A couple of new characters in this chapter.

I do not own Glee or its characters

Saturday September 5th

I dart up in bed and yell out her name before I groan out in pain. My mouth tastes horrible and my head is pounding. I glance around the room and then look down at myself. I have on a jacket, my briefs and one sneaker. No shirt, no pants and no socks. I move to stand but my head has other plans. I fall back on the pillow and close my eyes. What the fuck was that!? It was a dream, wasn't it? What the hell is up with my clothes? How much did I drink last night? I know it was a dream, too out there to be anything else. I suddenly realize the chiming from my phone, so I lean over and pick it up from the nightstand, turn off the alarm and then fall back on the pillow. I unlock the phone and start to read over our text exchange from last night. I cringe and groan at some of my responses to her. I'm glad she ended our conversation before my interrogation went too far. Just as I am about to lock the phone again, a text arrives.

Good morning babe

Morning beautiful

How are you

Hungover. I guess I had a little too much to drink last night too

Are you OK

Yes just sorry for the way I acted last night

The phone rings and I answer it on the first ring. "Hi baby." I pull my jacket off and kick the single shoe towards the closet.

"Babe, it's alright. I should have just answered you, but I didn't see the use in having you get worked up about me getting hit on at the bar."

"I know. I already knew the answer to the question. I was being an ass and I apologize baby. Please forgive me."

"I forgive you."

"I'm glad you just ended the conversation."

"Yeah, I could tell where it was headed and didn't want to go there. Why did you get so worked up about it?"

"I don't know. I'm sure the alcohol played a huge part in it and I also hate the idea of any man approaching you in that way. I want everyone to know you are taken."

"Trust me anyone who needs to know that I am taken knows."

"How?"

"I tell them silly."

"Alright, I'm going to drop it. So, are we still on for the mall?"

"Yes sir. I'm going to head out in a few minutes to pick up Ally and then we are meeting Spencer and Alistair for brunch. Have you eaten?"

"No, I haven't."

"You and Zack want to join us?"

"It will just be me and I'd love to."

"Why no Zack?"

"He slept over at a friend's last night."

"Sam, why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you were already out with your girlfriends."

"But babe, I would have much rather spent the night with you."

"Me too but I didn't want to pull you away from them."

"Babe, I've never, ever been into the bar scene so me going to one with them last night was just something to do. I didn't want to stay in alone and if I had of known you were on your own, I would have been there with you."

"I'm kicking myself for not calling you."

"You should. Just call me next time. Any time there is an opportunity for us to spend time alone together, especially a night, I want to. If I have plans and can break them, I will."

"Same goes for me."

"OK, babe. I'm going to head out now. We are meeting at Baileys on Freemont Avenue at 10:30. I'll see you there."

"See you there beautiful." I end the call and then head toward the bathroom to shower.

I arrive at Baileys about five minutes early. I go inside and take a seat in the waiting area as I take out my phone to text Zack.

Morning son

Morning dad

Is your mother picking you up from Aaron's

Yes

OK. I hope you have a good visit. Text or call me if you need anything

I will dad. Thanks and I'm sorry for being such a brat yesterday

It's OK and I'm sorry too. We will talk about it when you get back

OK

"Sam?" I look up and see Spencer walking toward me. I extend my hand and shake his. "It's good to see you again." He winks and me and I stiffen a bit. Why would he wink at me?

I clear my throat and shake off the weird feeling that just washed over me. "Um, it's good to see you again too. Thanks for letting me crash your brunch."

"Ah, don't mention it. The more, the merrier." We release hands and he gestures with his head for me to follow. "We're already seated, still waiting on the girls of course."

"Oh, of course." We near the table and Alistair stands to greet me. "Hey Alistair. How are you?" We shake hands before taking our seats.

"I'm good, Sam. How you been?" The way he is looking at me makes me a little uncomfortable. A knowing smirk with somewhat squinty eyes. I quickly shake my head. I'm tripping, right?

I clear my throat again. "Doing well, thanks." The waiter approaches and takes our drink order. As he leaves, my phone begins to ring. I pull it out of my pocket and see that it is my girl. "Hey you."

"Hey there. Where are you?"

"I'm here with Spencer and Alistair just waiting on our beautiful yet nearly tardy dates to join us."

She giggles. "OK, we just parked. Be there in a sec."

"OK."

"Where are they?"

"They just parked."

"OK, I'll go get them." Spencer grins at me, stands and leaves the table.

