The Interview
Sam
"Sam" Dianne shouted from the back room "You need to be making your way through for sound test" she said looking at the door waiting for him to make an entrance "Sam" she shouted again rolling her eyes
"Shut the fuck up Dianne I heard you the first time I'm on the damn phone" he hollered back
"Ok" she shouted back with a bit of a laugh in her voice, she loved winding him up before an interview he'd be in the vilest mood and then anything could come out ensuring he'd make the front page the following day
"Where's Tony why are you here?" he asked as he finally came out the back room smiling "And I know what you're doing this interview is going to be plain sailing" making her laugh
"But you give the best interviews when you're mad" she said in baby style back at him
"That shit might work with your husband but me no way" he replied "stakes are much higher now"
"So Mr NFL Quarterback, you refuse to bite the bait?" Dianne asked
"Refuse" Sam replied grabbing his jacket and following the crew of guys out the door towards the studio
Sam had just snagged the position of Quarterback in the big leagues his salary had suddenly gone from £20m to £45m and he was definitely the talk of the football world right now. He'd played football since he was a lad at school and gone through the motions, sitting on the bench, thrown off for fowls, fighting for his spot, chasing the cheerleaders and even bedding a few on his way up but he'd recently gotten to a place in his life where he'd decided that football needed to be taken serious and he'd done away with the boy stuff at 23 and decided to be professional. On his second game after his decision he was scouted and now, 6 months later, here he was about to be an example to other boys of how hard working and dedicated you have to be to be where he is on the Social Life & Sports Today show with host Judith Green. He'd laughed forever at Judith actually being a man until he'd actually met him and decided he really couldn't handle himself against this man if he took offence and stopped, they'd met at official events Sam or his arm candy had been invited to on many occasions so this was no biggie.
"Ok there'll be other celebs on the show so you'll need to get the first or last spot before people get the chance to turn over or tune in late" Dianne briefed him as they walked "The actual show is in four hours and because of the celeb list they're doing it live so every mistake is filmed and Sam; No swearing" she warned as he took the time to look at her for that
"So this is just to set up and everything yeah" he confirmed before everyone stopped as he carried on walking onto set
"Yeah" Dianne shouted after him
He sat in the chair had some make up smeared on him and tits flashed in his face with smiles one going as far as to sit on his lap while she was straightening his tie, he wasn't fazed he'd seen it all before, in fact he played it up with them he saw no harm in it. Sam was very easy on the eye with his green eyes, blond hair, magnificent abs, lopsided grin and cheeky smile, knowing how to use them, he always got what he wanted.
About 40 minutes later he was guided off set and was greeted by Tony "Good to see you finally made an appearance" Sam said to a guilty looking Tony
"I had to go for a test" he told him
"Everything alright?" Sam asked with concern in his voice
"Di wants babies just checking the tackle and stuff you know"
"Good luck with that" He said walking off thinking Baby's fuck sake
"Mr Evan's" the stage director called after them "Mr Evans" he said stopping just behind him as Sam turned round "Just to say you have the first spot we want to get the important stuff out first" he laughed as Sam nodded his acknowledgement of the information he'd passed on
"What time is that?"
"7 p.m." he replied before moving off
"Oh 4 hours I can go off camp yeah?" Sam shouted after him
"Yes but we need at least 90 minutes for prep" he replied turning and almost running back to the set
Mercy
Mercedes Jones a big R&B Diva, multi Grammy Award winner, hit after hit, CEO of Plus Size fashion and Plus Magazine was in her dressing room on her lap top doing business while she waited for her call to be sound tested for the Social Life & Sports Today show with host Judith Green. She'd been busy as a child having been born into the business with musical parents she understood this world and loved it but her flare for fashion had come from her Grandmother, while reading with the need to know had come from hours of having to self-entertain when her parents were in theatre or on screen. She was well rounded had no illusions about life as a celebrity she knew it was a hard slog and barely any of her time was actually hers. At 23 she still hadn't found time to even think about boys let alone a relationship and although she knew too well she had a biological clock that ticked very loud sometimes until she felt comfortable at the top of her tree that was something she was willing to push to the back of her list, for now anyway.
