I had just gotten off the phone with Kurt when I decided to call Puck and invite him to hang out with us later. My dad was leaving town. We had planned this big daddy-daughter weekend then he got a call from Mom stating that Grandma had taken a turn for the worse. He wanted me to come along, but I didn't know how long we would be gone, and I didn't want to miss school (nerd move, who knew). Nor was I prepared to see my granny in such a state. Also, I didn't want to be home alone; so, I invited my boys over to spend the day with me. I needed some company big time, and any distraction from worrying about my grandma would keep me from crying my eyes out over a gallon of Haagen Daaz.

They both had something to do that morning (I think Puck was lying) so they wouldn't be over until around noon or later. Worked for me, it gave me time to go through the pantry to see what kind of snacks we had to eat while we watched movies.

While I rummaged through the cabinets and refrigerator, I heard the doorbell ring. At first thought, I suspected it was Puck; he didn't sound too busy just sleepy, maybe he decided to forgo sleeping in to come be with me, his best friend. How wrong I was.

I had the biggest smile on my face when I swung the door open to have it washed right off at the sight of Sam staring at me pitifully. Immediately, my heart lurched, but outwardly, I rolled my eyes. I did not want him to know that he was affecting me in anyway (which would seem positive for him).

"Sam, you should go." I stepped back to push the door closed but ended up meeting his hand gripping the side of the door and his foot crossing the threshold.

"Mercedes-"

"You need to step back, Sam."

"Okay, but you can't try to close the door."

"Fine, just back up." He didn't know what his presence was doing to me, or maybe he did, but whatever he knew or didn't, it took him a second to give me the space I needed. After acquiescing to my demand, he didn't say anything. "Why are you here? Because if it's just to stare at me you've had your fill, you can go."

I guess that did the trick.

"Oh, um…Are your parents home?" Or not.

"No Sam." I spoke before my conscious even registered the question. "Wait, whether my parents are her or not has nothing to do with you."

"Well, it kind of does if we're going to talk."

"Talk? Sam, we have nothing to talk about. I did all the talking with you that I'm ever going to two weeks ago."

"You talked about breaking up. I want to talk about getting back together." Huh?

"What?" I couldn't actually believe he was for real. If he'd heard anything I told him when we broke up, he wouldn't have been, but he was.

"Yeah, you have to admit we were good together, MJ."

"You have got to be kidding me. Really Sam?" Anger began to intermingle with hurt and confusion.

"I'm not joking. I want you back."

"Sam, you should go. I'm not even discussing this with you."

"Maybe you should. Mercedes look at us we used to talk and now you won't even let me into your home. This is stupid."

"No it is not. You are ridiculous, Sam, how dare you come here with that load of bull about talking. You and I both know we weren't doing that much after you kind of wanted me back after you broke up with me. Not this time, Samuel, I-we are not getting back together."

"Come on, you can't be serious."

"I can and I am, deadly so. Leave."

"Mercedes, you can't – please, I need you back. I miss you."

"We're not getting back together."

"Why not?"

"Sam, I've gone over this before, and I'm not going over this again. Just know we are over. We are going to stay over. You can go."

"Bambi," Why did he have to say that? "I can't go on without you. I need you in my life, okay. You're my girl, and I miss you. Do you even miss me? You gotta miss me. We love each other; you don't just get over that. I don't want to get over loving you. Mercedes?"

Of course, I missed him. I love him, but none of that could change the fact that I needed him out of my life, at least until I could get over him. "You don't have a choice." My voice came out mottled with the tears forming in my eyes. Through the haze, I could see his heart breaking, but I could also see his determination. He wasn't going to be giving in anytime soon (typical Sam).

"Yes I do. I don't have to give up on the best thing that's ever happened to me. I will never give up on us, Mercedes." His words broke my heart, even had me contemplating his proposition; however, when his hand ghosted over my cheek, reflexively, I jerked away. No matter the words, his actions had spoken loudly. His love was not what I needed.

Just as I separated myself from the feel of Sam's touch swiping at the tears I hadn't noticed were falling, I saw Puck bounding up the walkway towards Sam.

"Hey! Get your hands off of her!"

