Mercedes glanced at the time; it was Quarter to 12, and Sam had been gone for about an hour. As they headed home, his mom called with a venue emergency. Apparently, the tables arrived filthily, and they had to clean them to dry throughout the night. She offered to head over and help his dad and brother with him, but he just gave her a kiss on the forehead and said he would be back. After grabbing a snack and watching some lame show choir show that really didn't use the real and genuine talent that the show had, she drifted off to sleep. She felt someone move her hair from her face, but the familiar touch caused her to keep her eyes closed.
Sam shook her once more, and she sleepily groaned. "Five more minutes." She grunted as Sam pulled her up to him and carried her to the bed. She felt him lay her down and kiss her forehead, but when he pulled away, she frowned. "Don't." She mumbled.
"What?" she heard Sam ask, and she just pulled him to the bed with her and snuggled closer to him. Sam sighed, giving in, and she felt his arms wrap around her. She turned and snuggled into his chest, feeling Sam's hands roam over her body. "What are you doing to me, Merce? Why am I digging myself in deeper? You have this hold on me, Merce; you always have. God, I have loved you longer than I could remember, but our friendship, that's more important than anything to me. I want to be everything you need. I really do. But I don't know if I can."
Mercedes wanted to speak up, but she couldn't; she was just so tired. And her saying she loved him just came out as a grunt and hiss. Sam laughed, shaking his head. "Uh-huh, I love you too."
He said, knowing what she meant even though her sleepy state. "I really truly do, my beautiful best friend."
As she dozed off, she couldn't help but enjoy the way she fit perfectly into Sam's arms.
Mercedes awoke against a hard chest. She raised her head, seeing Sam was lying next to her, and they were tangled up in each other's arms. She froze for a moment until she realized she was fully dressed.
"How did I get in here?"
Sam stirred, stretching out. "I brought you, and then you forced me to cuddle. I want you to know it was against my will and I feel violated."
"Mercedes laughed, shaking her head. "Liar. You love the cuddles."
Sam sighed, sitting up; Mercedes followed suit. "How is the backyard?"
"Should be good; we just needed to clean off and set up the tables."
Mercedes nodded. "So we should probably get dressed. I am sure it's gonna take you a while to get wedding level hotness."
Sam laughed. "It's like you get me, Merce."
He stood off the bed. "Go take your shower; I will go after you."
She nodded, grabbing her things and walking out of the room. Once she made it to the bathroom, she stared at herself in the mirror. Was last night a dream? All the words Sam said, or she thought Sam said to her? Maybe that's just what she wanted him to say. Shaking off her feelings, she knew one thing was for sure, she needed to figure out her feelings quickly.
Mercedes smiled, walking through the house and to the back door. She was immediately pulled to the side by Rachel. Mercedes frowned, pulling her arm away from the girl. "Rachel, what the hell do you want?"
"I just, I wanted to apologize. Seeing you and Sam together brought out a side of me that I am not proud of. It's just I love him so much."
"And yet you dumped him."
"Because I was foolish!" Rachel sighed, shaking her head, "I look at Quinn and Mike, and I just think about how that should be Sam and me, and how I should have listened to him all those times he said you were just like a sister to him. I pushed him right into your arms!"
Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"I just wanted you to know that I am sorry for all I did. I just love him so much. And I know a part of him still loves me. I know he does. He and Mike are talking about me right now, and I just want you to know I have no hard feelings, whatever happens."
Rachel walked away, and Mercedes shook her head, needing to find Sam. this was getting ridiculous; she needed to talk to him; going over to the flower bridal arch, she stopped hearing Sam talk.
"Look, I know it all happened, but I can't help how I feel about her; getting dumped just made that even more clear. My eyes are open, and in truth, I think I always knew we would come back together."
"Are you sure? I am all for love. I am marrying the love of my life, but with everything that happened, you need to be sure."
"I am sure, Mike. Everything that happened with Rachel made everything crystal clear. I just need to find her and tell her I love her."
