Standard Disclaimer: This work contains content that belong to Lanee Lane and the creators and producers of Glee.
Yesterday was an interesting day at work, so interesting that I fell asleep before I could finish editing and uploading this chapter. Charlie AKA the cockroach is back doing what roaches do for the next two chapters. She's planting seeds, but HEA is the name of my game, so bear with the lunatic, please. Thanks for reading and please forgive all my errors.
CHAPTER TENThe next day, Mercedes was sitting on her balcony drinking her a glass of lemonade and reading. Her phone rang, and she was happy to see it was her dad. She suddenly felt a pang of guilt because she hadn't called him first.
"Hi, Pops."
"Hello, baby girl. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine. Just sitting out on my balcony reading a book. How are you?"
"I'm good just missing you. I remember how you used to spend time in your room curled up with a book. And when it came time to clean your room, I would have to make you check under your bed because you would have ten to twenty books under there. Good to know somethings haven't changed. How are the boutique and your blog going?"
"Work has been pretty good. Business has been up since it's a new season, so that's been great. The blog is going well. I need to find more time to devote to it, but it's getting there."
"That's awesome, sweetheart."
"How are Roz and her swim team?"
"Oh, Roz is doing just fine. Her swim team is winning and that brings her joy. You will have to see them when you come to visit."
Ah, there it was. She knew she couldn't end their conversation without any hint of her visiting Lima soon.
"I'm sure I will, Dad. Are you missing me that much?"
"I enjoy hearing your voice and seeing your face on FaceTime, but I would feel even better if I got to see my baby girl face to face. Roz and I were talking that if you can't bring Mercy to Lima, then we might have to book a flight to New York to see you. You know I hate staying in hotels, or we would have been up there already."
"It is much more expensive for both of you to come to the city, daddy, and with me working most weekends, I wouldn't even get to see you two that much."
"I don't care how much it costs. Your presence is priceless, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to wrap you in a hug and see for myself that you are doing okay."
"I promise I am coming to see you; I just have been extremely busy."
"Are you sure it is just work keeping you so busy and there is not something else going on in your life that you want to tell me about?"
Mercedes didn't understand how he did that, but her father always knew when there was something going on with her. When she was younger, she hated it. Now that she was older and her mom was gone, it was nice. Her father understanding her made all the difference.
"There is something new. I'm kind of seeing someone. He's my downstairs neighbor. We started out as only friends. Well, friends may be a stretch, but I was his date to his sister's wedding and one thing led to the other."
"That's great, honey. I am sure if you are dating him that he is good people. But I still need to ask, does he treat you well?"
"Yeah, he really does after a crazy start, he's been really helpful since I met him. He helped me when I had car troubles even before he knew me very well."
"He sounds like a gentleman, but I sense some hesitation."
Mercedes didn't know how much she should tell her dad about her relationship with Sam and why she didn't fully trust him yet. Tina and Jane were great to talk to, but sometimes advice from an actual male point of view, especially one that knew her so well, was more beneficial.
"He doesn't have the best track record with relationships. I don't think he has ever been in an adult relationship before us. Suddenly, he wants to try being in one with me. I don't know if I trust that he has changed or is he even capable of changing his player ways."
"Baby girl, sometimes it just takes that one person to change the way we look at life. Maybe you are his person or maybe not. You have to trust your instincts and give people the benefit of the doubt. Trust that you're a good judge of character. And if he is trying to play you, I think you'll be able to tell if anything's up. If you don't trust yourself, sic Tina on him. That girl will know everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask. I remember the things she asked when I dropped you off at your dorm." We both laughed and agreed that Tina could be like a dog on a bone if it meant getting the information she wanted. Mercedes admired her best friend's tenacity.
"I hope you're right about everything, Pops."