"Puck?" Sam spun around to face the bull raging toward him. Before I knew it, Puck was a foot away from Sam.

"I think you should leave before I make you."

"I'm not going anywhere, Puck." Sam said standing taller in protest to the scowling Puck. "What are you even doing here? You and Mercedes aren't even friends."

"Shows how much you know about the girl you claim to love. Now leave." Puck stepped closer to Sam closing all the open space between them.

"I don't-"

"If you open your mouth to say anything other than okay, I'm going to punch you in it."

Sam didn't speak, but I could see the anger simmering. This was not going to end peacefully.

They stood toe-to-toe glaring at each other. Each had testosterone rolling off of them in waves. I saw it before it happened. The look in Sam's eyes, he wasn't backing down. Just as he was about to open his stupid lips, I grabbed Puck's arm pulling him toward my door. "Please, Sam, just go. Please." I did not want to see him get his butt kicked by Puck. You're right, I did. I so did, but it wouldn't make things better. Also, I didn't want them fighting on my porch. That wouldn't be a good look for the only black people in our neighborhood.

Sam finally broke eye contact with Puck and looked at me confused. I didn't say anything. He didn't need to know about Puck and me. It was inconsequential at this point; though, Puck apparently felt differently.

"She used to be my girlfriend, and before you came along, my friend. Now, she's my best friend. That clear things up for you." The smirk planted on Puck's face was seriously taunting Sam. The boy was enjoying this too much. Before loose lips could say anything else that could cause Sam to hit him, I pulled Puck inside closing the door to a stunned Sam.

"Thanks but that was unnecessary." We stood in the doorway as I regarded the hothead beside me with mild disappointment.

"Whatever. He made you cry-"

"I was not crying." Why did he have to see that?

"I saw you wipe your eyes. Mercedes, he made you cry. So, I thought I should make him cry." I smiled at Puck shaking my head. I pushed him gently causing him to pivot backward slightly. Wus.

"Overreact much?" I turned from him and walked to the couch plopping down right in the center.

A few seconds later, Puck followed suit. I was mentally and emotionally exhausted. I hadn't expected Sam to come around so soon. I figured he'd wait a while before pulling something like this. Guess I was wrong. I scooted over to Puck and laid my head on his shoulder. We sat in silence for some time before he spoke.

"How you feeling?"

"Like my heart just got run over by a Mack truck."

"Hurt that much seeing him, huh?"

"Yeah." Puck slid his arm around my waist, causing my head to shift to his chest.

"I'm not trying to be mean, but why?" I looked up at him puzzled. "Why does being around him, I don't know, make you so sad? Why does he still get to you so much? I guess that's what I mean."

I took a deep breath and released it in a quick huff. "It wasn't seeing him. That actually kind of made me angry, but the things he said…"

"What did he say?" There was unmistakable anger in his voice. I can only imagine what he thought Sam said.

"That I was the best thing that has ever happened to him, and he'd never give up on me."

"And that made you cry?" Such a guy. He was confused for no obvious reason.

"I…I was crying because I love him. And against everything I know cognitively, I also know that he loves me. Even if he doesn't let me go, I can't be with him." Puck furrowed his brows pensively before nodding his head.

"I think I get it now. You still love him, but you can't have him."

"In a nutshell. Seeing him and hearing him say all those things just…I wanted to run into his arms and stay there forever."

"You don't need that douche's weak arms when you got these guns," he tightened his grip around my waist for emphasis, "you can stay here forever and whenever you need them all you got to do is call." I never thought this brute could be perfect in sensitive situations, and he wasn't finished surprising me. "I know you're kind of wrapped up in your Sam drama right now, but have you heard anything more about your grandma since this morning?"

"No. Dad hasn't called."

"Do you know what happened? The last time you told me about your grandma you said she was getting better and your mom was getting ready to come home."

I had to choke back the tears. Granny's health was too much to bear on top of my teenage drama. "She had a stroke. I think she also had a few grand mal seizures. I think the stress of recovery is too much."

"From the heart surgery she had a few months back?"

"Yeah, but I don't know. I just hope she makes it through this. When Mom called this morning she had just been rushed to the hospital."

