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Mercedes Amaya Jones stared at the front gate of her brother's condo. She knew she should have called him first but everything was last minute. The moment she got the chance to leave, she took it.

For the last year and a half she had been dating Jesse St. James. He was a stockbroker and all the women wanted but Mercedes got. And when he asked her out, he treated her like she was his everything. He bought her things, showed her off and treated her like no other man in her life. But that came with a price. Her undying and unyielding service to him.

He started to ban her from seeing her friends, from working, from doing anything without him. He judged her on her clothing, what she ate, how she looked. He started to make her doubt her own sanity and she couldn't take it anymore. She knew what happened after the verbal abuse and she wasn't about to be another statistic so she packed up her things and ran to the only place she could go.

Malcolm Jamal Jones was Mercedes' older brother by three years and the only family she had. When Mercedes was two her dad had already been in and out of her life a dozen times and it was getting harder on her mother. One day about a month after her dad left for good, Mercedes and Malcolm were dropped off at her grandmother's house and that was the last time that she ever saw her mother.

It took everything for their grandmother to raise her and Malcolm and Mercedes appreciated it to the point where she did everything she could to pay the older woman back. When she started showing signs of Alzheimer's was around the time that Malcolm got drafted to the Cowboy's. Malcolm didn't want to leave their grandmother but Mercedes promised to take care of her while he went off to live his dream.

When she passed almost five years ago, he was traded to the New England Patriots. It was so hard on them both and Malcolm wanted her to come live with him but Mercedes wanted to find her own way. And now here she was, needing his help.

Swallowing hard, Mercedes knocked on the front door, waiting for her brother to answer.

Malcolm made his way to the door scratching at his beard as he opened it. "I thought I told you to stop showing up here!" He said before his eyes landed on his baby sister. "Merce?"

"I mean I didn't know you didn't want me here." She said softly.

"No! No I didn't mean that! What are you doing here?" He said, pulling her into a hug.

"I, uh thought it was high time I came to see my big brother… the offer to come is still good right?"

"I mean yeah, I just wish you would have called first. It's kinda a mess in here, we had a party and…"

Mercedes laughed. "And you maintained your "playa" status."

Malcolm cut his eyes at her. "I don't know what you mean."

"Mal I have been around your game day parties before. And I have seen the girls who both go into and leave your room. I am not some naive 16 year old. I am thirty. And I am not a virgin."

"That is just TMI Merce, didn't need to hear about you and your…eww just no."

"Are you gonna let me in or not?"

"Yeah… give me like five minutes, go around back and I'll bring out some coffee." Malcolm said, grabbing her bags and nodding her over to the side gate that led to the backyard. "I'll even make you some breakfast!"

"Boy you know you can't even boil water! If I wanted cereal I would have gotten some from the airport."

"Ha! Okay you got me there, I'll have my roommate make it."

Mercedes eyed him for a second. "Is it so bad in there you won't even let me in? What did you do? Set up a pool full of jello?"

Malcolm had to stop and think for a minute because he wasn't entirely sure how his back yard looked. "On second thought, how about I get dressed and we go grab something? It'll only take me five minutes!" He suggested knowing that his maid would be in at eleven.

"Mal I am tired I took the red eye and the guy behind me snored so loud I couldn't sleep. Just let me inside."

"No… I can't let you see my place like this, just do this now and you can sleep all day I promise." He said before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek then running inside. He made sure to lock the door behind him because he knew his little sister well enough to know she would try to follow him.

Mercedes folded her arms as she watched her brother run into the house. Moving to the door she turned the knob and frowned when it was locked. "No this fool didn't!"

"Hey, who was at the door?" His roommate Sam asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Uh, no one. Can you make sure Sondra cleans all the rooms and slip her an extra five hundred for her troubles. I'm going to be out for a few hours gotta… handle something." Malcolm responded.

"Dude you alright?" Sam asked, noticing the purple suitcase and cheetah print duffle bag.

"Yeah I'm good. Just… I will meet you at practice okay?" Malcolm said, grabbing his wallet.

Sam looked at him before nodding. "Alright man, see you then but before you go what do you want me to do about the twins?" Sam asked, nodding to his room.

"Shit! Just give them a jersey and then have Sondra kick them out…" He said quietly before putting Mercedes' stuff in the closet and waving as he ran out.

Mercedes leaned against the fence yawning when her brother ran out of the house. She sighed. "Soooo who you got in there?"

Malcolm smirked, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Sis, it's me. No one is in there, it's just messy and I don't want your first impression of my place to be a bad one. Let's go eat, I'm starving!" He said, guiding her to his truck.

