Alright so first off, this chapter is being split into two. This chapter was so hard for me to write! The first three chapters came to me with the quickness and now that glee is off for the summer...i have no inspiration! but i am going back and watching the whole second season so hopefully I can get better at writing and posting every other day. This chapter and next chapter are going to be very slow ONLY because i want these two to have a progressing romance. there will be some flirtation and what not but i don't want them to rush into anything. I hope you like this chapter...REALLY seeing the reviews and getting the alert emails truly make my days better. i Don't own glee! Thank you so much for reading- Candace :)

The next morning, I felt the aftermath from drinking all that wine. I wasn't throwing up or anything. It's just that I hadn't drunk like that in a long time. After I had rolled out of bed and did my daily rituals, I shuffled into the kitchen to find some breakfast. Kurt was sitting at the table, drinking a big mug of coffee.

"Morning, Kurt." He muttered what sounded like "Good morning." I laughed,

"Last night biting you in the ass this morning as well?" He started rubbing his temples.

"How much did I drink last night?" I sat down beside him after pouring myself a cup of coffee.

"Last night is kind of a blur to me."

"Oh but I do remember you and Sam talking an awful lot last night." He smirked. I shook my head and rolled my eyes. He would, of all things, remember that.

"Okay, and?" he looked at me with wide eyes.

"I want to know what was said! Duh!" Blaine had come in dragging his feet and shaking his head.

"Ugh, stop yelling." He moaned while going for the coffee pot. Kurt and I giggled.

"So?" Kurt said impatiently. I huffed as I sat my coffee mug on the table.

"Long story short, he basically told me that he likes me." Kurt squealed and began bouncing in his seat. Obviously it got Blaine's attention as well as he took a seat next to me.

"Shut up! What exactly did he say?" I had told him about how he had taken my phone number from the office and how he had said that I intrigued him. Kurt gave me the I told you so face.

"See Mercy? What did I tell you? Aren't I always right about this shit?"

"Yes Kurt, you were right. But, I told him I wanted to be friends for now. He was perfectly fine with that. We're just going to get to know each other before we jump into anything." Blaine looked at me with his hand on the side of his face.

"You really like him don't you?" I felt my face flush with heat. Kurt and Blaine laughed as I nodded.

"Yeah, I think I do. I don't know what it is about him. I mean, for me to feel like this only after meeting him a few days ago. It kind of scares me" Kurt placed his hand on top of mine.

"It's like that sometimes. Trust me, but you have to set your own pace. If Sam is the kind of man I think he is, he'll have no problem going whatever pace you're comfortable with.

"Okay."

"So are you going to sing with him tonight, or what?" Blaine had asked. I looked up at him in surprise.

"Oh shit! I almost forgot!" I looked at the clock and saw that it was little past 11:30am. He had to be up by now. He didn't drink as much as the rest of us had. I shot out of my chair, ran to my room and grabbed my phone. I scrolled down to his name and debated on whether I should call or text him. Before I could make the decision, my phone began to ring and Sam's name flashed across the screen. I pressed send and slowly put my phone up to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Mercedes?" He asked, seeming unsure.

"Hey, Sam." He laughed lightly.

"Hey, are you having a good morning?"

"If you want to call waking up with a slight headache a 'good morning' be my guest." He let out a soft chuckle. Please God don't torture me like this.

"You are something else Mercedes Jones. I was just calling to check up on you. You looked as if you were going to pass out before I left last night." His thoughtfulness made me smile.

"No, I'm good. I've had my cup of coffee. I'm starting to feel better. I was actually going to call you, though."

"Oh yeah?" His voice rising in surprise.

"Yeah, I was going to see if the offer still stood on me singing with you guys tonight."

"Yeah of course it still stands!" I laughed at his excitement.

"Okay, what time does the show start?"

"We usually head up there at around nine and start playing at ten."

"You guys don't rehearse?"

"Oh yeah, I've got a rehearsal with the guys at 4. You're welcome to come if you want."

"Oh, I'm not sure if Blaine or Kurt has anything planned for the afternoon and I am without a car for the time being."

"Oh well, I could pick you up if you'd like." I smiled.

"Then that would leave you stuck with me all day." He let out this sexy chuckle…yep…God was torturing me.

"You say that like it's a bad thing, Mercedes."

