One Night Only

Part 21

Lindsey had to report back to his boss. What he heard, he didn't like. Lindsey was ordered to stay away from Stevie, he was to be loyal to Lauren. It didn't sit well with him and he had been in a foul mood for the past several days. The more he was forced to, the less Lindsey wanted to keep up with the hoax. He understood that Lauren wasn't to blame, she was completely in the dark, but it was getting increasingly more difficult to be around her.

"You find this interesting?" Lindsey had been silently sulking, while Lauren cackled at every stupid joke in the sitcome they were watching. 

"Well, it might not be the greatest moment in television history, but..." She shrugged. "I don't have to think, while I'm watching. There are some well written comical situations." Lauren tilted her chin up, placing her hand on Lindsey's chest. "Is it that painful to you that this is on?"

"I guess, not." Lindsey sighed. "I just never understood the appeal of these shows."

"Right, I forgot you need blood and guts on your TV screen." She teased and Lindsey squeezed out a small smile. Cuddled up to him, Lauren turned to continue watching her show, grazing her nails over his chest hair. "I've enjoyed having you with me more."

"Uh, yeah. I like being here with you, too." It felt like an automatic response. It was.

"Do you want some ice cream?" Lauren looked up at him again. "I have chocolate and strawberry."

"Sure. Strawberry, please." Lindsey sighed in relief, when she pulled away and went into the kitchen. He could breath easier for a minute.

Lindsey jumped a little, when his phone started ringing and his heart started beating faster, when he saw it was Stevie. She never called him, she understood the risk of that. She always texted him first.

"Hello?"

"Lindsey, I need to see you." Stevie rushed, she sounded distraught.

"What's up? Is everything okay?" Lindsey's mind immediatel went to Mr. Lynwood. Had he gone to see Stevie, like he had threatened to do?

"Yes. No, not really." She quickly changed her mind. "Can you come over, please?"

"I, uh, I'm not home..." 

"Please, Lindsey." Stevie begged and the sound of her voice told him that she wasn't just missing him, like whatever it was, it couldn't be put on hold.

"Okay. I'll try to leave somehow." Lindsey promised, keeping his voice low.

"And, Lindsey? I need you to get something for me."

His body went numb at her request. He heard her talking on the other end of the line, but he couldn't quite respond for a long moment.

"Who was that?" Lauren asked as she returned. "Where are you going?"

"I have a friend in need." Lindsey said, picking up his clothes off the floor.

"What happened?" She seemed genuinely worried even though he hadn't given her a lot of information.

"I just have to go, Lauren." Lindsey pulled up his jeans.

Lauren's eyes settled on his phone, lying on the bed, which he'd forgotten to lock. She trusted him, right? Watching Lindsey button up his shirt, Lauren reached for his phone and her eyes widened.

"Stevie? Stevie is your friend in need?" Her voice grew louder. "What the hell is going on, Lindsey?"

He turned to look and saw her with his phone in hand. Before he could snatch it back from her, Lauren had opened up the messages, shared between the two. She wasn't quick enough to read through them, but she saw that there were a lot.

"Why are you talking with Stevie?" Lauren got out of bed and attempted to block his way out. "Answer me damn it!"

"I-" Lindsey opened his mouth, then shook his head. "Not right now, Lauren." He pushed her away from the door as gently as possible. "I'll call you later."

"Lindsey, if you walk out that door, don't bother coming back!" 

He didn't know if her threat was serious, but right now, Lindsey had only Stevie on his mind.