Brick House – The Commodores

I Turn to You – Christina Aguilera

I do not own Glee or its characters

Monday September 14th

The next morning finds me with renewed hope. As I enter my private elevator, I send her a quick text.

Good morning beautiful I hope you have a good day

Once I arrive at my office, I immediately go to my desk to review the printed copy of today's schedule. I have an appointment at 4:30 and only death will keep me from it. Quickly scanning it, I notice that I have a meeting at 4:00 that I will need to have rescheduled. It's with one of our west coast distributors, so if I have to take a call with them at 9:00 tonight, I will. My day needs to be free from 4:00 to 6:30. Even though I don't anticipate our talk taking more than an hour, I want to make sure to allow ample time, for wherever the conversation takes us. I click the button on the intercom and call Harriet into my office. I turn to the computer to power it up when a knock sounds on the door.

"Come in."

"Good morning Mr. Evans."

I keep my eyes on the computer monitor. "Good morning Harriet. I need you to move some things around for me today. I will not be available today between 4:00 and 6:30. Any way you can re-arrange it, will be fine, except Wednesday's meeting with Rose & Potts cannot be moved."

"Yes sir, I'll take care of it."

"Thank you." I suddenly realize what I am doing and look up at her for the first time. "I'm sorry for being rude but I've got a lot on my mind. How have you been the last few days?"

"Mr. Evans sir, I'm fine, thank you for asking, but I can see that you aren't. Is there anything that I can do?"

I shake my head and give her a small smile. "Thanks Harriet. I really wish there was, but unfortunately there is not. If you could just take care of my schedule, I would appreciate it."

"Of course sir. Can I get you some coffee?"

"Yes, please."

When she leaves, I rest my elbows on my desk and bury my face in my hands. I should have worked at the apartment again today. I'm not ready to be here. I'm sure I look a disheveled mess to her. I trail my hands up to my hair and ball my fists. Shit, what am I doing? I immediately move to fix the mess I'm sure I just created with my hands. Entering my bathroom, I take a look in the mirror and my reflection triggers a memory from the morning after she fell asleep in my arms.

**********FLASHBACK Friday June 12th**********

I awaken when I feel her hand softly stroking my chest. I glance down and see her sleepy eyes already looking up at me. "Morning."

I grin and caress her back. "Morning darlin. How did you sleep?"

"Good. You?"

"Like a baby." I move to kiss her, and she quickly turns her head.

"Sam, come on. Morning breath. We both were drinking last night so I know it's bad."

I give her an annoyed look. "Like I give a fuck." I quickly move to pin her beneath me. She giggles and continues to deny my lips by turning her head from side to side, so I bury my mouth against her neck. I lightly suck against several areas as I feel her hands trail into my hair. The moment I feel her nails, I zero in on one spot close to her ear and suck harder. She responds by balling her fists in my hair and wrapping her legs around my waist. I'm rock hard at this point and if I thought we were ready to do this, I would bury myself in her so deep and fast, we would both wonder how I got our clothes off to do it. I grind my erection into her and that soft, sexy as hell, moan escapes her as I grunt. A chime sounds from her phone and it slows us down. I feel her fists loosen and then her legs release me. I trail kisses across her jaw line and then rest my forehead against hers. Our light pants fill the room as we study each other.

She then exhales slowly and smiles. "I'll make you a deal, we both brush and then we come right back here."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Ok." I jump off her and sprint into my bathroom to grab my toothbrush and toothpaste. I sprint back just as she reaches the vanity. I smirk over at her as she turns on the water. She smirks back and then we both look up at our reflections in the mirror. While she looks as gorgeous as ever, with her curly hair still appearing in its proper place, my hair is spiked up in various directions. Most noticeable are the two seemingly balled up masses of hair. One is toward the front and the other is right in the center of my head. They look like two small hair buns. I playfully pose my head in several different angles to get a better look at her handiwork and then chuckle. "I think I'll call this look 'Mercy Buns.' What do you think?" I smile over at her as she looks up at my hair and then cackles.

