Hello, hello, hello! Just wanted to hit you guys with another update and thank you for continuing to read. For those of you reading my other story, I am working on my next chapter and hopefully it will be ready and up later today. Again, let me know what you think and feel free to ask any question...

It was now time for Mercedes to get ready for the kickoff of her concert. They spent New Year's Eve and New Year with the crew that will be going on tour with her. It was a great night in New York. They had dinner at this great Sushi place, then as a group went to want the ball drop. After that, they went back to Club Infinity where they partied until 7:00 that morning. They left the club and all parted ways knowing they would meet up again that next day to practice. That weekend would be the first day of her tour.

That Friday night, Sam decided to plan a night of pampering to help her relax and enjoy him before her concert the next day. He had to leave that following Sunday and she would be flying to Europe. They had to prepare for another emotional airport goodbye. While he was rubbing her back, his mind drifted to the last goodbye and his heart started fluttering. He didn't know if he would be able to take it.

Mercedes feeling Sam ease up on the pressure spoke. "What's up babe? Tired already? You want me to do you," She asked.

When Sam didn't say anything she moved around and sat up. Sam moved back and looked at Mercedes. She gently placed her hand on his cheek looking in his eyes, "What's up Sammy?"

"I'm scared Mercy. I don't know if I could say goodbye to you again."

"Please don't do this to me Sam, not before my concert tomorrow."

"I can't help how I feel Mercedes. My heart broke last time you left me months. I can't handle watching you board a plane without me again."

"What you want me to do? Ask you to come? I would be happy to have you with me, but you have obligations outside of me Sam. You have your own successes babe."

"I know that and I'm happy for us. I guess I'm just wallowing."

"We have to let this go Sam, both of us because while you were rubbing me, I already missed your touch and I was about to cry. I feel like we keep having the Sam argument over and over. We just have to accept that this is what it is for now."

"You're right. We can't keep bringing this up, especially if we know we'll make it. Turn around let me finish helping you relax."

"No, I'm riled up now. You lay on the table on your back."

"You sure?...wait, why on my back?"

"You'll see."

"Oh, no Mercy. You always doing stuff to surprise me. You lay on the table babe and spread those legs."

She gave him a mischievous grin, "Ooh, I love it when you get a bit nasty."

She laid back and Sam immediately started kissing up her thighs making his way to her moist core. She proceeded to lick her from slit to clit and took every bit of her into his mouth until she reached her release. Right there on that little massage table, Sam and Mercedes made love. She was definitely relaxed.

Both, Sam and Mercedes headed to Nassau Coliseum that next morning to do her sound checks and rehearsal before the show began. When she made it there, all of her crew including Lauren and Santana were there and Kurt immediately pulled her into her first costume. Sam just sat back and watched as she went through wardrobe changes and as the crew adjusted her lights and sounds to her movements. She was really enjoying this. She felt at home on the stage. The studio was cool, but her heart was on those stages. She loved this part. Sam loved watching her. She was amazing and he couldn't help the swelling of pride in his heart. He wondered if she felt that way about him when he played baseball, although she only made it to two of his college games. He watched her a little while longer, but walked off when he heard his phone ring.

"Hello," He answered.

"Hey Sam, it's Kitty. I got your number from Matt. I wanted to see how your break been going?"

"It's been great, in New York right now with Mercedes. She has her first show tonight"

"Right, her concert. I bet you're getting the V.I.P treatment up there."

"No really, she doesn't demand much and I don't either, so it's just me watching her get ready."

"Oh, well that's good. The media is always making stuff look worse that it is."

"What do you mean by that," He asked alarmed.

"Nothing, I'm sure you saw the articles talking about you and Mercedes' relationship. I'm happy they don't faze you and are far from the truth."

"What do they say?"

"Come on Sam, you know…that your relationship with Mercedes is for you to get famous and be a kept man. For you to become a big name in baseball."

"What?! Who said that?! That is not true," Sam screamed.

"I know it's not Sam. I'm sorry if I upset you. I thought you knew. There's even one from US Weekly with Mercedes' comments," Kitty said.

"I have to go Kitty. I have to see this for myself," He said. He hung up the phone and immediately went to google on his phone. He saw all the stories saying how he was using Mercedes and how she was taking care of him. He read the posts that talked about his background and he couldn't believe it. Someone even took their goodbye in the airport out of context. Sam was upset, but what took the cake was what he read in US Weekly. They twisted Mercedes' comments in front of the grocery store and the tweets she made about missing him. They even twisted his kiss with her and said stuff about Kendrick Lamar being in the picture. He couldn't believe this was happening. This could be harmful to his career and to Mercedes' reputation. What if recruiters decided to not recruit him because of NCAA violation rules? He had to ask Santana to fix this. He found her sitting with Mercedes by the stage.

"Mercy, Santana have you guys seen all these stories about our relationship, He said pointing to Mercedes.

"No, what stories," Mercedes asked.

"I've seen them and I'm currently going through with the biggest ones, trying to put them to rest," Santana said.

"What storied," Mercedes asked again agitated.

Sam turned to her and replied, "Kitty just called me and told me she was happy none of the rumors were true, so I looked online and saw all these stories about how I'm using you to get my name big in baseball and how you are just helping me out but dating Kendrick Lamar behind my back."

"Are you serious right now? I can't believe this bull. Santana do something fast. I need to call my folks and yours Sam to make sure they didn't see this," Mercedes said walking away.

Santana turned to Sam. "I'm doing everything to make sure this ends and that you and Mercy's reputations are intact. Just understand that stuff like this happens. It could have been something worse. Just know that your career isn't in jeopardy. I've got you back and I love Mercy and I consider you a friend. Whenever you do decide you'd like to go pro, know that I have your back and I'd be happy to help you make that happen," She said and walked away.

The rest of the night went great. Mercedes got on stage and put on one hell of a show. The sold out arena was in an uproar as she finished her last song. All you could hear was encore echoed around the arena and she walked off staff on the biggest high. This was her first time performing for a crowd that huge and she was thankful. She made a quick change, having no time to think or greet anyway and made her way back to the stage. For her final song, she sang the hidden ballad that accompanied her deluxe album. It was called, I hope you know.

The music started and she found Sam. She looked directly into his eyes and sung the song of love and admiration she wrote for him so long ago. She let a few tears fall and as the song ended Sam was on stage next to her, embracing her, kissing her, telling her he will miss her and no matter what anyone said, he will always love her. They both thanked the crowd and left. That night, they made it to her condo and held each other. Sex would come in the morning, but tonight all that mattered was their intimacy.

Until next time...