"Yeah sure you don't. If you are gonna lie, can you at least make it believable?" She said getting inside and putting her seat belt on after opening his door. "You are a freak for real."

"Nah, I just have a lot of love to give. Who knows, maybe I'll make you an aunt one of these days!" He joked.

Mercedes side eyed him. "Hell for all we know you already have."

"Hey, I can neither confirm nor deny that. So what really made you come out here?" He asked, shooting her a knowing look. "Where's that fiance of yours?

Mercedes chewed her bottom lip as she looked out the window. "Jesse and I are no longer together."

"Thank God! So what, you moving out here with me? I can have you set up in like two months but I can't really promise that until I talk to Quinn and Santana…"

Mercedes looked over to her brother. "Thank God?"

"He was an asshole, I only tolerated him because of you besides you're too cute for him." He answered, patting her on the head. "You're too young to be settling down anyways."

She yanked her head away from him. "First off, stop petting me, I'm not a dog. Second, why didn't you say anything? You could have saved me…" She sighed. "And third. I am thirty, if that's too young then when should I settle down? Just cause you wanna be a 60 year old bachelor doesn't mean I want to be."

Malcolm looked over at his sister before pulling into the parking lot of a local diner and letting out a deep sigh. "Saved you?" He asked, gripping the steering wheel. "Saved you from what exactly?"

She shook her head. "Nothing…just lets get some food."

"Uh-uh, you're lying. Tell me!" Malcolm demanded

Mercedes looked over to her brother. "We just weren't a good fit okay?"

"Mercedes, look at me." He said softly.

She looked at him, willing the tears not to fall.

"Did he do something to hurt you? Did he cheat?" He asked her.

Mercedes shook her head. "He never touched me, he never cheats… he just…he became really controlling. What I wore, ate, who I saw. He didn't let me leave the house without him, he told me I was worthless and not good enough…that I was nothing without him…I just…I couldn't take it anymore."

Malcolm punched the steering wheel a few times letting out a huff before looking back at his sister. "You should've called me, you should have told… how long?" He asked, still breaking heavily as his anger began to rise.

"Mal this is why I didn't want to tell you! I knew you would be angry."

"You didn't want to tell me! You were just going to let that clown get away with treating you like shit! I have every right to be angry, you're MY little sister and it's my job to protect you! Where is he right now?"

"No because you have your career to think about! You can't be on the news for attacking him, you can't go to jail, you could lose everything!" She shook her head. "I left now, can't that be enough."

Malcolm looked at his sister in disbelief. "You think I care about that shit? I don't care if I get in trouble for defending you. You don't need to worry about my image, I have the best in the game and will be fine. Does he know you're here?"

"I care about it! You worked so hard…and to be honest maybe he was right. I mean I spent most of my 20's taking care of Nana, I didn't go to college, I don't have a real job…"

"Do you want to do that now? Hell, I can give you a job!"

"Mal! I am just saying that maybe I rushed into all this…he made me feel really bad but what if it was what I deserved?" She said looking down to her hands. "I thought leaving was me taking my life in my hands but the more I think about it, what do I have?"

Malcolm lifted her head up so that she was looking at him. "Don't ever disrespect yourself like that again. Come on, let's eat and I'll set up a few meetings with Santana and Quinn so they can help you transition. You have a lot to offer this world Cedes, even without him you always had it." He said unbuckling and getting out before opening her door for her.

Mercedes wiped her eyes as he helped her out of the car. Jesse tore her down so much she didn't think anything could lift her back up. But her brother was always there and she knew with him, maybe she could overcome her fears and issues and find something she really, truly loved to do.

Mercedes let the music play as she danced around the kitchen. She couldn't lie she was feeling better just being in Maine. After Mal finally let her in his condo, she went right to bed as he went to practice. So when she woke up a few hours later, she took a shower, threw on an over sized, off the shoulder tee shirt and pair of short cut offs, and went to the kitchen to make Mal dinner, or his favorite, brinner.

With the bacon and sausage in the oven, she sang along with Queen Bey, telling Jesse in her head that he must not know about her! While she flipped the pancakes. It felt freeing to do something because she wanted and not because she had too.

Plating the pancakes she grabbed the eggs and cheese before going to the cabinet grabbing the salt and pepper. Letting the butter melt in the pot, she added the eggs and seasoning and took everything to the table making sure to cover everything up so it would stay warm. Once the eggs were finished she checked the time wondering when he would arrive. It was ten past the time he said he would be home.