"I guess breaking up with someone, or I know I know getting dumped makes you reevaluate how you are feeling."
"Yeah, it does."
Mercedes froze, Rachel was right, and Mercedes felt like the biggest idiot in the world. She had to leave; there was no other option. She stepped away from where Sam and Mike were and made up her mind. After the ceremony, she would tell them she had to head back to New York a day early. She wasn't going to stay and watch Sam and Rachel get back together. Once she was away from Sam, all of her awkward feelings would leave. She was sure.
As the wedding started, Mercedes watched as Sam escorted Rachel down the aisle. He whispered something in her ear, and she nodded, walking over to her side. Mercedes locked eyes with Rachel, who gave her a slight smirk. One that told Mercedes whatever Sam said was enough to make Rachel believe she won.
Mercedes glanced over at Sam and found him looking at her. He mouthed, "Are you okay" and she nodded with a lie. She didn't think she would ever be okay. After the ceremony, Rachel stood up and cleared her throat, giving her maid of honor speech.
"You know Quinn, and I was unlikely best friends. She literally was the only person who got me, well, that is until Sam came along. When Quinn met Mike, I knew it was true love. I knew that she found her person. And that is why I am standing here with confidence, saying that I finally get it. I get how it's okay to be vulnerable because it's expected of you when you are in love. Sam, I am sorry I broke up with you. I was so scared of the love I felt, scared because you were someone I could see spending my life with. And I know I have owed you and your family this apology for a long time. But love makes you do things you never expected. Like, make a total fool of yourself. Anyways to Quinn and Mike, thank you for showing me what real love looks like. May you have all the happiness and love this world has to offer."
Mercedes stared at a wide eye Sam, looking at Rachel, and she couldn't tell if he was looking out of anger or shock. As the others stood to give their speeches, Mercedes stood walking away from the reception; she needed to get some air even if they were outside. She walked away and felt someone grab her arm.
"Merce, where are you going?"
She turned to see Sam staring at her. She stood tall with a small smile. "I uh got a phone call. I have to get back home by tonight. I am so sorry. But things seem to be looking up for you, you know?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean with Rachel. She basically told the world how much she loves you, and I dunno maybe you still love her too, maybe this is a good thing."
"What are you saying?"
"I am saying that you guys never got closure."
"Can't get that when you are getting dumped."
Mercedes sighed. "Well, now you can talk about how you feel and everything. Clear the air. It's a good thing."
Sam frowned. "Is it?"
"You tell me? But I should go, and you know I am glad I was here for you, but maybe, you shouldn't come to the retreat next week. With everything that's going on, it might cause problems."
Sam took her hand and shook his head, "Look, you are right, Rachel and I do need to talk, and we will. But I made you a promise, and I will come and help you get that promotion."
"But what about everything? Pretty sure after that talk, things might change."
"You are my person, Mercedes Jones. Nothing will change that. You come first, always and forever. And whoever I am with, if I am with them, has to understand that. I bought my ticket, and I will fly on Thursday, period. Now, do you need me to drive you to the Airport?"
She shook her head. "No, I called an uber it's okay, Sam enjoy the wedding."
She stepped back but then moved closer to him as if she had no control over her body. Wrapping her arms around Sam's neck, she kissed him deeply. Sam pulled her close, returning the kiss as his arms wrapped around her waist. She nipped his bottom lip before placing her forehead against his.
Sam sighed breathlessly. "No one is around. What was that for?"
She shrugged. "Just wanted to get one more in before we are separated for a few days. Make sure we are still believable."
Sam slowly pulled away from her. "I'd say we are."
She smiled. "Good. I am gonna use my spare key to grab my stuff. Be happy, Sam, no matter where that trail might lead."
He nodded, watching her walk towards the uber that pulled up. Mercedes waved at Sam feeling heaviness in her heart. Why did walking away from Sam feel like she was walking away from her future?