"I love it. But be careful naming them after me. That means that no one else can give them to you."

"I'm OK with that."

"Really?"

"Most definitely." She stares at me as the words I just spoke seem to sink in. As usual, I begin panicking. I'm moving too fast, so I backtrack my words. "I'm sorry beautiful, I just meant that anytime you want to give me Mercy Buns, feel free." She smiles and I sigh in relief. We brush our teeth but the weight of what I just said remains in the atmosphere. As much as I want to go back to our places on the bed, I know that isn't the best thing to do right now. "What do you want to do today darlin'?"

"Well, I'm taking you out on a date tonight. I'll have to look up some places online. Other than that, I don't know. Did you want to go anywhere?"

"No. Like I told you, I had just planned to work while I was here."

"And I didn't plan to do much either. I didn't even rent a car for the week."

"OK, so unless there is something you are just dying to do, or somewhere you are dying to go, I say we just hang here. We can go downstairs to grab some breakfast, eat left-over pizza for lunch and then go out for dinner tonight. How does that sound?"

"Sounds like a plan."

"Good, I'm going to go shower and then we can go grab something to eat. That work?"

"Yes."

I pull her next to me and kiss her fiercely. When we part, I kiss her forehead and then gaze down at her. "I know we were supposed to go back to bed and continue where we left off, but I think it is best that we table that for another time. I'm not sure I would be able to stop myself again."

She nods. "I agree." She leans up on her tiptoes and kisses me. "Go shower, I'm hungry."

"Yes ma'am." I kiss her nose, grab my toothbrush and toothpaste and sprint back to my room.

**********END OF FLASHBACK**********

I exit my bathroom and see that Harriet has placed my coffee on the desk. As I walk back over to drink it, I notice two stacks of correspondence on the conference table. One particular item catches my eye. The familiar white envelope. Picking it up, I see my name and the company's address in typed letters, and just like the envelope I received at the mansion, this one includes 'Personal and Confidential' in red letters stamped at the bottom edge as well. This must be Thursday's date. I grab both stacks and take them back over to my desk. I open the envelope and find another folded piece of paper inside. I unfold it and see 'January 23' with what appears to be a sketch of the American flag? What the hell? I stare at the sketch for a moment and then look at the date. I'm more confused than ever, what the hell does the American flag have to do with any of this? I shake my head and slide the paper back into the envelope. I pick up my briefcase, open it and put the envelope inside the interior pocket. I'll have to think about that later, right now I need to get through my day so I can head out and get to the park by 4:00. I am not taking any chance on being late and missing her altogether.

I take a seat at a picnic table situated under the concrete gazebo located near the main entrance of the park. This has to be the place. She said it was the only one near the basketball courts. I glance down at my watch and see that I am almost thirty minutes early, but that's OK. I can use the extra time to get my thoughts together. I stopped on the way here and got some more flowers. I hope she likes these. My mind starts to race. There is so much I want to know, so much I want to ask her, but I know it is best that I let her talk first. Whatever she says, I need to make sure she knows I'm not giving up without a fight. My phone chimes and I pull it out of my pocket to see a message from Zack.

I'll be at the house on Wed after band practice. Is that OK

Yes, that's fine How was your day

It was fine Got a lot of homework tonight

I think for a moment about what to say next, but another message comes from him in the meantime.

Moms here Talk to you later Love you

Love you too son

I lock my phone and slide it back into my pocket. I should have told him I miss him. Man, I sound like a broken record. Seems like that is all I'm saying or texting these days. I tap my fist lightly on the table a few times but then abruptly stop when I hear my name. I dart up and turn just in time to see her running toward me. I take off to meet her halfway. As soon as she is near, I pull her tightly into my arms, lifting her off the ground. I feel something inside me break and I push back the feel of the tears that are threatening to escape. As I try to contain my emotions, I feel a slight jerk of her upper body against mine and then hear her sniffles. I place her feet back on the ground and just hold her. She keeps her head buried against my chest, so I stroke her soft curls until I feel her lift her head to meet my eyes.