I finally let the tears that had been building in my eyes fall down my cheek. I didn't make a sound; I just cried. I'm so grateful Puck didn't say anything else, but I was also thankful for his shoulder to cry on. Being in his arms at that moment letting out some of the pain I had been carrying over my granny's health was exactly what I needed. Especially since my dad wasn't there for me this time. Once the tears dried, I looked up at Puck.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. My granny…she'll pull through this."

"If she's as strong as you are, your granny will pull through this."

"Thanks, Puck." And because he was being so nice and made me feel better about the crap that was hanging over my head, I gave him a half hug with my head still resting on his chest, over his heart. He returned the gesture surrounding me with both his arms. I can't explain how secure and safe I felt in that instant snuggled in Puck's arms. He is truly a great friend. I don't think I truly realized how much so until that very moment.

When I pulled away from Puck, he was looking at me pretty intensely. I couldn't. I didn't focus on that. I was over intense or sad. I'd had enough of that just from the morning alone to last me a lifetime. "So, I have movies, popcorn, money for pizza, and Kurt should be here in a little bit; you ready to get this movie day started?"

"Yeah, what movies you got and you better not say nothing starting with Twilight and ending with any of those stupid titles describing a time of day."

"I wouldn't do that to you. Not my style anyway, but I can't speak for Kurt. I don't know what he's bringing over."

As if on cue, Kurt burst through the door with a stack of movies. "Hey you guys, I brought Twilight."

Puck leaned over to whisper into my ear. "Why did you have to invite Kurt anyway?"

I poked him in the side, "I called him before you and why not?"

Puck just rolled his eyes. "We're not watching those, Hummel."

"I'll leave that up the beautiful host. I certainly don't expect you to appreciate anything as romantic as Twilight."

Puck looked over pleading for me to shut Kurt down. Normally I wouldn't care much about anything Kurt wanted to watch. I just always let him choose, but as he made his way over to the entertainment center to start the first of those horrid films, I spoke up halting his movements. "On any other day I wouldn't mind but not today. I don't think I could stomach the smothering creepy obsession they try to pass as love. I'd rather watch some Anchorman or how about Face/Off."

"So no Twilight?" I was sure Puck was wearing a cheesy grin, and when I looked over I discovered I was right. I hit him in the arm. He didn't have to rub it in Kurt's face. It wasn't like I was doing it for him.

"No, Kurt. Just action/adventure or comedies. Maybe some horror but no rom/coms or sickly sweet love stories."

Kurt spun around clearly flummoxed. I'd never turned down any movie with romance, even those I really hated. I'm just that kind of girl. Romantic soul and all. But what I had forgotten was I had just finished crying and my eyes were red and puffy. Kurt rushed over to the couch almost sitting on my lap when he threw himself beside me.

"Mercedes, what's the matter?"

I didn't say anything. Not at first. I debated over telling him now or later because there wasn't a question of whether or not I was telling Kurt everything. I just didn't know if I wanted to rehash all those emotions so soon following.

I will never block him out of my life ever again. I need him. I'll always need him.

Kurt looked past me to the oaf sitting on the other side of me. "Do you know what happened?"

"Yeah, but it's up to her if she wants to tell you."

"So tell me." Kurt said looking at me.

"Okay."

So, I told him. Everything. All of it. Everything Sam said. I even told him about the almost fight between he and Puck. I didn't have to tell him about my granny. He already knew about that.

"Wow. Of course he wants you back, Mercedes you're the best catch, sweetie. Are you okay?"

I took a deep breath, "Yeah. I don't know. It's like he was saying all the right things, but how can I believe him?"

"You shouldn't."

"I don't, Puck, but it doesn't hurt any less or make me wish he was here any less."

Puck pulled away from me sliding to the end of the couch. Though, Kurt seemed not to notice, Puck and I were still sitting side by side with his arm still draped over my hip when he joined us on the couch.

"I know." Puck said not even looking at me. The distance between he and I was jarring. For some reason, it bothered me that he'd chosen to move away from me.

"That had to throw a greasy, bacon, loaded cheeseburger in your 'get over Sam' diet."

"A little but I'm fine. I had Puck's guns for protection." I smiled to myself thinking back on what he'd said earlier.

