Thank you for your continued support.
Standard disclaimer.
At nine the next morning, Sam could no longer hold off on going to Mercedes' parents' house.
Despite his objections, Noah and Stacie had insisted on accompanying him on the flight to Florida and to the hotel afterwards.
Apparently, the two of them had decided between them, that he needed some moral support.
And since it was a little difficult to throw a man off his own plane, he had been forced, to settle for company, that he hadn't really needed.
But what he actually needed, was a good kick in the ass, for the way he had fucked up his life so completely.
He was pretty sure that Mercedes would be happy to provide him with that, should she ever speak to him again, after the way he had treated her.
It was late, by the time they landed in Pensacola and he had been reluctant to drop in on Mercedes and her family, on the off chance that they were sleeping.
Instead, Noah had ushered them to a waiting car at the airport and then, to a local beachfront resort.
Sam still couldn't believe what had happened.
Had there ever been a worse time, to completely lose it with someone?
Of course, he had had no way of knowing, that she had suffered such a tragic loss, but it didn't excuse him for taking his frustrations out on her.
She had done nothing but take her cues from him.
He had called her every night he had been out of town, and their conversations almost always had some kind of intimate content.
He hadn't just been checking in on things at the office, in fact, their evening talks hadn't related to business at all, and they both knew it.
He had called Quinn from the airport and done what he should have done from the beginning...told her, he loved Mercedes.
He had asked that she make other arrangements, for somewhere to stay immediately. He ended the call by apologizing, for letting things get as far as they had.
True, they hadn't had sex or anything approaching a physical relationship, but he had let things coast between them, as he struggled to accept the depth of his feelings for Mercedes.
He was at fault for creating this whole mess, the minute he had allowed Quinn to stay with him.
He had no idea if she planned to return to B rant, but hoped she would give herself time to find out who she was and what she really wanted, without a man making her decisions.
Sam picked up the keys that Noah had dropped off a few moments ago.
Noah thought it would be wise to have a car, in case Mercedes wasn't comfortable with him staying.
What the other man had meant, of course, was that, he thought she would kick him out on sight.
Sam had to smile, when he made it to the parking area and found the rental car.
Noah had just said that it was a silver sedan with his name on it.
He hadn't questioned how that was possible, until he saw the silver BMW, sitting in the first parking space, with a sign across the windshield that said SAM EVANS.
Leave it to Noah to rent a luxury car.
Luckily, the hotel was also on Santa Rosa Island where Mercedes' parents lived.
So, after taking a moment to familiarize himself with his surroundings, he was on his way.
The drive took less than five minutes. No doubt Noah
had planned it that way.
He pulled into the driveway at the Jones' house, just as Boston walked through the side yard, holding a cigarette...or what Sam hoped was just a cigarette.
They met on the sidewalk and Sam noted the younger man's fatigue, as he dropped the cigarette to the ground and squashed it under the foot of his flip-flop.
He didn't know why he did it, other than that, Boston looked like he needed it, but he pulled him into a hug, instead of a handshake.
Boston returned the embrace before pulling back.
"Hey, man, I wondered where you were."
"Hey, Boston, I came as soon as I found out. How's everyone holding up?"
Unlike their previous meeting, Sam thought Boston looked painfully sober now. Losing his sister, seemed to have matured him, almost overnight.
"About like you'd expect. Mom is completely zoned out on something, Dad is trying to act normal, and Merce is trying to pretend, that she isn't hiding out in the bathroom to cry. The neighbors and Mom's crazy friends, have brought enough food by to feed an army. Every time they come, they try to force-feed me. It's quiet now, but the crowd will be here soon."
Confused, Sam asked, "The crowd?"
"Oh yeah." Boston grimaced. "From the moment we found out, there has been someone here. It was like a revolving door yesterday, and I don't expect today to be any better. The service is tomorrow afternoon. It's one of those all-in-one, where the visitation is right before the funeral."
"Is there anything I can do for you or your family?" Sam asked.
"No, thanks, man. Just...take care of Merce, okay?"
Sam nodded in response and followed the younger man into the house.
Mr and Mrs. Jones, were sitting side by side on the sofa in the living room.
Sam thought fleetingly, that Boston wasn't the only one who had aged overnight.
Mrs. Jones looked pale and lifeless.
The vivacious woman that he'd met a few weeks ago, seemed to have disappeared and in her place, sat a woman ravaged by grief.
Mr. Jones, also seemed to have lost his happy, relaxed air.
The love was still obvious on his face, as he looked at his wife, but now, that emotion was also tinged with devastation and concern.
They were in the midst of every parent's nightmare...outliving a child.
Since Mercedes was nowhere in sight, he stood there uncertainly, not wanting to intrude on a private moment.
But then, Boston spoke up behind him.
"Hey, look who I found outside."
Mrs. Jones stood up, walking over to him slowly. She put her hand on his arm, before pulling him into a hug.
He returned the embrace gently.
"I'm so glad you're here...Merce needs you." She stepped back, wiping her eyes. Mr. Jones stood next to his wife, extending his hand.
"I'm glad you could make it, Sam. I believe Mercy's upstairs in her room, if you want to go see her."
The doorbell sounded in the foyer, and Boston turned to answer it, as Sam made his way slowly up the stairs.
He stood outside Mercedes' door uncertainly.
Maybe, he had been wrong to come, he thought.
He didn't want to be the cause of more stress in her life, but God, he needed to be here for her.
If she asked him to leave, he would, he vowed, regardless of what he wanted.
Sam knocked on the door and when he heard her voice, he opened it.
It took him a moment to locate her in the darkened room.
The bed was empty as well as the chair.
But he finally saw her, sitting against the wall of the window seat.
She was facing away from him and he stood waiting for her cue. Finally, she asked,
"Why are you here, Sam?"
He lowered himself to the seat beside her, so he could study her face.
Much like her parents, hers was also pale and somber.
Her hair was mussed, as if she had drawn a hand through it many times, and her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen, giving truth to Boston's statement, of her crying in the bathroom.
"I'm sorry, Mercedes. I came as soon as I found out."
In a voice completely devoid of humor, she asked,
"Aren't you afraid I'm going to maul you again?"
"Merce," he breathed, "I'm so sorry. There has been a lot going on, that I should have told you about. It's no excuse, but I'm so damn sorry."
When she looked at him in shock, clearly believing the worst, he hastened to add,
"Shit, not what you're thinking. I don't want to throw all of this on you now, but I promise you, you're it for me."
She looked away again and Sam had no idea, whether she believed a word out of his mouth.
He knew they needed to talk, but it was hardly the appropriate time.
For now all he wanted, was to be there for her and her family, if she would let him.
There would be time later, to find out where they stood.
Right now, he would do the only thing he could...he would love her.
Stay safe!