"Mercedes it's time to go" Anthony her agent said as he popped his head through the door
"I'm there just setting this one last thing up" she said taping on her keyboard as she got up
"You ready Missy you need to do this in one we have a meeting before the show starts and we have to get back about 90 minutes before take-off" Anthony said as he walked her to set
Mercedes sat in the chair while they pampered and prodded her she was used to these things and the one thing she'd learnt from her parents experience was to take it off less was more in the makeup department, she gave her instructions to the artists as they plastered on and took off until she was happy she could see some of her natural self in there, they did the sound checks and she was out of there.
"Anthony just to let you know Miss Jones is third on set at about 8 p.m. and remember 90 minutes before please" the stage director said as Mercedes left the set
The Show
"Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome to Social Life & Sports Today show with your host Judith Green" the commentator said as Judith walked on stage took his applause and found his seat
"Well friends, acquaintances" he shouted at the crowd who erupted again "Tonight is a live show, we like to do that for you every now and again" he said to more cheers "We have guests galore guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seats" he said to more clapping "This year, just two months ago actually the NFL saw some serious change in the ranks as the Nations favourite team took on their biggest nugget yet. There's certainly a lot of pressure on this guy to perform on the field but I guess he'll have no problem performing off it, if you know what I mean, Please put your hands together and welcome Sam Evans" Judith just about got out before the crowd erupted big time
"Hi" Sam came out saying overwhelmed by the response waving at the crowd before shaking Judith's hand as he pointed him to sit in the spot he'd sat in earlier "Wow" Sam said as he sat sown still waving to the crowd "Thank you" he said shy written all over his face "Thank you all your awesome" he said when they finally stopped welcoming him.
Judith: "So welcome to the show Sam" Judith said smiling at him "So let's discuss the melon in the room NFL?" he said
Sam: "Yes NFL it is a bit of a melon seeing as I haven't proved my worth as yet but I'm pretty confident I will"
Judith: "What does it feel like to be taken from should we say the bottom of the tree and be put at the top how many noses do you think you've disjointed?" he asked
Sam: "I imagine quite a few but I'd like to think they can see that I earned it, in the midst of all that hate" he laughed
Judith: "So when is your first game?"
Sam: "In about a month I think, I'm in training now along with the rest of the team just settling in and stuff" he said looking up for think time
Judith: "And I'm right in thinking you'll be playing Quarterback yeah?"
Sam: That's right
Judith: That's all the NFL questions I have so the next set are about you Sam from the audience, are you single they want to know?"
Sam: "Yes at the moment I'm single by choice" he smiled as the audience went wild again for a short while
Judith: "You can guess what's coming next" he said as Sam just looked at him waiting "What's your type?" he asked as the crowd became rowdy again
Sam: "Seriously" he asked as Judith nodded a yes "I don't really have a type as such, for me it has to be a deep connection, I'm seriously into feelings" he said as all the girls swooned at his answer
Judith: "So what you're saying is you don't care what they look like as long as you feel something for them?" he asked
Sam: "Of course like everyone else all you see is what's on the outside of anyone at first look but once you get in there and see the real them someone really pretty could have a really ugly soul and visa versa. I tend not to be so shallow if I'm attracted I'm attracted you know?"
Judith: "You've been attached to women like Josey Greg, Mini Lowe, Jean Gress among others I wouldn't have said they were ugly on the outside or even the inside so what happened?"