Kurt surveyed me then shook his head and sat back. "Okay, since there's no way we're watching anything I want to after that, what are we going to watch?"

I thought about it for a minute then went to pick out a movie. On my way over, I glanced in Puck's direction. He'd been quiet for a bit, and when I saw him he was looking at me but quickly averted his eyes. I brushed it off; I didn't want to waste brain power trying to figure out what was going on with him because I knew I would come up empty.

I opened the case, popped the movie in the Blue-ray player, and returned to my previous spot in the center of the couch. Puck was silently slouched leaning on the arm of the sofa, while Kurt was sitting a few inches away from me the picture of perfect posture with his legs crossed.

"What did you pick?"

"21 Jump Street. The perfect movie for all of us. Comedy and action, not to mention Mr. Channing Tatum in all his fineness."

I expected a reaction from Puck for my blatant ogling of Channing, but he didn't make a peep. Kurt was still with me though.

"I guess if I can't have Twilight and Edward, then he's a good substitute. Did you ever see Magic Mike?"

"No. Sam and I-no. Didn't get a chance, but you and me next weekend, I'll rent it?"

"I've seen it, but I will not complain about seeing Tatum's perky butt again. It's a date." He paused as the movie menu popped up, "Are you sure you're okay, 'Cedes?"

I looked him in his eyes, "I am perfectly fine, right now I have you and Puck. That's enough for me." He smiled and gave my hand a squeeze. The movie began and I leaned into Kurt's side resting my head atop his shoulder.

In the middle of the movie I had to pause it to get popcorn for Kurt and order the pizza. Puck didn't say anything (party pooper), but I knew he was hungry. His stomach spoke up for the spontaneous mute.

By the time the second movie started, the pizza had arrived and was halfway eaten along with the bowl of popcorn. Everyone was finished with their food, so I took the dishes to the kitchen. Feeling sluggish when I returned to the family room, I joined the boys, but instead of sitting, I laid my head in Kurt's lap putting my feet in Puck's.

As soon as my head hit Kurt's legs his hand went to my hair running it through his fingers. I had no intention of moving for a very long time. But things are never that simple when Puck is involved. The silent, presumably brooding, teenager pushed my feet from his lap. "Feet, Merce."

"Yeah, so?"

"Feet. Kurt gets your head, and I get your feet." Kurt stopped his fiddling, but I pat his hand telling him to keep going.

"What's wrong with that?"

Puck sputtered, "Uh-well-uh…before Kurt got here I was good enough for your head and now I get your crusty feet."

"I don't have crusty feet, punk, and besides I always lay my head in Kurt's lap. He plays with my hair." Puck just looked at me as if I'd spoken Russian or something. The things I do. "Kurt, do you mind if I change position?" I said rolling my eyes at Puck.

"No," he said slowly.

"Okay," I sat up and flipped my position laying my head on Puck's leg, "you happy now, you big baby. Just so you know, you saw that little thing Kurt was doing with my hair? That's your job now, so, get to it." Then I mumbled under my breath, "Don't know why you even care considering you haven't spoken but two words to me since Kurt got here." Why did he have to be so difficult? Everything was just fine between us before Kurt showed.

"No problem. I am much happier thank you."

"Whatever, just get to it." I grabbed a pillow placing it on his lap, and then placed my head on the pillow. I didn't expect Puck to comply. He's just not that accommodating, but soon I felt his fingers in my hair. For a few seconds he just played with my tresses then he did something I definitely wasn't expecting. Puck sunk his hands into my hair and began to massage my scalp. Thank goodness I had recently washed my hair because if not his fingers would have met with a greasy mess. It was unbelievable how gentle his touch was. He worked his way from the base of my neck to the front making a pit stop at my temple rubbing soft circles causing my eyes to flutter shut. He kneaded there for a few minutes until he glided his fingers back towards my hairline repeating the spherical pattern.

I don't know if it was a purr, moan, or a very throaty hum, but it escaped me and his fingers stopped. My eyes popped open hating the lack of motion not happening on my skull.

"Hey, don't stop. That…felt really good, Puck." I expected, well I should know by now not to expect anything from Puck, but I did and he did not match my expectations. Instead of picking up where he left off, he pushed my head from his lap.