"Hi."

She offers a weak smile. "Hi."

"I'm sorry."

She nods slowly. "Me too."

I take her hand and walk us back to the gazebo. She takes a seat, turns slightly and places her legs under the table. I sit next to her and do the same. We sit in silence for several minutes. I nervously clear my throat and pick up the small vase of sunflowers next to me on the ground. A small smile spreads across her lips as I place them in front of her. "How is she?"

She looks over at me, closes her eyes and shakes her head. "Not good. She's not my momma." She opens her eyes, keeping them focused on her hands that are resting in her lap. "She's become crazy protective. She won't let me out of her sight for too long. She cries a lot and has been looking at houses back in Kentucky." She darts her eyes to me but then returns them to her lap as she shakes her head. "I don't want to move Sam. I love it here. My Dad and Pop A are here, you're here, Zack's here and all of my friends are here. She won't tell me what's wrong. She just tells me not to worry about it, but it's all I do. All she does is cry." She leans forward, placing an elbow on the table and resting her head in her hand. "She used to sing all the time, while cooking or getting dressed or sometimes just sitting around, but I haven't heard her sing for days and I really miss it." She moves back away from the table and takes another look at the flowers. "Thanks for these. They're beautiful." She glances over at me.

I nod, and then look down at the table. "You're welcome." I swallow the lump that had formed in my throat as I listened to her and then look back over at her. "Did your mom get hers yesterday?" She nods. "Did she like them?"

"She loved them. She bawled for a whole hour after she got them."

My heart drops. "I never meant to make her cry."

"I know but like I said it is all she does." She raises her hand to the flowers, and I watch as her fingers stroke a couple of the petals on one of the sunflowers. She glances at me. "You sent her a song or something the other day, right?" I nod and she looks back at the flowers. "She listens to it repeatedly, like on a continuous loop or something. I'm starting to hate the song, but it's the only time that I've seen her smile." She smiles faintly but it quickly disappears. "She cries the worst when you're at the door though. I don't know, it's like she wants to open it, but she doesn't." She takes a deep breath. "Oh, and whatever you sent yesterday, really made her laugh."

I nod at her and smile weakly. "Thanks for sharing this with me."

She nods but keeps her eyes on the flowers. "I know it's not much but at least she doesn't act like she hates you. That's a good thing, right?" She looks over and raises a single eyebrow at me. My god. I never realized how much she favors her mom. I nod and she continues, moving her eyes back to the flowers. "I guess what I really wanted to say to you is to not give up on us yet. I miss having you and Zack around. I just don't want you to go out looking for anybody to replace us." Her fingers release the petals. "I mean, I may be stepping out of line by saying this but I consider Zack my brother and you, you're my..I mean I consider you to be…you know..like..um…." She places her hands in her lap and I notice as one hand fidgets with the other.

My insides flutter and my heart skips a beat. "Like your stepdad?"

She nervously looks over at me out of the corner of her eye. "I mean I've got my dad, and I got Pop A and I got, or I had you too. Like a bonus or something, you know. I'm probably not making any sense and I'm sorry if I am over-stepping by thinking of you that way." She lowers her head again. "But yeah, like my stepdad."

I grab both of her hands and tug them until she looks up at me. "You are making perfect sense and you do have me, now and for however long you want me. I am honored to be your stepdad or bonus dad, or whatever you want to call me. And I wouldn't mind being him forever." I feel the tears pooling in my eyes.

She gives me the most beautiful Mercy-esque smile and it makes me smile in return. Then I notice the tears pooled in her eyes as well. "Really?"