I look over at Alistair and see him still smirking at me. And then he winks at me too. Ok, what is happening? I'm sure I have a confused expression on my face. I swallow the lump that has subsequently formed in my throat just as he speaks. "I am happy for you and Cedes. You seem like a good match."

I exhale softly and nod my head. "Believe me Alistair, I met my match the day I met – " My words are interrupted when Ally throws her arms around his neck.

"Pop A! You've been gone too long. What did you bring me?" The two of them fall into an animated conversation about Alistair's trip to Los Angeles and all the souvenirs he bought her. I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn my head to meet the dark brown eyes of my girl.

"Hi beautiful."

"Hey there." I stand and give her a quick hug as I kiss the side of her head. I pull out the chair next to me for her to sit. The waiter returns with our drinks and then takes their drink order. I try to inconspicuously pull her chair closer to mine but get caught by Spencer who just laughs and shakes his head at me. I smile shyly and look up to meet Ally's eyes.

"Sam! Oh my goodness. I didn't even see you there." She jumps up, runs around the table and throws her arms around my neck. "Where's Zack?"

"He spent the night with his friend Aaron last night."

"Lucky." She said it so softly I don't think anybody heard but I sure did. Oh boy, first Zack, now her. She smiles at me when she realizes that I heard her and quickly changes the subject. "I heard you're going to the mall with us. Think you can keep up?"

"I think I can." I chuckle as she walks back to her seat. The waiter returns with their drinks and then begins taking our orders. After I've given him mine, I lean over and whisper in Mercy's ear. "Did you hear what Ally said when I told her that Zack spent the night at Aaron's last night?"

She leans over and whispers in my ear. "I did and oh my god. I can't even think about it."

I lean back over to her ear. "You better. I had the similar talk with Zack yesterday. Seems he has a girlfriend."

"What are you two whispering about over there?" I look up to see Alistair eyeing us. His eyes seem to linger on me and then I quickly look over at Spencer and his are on me too. Ok, really, what is happening?

Mercy's voice breaks me from my momentary freak-out. "Oh, just how much we adore you Alistair. I was telling Sam to get in line. Once you get tired of Spence here, I'm next." She pats Spencer playfully on the back as he shakes his head at her.

"Flattery will get you anything you want from me girl and you know it!" He puckers his lip and kisses the air in her direction. We all laugh at his words. I'm just not going to look at either one of them again if I can help it.

"So, guys what are you two doing for the holiday? Having a shindig at your place?" Mercy takes a sip from her water glass and looks over at Spencer.

"We haven't planned anything. What are you two doing?" Spencer's eyes move between both me and her as he waits for us to answer. I move mine to her as soon as his land on me.

"We haven't planned anything either." Mercy looks over at me for confirmation and I shake my head at her. "We could grill out at the house and you guys could come over and join us."

"The thought of not having to clean up afterwards does sound appealing to me. What do you think babe?" Alistair looks over at Spencer.

"Sounds good." Spencer nods as he takes a drink from his glass and then looks over at Mercy. "What can we bring?"

"Pop A you have to make your taco dip. Pleeeeeeease? Daddy loves it too!" Ally grips her hands together and puts the cutest smiley pout on her face that I have ever seen.

"You got it princess." Ally claps and then smiles. "And we can also bring a few sides. How about potato salad, pasta salad and baked beans?"

"That would be great." Mercy smiles over at me. "You OK to man the grill."

I playfully pound on my chest. "Me Sam. Me grill meat."

They all laugh at my antics and I smile in return. "Crazy man. Anyway, burgers, sausages and chicken?" We all nod. "Cool. I'll have tea, lemonade and of course water to drink so if you want something different, you'll have to bring it."

"So, it's just going to be us?"

"Yes, and I'm assuming Zack." I give her a nod in confirmation. "Did you want to invite anyone else Alistair?"

"I have three friends from college who are in town for a conference. Would it be OK if I invite them to come as well?"

"Of course. As Spence always says the more, the merrier." Spencer raises his glass in the air in a mock salute.

Shopping proved to be quite the adventure. Ally took us in just about every store within the mall before we finally ended up at a pizza parlor for dinner. When that was over, we headed back to Mercy's house and are now watching Pitch Perfect. Ally is laid across the loveseat and Mercy and I are seated together on the couch. "What are we doing tomorrow?"

Mercy glances over at Ally. "I hadn't thought about it. Is there something you want to do?"

"I would like for us all to do something together, you, me, Sam and Zack. He is coming back tomorrow isn't he Sam?"

