Thank you for reading my stories, I know you guys love a good one. Since this one is in the editing stages again I can upload a chapter or two a day. Again love your reviews.
With the phone in his right hand and Mercedes's number in the other Sam wondered if calling her was the right thing to do. He wanted to see her and he knew that Finn was right. But the inner demon in him fought the urge. He began to doubt that calling him would help. He placed the phone down but again decided to pick it up. He deserved to see if she was the one. He exhaled and dialed her number.
Mercedes ran to the phone placing her white black rimmed dinner plate on the table and swallowing.
"This is Mercy talk to me." The sound of her voice made his stomach do a flip. "Mercedes." He asked as if not knowing the second he heard her voice it was her.
"Yes who is this?" she asked checking the time on her clock on the wall.
"Hi, this is Sam."
"Sam?" she asked sure it couldn't be the same Sam she had met in Church.
"Sam Evans."
Butterflies crept into her stomach at the sound of his name. Suddenly she felt nervous talking to him. Then she thought of Zack he had to be calling about her son there is no way he could be calling just to talk to her. He brought her out of her head.
"Hello are you there?" he asked fearing she hung up.
She straightened out her hair and shirt as if he could see her. "Oh Sam is everything ok. Zack?"
"He is fine I was calling because I thought you might wanna know about his progress. He told me how close you were and I know you just talked to him the other day but I thought you would like to know." He said trying to stay calm. The sweetness of her voice traveled through the phone and he could feel her warmth from sitting next to her in church all over again.
"Yeah of course can you hold on for a second though?" she asked.
"Yeah sure."
Sam sat back in his chair as Mercedes ran into the kitchen and grabbed a cherry Pepsi.
"Ok I'm back sorry I had to get something to drink with my dinner."
"Oh what are you having?" he asked wondering if she could cook.
"My famous potato salad." She beamed.
"That's it? Isn't that a side or something?" he laughed.
"It's not what you think. It's cut up baked potatoes with cut up pieces of chicken mixed with sour cream, butter and cheese."
Sam stopped laughing and thought about what she just said. "Wow I would have never thought to do something like that."
"Yeah I can be creative when I want to be." She shook her head hearing how it sounded coming out of her mouth. He must have thought she was a fool.
"Zack must get that from you." He said paying her a compliment.
"What do you mean?" she asked unsure how to take it.
"He gets really creative on the floor. I honestly think he has a great shot at making it to the NBA or to be a great college ball player with the right amount of coaching and work."
Mercedes extended her feet as she attempted to get more comfortable, she smiled thinking of Zack running up and down the court. "I always knew he had talent." She said taking a bite from her meal.
Well you should be proud of him."
She took a sip of her drink to wash down her food. "I have always been proud of him. He is a great kid that's why I miss him so much. He means so much to me." She beamed at the thought of him again.
"I can tell." The line went silent and Sam cleared his throat. "So what have you been doing without him?"
"Nothing much just working hard taking care of business as usual."
"Yeah Zack said you do that a lot."
"It's a tough job being a single mom but you gotta do it."
"It's not easier being a single dad." He chimed in.
She inhaled thinking of his daughter. "And you have a girl at that so I know it must be tough."
Sam's face lite up thinking about Madison. She was a handful but he wouldn't trade her for the world. "It is. But she is my little angel."
"All dads call their daughters little angels."
"I guess so. But not all dads have to worry about their daughters taking after them. She is determined to be a ball player."
Mercedes stood from the recliner to head back into the kitchen. "She admires you and I don't say I blame her. You are a very talented man."
She smiled thinking about how wonderful she felt he was. He smiled to himself.
"Thanks for that. With all the traveling I do I don't get to see her nearly as much as I would love to." He smiled thinking about how happy he made Maddie allowing her to come to the camp.
Mercedes lifted her drink to her lips "See me I get to see that boy everyday that's why he being so far away kills me." She took a sip and then fought the urge to burp. She couldn't let anything embarrass her while talking to this man.
"He talks about you every day. My mom did this or my mom always does that. He adores you too so much and I can see why."
She glanced down smiling at the compliment wanting to hear more. "Oh? And why is that?"
"Because you are a strong amazing woman, and you show it in every way."
"How can you tell?" she asked shyly.
"The way you talked to me in Church." He said strongly. "You showed it then no problem."
As she placed the fork she just loaded with food back onto the plate her stomach did a flip. She had hoped that day would have long been forgotten but no such luck. "Yeah about that." She said wanting to claim temporary insanity for the way she acted.