That one word broke the dam. I close my eyes as I nod, and then look back at her. Screw it, I can't stop the tears. Hell, I don't want to. "Yes really. You and your mom mean the world to me and I am going to fix all of this and get us back on track. I made this same promise to Zack and I am promising it to you as well. I'm going to fix this sweetheart. For all of us. I promise."

"OK." I pull her into my arms and hug her as tight as I can, as I plant a soft kiss in the mess of curls on her head.

Once we break apart, I take both of her hands in mine again. "OK." I let her right hand go to wipe my eyes with my sleeve. She giggles as she wipes her tears with her fingertips. I clear my throat and then grab her hand again. "Can I ask something of you?"

"Sure, anything."

"Please try to keep her mind occupied on anything else. The thought of her crying so much breaks my heart. Just anything you can do to keep her mind occupied."

She grins. "I'll try my best."

I smile back at her. "Good. Now, you have my number. You can call or text me anytime sweetie, for anything. I mean it. And if you happen to get her mind so far off this and she gets to singing, I definitely wouldn't mind hearing it."

"OK." Her phone chimes and she pulls it out of her jacket pocket. "That's my lookout. Looks like it's time for us to load the bus. The football team has a scrimmage game at Laketon at six, and our band director thought it would be good practice for us to play our set tonight."

She stands and then I do too. "OK sweetie. Don't forget what I said. Anytime for anything." I tap the tip of her nose for emphasis.

She smiles. "Thank you."

"No. Thank you. Have fun tonight." She nods, gives me a tight hug and then darts off back toward the school.

I sit down and fully take in everything that she just said to me. Mercy doesn't hate me, at least Ally doesn't think she does, so that gives me even more hope that this can be fixed. I smile when I think about her enjoying my video. I even manage a chuckle when thinking that she liked my corny text yesterday. But then, my smile fades. I've got to limit how many times I go over and try to talk to her through her front door. Ally said it's the hardest for her. I can't stop going altogether, because I need to be near her, even if I don't get to see her face, but I won't go as much.

I glance down at my watch and see that it is nearing 6:30. I need to get back to the apartment to get ready to dial into my meeting at 7:30. As I pull out of the parking lot, I feel like a small weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Now, I just need to get everything in place when I meet with Mercy on Wednesday. I tap my thumbs against the steering wheel as I wait for the light to change. I reach down to turn on the radio, something I usually never do but right now my heart and head feels just a bit lighter. After a couple of minutes of talk, familiar drumbeats sound out through the speakers and I am transported back to the night she got me to sing. But the treat for me that night was getting to hear her sing again.

**********FLASHBACK Friday June 12th Continued**********

Mercedes found a place called 'CJ's' that she wanted to try for dinner tonight. She explained it as a sports bar/club with billiards, darts, dancing and karaoke. Sounds like an interesting combination that will either be hugely entertaining or a complete disaster. I guess we will see. Plus, it's just three blocks from our hotel, so we walked over. I felt up for this tonight and if I get to hear her sing again, it will be well worth it. When we got to the entrance, the bouncer told us the cover and I instinctively reached for my wallet. She narrowed her eyes at me, and I held up my hands in surrender. We chose a booth situated in the center of the room and on the far side of the spacious dance floor. On the other side of the booth are pool tables and dart boards. There is a stage at the end of the hall in front of the dance floor with a DJ booth to the left. On the other side of the DJ booth is the bar.

She slides in and I slide in right next to her. There is a sizeable caddy-like contraption on the table that is also holding the menus. She takes one and then hands one to me. While we look it over, our waitress appears.

"Hi I'm Renee. Welcome to CJ's. Can I get you something from the bar?"

"Hi. I'll have a long island iced tea and can you open a tab for me please?" Mercedes hands Renee her card.

"Sure." She looks over at me. "And what can I get for you?"

"I'll have a beer. Whatever you have on tap is fine."