"Yes, he is. I usually pick him up from his mother's around one."

"Hold on Ally. Sam and Zack may already have plans tomorrow."

"We do." I look sorrowfully over at Ally. "We are spending the day with our favorite girls." A smile slowly spreads across Ally's face and Mercy playfully punches my arm. "But seriously, we don't have anything already planned. I can't speak for Zack, but I would never turn down the opportunity to do something with the two of you. So, think about it and come up with something."

"How about bowling?"

"Maybe, we'll see. What do you think Sam? Do you think Zack would want to go bowling with us tomorrow?"

"I can ask him and see. What time were you thinking?

"Two or so."

"Let me check with him." I pick up my phone and send him a text.

Bowling tomorrow with Mercy and Ally?

Sure that sounds like fun

"He says yes."

"Great."

With the movie over, Ally has excused herself and has gone to bed for the night. Mercy and I are cuddled on her couch talking softly about our day. The television volume is turned down low and the lights are dim. "Babe, we should all go out for dinner tomorrow after bowling."

"Like I'm going to disagree with spending more time with you. Anyplace in particular you have in mind?"

"We haven't had sushi in a while and Ally loves it. What about Zack?"

"Well, unfortunately Zack isn't a fan of sushi. So, we will have to do that one night when it's just you, me and Ally."

"OK. Well we can decide where tomorrow." A chime sounds from her phone. She picks it up from the table, reads it and then smiles.

"Who's got you smiling like that? Should I be worried?"

"No silly man. It's Spencer. Alistair must be having a problem with his ex." She hands the phone over to me so I can read the message.

Have I told you lately that you are the best ex in the business?

I just nod and hand the phone back to her. Not sure how to even question it and hoping that she will explain, which she does as she types a response.

"Every time Alistair gets into it with his ex, he sends me something like that. It's just to let me know that he appreciates me and is grateful that we get along so well."

"I'm quite envious of that too. One of these days, I'll have to get some pointers from you."

"Why is that? Having problems with your ex?" She pauses for a moment and then continues. "I mean you never talk about her, so I just assumed everything was fine."

"Can we talk about something else? Anything else, please?"

She gives me a confused expression. "Alrighty then." She clears her throat and then smiles. "Well for what it's worth, I am happy that you seem to get along with Spencer."

"Yeah, me too. But you know, while we were at brunch today, I was a little uncomfortable. Both he and Alistair seem to be staring and smiling at me a lot. And they both winked at me today too."

"Well, you are nice to look at." She winks at me and then laughs.

"Mercy, I'm serious. Do you think they think I am interested in them, like they want me to join them in some kind of threesome or something? Or do they maybe have an open relationship?" I lean forward, rest my elbows on my knees and put my head in my hands. "I know I may be acting a bit dramatic but it really made me uncomfortable."

She leans forward immediately and rubs my back. "Sam, baby, I have no idea. They were probably just being friendly. That's how they both are. Just calm down. I'm sure it wasn't meant to make you uncomfortable, babe." She rubs my back for a few more seconds and then trails her fingers repeatedly through my hair. "Do you want me to say something to Spencer?"

I pause to think and then shake my head as I exhale. "No, maybe I am just overreacting. But just to be on the safe side, you make sure you stay glued to me whenever they are around." I lean back and grin weakly at her.

She leans back as well and locks eyes with me. She studies me for a few seconds and then nods. "I think I can handle that." She taps me on my nose with her index finger, leans over and places a soft kiss on my lips. She smiles as she begins to retreat.

I stop her before she can get too far and bring her lips back to mine. "Good, now how about we make the most of the rest of our alone time." I give her a few lingering pecks.

She quickly moves to straddle my lap causing my cock to instantly harden. "And how do you suppose we could do that?"

"Definitely more of this." I palm her ass with one hand and grind up against her center. She moans softly. "Ssssh, you have to be quiet baby or you will wake Ally." I use my other hand to bring her mouth to mine. She begins to slowly grind her center against me and I feel my cock begin to seep pre-cum. As she continues to grind her hips, I lower my hand and squeeze her left breast. With my body on the brink of explosion, I release her mouth and she attaches her lips to my neck. "Shit baby. You're going to make me cum in my pants."

She ceases her assault and brings her mouth to my ear. "Do you want me to stop?" She gently nips at my earlobe and it pushes me over the edge.

"Mmmm…" I grab her head with both hands and tighten my hold on her as my breathing calms. "Shit. You just made me cum in my pants." I chuckle as she giggles at my admission. "It's been many, many years since I've done that."