"No not the telling me off thing even though that was a first for me" he said laughing. "It's the way you were in church so open and honest and wise."
Sam could hear her smile through the phone and couldn't keep the smile from forming on his face. Mercedes shifted in her seat to get comfortable as Sam leaned back in his chair.
"So did you always wanna play in the NBA?" she asked wanting to know as much as she could about this man.
"My mom said at two years old they got me a basketball hoop and ball. And I played with that thing all the time."
She smiled thinking back to the small hoop she once bought for Zack. "So you were a ball player from the jump huh?"
"Yeah. So what about you?"
She took another swig of her drink. "What about me I don't even know how to play the game but I do love to watch it."
"Well how can a woman from Fort Lauderdale love a team from Charleston?"
She sat silently for a moment "Well honestly I love the way you guys work together. It's all about the team with all of you guys."
"That's a great way of putting it." He said impressed with her answer.
"Well you guys are a great team." She said blushing.
"Thanks. So what is it that you do?" he asked.
"I work in customer service."
He shook his head nodding. "I should have guessed because you are so good at using your words."
"That could also be because I write."
"You write? Really what?"
"I don't know poems and stories. Nothing major."
He smiled, he really like learning new things about her. "That is major I couldn't imagine sitting down and putting my feelings on paper."
"Yeah well it comes easily for me I guess. Like the passion you have for playing ball is what gets you to work out and work hard my passion for writing is what makes me sit for hours and write." She said comparing the two.
"Yeah I get that. It's my passion for the game that makes me want to keep working hard on myself."
She was silent trying to contemplate saying what was on her mind. "Forgive me for saying this but you are doing a great job at working on yourself." She felt herself blush a little more while she thought of his body.
"Why would I need to forgive you?" he said with a sly grin.
"I don't want to give you a big head I just want you to know that you are one sexy man. That's not the only reason I watch you play but it's a bonus."
He laughed not knowing what else to do. "Well thank you."
"So what's your favorite color?" she asked as she began to eat again.
"Color?"
She swallowed hard then cleared her throat. "Yeah favorite color." "Blue." He said confidently.
"Really I love blue too. Why do you love it?"
The question caught him off guard but the decided to go with the most obvious reason.
"Because I look so good in it, why do you like it?" he asked.
"Well I looked up to the sky one day and noticed how beautiful it was, I fell in love with the color. It's just something about it that puts me at peace."
"Wow." He said truly amazed at this woman. She smiled loving how they could just talk like they have known each other forever.
"So, what is your favorite number?"
"Nine."
"Nine? Really?" she blurted before she could stop herself.
"Yeah what's yours?" he challenged.
"Eight and Seven."
"That is funny."
"Why?" she asked wanting to know why he was laughing at her.
"It reminds me of a joke."
"Ok what is it?"
"Why was six afraid of seven?" she thought about it and then exhaled.
"I don't know…why?"
"Because seven ate nine."
He laughed and she laughed along with him, "that was horrible."
"Hey I don't suppose you have a better one?" he asked faking a hurt voice.
"Actually I don't tell jokes I am no good at it but I can give a mean riddle." She said with coolness.
"Well lay it one me." Sam sat back eager to hear a riddle from this remarkable woman.
"You're driving a bus, at the first stop five people get on, at the second stop three get off six get on, at the third stop one gets off and five get on and at the fourth stop 6 get off and two get on. What color is the bus driver's eyes?"
Sam looked into the phone confused. He had no idea and he fancied himself as someone pretty good at riddles. "Wow I actually don't know."
"Well what color are your eyes?" she asked with a smile that he felt through the phone. "Green why?" he asked wondering where she was going with it.
"Well I did say that you were the bus driver." Sam broke out a wide grin and gave a little laugh.
"Ok that was good I will give you that."
Someone knocked on Sam's door and he remembered he was in the office still.
"Mercedes can you hold on for one minute please?"
"Sure I don't mind."
Mercedes stood up and walked to the kitchen placing her plate in the microwave as Sam placed the phone down and opened the door. He looked down to Ryder the assistant to all the coaches.
"Finn wanted me to remind you the kids are having that bonfire thing this weekend that you promised and you guys need to go over the list and stuff."
"Ok tell him I will be right there." He said eager to return to the phone.
"Also he wanted to know if you could bring the list of parents with you because he needs to see which ones need a place to stay."
"Ok got it."
Sam shut the door and went to the phone.
"Hello."
Sam laughed as he heard a full-mouthed Mercedes say hello.
"Are you eating?"
Mercedes swallowed taking a sip of gulp of her drink.