"Well, no I don't mean it like that. I just didn't know if you had other stuff to take care of before your gig."
"If this is an opportunity to spend time with you and get to know you, I'm taking the first chance I can get. I'll even bring you back so you can get even prettier for tonight." Seriously, was I being punk'd? Because, this guy was way too good to be true. I shrugged my shoulders even though he couldn't see me.

"That's fine if it's really okay with you."

"It's more than okay. What time do you want me to pick you up? We could grab a bite to eat before rehearsal, if you'd like." I just remembered I hadn't eaten anything.

"How about an hour? I just realized I haven't eaten anything yet."

"Oh well that simply just won't do, I'll be there in an hour."

"Okay." We said our goodbyes and hung up the phone. I was sitting on my bed with my back facing the door, so when I turned around and saw Kurt and Blaine standing at my door; I almost jumped out of my skin.

"Shit! Seriously guys? A cough would have been nice." Kurt laughed.

"Sorry, so what happens in hour?"

"We're going to grab a bite to eat before rehearsal at 4." Blaine gave me mile wide smile.

"So you're going to spend the day with him?"

"Well he's going to bring me back before the gig." Kurt laughed,

"It's still half the damn day. So, that counts as a date." I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

"It is not a date….We're just getting lunch before rehearsal."

"You're going hours before rehearsal, which has to count as something." Blaine said.

"Yeah, a chance to hang out."

"A date." Kurt said doing the lame cough thing that losers do. I groaned. I knew they wouldn't let it go.

"Whatever, can you guys get out? I need to get dressed." The both of them just laughed and said nothing else as I pushed them out of my room. I really didn't want to over think about what to wear, so I just decided to go casual with a simple cute pink tank top and jeans. I didn't want to overdo my make up, so I just put on eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss.

A little less than an hour later, Sam showed up. I was putting the finishing touches on my hair when Kurt came knowing on my door.

"Have fun on your non date. We are going to come out to Fat Cats tonight to see you guys." I smiled as I grabbed my purse off of my bed.

"Okay." We both walked out and into the living room, joining Sam and Blaine. Sam's back was facing me while he talked to Blaine. Blaine looked up as us, causing Sam to turn around. He flashed that spine chilling smile.

"Hey Mercy. You all ready to go?"

"Yeah." I managed to get out after getting a full look at him. The baby blue shirt he was wearing was tight in all the right places. And don't get me started on his jeans….oh sweet baby Jesus. I was almost temped to ask the guys if they wanted to join us for lunch. I had been too long since I've felt anything for a guy. I wasn't sure if was safe for me to be alone with him. I felt nervous even though I knew it wasn't a date. I mentally calmed myself down and said my goodbyes to Blaine and Kurt. I followed Sam out to his truck, which was big ole thing. It had to have been sitting a good 3 feet off the ground. I guess I was too intoxicated last night to really notice. I also noticed he didn't have any running boards on the bottom. Now my short ass has to hop into this truck.

"I feel bad not having running boards on this thing now." Sam said as he opened the passenger door and held out his hand to help me up into his truck. With one hand in his, I used the other grab on to the handle inside of the truck and propped myself up.

"I'm pretty use to doing that, my daddy had a big truck back home." He laughed.

"I can see that. But I'll have to get some put on anyway." He then closed my door.

"So where are we going to eat?" I asked once we had hit the road.

"What do you have a taste for?" I shrugged,

"I have no clue." He gave me a wicked smile.

"Alright, I think I know just the place." About 15 minutes later we pulled into a little strip mall. At the very end was small restaurant called "Lenny's." Sam quickly shut off the engine, got out and helped me out of the truck.

"You like subs right?" He asked as we walked towards the door.

"Yeah I love Subway." He smiled and shook his head,

"Well after you eat here, you're going to be saying 'fuck Subway.'" I literally laughed out loud as he opened the door for me and walked in. I was quickly embarrassed as I saw a guy standing at the counter. I quickly covered my mouth.

"I am so sorry." Sam laughed.

"Oh don't be sorry. What's up Adrian?" He spoke to the guy that was standing behind the counter. They quickly shook hands.

"Ah nothing much. What are you getting today?"

"I think I'm going to get my usual, but I've got my new friend Mercedes here. She just moved here from Ohio last week, so I decided to give her the Lenny's experience." The Adrian guy and I both laughed. Adrian then proceeded to give me a rundown of their menu. They offered cold subs as well as hot subs. I just ordered a turkey sub. When Sam saw what I wanted on it, he laughed at me.