Sam: "I guess in most instances we just drifted apart, in this game its really hard to juggle all aspects or your life in equal amounts and at times something has to give, with my commitment it's usually my social life and that never works to well with your lady does it?" he laughed
Judith: "I guess it doesn't" he said to Sam before carrying on "one last audience question" he said waving the card at Sam "Do you have a love interest at the moment?" he laughed "I'm concerned about how much of your personal life this audience wants to know"
Sam: "I guess that's to be expected as I'm new to the buzz world" he said laughing with Judith "Love interest" he said considering what to say there "I'm not closed to love because it comes from unexpected places but the only love I have an interest in right now is NFL people"
Judith: "Sam thank you for sharing with us" he said getting up to shake his hand "I do hope you'll stay on and do our quiz game with us at the end of the show when all the guests have come on and, please stay for some music was have coming up soon" he said as they both sat back down and the audience applaud and whistled for Sam's interview
As they came back from the break Judith introduce the next guest "Ladies and Gentlemen this particular lady has her feet in theatre and her hands in Drama, she renowned for her role as Donna in a Blockbuster suspense film released just 2 months ago which hit the box offices yesterday, here's a clip of the lady in action" he said as an excerpt from the film played on the big screen before going back to Judith who announced "Please welcome Sandra Doe" he said holding his hand up to the left of the stage waiting for Sandra to make her entrance. The crowd cheered and clapped her onto the stage as she prepared to take her seat next to Sam on the sofa
Judith: "Good evening Sandra and thank you for joining us" he said kissing her before she sat, which she did, looking at the crowd before going in for a kiss from Sam purposely kissing him on the lips as the audience cheered
Sandra: "No thank you Judith absolutely lovely to be here" she said looking at Sam sitting next to her and the audience laughed
Judith: "Are you flirting with my guest?" he asked
Sandra: "Can you see me flying through the air I'm throwing myself at him" she laughed "he's a cutie" she said touching his lap suggestively, Sam just sat sucking it up thinking no fucking way with a smile on his face crowd pleasing
Judith: "So Sandra after 5 years of playing Bell in theatre which was a magnificent show by the way" he said as everyone clapped her efforts "You switch on us and do a film what made you want to do that?"
Sandra: I wanted to break the mould I'd done Bell that long I felt I was making it hard for anyone to see me as anything else, which isn't a good place for an actor" she said looking around to see Sam still had the same smile on his face
Judith: "So you play Alex in this new film can you tell us anything about her?"
Sandra: "Well she's a 30 year old …." Sam sat thinking this woman had gone into such detail it was a wonder anyone had to go see the film again after her so called synopsis. He sat thinking there must be other people in this film but she hasn't mentioned anyone else just herself,
"Absolutely shallow" he said under his breath but she must have heard him because she spun round
"Sorry?" she asked
"Sorry I was pondering on something I'd said during my interview about being shallow" he said laughing
"Oh" she said opening the silence gap up just enough for Judith to get another question in before he eventually closed her down and went to break
"Quiz after this next celeb" Judith stated
Sam didn't want to stay but he felt he had to after staying for this flighty, shallow girl he'd be insulting the next person by leaving so he hung on
When they'd come back from the break Judith piped up again "My next guest has been in the business longer than I have but is less than half my age, if you can believe that" he laughed as did the audience "I'm pretty sure everyone in here has tried on or had on a piece of her brand of clothing, we've all definitely read her magazine and if you've been under a rock and not done either of those I'm sure you've heard her voice before as she's racked up 12 number 1 hits, taken 3 Grammy's and is up for various awards this year for her innovative business sense and talent Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome Miss Mercedes Jones" he got out as the audience stood clapping waiting for her entrance.
Mercedes came out and stopped Sam's breath he stood along with everyone else clapping trying to figure out if this really was who he thought it was, that bomb singer he and the guys had dreamt about as lads in the changing rooms, the picture he still had on his wall at home "God it is" he said to himself as everything he did went into slow motion. He stood watching as she flounced over to Judith, curtsied for the audience before turning to air kiss him Air kissed Sandra and God it was his turn, he bit the bullet and actually kissed her on the cheek. Her face instinctively withdrew but her hands stayed firmly in his as an unfamiliar heat travelled through his body making his face glow with embarrassment. They pulled apart and stared at each other for a few seconds but it felt like hours like the world stopped for those few hours, which turned out to be milli-seconds
"Did we just witness something there?" Judith asked pulling them out of their daze as Mercy looked at him
"Witness what I said hello" she said sitting down next to Sandra on the sofa as the audience clapped obviously seeing the same as Judith
Judith: "Ok Mercedes thank you for being on our show today" he started with "We know you're a busy woman so to fit this in we are truly grateful"
Mercedes: "Not at all I'm so happy to be here with you guys" she said looking at the audience who applaud her again
Judith: "So let's get down and dirty Mercedes I'm just going to fire at you like pow pow pow" he said doing the actions "Clothing business how is that going?"