"Guilty, I was trying to be slick but hey you did call in the middle of my dinner I'm hungry."
As the last word left her lips a burp followed and she could feel her face turn red.
"Oh my gosh I am so sorry about that…that must have been super loud in your ear." She said embarrassed.
"Well hey in the words of a mean ugly ogre "it's better out than in," he said knowing if she laughed at his joke she was awesome. She laughed and Sam couldn't help but laugh with her. There was something about her that made him feel so different. That made him not want to end their conversation. "I see you like Shrek too."
"It's one of our favorite movies…we love that movie."
He said wishing they could just stay on the phone talking for the rest of the night.
"Well you go ahead and eat I have to go anyways we have this huge bonfire this weekend and I gotta get the stuff together for it."
"A bonfire? Really?"
"I know this is supposed to be a basketball camp but I promised these kids if they worked hard and pulled their weight the first two weeks at the end we could do something you would do at a normal camp. They voted and I guess making S'mores and being around a bonfire is what they felt would make them happy."
She grinned sighing. "You are such a great guy."
"How you figure?" he asked fishing for a compliment.
"Taking time out your schedule to host a camp for kids that is pretty amazing."
His started to gather the things on his desk together. "Well to be honest it's sponsored by the Eagles but run by people who really do know what they are doing. Once or twice a week we show up and run drills with the kids talk to them, and get to know them but that's about all we can do. We have off-season training and then there is the traveling and shows I get to do. It's hard but I make it a point to get back here every week."
"That still makes you an amazing man. You don't have to do that you could give your money and not your time." She said admiring him.
"But what fun would that be? I am and always will be all about my fans."
"Well you have certainly made Zack's year! Maybe even longer, I know he is enjoying himself. I just wish I could see him you know?" he could hear the sadness develop in her voice.
"Why can't you no one will stop you from coming up here." He said hoping she would take him up on the offer.
"Well I do miss Zack but I'm not sure if I can make it."
"Oh? Can I ask why?"
She sighed heavily. "Honestly I don't have the money."
"That's all that's stopping you?" he asked confused at her admission.
"Yes that's all." She felt herself getting annoyed. "I don't have the money to just hop a flight you know. Not all of us can be worth a million dollars."
"Millions." He said joking.
"What?" he could hear in her voice that she did not get that he was kidding.
"Nothing just wanted to lighten the mood."
"Ha ha ha funny." He could hear the sarcasm in her voice.
"Well what if I sponsored you?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean what if I bought your ticket?"
She felt anger rise in her stomach. Did he really think she was one of those girls who couldn't do for herself? "And why would you do that? Does it look like I need some help? Like I can't make it without Sam Evans coming to the rescue?"
Sam started to laugh really loudly. "Ohmigosh you have a really smart mouth!"
He laughed harder but upon hearing her sigh loudly. He stopped and calm himself down.
"Look truth is Zack is an amazing player but I know he misses you and I know if my daughter missed me and I couldn't get there then I would love to have someone send me to her."
"I don't need a guilt trip right now." She shook her head beginning to feel like a bad mother.
"I'm not trying to give you one. I just want you to know that you will have a plane ticket waiting for you tomorrow." He said sincere.
"And do you do this for all of your player's parents?" she questioned.
"If they needed help." Mercedes sighed.
"I can pay half of the cost."
"Don't worry about it."
"Are you sure?" she asked still in awe that this man would help her like this.
"I am extremely sure. So what do you say?" he held his breath as she thought it over. Twenty seconds went by but Sam could have sworn it was longer.
"I say as long as you allow me to do something then yes."
His face broke out in a wide grin and he began looking online for flights for her. "That is great so I am looking now. I am going to be honest I cannot wait to see you again."
"Why not?"
"Truth?"
The question puzzled her for a second. "Please."
"I have never been able to talk to anyone like I have talked to you and I hope you feel the same."
She smiled. "I do."
"Ok then. I hate to go but duty calls. It was a pleasure talking to you and I will see you tomorrow. Just go to the front desk give them your name and the password will be Eagle789."
"Thank you again." she grabbed a piece of paper and wrote the password down.
"No problem just come." He said dreading hanging up the phone.
"Ok."
"Bye."
"Bye."
They both stayed on the line a second longer before sighing and hanging up. Mercedes looked at her phone and shook with pleasure as she dialed Quinn.
"Mercedes I am in the middle of dinner this better be good." Mercedes loved how no matter when she called Quinn always had something smart to say.
"Guess who I just got done talking too?"
"Who?" she asked annoyed.
"Sam. He is flying me out to see Zack tomorrow."