"Of course I am. My daughter is one perceptive young lady. I didn't believe you when you said Roz was interested in me. And I was wrong. I think you doubt yourself because you are nice to everyone and sometimes get taken advantage of, you give people a chance. I am proud of the woman that you are not letting preconceived ideas influence you but believing when a person shows you their character, believe them."
Mercedes talked some more with her dad feeling better after opening her heart to him. When she ended the call with him, she grabbed her notebook and jotted her blog ideas inside. Her ideas consisted of a tentative schedule of posts to her blog for the next few weeks. If she was going to grow her audience and gain clients for her side hustle, she'd have to be organized. With her schedule planned out, all she had left to do was to ask Jane if she could take her photos.
Her phone buzzed again, but this time it was a text message.
Sam: Steven and Stacie are at my place, and we're having pizza. Come down. We all want you to join us.
Mercedes smiled at her phone. He'd gone from driving her crazy to being the highlight of her day. The fact that he wanted her to be with him and siblings was quite sweet since Roderick wasn't with Stacie. As sweet as he might be, she still liked to push his buttons a little. Instead of responding, she went into the bathroom to freshen up. She stood in front of her closet trying to decide if she should change. A comfy pair of leggings and a v-neck t-shirt were what she chose. She thought Sam may appreciate her generous behind in leggings.
Locking the door behind her, she headed to his apartment.
When she knocked on the door, it swung open and Steven picked her up in a bear hug. She let out a startled scream and then laughed at Steven's antics.
"Steven, please put me down?"
"It's not every day I get to see and hug a pretty lady. How have you been, beautiful?"
Strong arms wrapped around Mercedes's waist. These arms were more than welcome.
"Steven, what I have told you. Keep your hands off of my woman, bro, I called dibs on her. Go find your own woman."
Mercedes turned her head to look over her shoulder. "Aww, is little Sammie jealous?"
His arms tightened around her, and he planted a wet kiss on her cheek. "Dang right I am!"
Mercedes laughed at the brothers. She wasn't accustomed to the outward affection that Sam was showing. It would take some getting used to although she didn't doubt for a second that their bickering wasn't over for good. That was just how they were. Now, she got a make-up and make-out session; that, she could live with.
Sam buried his nose into Mercedes's neck and inhaled.
"I thought you weren't coming since you didn't answer my text." His lips vibrated against her skin. Chills ran down her spine.
"I figured I'd keep you guessing."
"You like playing games?" He pressed light kisses on her neck and behind her ear.
"Ooh yeah," she moaned in response.
"I'm starting to feel like a third wheel. I'll be in the living room when you two are finished with your public displays of affection."
Steven made a show of going past them and covering his eyes. He was such a drama king sometimes. Mercedes loved his personality.
"Where's the food? I was promised pizza upon my arrival."
"It's in the living room. Go on ahead, and I'll bring you something to drink."
Sam released Mercedes from his hold, and she joined Steven and Stacie. She felt a smack then a squeeze on her behind. She stopped in her tracks turning to Sam. He had a boyish smile on his face.
Shrugging his shoulders, he said, "I'd say I'm sorry, but I'm not. I couldn't help myself."
He winked at her and then passed by to go into the kitchen. When Mercedes collected herself, she couldn't stop her own smile.
"There you are! I thought you were going to leave me alone with these two lunatics."
Stacie got up from her seat and threw her arms around Mercedes. Mercedes returned the hug.
"I wouldn't subject you to that kind of torture, Stacie. Where is your wonderful husband?"
"His band had a gig at a birthday party, and I love hearing my man play and sing, but birthday party gigs for spoiled rich kids are not my idea of a fun night. If he was playing at a bar at least I could talk to other adults and drink, and if he were playing in a concert, I could pretend to be a groupie or a…"
"Okay Stacie, believe me when I say I don't want to know what you and Meeks get up to when you follow him on the road." Steven said with a disgusted look on his face.
Stacie and Mercedes burst out laughing looking at each other with knowing smirks on their faces as Steven called Sam in for reinforcement.