"You should have got the hot relish on it." I made a face at him.

"Eww no. I hate spicy foods. I'm going to let you know now; I tend to stay inside the box when eating foods. It takes a lot for me to try something new." He smirked at me,

"Well I guess I'm going to have to get you outside that box."

"Ha! Good luck trying."

"Oh I have my ways." He said, winking at me. Damn him. Adrian handed me my sub and went over to the cash register.

"What did you order?" I said, realizing he hadn't got his food.

"I always get a meatball sub."

"So you're pretty much a regular?" He gave me a shy smile.

"Yeah, I guess so." I had prepared to give Adrian money for my food when Sam shoved my hand away.

"No way, I got this."

"Oh no, you're going to be stuck with me for half the day, at least let me pay for my lunch." He looked at me with a sly smirk.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I said so. Put your money way, missy." I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"You're something else."

After Sam had gotten his food, we sat down in a booth. While we ate, we talked about everything from music to movies.

"Oh I'm a pretty big Star Wars geek. It's pretty ridiculous." Sam had said when I asked what his favorite movie was.

"How ridiculous?"

"I can do a really good James Earl Jones impression." I arched an eye brow at.

"Oh yeah? Let me hear it." He laughed and started to clear his throat.

"Alright…. 'This morning I woke up and decided to swallow the sun.'" I looked at him in amazement. He really did sound like him.

"Okay, that was creepy and yet amazing at the same time."

"Yeah, see? I'm a dork." He said as his face turned beet red.

"Well I think that was rather cute. I can be pretty dorky sometimes too." He pursed his lips.

"I highly doubt that."

"Why do you say that?"

"I don't know…because, you're just…." He trailed off.

"I'm just what?"

"I can't put it into words."

"I suppose. I am dorky."

"How so?"

"I snort when I laugh…like really laugh." He chortled.

"Oh I'd like to hear that." I laughed and shook my head,

"Oh, no you don't. Once it starts it doesn't stop. Ask Kurt. It's bad."

"Whatever, I bet it's cute when you snort."

"Oh please, there is nothing cute about snorting." We continued to talk about everything, even after we had finished our subs. It was amazing how comfortable I felt around him already. When we were about to leave Lenny's, Sam had mentioned needing to stop at Guitar Center to pick up some sheet music he had ordered. It took about 30 minutes to get there. That was a fun trip as well. He totally surprised me by his musical tastes. In addition classic rock, I was shocked when I saw music by Maxwell, and Robin Thicke while I scrolled through his IPod he had hooked up to his radio. By the time we got back into Houston, it was a little past 3:30.

"Where are you rehearsing?" I asked curious as to where we were going.

"Oh back at my place." I didn't expect that.

"Oh." He smiled as he kept his eyes on the road.

"You sound surprised."

"I just figured you guys would practice where there's enough space." He looked at me and grinned.

"Oh there's enough space." A few minutes later we pulled up to this tall apartment building in downtown Houston. I silently followed him up the elevator to the top floor. There revealed a large loft apartment.

"Holy crap. You live here?"

"Yeah, what did you expect?" He said as he tossed his keys on to coffee table by the door.

"I don't know, really. A condo, small one bedroom apartment. But not this. This is beautiful." There was definitely enough space for them to rehearse I heard him chuckle lightly.

"Well it's still a one bedroom apartment."

I laughed as I scanned the apartment and gasped when I saw the tall wall of vinyl music. I quickly walked over to the wall to get a better look at all of the music.

"Wow, you have so much music." I heard him step next to me.

"Most of it is my dad's. I guess you can say these are one of my prized possessions."

"What's your other one?" He motioned me to follow him toward the back of the apartment. I almost stopped myself once I figured out that we were going into his room. I quickly gave his room a glance and was very impressed. It was very clean and well put together. He stopped at what looked like a closet door and opened it. Inside was a row of different types of guitars.

"There's so many."

"Most of them are from my dad and my grandfather. Some I got from garage sales and flea markets." He stepped inside and picked up an old but in very good shape acoustic guitar.

"My grandpa made this one; it's also the first guitar my father gave to me." Watching him talk about his guitar, made me smile.

"You really love the guitar, huh?" I asked, admiring the rest of his guitars. He looked at me as he held his grandfather's guitar

"Yeah I do."