As "Dance for you" Came on she smiled taking full advantage of being in his condo alone and began to sing as she danced and dropped it low for an imaginary man in the chair near her.

Sam walked inside hearing music playing and let out a groan when he smelled food. He dropped his bags by the door and walked towards the kitchen, when he got there he saw a woman dancing sexily and couldn't help admiring her ass.

Mercedes was so into the music and singing she didn't even realize anyone was there. Spinning around and grinding in the chair she yelped as she opened her eyes and saw a man standing in front of her. "Oh my Gosh!" She fell back into the seat losing her balance.

"Don't stop on my account." Sam teased.

She stood pulling her shirt down and running her hands through her hair. "You must be Mal's roommate…I am sorry about that."

Sam chuckled. "I am, you must be his… girlfriend? Now I see why he was acting all weird, I would keep you hidden too."

Mercedes raised her eyebrow. "His what now? Wow, do I really look like one of those groupies he sleeps with?"

Sam shot her a look before shaking his head. "Mal doesn't have groupies, he has… girlfriends and no you certainly don't look like any of them." Sam replied not caring that he was flirting with her.

Mercedes smiled, shaking her head. This man was really hot and really bold. "I'm Mercedes…Jones." She said, letting it sink in.

Sam's eyes grew wide before he felt his face growing warm. "Oh wow, you're Cedes then… his little sister." Sam shook his head. "Now, I really know why he kept you hidden."

"Yes his sister…and you are…Sam Evans, Quarterback for the Patriots.. Very talented on the field, very easy on the eyes." She teased.

Sam ran his hand through hair before chuckling. "Mhm… well thank you. I'm pretty talented off the field too." He countered knowing he needed to stop before Mal beat his ass.

Mercedes blushed, it had been a long time since a man flirted with her. "Oh? Well that is something I would love to see."

Sam moved closer to her and smirked. "Dance for me like that and you will." He said, looking at her hungrily.

Mercedes could have melted right there because the look he gave her went straight to her core and she couldn't help the soft maon that left her lips.

"Ah what the fuck is this?" Malcolm asked, seeing his sister and his roommate standing too close for his liking.

Mercedes jumped back and looked at her brother, "Mal! Hey I made Brinner."

"Mhm, why don't you have any clothes on? And why are you looking at my sister like that?" He asked, pulling her behind him to block Sam's view.

"Ha I am wearing more than any of your groupies wear! It's not like I don't have pants on!"

"I can't tell! Go put some clothes on and you, you stop looking at my sister!"

"Boy just shut up and come eat!" Mercedes said, ignoring her brother. "There is more than enough for you too Sam."

Sam smirked looking her up and down again. "Can't wait to taste your cooking." He said, earning a look from Malcolm.

Mercedes blushed, grabbing an extra plate and putting it on the table and then grabbed the orange juice.

Malcolm narrowed his eyes at the both of them before walking over to his sister and stopping her before she reached the table. "You're being entirely too chummy with a man you don't even know." He said and she rolled her eyes at him.

"It's called being hospitable. You should try it some time." She said moving past him.

"Hospitable my ass, y'all flirting!" He replied, grabbing her arm to stop her. "Maybe you should stay in a hotel until I can get you a place."

"Yes because since I turned 15 every time I so much as smiled at someone I was flirting. While you have a different girl in your bed every night! Grow up and sit down before the food gets cold!" She said, yanking her arm away from him. "I am not going to a hotel."

Malcolm looked after his sister completely shocked before sighing and choosing to let her cool down before doing it anyway. He made sure to sit between the two of them so they wouldn't be flirting anymore and he kept his eyes on Sam.

Mercedes started plating the food and looked at both her brother and Sam. "How was practice? I am so excited to get to see you all playing in person and not just on TV." Though sometimes Jesse shut it off as punishment for her not doing what he wanted her to do, she tried to watch as many games as she could.

"We're gonna kick ass that's for sure!" Sam replied high fiving Malcolm. "Are you sitting in the box or in the stands?" He asked, smiling at her.

Mercedes shrugged. "I am not sure. I mean I love the box for sure but there is nothing like being close to the field and getting to see it all up close and personal."

"You can come to some of our practices, I can show you a few… things." Sam teased and Malcolm shook his head.

"The hell she will, she doesn't need to be around that mess."

"I am not a little kid Malcolm! I am thirty and I can handle a few grown sweaty men! I don't see the problem here, you act like I am gonna mount the entire team." She found herself looking at Sam at that moment and blushed looking away.

"Woah! Mount? Really sis… now I can't even finish my food. You are a baby! Good night!" Malcolm said getting up and walking away from the table.