Sam came into the room with Mercedes's drink. She grabbed a plate and a couple pieces of pizza before settling onto the couch. Sam sat beside her and rested his arm behind her on the back of the couch. The four of them chatted about the show they were watching, work, and other random things. When Mercedes told them Sam took her salsa dancing, his siblings looked at him as if he had been body snatched by an alien.
"We should go dancing this weekend. Will Roderick be in town?" Mercedes asked Stacie.
"That would be fine for you four to do that, but I don't want to be the fifth wheel. I have a better idea, we should go out bowling, or do something that's more fun," Steven said.
"I can't this weekend. I'm going shopping and having a spa day with mom and some of her friends. Cedes, you should totally go with us. It will be fun and relaxing while being catered to at the spa!" Stacie's voice rose in her excitement.
"Oh, I wouldn't want to impose on you all."
Stacie had her phone out and was busy typing a text message.
"You won't be imposing at all. The more the merrier. Plus, I just sent my mom a text, and she says you have to come, too!"
"Okay, if you're sure."
Stacie squealed and clapped her hands together. "I am beyond sure. We are going to have a ball."
Before she left, Stacie gave Mercedes the details of the outing. She promised to text her leading up to it with any more information she may need.
When Sunday came, Mercedes was a little nervous. She'd already spent time with Sam's mother and Stacie on several occasions, so she wasn't really worried about them. She was more worried about their social circle.
Sam's family fit in with the country club crowd with ease because they never tried to be anything other than themselves, and even though his parents were not born into wealth, they had both been teachers in America while raising Sam and his siblings in a middle class lifestyle before Steven became uber wealthy, and their address and friendships changed because of proximity. Mercedes wasn't sure if their friends would be as nice and down to earth as them, or if they'd be arrogant like Charlie and her family.
As Mercedes pulled up to the country club which was over an hour and half from her apartment, she wondered if she should turn around and call Stacie and pretend that she was sick. Unfortunately for her, Stacie was waiting for her outside of the door as promised, so she couldn't bail out at the last second. Stacie's presence calmed her nerves somewhat because she wouldn't have to walk into a sea of old white people by herself.
Sam had come over before she left and tried to encourage her to go and have an amazing time. His mother constantly asked about her, and he knew his mom and Stacie would make sure she enjoyed herself. Instead of continuing to bolster her confidence, Sam got distracted by her nearness, and he couldn't keep his hands or lips off her, and Mercedes couldn't complain. She enjoyed the chaste goodbye kiss that turned into heated kisses and then a full out heavy make out session that caused her to have to repair her makeup and was the reason she was thirty minutes later than she had originally planned being.
"Are you ready for this?" Stacie asked when Mercedes reached her.
"As ready as I'll ever be. I may need a few tequila sunrise mimosas to take the edge off."
"Girl, you are in luck because we have unlimited mimosas coming our way."
Stacie linked her arm in Mercedes's and led her into the dining area. The two were making their way inside when Mercedes spotted Mrs. Evans talking to another woman that looked about her age. She scanned the rest of the table seeing if she recognized anyone from the wedding.
Her steps faltered before she came to a stop. This could not be freaking happening. Stacie wouldn't have invited her knowing that she'd be there. Stacie turned to Mercedes with a frown.
"What is it, Cedes? Is everything ok?"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what?"
Stacie followed her gaze to their table. Mercedes heard her mutter 'oh crap' under her breath.
Charlie was sitting beside her mother in a white sundress. Her hair and makeup were flawless. She was perfectly put together. Mercedes tried to pull her arm from Stacie's. She hoped that no one saw her, so she could exit without anyone realizing she was ever there.
Stacie tightened her grip. She was pretty strong for being so small.
"Cedes, I'm so sorry. I didn't know that they were invited. I didn't expect Charlie to come. She has never come before."
"It must be my lucky day then." Mercedes's tone was dry.