Renee nods and then takes off toward the bar as we both continue looking at the menu. They have many of the options you would expect at a sports bar: burgers, wings, ribs, pizza, nachos, chicken fingers and sliders. They have a sampler that includes a small portion of each option with a side of fries. I look over at her. "What do you think about getting the sampler and sharing it?"

"That sounds good. There is so much to choose from and everything looks so tasty from the pictures."

"Good, then that's decided." I take the menu from her and slide it back into the holder. Renee returns with our drinks and we order the sampler with double fries. We sit and talk for a bit but before too long, Renee returns with our food. It was the perfect size for the two of us as the only thing left after we finished eating is a few fries. Renee checks on us again and Mercedes orders another long island iced tea and I get another beer. I excuse myself to the bathroom and upon returning, I notice that she is chatting away with our waitress. As I slide back in next to her, Renee scurries away with a huge smile on her face. "So, what were you two talking about?"

"She was asking if this was our first time here. I told her yes and she started telling me about the usual atmosphere. By the way, the fun starts after nine." She winks at me.

"I'm not sure I even want to know what 'fun' that is."

"It's nothing silly, that's just when the younger crowd shows up. She said it's fun to just watch them make asses of themselves. The karaoke starts upstairs at that time too."

"Really? Are you going to honor the crowd with a song?"

"I don't know, maybe."

Renee returns with our drinks. "You two aren't leaving, are you?"

"No, we are going to hang out for a bit longer."

"Good."

Several minutes later, there is a loud hiss and then the DJ's voice booms around us. "Alright ya'll, let's get this party started." And on cue, Let's Get It Started by the Black-Eyed Peas thumps throughout the club.

She looks over at me and leans into me, placing her lips next to my ear. "You gonna dance with me?"

I grin and then mouth 'Nope' before giving her a wide smile. Dancing is definitely not my forte.

"You're no fun." She leans back up with a pout and takes a long sip of her drink.

I down some of my beer and then lean over to her. "OK, maybe, if I get buzzed enough." I kiss her temple before sitting upright. We sit for a few minutes listening to the music. Once there is a small pause, a voice behind us draws our attention.

"If you guys want to sit some place quieter, there is a lounge on the second floor. That's where karaoke happens."

I look over at her. "What do you say?"

"Yes, at least for a little while. I cannot hear myself think right now." She grabs her drink and I grab my beer.

Just as we stand, Renee reappears and I listen to Mercedes tell her that we are going upstairs to the lounge for a bit but will be back. Once we reach the lounge, the thumping inside my head begins to lessen. Taking in the scene, there are several couches with coffee tables scattered around the area but all facing a small stage in the corner of the space. There are a few two chair tables closer to the stage and a small open space in front the stage. Soft music is playing from a jukebox and a small bar is in the center of the space. I follow her as she chooses where she wants to sit and then sit down next to her. The moment we get situated, a waiter appears.

"Hi, I'm Marco. Can I get you anything from the bar?"

"No thank you. Three is my limit and I am on my second one."

"I'll have another beer."

"You can put in on my tab." She hands him her ID.

"Yes ma'am." He returns it to her and then turns to me. "I'll be right back with your beer."

We hear a loud cheer and turn to see the two bartenders preparing a round of drinks. They are throwing and flinging glasses in the air and to each other while turning here and there and doing backflips. It's quite the sight to see. Once they have finished, the people gathered around applaud their efforts.

"I guess that's one way to keep your job interesting."

I raise my eyebrow and nod. "Yeah, I guess." Marco returns with my beer and takes my empty mug with him.

There is some loud cheering behind us and we both turn to see what's happening. That's when we first notice several silver poles in the far corner. That's also when we find out what the cheering is about. There is an obviously drunk guy swinging from one of them with his shirt unbuttoned and hanging open giving everyone a look at his small protruding pot-belly. We both look at each other and then fall over laughing. After several minutes, we regain what composure we have and sit upright on the couch. I glance back one more time and chuckle again.

I turn my head to grab my beer but still when I notice her staring at me. "So, would you ever do something like that?"

