TMW Chapter 36

Puck POV

We'd loss. We've always lost, that was nothing new, but for some reason I was much more agitated about it than usual. Maybe because I blamed Sam's loose fingers for dropping the ball so many times or that I had to put up with him outside of football if only for the girl I love. Doesn't matter, but because of my temperament, I'd decided that cornering Sam after the game was a good idea.

Maybe it wasn't a good idea. And maybe I knew that, but I did it anyway.

Sam's a preener. He's always the last to leave the lockers after a game, after practice, every time. I've heard - probably from Hummel – that it's because he waits until everyone's showered before he goes in. I don't know. I don't keep tabs on Sam, but this meant I had to stay longer than I usually do in the musty, rank, crowded locker room. I like to handle my business fast and be out a quickly as possible. I hung back until only Sam and me were the only ones left. The things I do for Mercedes.

"Hey. We need to talk." I didn't wait for him to agree or disagree. Didn't matter, we were talking whether he liked it or not.

"I don't want to hear anything you have to say about the game."

"I don't want to talk about how you crapped all over the game-"

"Puck, look, don't start with me. Tonight is not the night."

"I'm making it the night." I said advancing toward Sam whose back was still turned to me.

"I'm not in the mood to keep my fist from pounding your face so you should just shut up." Sam jerked around to me with his fists balled at his sides. Who did he think he was scaring? Not me. Not ever.

"I'd like to see you make me." This wasn't the goal and Mercedes would not be happy to hear I kicked Sam's butt, but he'd issued a challenge, and I ain't the type to back down.

And neither was Sam, I guess, because he swung and landed a solid punch to my eye. Before the pain registered, I tackled him hard taking him down. We scuffled on the floor of the disgusting locker room. One minute he had the upper hand and the next I'm beating the life out of him. Eventually, we gave out of steam and sort of ended up with our arms locked around each other's necks. Nobody was budging. I wasn't going to let go and Sam sure had a tight hold on me. I tried tightening my hold – against my better judgement – to choke him out, but I was too drained. What was I thinking trying to kick butt after playing as many minutes as I did in the game? I was done and so was Sam based on the slack I felt around my neck. But I wasn't going to give up no matter how much I wanted to.

"Look man, we're both too beat to keep this up."

"Maybe you are."

"Puck, if my arms weren't numb I could punch you and you wouldn't be able to do a thing about it. You're done and so am I. Just let go."

"You let go." I heard him sigh.

"Okay, on three then?"

"Fine."

He counted but I didn't let go.

"Dang it, Puck, I'm tired stop being stupid. On three." He screamed into my face.

This time I caved when he got to three. When we separated, we both rolled onto our backs panting. I needed to say something, that's what this was about – me talking to him – but I couldn't open my mouth except to take in deep breaths.

I ain't a girl. I didn't know what to say. How to start. So, I almost let the moment slip. Sam was standing at his locker grabbing his stuff when I finally figured it out.

"I don't like you." I grumbled with my back still on the floor and my eyes glaring at him as he turned to glance in my direction.

"I don't like you. So?"

This prick. "So that means that when you break Mercedes' heart this time around –because you will if she lets you – I will have no problem crippling you."

"I'd like to see you try."

"Hurt her and you'll see me succeed."

Sam groaned then I heard him start walking but not toward the showers.

I quickly hopped up to stop him. "Wait."

"Puck…" The warning in his voice made me want to throw a cleat in his face. If it wasn't for Mercedes, I would have kicked out his teeth.

"Sam," I mumbled through clenched teeth. "Mercedes is – she's an amazing girl with an enormous heart. She forgives when she shouldn't and forgets just as easily. I ain't her."

"I have no intention of hurting Mercedes ever again."

"I bet you didn't think you were doing anything to break her heart the first time around." Sam wearily turned to face me. But this time he didn't say anything. "We never do, but somehow it happens and I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure Mercedes isn't hurt like that ever again. By anyone."

"I get what you're saying; I do, but it doesn't apply to me. Mercedes' happiness is all I'm concerned about."

"Me too."

"Then what is this really about?"

"It's about me doing something for Mercedes."

"Are you trying to say Mercedes asked you to fight me?"

"Don't be a jerk. No, but she has asked me to be something like your friend for her sake. Not recently but she has. For the record, I will never be anything close to your friend ever." Sam shrugged his shoulders. "To me, you exist and that is the extent of that, but only for Mercedes. If it wasn't for her, you wouldn't even exist to me."

"Fine by me. I don't like you as much or maybe more than you don't like me. But I get it. You would do anything for her. I would too. So, I get it. I don't know all of the story. She never told me – I asked but she never said. She didn't have to say anything. I don't always catch on or see much but I can see this."

"Dude, what are you talking about?" I had no idea where he was going or what he was talking about, but that didn't stop him.

"Mercedes has changed. I've noticed and I bet you have too. It's because of you. You and Kurt." He went on but I only caught bits and pieces it was late and I was beat. I hate to say literally but you get the point. I kind of dozed off for a minute when I snapped awake he was talking more gibberish.

"When I think about it, I haven't done anything for Mercedes…" He paused to think about it. "Not really, but I can do this…for her. I won't stand in your way. She doesn't look at me the same anymore. It's you."

It seemed like he was talking to himself. There was this dazed look in his eye. Maybe he was still talking to me, but I didn't care. I'd had enough of his crazy talk, so, I left.