"Uh, I got to go to the bathroom." He raced to the bathroom like a pregnant lady in her third trimester. I sat up on the couch.

"What's his problem?"

"Maybe it was that two liter bottle of root beer he drank."

"Yeah, I forgot about that." I slumped back on the sofa and waited for Puck to return so he could commence with the utterly calming and satisfying scalp massage.

After like two minutes (mind out of the gutter), he came back. "Hey you, you ready to pick up where you left off?"

"Uh no. Let Hummel finish; I'm not your slave." I rolled my eyes. What crawled up his butt?

"Whatever. You're the one who wanted to switch spots with Kurt."

"Not anymore."

"Fine." He was rubbing me the wrong way (not literally, literally he rubbed me the right way). I got up from the couch and moved to my dad's club chair sitting with my legs folded under me. For the next couple of hours, Puck sat in silence watching the movies while Kurt and I gabbed about scenes, wardrobe, and the actors.

After the umpteenth movie, I looked at the clock and noticed it was beyond late. "Well, I had no idea it was this late."

"What time is it?" Kurt said.

"Two thirty."

"Oh my, I have to go. Dad, Finn, and I have this male bonding trip or something tomorrow. He's trying to find something to bond the three of us. I've got to get going. I have to be up in like five hours."

"Aww, Kurt, you can't go."

"I'm sorry, 'Cedes, I can't bail. The last time dad planned this I blew him off. I can't do it a second time."

"I understand. I just wish you could stay with me."

"Me too. Next time?"

"You know it."

Kurt collected his things making his way to the door with Puck following silently.

"Where are you going?"

"Home."

"Oh no you don't. I don't care if you haven't talked to me for most of the night you are staying."

It was basically a done deal; I don't know why he thought he needed to stand in the doorway gawking at me.

"'Cedes, if you-"

"Good night, sweetie, I don't want to come between you and your father-son-stepbrother bonding time. Puck's staying. Right, Puck?" He ran his hand through his Mohawk roughly.

"Yeah, Hummel, go on. I'm staying."

As Kurt exited the door, Puck closed it behind him taking out his phone. He looked down and saw my questioning eyes. "I've got to ask my mom if it's okay if I stay."

"Okay."

I had a piece of mind to go to the kitchen to allow him some privacy where I could eavesdrop in secret, but my bladder had other plans.

When I returned he was sitting on the couch.

"So, what'd she say?"

"At first she said no. She went into this tirade about 'what kind of fool did I think she was.' Then I told her about your grandma and that Kurt and I were here to keep you company because of that and that when it came time for us to leave you didn't want us to. After that she agreed."

I sunk into the sofa beside him. "So basically you led her to believe Kurt is still here." Puck turned his face to me with a smile stretching across his lips (he should do that more often).

He shrugged his shoulders, "It's what I do, but honestly, you know my mom, she would have never okayed me staying here alone with you without Kurt being here. Even though you have the situation with your grandma."

No one else may have known we were together, but Ms. Puckerman knew. I agreed. He was so right. His mom is way more strict than either of my parents. My dad tries, but I'm his little princess, bat a lash and he's putty in my hands. Puck's mom tries to keep a tight leash on her son, but you can keep Puck tied down only so much. "Yeah, I know."

A yawn escaped me; it had been a long day, from the early morning emergency call to Sam's impromptu visit.

"You sleepy?"

"If the massive yawn that just came from me wasn't an indicator, let me say, yes."

"Me too. I didn't sleep in this morning like I planned-"

"I didn't force you to come so early. That was your own doing."

"Whatever, Merce, since I'm not as acquainted with your house as some-" I narrowed my eyes and shook my head (he couldn't be serious). "Too soon?"

"What do you think?"

"Right, so, this is a big house, there has to be a guestroom around here somewhere, so, show me where it is."

"Nope. You are sleeping with me." I didn't have to guess what went through Puck's dirty little mind. Even if he hadn't stiffened and turned his eyes from mine, I would have known he would take me literally.

"Mind out of the gutter; Puckerman, I mean on the blow up mattress in my room."

"I knew that." He turned to look at me trying to feign innocence.