I reach down for my beer. "Not sober." I glance back again and then look at her. "And I'm not that drunk yet."

"Oh, come on." She smirks at me. "If not something like that, then is there anything that you always wanted to do but haven't?" I gaze at her excited face as she shifts to tuck a foot under her and takes a drink from her glass. Then she places her glass on the table and claps. "Ok I got it, I got it." She lifts her hands up and moves them like she is giving me several double high-fives, then she clasps them over her chest and laughs. "OK, so, name three things you haven't done, but have always wanted to do." Yeah, she is getting tipsy.

"Hmm, let's see." I take a few minutes to think and then grin wickedly. Yeah, the beer is definitely getting to me too. "Well I've always wanted to join the mile-high club but have never had the opportunity." She nods as she looks over at me, anxiously waiting for my next two answers. My mind stays pretty much in the sexual fantasy realm of things. Oh my god, I cannot believe I am going to tell her. I feel my face get hot and grab my beer. I swallow the liquid and then take a deep breath, saying my next two answers out as determined and as inviting as I can. "Toe sucking." I glance down at her toes on full display in the dressy black sandals she is wearing tonight, and intentionally lick my lips as I bring my eyes back to hers. I watch her jaw drop and then see the hint of a smile appear at her lips. I wink at her and lean closer to her to make sure she hears my final answer. "And last, but definitely not least, fun with whipped cream and other sauces." I bite down on my bottom lip as my eyes trail to her cleavage. "Let's call it a Mercy Sundae." I watch as her breathing hitches and she licks her bottom lip. I cannot take the smile off my face.

She takes her glass and downs a good amount of it and then she rolls her eyes at me with a smile. "Um, I didn't say sexual things, silly. I mean anything, like sky diving or going on a safari." I watch her shift her position on the couch again.

"Boring. Besides, it seems more fun if its sexual." I down some of my beer. "What's your three?"

She doesn't even hesitate. "Ride a mechanical bull, attend a live taping and be in Times Square on New Year's Eve."

I shake my head. "Like I said, boring."

She playfully punches me in the arm. "Whatever. Now you give me three non-sexual ones and I'll give you three sexual ones."

I shift my position on the couch this time so that I am facing her. "Now we're talking. OK, I want to bungee jump, I want to learn to dance the salsa and, don't laugh, but, I want to shave my head." I don't even give her a second to comment. I nod excitedly at her, rub my hands together and ready myself. "Now you, give it to me baby."

She throws her head back, laughs and then looks over at me. "OK, don't judge me." I shake my head and take my index finger to my heart and make a cross against it. "Kiss a girl, be tied up and have a threesome." Holy Shit. I think my eyes glazed over when she said kiss a girl. When she said she wants to be tied up, I think I may have jizzed a bit in my jeans. By the time I heard threesome, my heart had definitely skipped multiple beats. I don't know how long she called my name while I sat there with my eyes staring off in the distance as I imagined all three of her answers occurring at the same time with me as the lucky SOB to witness the kiss, tie her up or have her in a threesome with me and another chick. I feel her hand on my face. Another girl is the only way a threesome would happen. "Earth to Sam."

I move my eyes to her and smile. "Can I just say, I'm totally up for the first and the second but the third, not while there is breath in my body unless its me, you and another woman."

"Hey, those were my choices so it's all about me. What if I want a male, male, female threesome?"

"Again, I say not while there is breath in my body."

"Well, I say not while there is breath in my body, unless its me, you and another man."

"Then it's safe to say that threesome will never happen beautiful, sorry." She narrows her eyes at me and giggles.

There is a light knocking sound and then a man's voice comes over the speakers. "Alright everybody, it's karaoke time!" A few claps are heard around the room. "Who's up first?" We both turn to see an older gentleman step toward the stage.

"You gonna sing?"

"Nope."

"Why not?"

"Not drunk enough"

"Oh, come on. I'll sing if you do."

