Sorry this took so long...be patient, I'm getting back into my swing....

"Sleeping beauty…" Matt whispered, walking two of his fingers up Merci's side.

"Mmm, what time is it?" Merci mumbled, barely opening her eyes.

"Early. I was gonna make you breakfast before I went to the gym…" Matt said, leaning down and kissing her shoulder.

"That's so sweet." Merci smiled dreamily and reached and hand back to rub Matt's face.

"So, about the dinner…" Matt started. Merci's eyes widened with alert.

"Um, do you really have to go, I mean, wouldn't you rather stay home with me?" Merci asked, not rolling over to look at him.

"I want nothing more baby, but it's kinda something I have to go to…" Matt said.

"…I just don't want you to look like one of those guys who bring groupies with them wherever they go…"

"They won't think that, but I see your point. I don't want you to be uncomfortable." Matt said. Matt actually felt good about this; it made him believe she wasn't the glitz and glamour type.

"But I'd love to fly out there with you…" Merci sat up and fell into Matt's arms.

"Yeah?" Matt pressed his cheek to her forehead.

"Of course. I love spending time with you…" Merci said, nuzzling her head on his shoulder.

"Aww, you're precious…" Matt said before kissing her forehead.


Merci busied herself around the house while Matt hung out with the guys, he'd been bugging her for days about meeting them, and she weaseled her way out of it every time. She just couldn't risk it. She walked around Matt's living room and looked at the pictures sitting on the entertainment stand. He really loved his friends and family, it's what she admired most about him. She stopped when she saw a picture of him and Dave goofing around. Never had guilt hit her so hard, she had to sit down to keep from falling. She'd killed one of his friends. If he ever found out, he'd never forgive her. She jumped when she heard her phone going off.

"Hello?"

"Hey baby, miss me?" But Merci was not smiling, and she definitely didn't miss the voice on the other end of the phone.

"Randy, how are you?" Merci asked, looking quite uninterested.

"Just fine. You ready to come see me?" He asked, even the simplest words were laced with lust.

"About that, I don't think I'll be able to come to the dinner with you."

"Why not?" He asked quickly.

"I'm not feeling well and-"

"So? It's just one night, who's gonna care how you're feeling?" Randy spat. Merci scoffed in disbelief, as if he could get any lower.

"Ok you know what, no. I'm not going, Randy. Find some ring bimbo to whore around with-"

"Do you realize who I am? You should be thankful I give you the time of day. You need me." He said.

"As of late, I'm getting everything I need…and not from you." Merci said.

"What the hell's that supposed to mean?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Merci taunted.

"If you're screwing another guy, I will-"

"Will what?" Merci pushed.

"If you're opening your legs to someone else, you're gonna regret it, I promise you." Randy growled, then the call ended. Merci slowly set her phone down. When she thought about it, Randy really had potential to hurt her. She'd seen a lot of men come and go, but he was the most dangerous, and that was saying something.

"Hey baby, who was on the phone?" Merci quickly turned around and saw Matt in the doorway.

"Oh- no one. Just an old friend from school." Merci said as she walked up to him.

"Ok, you alright?" Matt asked, noting the stress in her face.

"Of course I'm fine. Come here." Merci wrapped her arms around him and sighed. She picked a hell of a time to start caring for someone.