"What? Why?"
Mercedes could hear the concern in her voice and immediately frowned.
"Well aren't you a buzz kill?"
Quinn shook her head. "All I asked was why?"
"Well because he is a nice guy that's why." Mercedes didn't mean to sound annoyed but she if she did it went over Quinn's head.
"Are you sure?" she asked wanting her best friend to be absolutely sure of what she was doing.
"Of course I am sure. This is a nice gesture and I think I am gonna take him up on it."
"How long did you guys talk before he just asked you to come there?" she questioned.
"We were on the phone for a while and then I told him how much I missed Zack and he wanted to do something nice for me so that is what he felt the need to buy me the ticket and I really miss Zack so I am gonna take him up on his offer."
"Mercedes you know I love you right but."
"But what?" Mercedes heard it in Quinn's voice she didn't want her to go.
"I don't want you to get your hopes up."
Mercedes stood and walked into the kitchen and began rinsing her plate off.
"What do you mean get my hopes up?"
"I mean he may not be looking at you the way you are looking at him.'
"What are you talking about Quinn? We enjoy talking to each other we are going to see each other tomorrow and whatever happened happens." When Quinn heaved a sigh Mercedes turned off the water.
"What ok what is the problem just spit it out?"
"Fine you like him and I am just not sure he likes you in that way." Before Mercedes could say a word Quinn continued.
"You know I think you are very beautiful and kind and sweet, but we both know that you are not his type."
Mercedes felt like someone punched her in the gut.
"And why would you say that Quinn because I am not as thin as you or as pretty I can't believe you would even say something like that."
Quinn got defensive. "I didn't you did. Not being his type from my point of view is you are not famous or someone who sleeps around. I wasn't trying to put you down. But if you think that way then that must be something you are feeling."
Mercedes sighed
"I am not thinking that…ok so I am ok what if he really is just trying to be nice…what if all the talking and laughing was just that."
"I never wanted to make you feel like you are not worthy of a man like that. Because you are. I just want you to know that if he doesn't like you then that is on him not you."
"You are right and I know it I guess I just needed to hear it."
Quinn smiled through the phone. "Now that we got that out of the way…I cannot believe that you are going to see him" Quinn squealed.
"If you're so worried come with me."
"Don't tempt me because I will but I have kids so no but you better call me."
"I will you go back to dinner and I will do that same."
"Ok you want a ride?"
"Please."
"Ok I will pick you up in the morning. Good night sweetie."
"Night chica."
Mercedes hung up and walked into her room. She had to find something to wear.
Sam walked over to Finn humming. He joined him and sat on the bench.
"Ok I am here let's go over the plan for Saturday." He said glancing down at the forms in his hands.
"Where were you?" he asked glancing at his best friend.
"I had to make a few phone calls." Sam said smiling to himself.
"Oh really?" Finn looked at him lifting his right eyebrow and cocking his head. "And to whom were you speaking with?"
"I took your advice and invited Mercedes here tomorrow."
"What?" Finn stood in front of Sam. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah it kinda just happened I called her to talk to her about how well Zack was doing and we just started talking about the past and life it was nice you know."
"So you just bring her out here?" he asked.
Sam shrugged. "It's not like I don't have the money to bring her here and make her happy, and I want to make Zack happy too. He is a great kid and seeing his mom is something I know he would love."
Finn noticed the far off look in his eyes and knew there was something more to it.
"What's going on?" Finn sat back on the bleachers.
"What do you mean?" Sam asked knowing what he meant.
"I see it in your eyes. You really like her don't you?"
Sam looked at him and sighed deeply. "I thought I liked her before, but after talking to her I just I can't get her out of my mind and I don't think I want to."
Finn looked at him. "You don't think?"
Sam ran his fingers over his head and rubbed as he sat down next to his best friend.
"I don't know."
Finn lightly slapped his back.
"Well I am kinda curious to meet her."
Sam looked at him "You're gonna be nice aren't you?"
"Yes I am. I'm always nice."
"Not always."
"Well most of the time I am."
Sam exhaled. "I need to tell you though see she is not my typical kinda girl."
"I know you told me."
"She's amazing really but she is no America's next top model."
Finn glanced down to the forms Sam handed over to him. "Does that bother you?"
Sam looked over to him and smiled. "No, it's crazy normally it would but with her I don't seem to care."
Finn smiled impressed with his boy.
"That is good to hear."
"I really do wanna see if there is something here."
"And for your sake I hope there is something there. I haven't seen you smile this much in a long time."
"Oh whatever let's go get the things for this weekend."