Mercedes laughed, shaking her head, "I swear he is still too easy."

Sam chuckled. "So you don't plan on mounting the team?" He joked. "The food is amazing by the way, very… tasty."

"No I don't plan on mounting the team…well not all of them anyways." She said, smirking. This was so different and yet she couldn't help herself, Sam was so easy to talk too and flirt with. "Thanks I like cooking, it relaxes me almost as much as singing does."

"Does dancing relax you too?"

Her face flushed as the memory of Sam catching her came back. "I really am sorry about that. I can only imagine what you think of me after that."

"I promise you, you don't know what I'm thinking." He said, biting his lip and winking at her.

Woo this man right here was trouble. She took a risk and leaned in closer to him. "So tell me what you are thinking."

Sam followed her lead and leaned in closer as well. "I'd much rather show you, you seem like a visual person." He answered, moving his hand under the table and gripping her thigh.

Mercedes licked her lips, her breath hitching at his touch. "Wouldn't you know it, I am a visual and physical learner…"

Marcus made it all the way to his room before he realized the mistake he made, Sam and Mercedes were now alone in the kitchen. Nope that wasn't gonna fly. Yes Sam was a good dude and while he trusted Sam like a brother, that was still his little sister. Walking back to the kitchen he moved back between them.

Mercedes pulled back from Sam and looked at her brother. "I thought you weren't hungry Mal?"

"Suddenly I am starvin' so pass me my plate back!"

Mercedes exhaled, handing him his plate and looking over to Sam. "So what are your plans for tonight?"

"He is going to the gym, with me and the guys as a good captain should." Malcolm said. "And no, we don't allow any distractions…and you sis are a huge distraction."

"I am not! That's rude, no one has ever called me that before." Mercedes said, shaking her head.

"Not to your face! Do you know why I was glad to get traded from the Cowboys? You came up one game and after that all my teammates could think about was getting a piece of you. That is not happening here!"

"That can't be true." Mercedes said.

Malcolm shook his head. "See, that proves you are still a baby."

"I don't think she'd be a distraction." Sam shrugged. "If anything they'll work out harder to impress her." He said, winking at her.

Malcolm side eyed him. "Is that why you are about to put a forkful of nothing in your mouth? Cause she ain't no distraction?"

Sam looked down at his empty fork chuckling. "To be fair the food is that damn good but I think you should get it out of the way now because they will see her at the game and the after party and you know you don't want them to meet her then."

"Oh she ain't going to no after party. The things that go down there, she's too wholesome for that. No, she will come back here after the game."

"Mal! Will you stop acting like I am some 16 year old virgin you have to protect. News flash I have had sex before and I know how to turn down horny athletes." Mercedes said matter of factly.

Sam laughed as he took a sip of his drink before shooting Malcolm a look. "Dude, just let her come to the party. San and Quinn will be here so she won't even be alone."

Mercedes glanced at Sam, letting her foot reach out and touch his leg. "Exactly and I will have you and Sam looking after me."

Malcolm sighed, still shaking his head. "It's too wild besides Puck and Anthony and Mike will all be there and they're all hoes."

Sam completely tuned out Malcolm and looked at Mercedes before smirking and reaching down to grab her foot. "Like she said, we'd be there to watch after her."

"Besides I am not a hoe…so let them go out hoeing, they won't have my attention." She said, pushing her foot between his legs.

Sam's jaw clenched and he forced a cough to cover his groan when he felt her foot graze over his lap. "Maybe she should come back here…" He countered and Mercedes shot him a look.

"Now we're talking!" Malcolm said, nodding at his best friend.

Mercedes shook her head and started to move her foot but Sam held onto it tighter. "She'd be here all alone and you wouldn't know if she'd had someone here with her because you'd be at the party." Sam said nonchalantly. "They're gonna see her in the stands and you always have to press after, meaning for a good hour she's going to be alone with the team…"

"Wait… what?" Malcolm said, realizing Sam was right.

Sam adjusted running his hand up her ankle. "No one ever sits in your seats at the games, so they will notice her and respectfully, see that she's sexy. And you know they're not going to wait to ask you who she is, so for that hour she's going to be the center of attention." Sam explained.

"I don't mind that, with everything that has happened I could use the pick me up." Mercedes said, smiling at her brother as she tried not to react to Sam touching her leg. Even in the times she and Jesse were together he never made her feel this wanted or this alive with just a touch.

Malcolm ran his hands over his face. "I hate you both."

Mercedes picked up a piece of bacon. "Love you too big bro."

Sooooooo... let us know if you like it so far!