Mercedes: "It's going great I have so much support from all over the world right now I'm just blessed every day, you know women, men and children contact me every day thanking me for providing fashionable clothes for plus size people and so many great stories of people finding their mojo it's amazing" she said smiling as people clapped "And I'd just like to set the records straight on that people think I'm empowering them but it's the other way round all the support keeps me going as I said I'm blessed with every word"
Judith: "That's great and the magazine where are you planning on taking that?"
Mercedes: "Judith if I'm honest the public keeps that going with all the recipes, stories, tips and fashion ideas they send in and I have a great team of people who do all the research on that I really can't take all the credit"
Judith: "Do you get time for a private life in all of this work work work work work" he sang as everyone cheered
Mercedes: "What are you asking Judith?" she asked with a smile
Judith: "I guess I'm asking if you have a significant other yet?"
Mercedes: "I guess the quick answer to that is no but, my true answer to that is there has been no one I've felt like being distracted for" she said as the audience wooed
Judith: "So you have an ideal type?" he asked looking at the audience "Were you listening to the show before this?"
Mercedes: "Is there a way to listen to the show from out there I didn't know that" she said looking behind the set
Judith: "No there isn't" he laughed "Your type?" he asked
Mercedes: "I don't think I have a type I guess it's maybe about a, now don't laugh at me" she said looking at the audience and then back at Judith "A connection" she said as everyone clapped her response
Judith: "So" He said edging to the end of his seat "You don't care what the person looks like it has to be a connection?" he confirmed
Mercedes: "I wouldn't say I don't care but it's not a major factor" she said smiling as the audience wooed again "This is freaky change the subject" she said looking at the now laughing audience
Judith: "Let's talk music Mercedes" he said still laughing "It's just that Sam and you had the same answer" he said as she looked and Sam and smiled while the audience were still clapping "So your new song, you're going to sing it for us I understand" he said as she nodded a yes before he looked out to the audience "Ladies and gentlemen I give you Miss Mercedes Jones singing her version of Jealous" he said as Mercedes made her way to the small stage at the other side where the band was and started singing "Jealous" by Beyoncé Knowles
"Wow Mercedes that was fantastic" Judith said as everyone was up clapping her rendition of the song "Folks you have to go buy that song" he said to the camera "We'll be back in a tick with the Quiz so don't go anywhere"
"Sam" Sandra said once the cameras were off "We must hang out sometime"
"And do what?" he asked
"Say have a date or something; food, movie you know that kind of thing"
"I don't date" he said dismissing her conversation as he walked away "Tony" he shouted across the length of the backstage making Tony walk towards him
"Yep" he said when he got there
"I need to know everything about Miss Jones" he said
"That's too easy she's the daughter of Delia and Wesley Jones you know the celebrity couple just google her, as far as I know she's not interested in boyfriends and she's not gay, a bit of a workaholic and if you believe everything you read she's still a virgin"
"You go on google and I want everything" he said before making his way back to the studio for the quiz
When Sam got back to the studio Judith was sitting in his place so he temporarily sat in Mercedes place as she was sitting in Sandra's place anyway talking to Judith as Mercedes suddenly turned and included him in the conversation "Sorry I have my back to you" she said
"That's fine" Sam replied allowing her to carry on saying whatever it was she was saying to Judith as he sat listening but not listening
"Just one minutes left" the director called "Where's Sandra?" he asked her agent as the music started for the final twenty minutes of the show as Sandra ran across the set and ended up sitting in Mercedes spot which meant Mercedes was in the middle of the trio
"Welcome back" Judith said to applause "Its Tell it like it is time everyone" he shouted as everyone cheered and Sandra, Mercedes and Sam stood up and shook themselves down ready for the challenge "Right two minutes each so as many pictured quotes as you can guess for the trophy" Sandra went first getting 9 pints, Mercedes second getting 15 and Sam also got 15 "We have a draw" Judith laughed "No way were you going to let a girl beat you erh" he said to Sam patting his back
"You joke don't you I really had to go for it to catch her up" he said laughing back
He congratulated them and soon the show was over
"Congratulations" Sam said to Mercedes as they left the set "We should keep in touch" he said handing her his card and she took it as she walked away from him both going back to their life.