"Come on, Mom knows you are coming. She will be disappointed if you were to leave. I promise I won't leave your side today. We will avoid her and act like she isn't even here."
Mercedes was quiet for a second thinking about what she should do. Mrs. Evans spotted them and waved. It appeared her mind had been made up for her. She huffed out a breath. Those unlimited mimosas would come in handy. It was going to be a long flipping day.
When Mercedes and Stacie approached the table, Mary Ellen stood and hugged them both.
"I'm so happy you could join us, Mercedes."
"Thank you, Mrs. Evans."
"You know to call me Mary Ellen. No need for formalities. Especially now that that son of mine got his head out of his behind." She winked at Mercedes.
"Ladies, this is Mercedes, Sam's girlfriend. Some of you may have met her at the wedding."
Mercedes waved at the table. They all gave her warm hellos in return. All except for two. Mercedes looked at Charlie and her mother out of the corner of her eye. Charlie was scowling with her arms crossed over her chest. Her mother was leaning over whispering something in her ear. Mercedes assumed it was something about her.
The best tactic would be to ignore them. She wouldn't speak to them. Hopefully, they wouldn't speak to her. Mercedes and Stacie got settled into their seats, and the waitresses came to take their orders. Once they were gone, the conversations began to flow.
Mercedes was talking to one of Mary Ellen's friends named Shelby who was an editor for a local women's magazine. Mercedes told her about her blog and her boutique that she co-owned and worked at. Shelby seemed very interested in checking out both her blog and the boutique. With any luck, maybe Mercedes could design a few looks for a spread in their magazine.
"So, Mercedes," Charlie's mom interrupted her thoughts about the magazine spread. "How long have you and Sam been together?"
So, they were going to go there.
"Oh, not too long. We've been neighbors for a couple of months now."
She kept it vague.
"Huh, funny he didn't mention you when he came to our house for dinner the last time."
Had he been at their house for dinner? Mercedes questioned herself. Of course he had; they were family friends. She was sure that it had been before they were official. Sam had been running from Charlie from the moment she met him.
Mercedes didn't respond. What was there to say? The woman was clearly trying to get under her skin. She wasn't going to give her that privilege. Being resolute in mind, Mercedes was able to enjoy the rest of the brunch. The food was amazing, and most of the ladies were wonderful.
After breakfast, they got massages and facials. There was a hot tub they relaxed in while the other ladies were having their turn getting pampered. They finished the day with pedicures. Mercedes and Stacie had side-by-side chairs.
"What color are you getting?"
"Hm, I don't know. Probably light pink."
"Good call. I'm going with red. Come over here; let's take a selfie and send it to my brother."
"Um, do we have to?"
"Yes, come on. Guys like that kind of thing."
"Why don't you send a picture to Roderick?"
"Already have."
"Fine, but just one. I can't have him thinking I like him too much. He has enough of a big head already."
Mercedes was smiling despite her words. She liked being in a relationship with Sam, but it had been a while since she'd had a relationship, and she was shy and unsure about some things. Mercedes smiled for Stacie's picture then sat back to relax. A minute later, her phone vibrated.
Sam: I see Stacie made you take a selfie. She gets me all the time. I hope you're having fun with everyone.
Cedes: Yes, against my best judgment, I let her take one. I guess it makes us official. Your friend Charlie is here, so it's a bit awkward. I'm getting through it. Mimosas got my back.
Sam: Crap, Cedes, I didn't know she would be there. I'm really sorry. I see her presence made you go for the hard stuff. As for the picture, I'm cropping my sister out and saving you as my phone background.
Cedes: For the love of God, don't set that picture as your background.
Sam: Why not?
Cedes: It's not a great picture, Sam.
Sam: Too late it's the only picture I have of you woman.
The man knew how to push her buttons and make her swoon all at the same time. Mercedes saw someone sitting in the chair on the opposite side of her. She glanced up, and it was Charlie. So much for a drama free day.
"Hi, Mercedes."
"Charlie."