"I totally understand how you feel. I live and breathe music." Sam began to smile and shake his head.

"What's funny?" He sat his guitar back in the spot he picked it up from and looked at me.

"Nothing really, it's just that you're the first girl I've met that gets it. Most girls I know don't understand why I have a whole closet full of guitars."

"Well I'm not most girls." He licked his lips before saying,

"You are most definitely not, Mercedes." I looked at him speechless. Before my mind could muster up something to say, there was loud knock on the door.

"Oh that must be the guys. Damn, it's 4 already. Time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?" Sam commented as he led me out of his room. When he opened the door, Puck and Lauren were standing on the other side, smiling.

"Oh this is why you took forever." Lauren teased. Sam laughed nervously.

"Uh no, I was just showing her my guitar closet." Sam saying that only made the two of them laugh even more as they walked inside.

"Oh is that what you call it now?" She quirked. Sam gave her a kind smile as he flipped her the bird. Puck playfully punched him in the shoulder,

"Hey, quit flippin off my wife and come help me bring this shit up from my truck." They walked out of the door laughing, leaving Lauren and I standing in the middle of the apartment.

"So, are you going to sing with them tonight?" Lauren asked sweetly.

"Yeah, Sam talked me into it."

"He's pretty good at persuading."

"Yeah, apparently." She leaned in closer to me.

"I can tell Sam likes you a lot."

"Yeah? Maybe he's just being nice to me because I'm new here." She smiled and shook her head.

"Highly doubt it." She sang.

"How do you figure that?"

"I've known Sam for almost ten years. He has never invited a chick to sing with the band let alone have one over while they rehearse." Before I could ask her more about that, Sam and Puck came through the door with Puck's drum set along with Finn as well. He gave me a bright smile.

"Hey Mercedes, you ready to rock tonight?"

"Of course I am." I said with a laugh.

After they set up everything, they began rehearsing a few songs that they were going to perform at the club and a few just for fun. When I rehearsed with them, it was just as fun as it was when I sang with them the night before. It was a little after 7 when we were finally finished.

"Okay guys, I'll see you guys in little bit. I gotta get Mercy home so she can get pretty for a night on the town." Sam joked, winking at me. I just shook my head at him and smiled. Once Puck and Finn had all of their instruments packed up and left, Sam and I headed out as well.

"So what do you think?" Sam asked randomly as he drove.

"What do I think about what?"

"The band, silly."

"I think you guys are awesome."

"So awesome that you'd want to join us on a regular basis?" I was a bit caught off guard by his question.

"What? You want me to sing with you guys on a regular basis?"

"Yeah, I think it'll be fun. Everyone at Fat Cats is going to love you. You're going to have them in the palm of your hand once they hear you sing." I looked at him reluctantly,

"I don't know Sam. It's been such a long time since I've performed. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared shitless about tonight." He smiled, reached over and sat his hand on top of mine.

"Oh you're going to be fine. I'll make sure that you are." Something in his voice reassured me that I was indeed going to be fine. When we got back to the house, I expected Sam to just drop me off but I was a little surprised when he got out and followed me to the door.

"Are you going to go back to your place and get changed?" He gave me a sly smile,

"What you don't think what I'm wearing is hot enough?" I laughed and shook my head as I turned to let us inside the house.

"It's not that, I just figured you'd want some time to yourself." The front door led us right into the kitchen so I dropped my keys onto the island. I turned around as Sam walked closer to me.

"What do I have to do to make you understand that I want to spend time with you?" I tried not to look him in the eye. I knew that if I did, I would probably grab him and kiss the shit out of his face. I smiled and looked down.

"You'll learn that I'm not that interesting, Sam." He lifted my chin with his finger.

"I beg to differ. Since you're so hell bent on me getting out of here, I'll let you get dressed and I'll be back to pick you up at 8."

"Oh you don't have to come all the way back over here. I was just going to ride with the guys." He gave me a panty dropping smile. This man was going to be the death of me.

"I want to. Be ready at eight."

"Why so early?"

"Because I want to attempt to get you to eat outside the box." I gave him a playful scowl.

"Oh yeah? Can I know what it is?" He laughed and pulled his keys from his pocket of his jeans.

"Nope, it's a surprise. Can you do me a favor, though?" I looked at him skeptical.

"What?"

"Wear something purple."