"As much as I would love to hear you sing beautiful, it's still not enough to get me to sing too." We both watch as the man goes through the steps of choosing a song and waiting for it to load. Then the music starts. His rendition of I'll Be Watching You by Sting is both unnerving and a little creepy. Once he finishes to light applause, I look back over at her.

"Would you sing if I kissed a girl?"

"You wouldn't."

"If it would get you to sing, I would."

I study her for a moment. "Nah, your messing with me." I shake my head and then wonder if she would really do it. "Right?"

"You'll never know unless you agree to sing." She smirks at me.

"So, just to make sure I've got this straight, if I sing, you'll kiss a girl and sing too?"

"Right."

"Can I pick the girl?"

"I'm the one kissing her. Can't we at least pick her together?"

"You my dear, have yourself a deal. You are kissing first."

"Fine."

Thirty minutes later, we are still trying to agree on someone. Just then, we both see her. Somehow, Renee, our waitress from downstairs, has appeared and comes over to where we are seated to see if we want anything else from the bar. I order another beer for me and she orders another long island iced tea. As she leaves, we look at each other and smile. "What about Renee?" She nods in agreement. "You ask her, seems like she likes looking at you more than she likes looking at me anyway."

"I thought I was imagining that."

"She hasn't looked at me for more than a few seconds. She can't keep her eyes off you." At that moment, Renee appears and hands the drink to Mercedes. I watch her take a long sip and then sit it on the table. Renee turns to leave but Mercedes grabs her hand.

"Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Have you ever kissed a girl?"

"I have. Many of them."

"Really?"

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

"Well, my date here won't sing unless I kiss a girl and we've been looking for one for me to kiss. Then you showed up and we both agreed that you should be the one that I kiss." Mercedes smiles up at her. "So, what do you say? Would you be willing to kiss-" Renee's lips are attached to hers before she can even finish the question. I watch as their heads angle and Renee pulls Mercedes up to her feet. Renee stands about three inches taller than her. She wraps her arms low around Mercedes' waist and I notice how Mercedes seems to be enjoying what's happening to her. Hell, I'm enjoying it that's for sure. Then I see Renee palm her ass with one hand and I start to feel myself getting jealous. Mercedes has one arm high around her neck and the other arm around her back. Renee's other hand is cupping Mercedes' face. The kiss isn't ending and I start to get antsy. After too many more seconds, I'm over it. I clear my throat several times and notice that they are finally pulling apart. When the connection is completely broken, I see Mercedes stare at her and she at Mercedes and something in that look tells me that I am lucky that we are in public or they would be doing even more. Mercedes clears her throat and then smiles up at her and winks. "Thanks."

"Anytime." Renee winks back and then smirks over at me as she walks away.

I feel violated. Of course, I thought that I would be so turned on by that, but I am not. I'm jealous. That Renee bitch better stay away from her. She's mine. I grab her hand and tug her down on my lap to kiss away all thoughts of the one Renee just planted on her. Once we come up for air, I look at her with pleading eyes. "My kiss is better right?"

"Without question. Now kiss me again." I grin and do as I am told.

After she added our name to the list to sing, she walks back over to me and sits down. "You're up first."

"Why me?"

"Because I don't trust you to go up there after me."

"I'm hurt beautiful." I slowly shake my head. "Really hurt."

"Sure you are but you're still going first." She quickly kisses me.

I throw my head back against the couch. "Dammit!"

She giggles and then pushes me forward to get me off the couch. "Just go."

I walk up to the song book and look for a song. I find one and grin. After it gets loaded, the opening drumbeats to Brick House play and I'm off.