"So, you and Sam, huh?"
"Yes."
Where was this chick going with this?
"I have to admit, I didn't believe it when we were at the wedding. I figured he was playing hard to get."
Was she for real? Mercedes balled her hand into a fist at her side where Charlie couldn't see it.
"Nope."
"Good for you. I'm sure this whole thing is new for you. Sam's a pretty sought after guy. It takes a certain type of woman to get and keep his attention."
Charlie clearly thought she was the type to do this. Too bad he ran the opposite direction when he saw her.
"Has he shown you the thing he does in bed yet? Heavens above, I love when he does that. Don't you?"
What thing was this heffer talking about, and why was she using the present tense? She better be talking about a distant memory. No, Mercedes and Sam hadn't been physical yet, but she didn't think he would cheat on her; especially with Charlie. Mercedes knew that he was used to having sex, and a lot of it. He said he wanted to change. She had to trust him no mattered what this bimbo says.
"Oh, I would love to stay and chat, but my mommy is waiting for me."
With a fake wave and smile, she walked away like she was a model on a runway.
When Mercedes pulled up to her apartment building four hours later, she was happy to be home. She enjoyed the company of the women, but her brief conversation with Charlie had left a bitter taste in her mouth. In the elevator, she contemplated stopping at Sam's floor but decided against it. She needed time to process everything that happened today.
At her door, her breath caught in her throat. There was a vase full of pink and white roses. Beside the vase was a bottle of the wine she had enjoyed on their first date. A card stuck out of the flowers.
'I've never done anything like this before but, when I saw these, I thought of you.
I hope this proves I'm taking my boyfriend status seriously.
-Sam'
Her face broke into a wide smile. He was better at being a boyfriend than he let on. She let herself into the house and put the flowers on the living room table. She dialed Sam's number. He picked up on the second ring.
"You got my gift." It wasn't a question.
"I did. They're beautiful, Sam; thank you so very much."
"Not as half as beautiful as you are. And you are more than welcome."
"Stop, boy," she said in a not so convincing voice.
"I can't. I like complimenting my woman."
Before she could reply, there was a knock at her door. She ended the call knowing that it was him.
As soon as the door was open, his arms were wrapped around her waist and his lips fused to hers. She moved her hands through his hair loving the silky feel of it against her fingers. He backed her further into the apartment until they were in front of the couch. He sat down and pulled her on top of him.
He cupped her backside pulling her closer into him. His hands slowly made their way up her hips and under her shirt. His strong hands caressed her back. She stiffened slightly; a little self-conscious of him feeling her not so perfect body.
"I love the feel of your body. So soft and sexy."
Well dang. She tried to focus on his words and not let her insecurities win. Her body, if not her mind, reacted to his touch. It yearned for a long overdue release. The encounter with Charlie had reminded her why she wanted to take it slow. She mustered up all of her willpower and pulled away. Sam's eyes fluttered open.
"Why'd you pull away from me?" His hands rested on her hips.
"I didn't want to get too carried away. It's not that I don't want to be intimate with you. I really want do. It's just that I want to take it slow."
Sam's head dropped forward, and he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.
"This has something to do with Charlie, doesn't it? When you told me she was there, I knew nothing good could come from it."
"No. Well, kind of. She just said something that made me realize there's no need to rush. If we're truly into each other, things will naturally lead to that. I want to trust you, Sam, but I need time to get used to everything."
Sam pounded his fist against the back of the couch and cursed.
"I understand, and I respect your decision. I'm just angry that Charlie can't let me live my life. She can't seem to imagine that not every guy is going to fall for her."
"She can't stand that someone who looks like me has what she wants. It's probably killing her."
Sam leaned in and pressed a light kiss on Mercedes's lips.
"I like what I now have just fine, and I don't plan on ever letting you go."
He rubbed her behind. She half moaned and laughed. Mercedes loved how Sam made her feel physically. She just had to get over her hesitations mentally.