2 MONTHS
Sam started to take more notice of Mercedes Jones' music, business and even her magazine, Tony had given him the run down on her background and he was intrigued that anyone could be in the business and stay so down to earth he liked the idea of her but he hadn't taken her contact details for fear of presuming
Mercy had taken to watching football she'd toyed with buying a season ticket and looked at his calling card more than one hundred times over the past 2 months. The only reason she hadn't called him was because it tended to be a stupid o'clock in the morning when she'd finally finished some project or she was fed up of seeing couples all over the place and talked herself into not presenting as needy.
Mercy
"The Doyle's are having a ball in 4 months Sweetie I thought you could go with young Bevan what do you think?" her mother asked one evening she was visiting Mercedes
"Mom why do you always presume I want to be with a boy to feel important" she asked
"Not important Sweet, it's just everyone else will have someone and I guess it's me not wanting you to feel left out" she replied
"Luke won't bring anyone I'll go with him he's too tight to spend money on a date" she laughed
"It's not good to always be seen out with your best friend Sweet" her mother replied and she knew that was true but she laughed anyway
"You know I might know someone" she said as her Mom looked at her for a while
"You've met someone special?" she asked
"I've met someone and it feels special but we'll see" she said picking her towel up and heading to her bathroom
Sam
"Sam we're going on the rampage tonight you in?" Gary one of the players, asked him as everyone stood around listening but pretending not to. Sam had gained himself a bit of reputation by not getting dragged into the sleeping around thing some thought he was gay, some thought maybe he had a disease or something and he was never in the mood to tell them any different.
"No I'm cool" he said as everyone privately laughed and knocked each other "I did all that stuff in my early years it's boring now I just need a proper relationship" he followed with as everyone sort of stopped taking the piss about it
"So you got someone in mind?" Gary asked
"I'm kind of hoping someone has me in mind to be honest"
"How far along are you with that?" he enquired
"She has my number it's just a waiting game now" he said genuinely
"How long you been waiting?"
"Two months for this one so far" he replied
"How long you willing to wait?"
"Until I feel different I guess" he said checking his phone
4 MONTHS LATER
The Conversation
"Hello" Mercy said when the receiver was picked up
"Hello" Sam said
"Sam is that you? It's Mercedes I don't know if you remember me we…"
"Mercedes yes the talk show, how are you?" he asked
"I'm fine I've been struggling with making this call to be honest I don't do this" she laughed
"What make phone calls?" he asked
"Yes, I mean no, I mean ask men out" she fumbled out, sweating, if she'd have been any other colour she would have been bright red instead she'd gone a darker shade of natural
"I'd love that when? Where?" he asked using his free hand to punch the air as he jumped around for joy at the call
"Em Chromes do you know it?" she asked
"Yeah what time? When?" he asked eager for it to be today
"Maybe Thursday at say 8 p.m. is that good for you?" she asked
"Could we make it 8.30 p.m. for practice finishing?" he asked
"That's fine" she replied "So Thursday 8.30 p.m. I'll see you then"
"Yeah then; bye" he said
"Bye" she replied
"God I can't believe I just did that" Mercy said to herself as she put the phone down "But I'm glad I did" she smiled
THURSDAY: 6 MONTHS AND ONE WEEK AND 5 DAYS AFTER THE SHOW
Mercy
"Mercy I've asked Luke to come round with the gang for company we're going out this evening and I think you work too hard and play too little" her Dad said over the phone
"What time?" she asked
"They'll be here about 5 p.m. don't forget to eat" he said before putting the phone down
"Mercy called Luke "Hi Luke" she said when he answered "I know Dad asked you all to come round but seriously I could do without it and I know, before you say, he told you not to let me talk you out of it" she said laughing "But if I don't talk you out of it you'll just be sitting watching me getting ready" she said waiting for the questioning
"Don't lie you're going on a date?" Luke asked
"I didn't say that I just said I'd be getting ready" she smiled
"Merc I know you remember and I know, we've talked about this, and you're getting ready for a date" he questioningly stated
"I'm taking the fifth" she laughed
"Girl you've connected, you've found your Jake" he cooed over the phone
"We'll see" she said obviously smiling as she said it "But not a word to anyone I'm trusting you with my secret if the papers get hold of this I'm doomed"
Luke got to hers later on at 4.30 p.m. "I've come to support let's see what you've chosen to wear" he asked as she opened the door to him and he pushed her upstairs "And why isn't your face done?"