"Do you want to use the bathroom to get cleaned up?"

"Nope." I flip her onto the couch and hover over her. "I'll take care of it when I get home. Right now, I feel like I need to return the favor." I bring my hand up and massage her breast with my left hand. I attach my mouth to her neck and gently suck on the area of my previous markings. She wraps her legs around my waist as I grind my cock against her center. Her arms rest low around my back. She moans and I raise my head to press my mouth against hers. "Quiet baby. Ssssh." I place soft pecks on her lips as our eyes lock. I lower my forehead onto hers and stare deep into her eyes as my grinding becomes small thrusts. "You are so beautiful baby." I lightly kiss her lips. "I need to be inside you." I kiss her lips again keeping my eyes locked on hers as I do. Her eyes are heavy and full of lust. I caress her face with my free hand as her body writhes beneath me. "Cum for me baby." She begins to moan again and I quieten her by covering her mouth with mine. Her arms tighten around me and her body stills. I release her mouth and bury my face in the crook of her neck. I feel her heavy breathing against my shoulder and wait until it ceases. I bring my mouth to hers again and plant several long lingering kisses on her soft lips. She trails her hands up and down my back as she slowly unwraps her legs from around my waist. "Mmmm, I'd love to lick you clean right now baby."

"Next time." She nibbles on my bottom lip. "I wish you could stay the night with me."

"I wish that too." I lift my body off hers, pull her up to a seated position and then wrap my arms around her. "But soon we will have a night to ourselves." She nods her head against my chest as we cuddle.

About thirty minutes later, she leans forward and grabs her phone off the coffee table. "It's getting late babe. When are you going to leave me?"

"You need to rephrase that immediately."

She giggles, turns her head to look at me and then smiles. "What time are you going to head home?"

"Better. I don't know. Are you getting tired?"

"Yeah, a little. I didn't sleep well last night you know."

"Don't remind me." I stand and pull her up with me. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her close to me. "Come on, walk me out and then you can get to bed." I kiss her forehead and then lead her to the front door. "I'll see you tomorrow beautiful." I softly press my lips against hers.

"See you tomorrow baby. Drive safe."

"I will. Night."

"Night."

She stands in the open door while I walk to my car. When I reach it, I turn and wave and she waves back. As I drive home, I replay our make out session in my head. I came very close to saying those three little words to her. The only reason I didn't say it is because I want to tell her the truth about me first. I want her to love the real me not the man that I have pretended to be for the last three months. I have to make her understand why I've kept the secret for so long. When I arrive at my apartment, I continue to try to think of all the ways she could react when she finds out. She could be angry. She could be disappointed. She could understand. Or she could simply not care. I know I deserve all of these reactions and more, but more than anything I just want her to forgive me for doing it.

As I am taking the keys out of the ignition, I lose my grip on them and hear as they land on the floor mat at my feet. During my hand's search for them, I feel a small piece of paper. Picking it up, I examine it and see that it is a receipt of some kind. I absent-mindedly wad the paper up in my hand and slip it into my pocket, then resume the search for my keys. Once I locate them, I pick them up and exit the car.

Inside my apartment, I empty my pockets and lay the contents on my dresser. I then strip out of my clothes to take a shower. My eye catches the small wadded up ball of paper. I open the paper and look down at it. The item is listed as 'BJ CC FRZ DSSRT' with a price of $4.99. Ice cream. I walk into the bathroom and step in the shower as I try to recall the last time I had ice cream. It was on Zack's birthday last month. We had vanilla ice cream with his cake. Small scoops for me and Mercy but lots of it for Zack and Ally. I'm not a fan of the frozen dessert and Mercy only likes one kind: Ben & Jerry's cherry – wait a minute. I jump out of the shower and rush over to my dresser, leaving a messy trail of water behind me. Picking up the paper again, I can now see that the receipt is for Ben & Jerry's cherry cordial ice cream purchased last night at 12:43AM. This cannot be right. I didn't go out last night, did I? I was too drunk. I glance down at the name of the store on the receipt. O'Hares food mart. That's right around the corner from her house. My heartbeat begins to race, as images from my dream rush to the forefront of my mind. Last night really happened? She was really there with a Nick? It can't be. I replay our day together in my head. There was no indication from her that something that substantial had happened last night. We had an awesome day together. I glance over at the clock. It's too late to call her, she was tired when I left, so I know she is already sleeping now. But first thing in the morning, I'm going to find out what's going on.