Enjoy lovebugs ;)

Mercedes and Sam took a break from each other. Sam stayed in their home while Mercedes's stayed in the condo and just as expected she went off on tour and Sam spent his break in his broken home. He spent the first week just cleaning the house, it was something Mercedes had prided herself on doing but since she was gone he was picking up the slack to distract himself from his marriage. Then the second week rolled around, and he had gone back and listened to her music, cover to cover, album to album, getting lost in memory lane because he was the muse for most of her love songs, and a few of her heartbreak songs. By the third week, he was feeling miserable, so he spoke with his therapist Dr. Bailey. He was an older man who had directed Sam since the beginning of his therapy journey.

"So Sam what brings you to my office today," Dr. Geroge questioned him through the laptop screen.

"I feel like my marriage is basically over," Sam pouted.

"Sam you have only been married for five years this has to just be a rough patch,"

"I wish I could say that but you weren't there for the verbal warfare the two of us committed on each other, it was awful when I woke up the next morning I felt sick to my stomach about all of the things I had told her. I managed to hit the nail on all of her insecurities. Then worst of all, I found out that the night I went out to have dinner with my co-star my wife suffered a miscarriage and I wasn't there for her. I feel like an awful husband and father because I wasn't there, and if I had been there for her maybe things would have been different. Then the next day she comes in saying we have to take a break, 2 months, and the most we speak is over text and it is like we are just awkward friends. She's on tour now and will be for a while, and I am just losing my mind." Sam confessed.

"Sam when you first started therapy with me, you and Mercedes had only been married for five months and you were already questioning if you deserved her or not. I do believe you are still questioning that, she didn't ask for a separation or even a divorce, but just a short break between the two of you. This space from each other gives you both the time to recenter yourselves and figure out how to move past this heartbreak. Mercedes loves you, and I know you love her too. Now about this miscarriage, I am very sorry for your loss but you can't let this destroy you too, Mercedes is most likely going through deep depression and mourning due to the loss of a child and what she wanted was for you to comfort her, and you still can when Mercedes lets you back in you can. You have to make it right not just for you and Mercedes but for the sake of your marriage."

Sam thought about it and sighed out and knew he was right, "You are right, thank you doc, I'll talk to you later."

"Of course, Sam have a good one." Sam left the call and shut the laptop and leaned back on his bed. He rubbed Mercedes's spot feeling sad at the coldness of the spot. He missed his wife dearly and when he saw her again he was going to make everything better.

Since Mercedes had been on tour her stage, meditation, and journaling had become her therapy. She had been focusing on recentering herself and taking accountability for the massive fight with Sam. She knew in her heart that Sam would never cheat on her but her insecurities weren't helping and with the loss of the baby she fell into a deep depression and hadn't even noticed. If that wasn't enough she kept it all bottled up not telling anyone and carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. So of course her emotions were going to bubble up and explode out her in a negative non-productive way. So she made sure that she understood how her words affected Sam and his actions and she made sure that when she saw him again she was going to give him the apology that she deserved.

She was sitting on the stage watching everyone do a quick rehearsal for the show in Phoenix tonight and so far everything was going great. As the rehearsal concluded one of her background dancers Brody came and sat by her. Brody was somewhat attractive but he was never Mercedes's type which is why she always turned him down and the fact that she was married.

"So Mercedes you like the show so far?" He questioned.

"Yeah, everything is flowing well together, which is great especially since we've already fallen into a routine of the performance."

"Of course, so where is Sam I haven't seen him here with you?"

"My husband is at home,"

"Mmm, sucks to be him, I know if I was married to you then we would always be together for your tours," He flirted.

Mercedes rolled her eyes, "Whatever just be on time for the show tonight," She spoke and then grabbed her things and headed out to the car to head back to the hotel.

The show tonight was electric the fans were feeding off the energy and it made what Mercedes thought was one of the best shows they had so far. She was in her hotel scrolling through channels in her robe when there was a knock at the door. Assuming it was just room service she headed to the door and opened it to only reveal a drunk Brody.

"Brody, what the hell are you doing here? You reek of alcohol." Mercedes pointed out.

"I want you," He slurred, his eyes were a shade darker and he barged into Mercedes's room and shut the door.

"Brody you are drunk and you need to leave the room right this instance!" Mercedes spoke. She was scared, Brody worked out consistently and his body was pure muscle and even if he was drunk he was sure to overpower.

"What do you have that makes that country bumpkin actor want you so much, I just want a taste,"

"Brody get the hell out of my room!"

"Who in the fuck are you talking to!?" He roared he grabbed Mercedes and slammed her against the door causing Mercedes to scream out.

"Oh you are a screamer I like that," He reached his fingers down to untie her robe, and his fingers traveled lower as he used one hand around her neck to keep her in place. Not wanting to go down without a fight Mercedes took her knee and drove it into his crotch causing him to fall back on the bed and Mercedes turned around and zipped out of the room falling into a strong chest as arms gripped her. It was Sam.