She's a brick house

She's mighty mighty

Just letting it all hang out

She's a brick house

My lady's stacked

That's a fact

Aint' holding nothing back

I continue through the words doing my best to keep up as the letters turn from white to yellow across the screen. I'm buzzed so I am really not caring how ridiculous I look right now. I keep looking back to where she is and as long as she is cheering me on, dancing and smiling, I'm winning. As the song comes to a close, I hear most of the room cheering and clapping. I guess I didn't do too bad. I see her walking toward the stage and take the opportunity to introduce her. "So, up next is my girl. Be prepared to be amazed." She takes the microphone from me and I kiss her temple, then lean in next to her ear. "Knock 'em dead beautiful." She kisses my cheek and I hear all the whistles and 'awws' from the audience. She looks over the book and picks a song.

The music starts and I hear the hush that falls over the crowd. The moment she hits the first note, I know she is going to blow us all away.

When I'm lost

In the rain

In your eyes I know

I'll find the light

To light my way

When I'm scared

Losing ground

When my world is going crazy

You can turn it all around

By the time she gets to the chorus, I notice that the room has become more crowded. I smile as she starts the second verse and just watch her. She's not even looking at the words. She knows the song by heart. When the chorus starts again, I hear the applause and I just smile. I feel the tears in my eyes. At the bridge, she moves toward the edge of the stage and then she hits it. That note. That one note that sends everybody in the room into a frenzy. My smile widens as my eyes get even more teary and I clap as hard and as loud as I can. When she finishes the song, the cheering and applause that surround me makes my entire body vibrate. She smiles and takes a few bows and then waves to the crowd before walking over to me. Once she reaches me, I wrap my arms around her and plant a deep, wet kiss on her lips. We pull apart and I lean in next to her ear. "Let's get out of here." She nods and I take her hand and start our journey through the crowd of people still around her and still amazed by what they just experienced.

After our journey back to the hotel, we both collapse on the bed in my room. The alcohol has caught up to us. She's all giggly and I am horny as fuck. I'm laid on my back trying to get my mind off anything but ripping her clothes off when I feel her body near mine. She places her hand against my chest and then starts to plant kisses all over my face. Oh my god. When she moves and straddles my lap, I freeze and take several deep breaths. She sits upright on top of me and removes her top, throwing it on the floor. I've got to do something. We aren't ready for this yet. I quickly flip us over and pin her hands above her head. "Beautiful, you've had too much to drink. I don't want us to do something that you will regret in the morning." She grinds up against me causing me to inhale sharply. "Fuck." I look down at her and see the smirk on her face. "You're a devil." I smirk back at her. "I'm going to let your hands go and you're going to go into your room and get ready for bed while I do the same." She slowly nods her head as her eyes droop. "Then you are going to come back over here so we can go to sleep. OK?" She nods again. I lift off her and pull her to her feet. She walks slowly into her room and I go into the bathroom to take care of myself. Once I am out, I slip into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and then pull back the covers to wait for her. After fifteen minutes and not hearing a sound from her room, I go over and find her asleep on her bed. She did manage to change into a shirt and some shorts before she passed out. I pick her up and carry her over to my bed. Once she is situated, I climb in behind her and wrap her up in my arms.

**********END OF FLASHBACK**********

After finishing up my call, I heat up a can of vegetable soup and make a peanut butter sandwich. I'm drained. I just want to eat this, take a shower and then go to bed. After eating, I clear the trash from the counter and flip off the lights just as I hear a knock at my door. I groan and flip the lights back on as I go to open the door. There on the other side is my next-door neighbor, Frank.

"Hiya Sam."

"Hey Frank. What can I do for you?"

"You had a letter delivered today that required a signature." I look down and notice the envelope as he hands it over to me.

"Thanks. Sorry if it was a bother."

"No bother at all. Have a good night."

"You too." I nod and then close the door. Today's random date. I just open it. I'm not in the mood to deal with this right now. I'm tired and want to shower and get some sleep. I unfold the paper tucked inside the envelope to see June 8 written with what looks like the sketch of a ring. This is ridiculous. I drop both the envelope and the paper on the coffee table and go into the bathroom to shower. As soon as I am out, I put on some boxer briefs and climb into my bed.