey supposed to talk to her about it, when they barely had any time alone, and he felt like he had to talk to her right now. He knew, she was struggling last night, he knew, he should have stayed.

Before Lindsey could come up with a response, Lauren returned, with intention to snuggle with him some more, but Lindsey rolled out of bed and reached for his clothes. 

"No, don't get up." Lauren shook her head as she took off her robe and stood only in her underwear, which didn't interest Lindsey at all. 

"I need some coffee." Lindsey said, zipping up his fly. "I could bring a cup to you?"

"You could bring yourself to bed." She approached him and took his hands, wrapping his arms around her. 

Several months ago, Lindsey would have done just that. He wouldn't have been able to resist a beautiful, nearly naked woman in his arms, with every intention to give him some relief, but not anymore. 

"I thought, we came here to spend time all together, to get to know each other better." Lindsey referred to the other three in the house. "I'm all yours, when we come home." He smiled, pecking her on the lips.

"Ugh, fine." Lauren sighed and let go of him. "I'll come down after I take a quick shower."

"Okay. I'll have your coffee ready." Having successfully dodged her advances, Lindsey gave Lauren another quick kiss and rushed out the door. 

Descending the stairs, Lindsey heard voices coming from the kitchen. He saw Tom at the stove and the back of Stevie's head as she sat at the table. 

"Good morning." Lindsey spoke up and received the same greeting from Tom. Stevie stilled, before she slowly tilted her eyes up to look at him, but remained silent. "Something smells good."

"I'm making breakfast." Tom said. "You're welcome to join us, there's plenty for everybody."

"Please." Lindsey nodded and moved to make himself a much needed cup of coffee. With it in hand, he pulled out a chair to Stevie's left and took a seat. It was extremely difficult, keeping all the things he wanted to tell her inside, because they weren't alone and because she most likely didn't want to hear them. 

"Is Lauren awake? Should I prepare a plate for her, too?" Tom asked, looking at Lindsey.

"Uh, yeah. She's taking a shower." He nodded. "How's Jane feeling?"

"I should go check on her. She was still asleep, when I walked out of the room." Tom put a plate in front of Lindsey and left him alone with Stevie.

"I don't want to take a break." Lindsey used the chance to tell Stevie.

"I'm not doing this right now, right here." She shook her head, putting her fork down and picked up a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. 

"Stevie, I'm not giving up this easily." He didn't care about his food getting cold, his full attention on Stevie. "You and I both know that last night was important to us. I know that things are messed up, but what I said, I meant it. I understand that you might be afraid, I'm scared, too. But-"

"I can't do this, Lindsey." Stevie interrupted him. "I can't keep doing this to Lauren and to myself."

"Please, don't say that." He placed his hand over hers. "This is not some kind of game to me." He waited for her eyes to meet his, but she insisted on looking away. "Stevie, I'm falli-"

"I wish, the water could wash away a hangover." Lauren appeared in the doorway, with her hair wrapped in a towel, still wearing a robe. "I think, I'll be drinking lemonade tonight." She groaned. "Where's my coffee, Lindsey?"

He forgot about it, the second he had promised to make her a cup. "Oh, sorry." Lindsey pushed his chair back.

"It's fine. I don't want your breakfast to get cold." Lauren waved it off and moved to put the kettle on. "How are you feeling, Stevie?" She asked, smiling, as she leaned against one of the kitchen counters.

"I'm- I'm fine." Stevie said, sounding nothing like it. "Excuse me." She left her unfinished breakfast and walked out.