"Sure, you did." I said getting up from the couch. "Come on, we keep the mattress in the guestroom closet." I grabbed his hand helping him up from the sofa to follow me to the room down the hall.

When we got to my room, Puck put the mattress beside my bed and started blowing it up. While he did that, I got the linens from the hallway closet. He had finished inflating the bed when I returned; so, I tossed them to him to make his bed. For five minutes, I watched him not make the bed. I couldn't believe he had no idea what he was doing. "Give me those sheets. How do you not know how to make a bed?"

Puck tossed me the covers and stood watching me make his bed. "I don't make my bed."

"You never make your bed?" He had to be lying.

"Nope. I don't. My mom does it."

"Bad boy Puck needs his mommy to make his bed." I tried my best at a Betty Bop-esque voice. All I got for my effort was a lifted brow from my bedfellow.

"Not really, I could care less. She just does 'cause she changes my sheets. If it was up to me, they would probably never get changed."

"That's gross, Noah."

"I'm not complaining. You done yet? That's exactly why I don't bother. It takes too long."

"Yeah, I'm done; stop your whining you big baby." I walked around the makeshift bed to pinch his cheek. He didn't see it coming.

"Ouch."

"Next time I do something nice for you, you say thank you instead of complaining. Got it?"

"Crystal."

Puck kicked off his shoes and pulled back the covers. Before he got in, I stopped him. "Hey, my dad has gym shorts; you want me to get you a pair. I'm sure he has a pair he hasn't worn yet. It's not like he even goes to the gym."

"Yeah, if you can find a pair."

I ran to my parent's room and found a pair of brand new gym shorts.

"Here, even though you aren't as acquainted with my house as some other people, I'm sure you still remember where my bathroom is, right?"

"So you can make jokes, but I can't?" He bumped my hip with his as he passed me headed toward the bathroom connected to my room.

"It's my life. I reserve all rights."

He shook his head smiling and entered the bathroom.

As soon as he closed the door, I quickly changed into my cami and pajama shorts and hopped into bed. Before the covers were pulled up, Puck was walking through the door dressed in only the shorts. Just the shorts that sat low on his waist. His defined abdomen and muscled chest bare. I can admit I ogled for a second (and maybe he was too my covers still weren't up). It'd been a while since I'd been around a half naked guy. Sue me.

He noticed.

"You like what you see." He wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively before climbing into bed.

"Maybe." I'm such a lame. He chuckled softly as he closed his eyes. I settled into bed lying on my side facing my roommate. We didn't say anything else. He actually hadn't spoken with me much since Kurt showed and only seemed to lighten up a little after he'd left. He'd been like that for a while. Hot and cold. More open and less grumpy, old man when it was just me and him, however, enter Kurt into the equation and he'd get whiny and irritable. I don't know. I don't have time to commit to figuring him out when I need to focus all my energy on myself. I can't even say if he's still doing that now, not that it matters. I've become immune to Puck's mood swings.

I lay in bed gazing at the enigma stretched out on the mattress with his eyes closed. I wasn't thinking of anything in particular or at all, but that didn't stop me from missing his lips move or the words that slipped past them.

"Merce!"

"Huh?"

"Did you hear me?"

"No…I-"

"Was just zoned out thinking about Sam?"

"Nope."

"You don't have to lie to me."

"I'm not." A part of me wanted to get mad at Puck for not believing me, but what was the point. It wasn't like I hadn't lied to him before, even if I wasn't now.

"Not even a little?"

"Not even a little."

"Molesting me in your mind?"

I laughed. A full out snorting embarrass myself laugh. It was the first time since breaking up with Sam. "You're hot Puck; I'll give you that nugget but no. For once, I wasn't thinking of anything. Nothing."

I rolled over onto my back mirroring Puck's position. With my eyes closed, I felt myself drifting to slumber. Before the sandman could claim me as his victim, I heard Puck's voice and opened my eyes.

"You sleep?"

"Almost, what's up?"

"I…" He fell silent.

"Yeah?"

"I just wanted to say that Sam doesn't deserve you. He never did."

"Thanks."

"It's true."

I closed my eyes and smiled.

"I'm glad you stayed."

"Me too," he said softly.

"Good night, Noah."

"Good night, Mercedes."