"Less is more Luke everyone knows that" she laughed as they mounted the stairs
After hours of dress changing, hair dos and make up tries she finally settled for a simple red dress, with bright red lippy black shoes, purse and accessories, her make up wasn't heavy enough to be too forward but she was definitely suggesting something by the time Luke finished with her "There" he said as he put the last diamond in her hairdo "If you don't at least get a Wow he's not worth it" he said standing back to look at his handy work.
Mercy got up and looked in the mirror and was pleased with what she saw "I feel em … Sexy" she finally surmised
"You look hot" Luke said "If I wasn't man fab I'd maybe try my luck" he said looking at her standing in the mirror as her eyes met his and they laughed "Dress on" he said clapping his hands as Mercy ran over to her dress and got in it. Standing there makeup flawless, Hair perfect and dress looking like she'd been sewn into it made Luke smile "Go get your man girl" was all he could say as he followed her out and watched her get in her car.
Sam
Sam had been having some serious dreams, fantasies, thoughts about Mercedes which hadn't lessened in frequency with the knowledge of him having a date with her on Thursday, don't ask him where the days went but he'd woken up today and God it was Thursday D day, he skipped breakfast he really couldn't deal with it today and went out for his morning run instead. He'd taken to doing runs in the mornings to clear his head and cool down after his nights of insatiable passion with his fantasy of Mercedes, after nearly 7 months of no contact he'd have thought his feelings would have died down but the exact opposite happened for him. It wasn't something he understood about himself, this had never happened to him before he couldn't focus and he was sweating for no reason. By practice that afternoon even he knew he was a wreck.
"Sam" Carlos the Coach, shouted across the field near the end of practice as Sam went running over
"Yes Coach" he said panting for breath
"I feel like you haven't given your all today you need to get your focus on, don't tell me I have to ban you from privileges for a week?" he asked
"No Coach I'm fine just an off day"
"Ok let's go till 9 see if we can get you back on"
"Coach I really can't do that tonight, can I come early in the morning?" he asked
"I wasn't aware that off days lasted overnight" Coach laughed as Sam looked around to see who was about
"I have a date tonight Coach a really important one and I need to turn up" he said shyly
"A date?" Coach said raising his eyebrows "I thought you were against all that"
"I was unless there was a connection and I got a connection" he laughed nervously
"Can I ask?" Coach said
"You can but there'll be no answer until it's firmed up a bit it's a first date" Sam said a bit more confident
"Off you go then and good luck connecting" Coach laughed as Sam started running to the changing rooms
As he expected everyone had showered already and were having their usual banter about the events taking place that evening, they didn't bother to ask Sam anymore he was never up for anything, they said their goodbyes as Sam sat messing about waiting for them to go
"He thinks he's clever something's going on" Gary said to the lads as they left the changing room "Let's sit and wait see what he's doing" only 2 of his team mates were up for that, the rest left anyway.
Sam showered and put on his black jeans, t-shirt, boots and hat with a Red shirt over the top of it and his gold buckle, threw his sports bag over his shoulder he left the changing room
"Where you going Sam" Gary shouted across the open space as the front of the stadium
"Nowhere that concerns you" Sam said with a smile on his face for them waiting 'not so cute then Evans' he thought as he carried on walking towards his truck got in it and drove off
The Date
Sam pulled up more than 15 minutes early he stood outside for a while before going in to check if she was there and when he didn't see her he came back out "Sorry" he said as he pulled the door and a woman almost fell in on him
"It's ok" the woman said looking up to see Sam looking back at her "Oh are you going?" Mercedes asked
"No, no I was making my mind up as to whether I was waiting inside of outside" he said smiling "Come on in" he said moving out the way to let her pass him. He followed her to the seats she had booked in a quiet corner and took her coat unable to stop the "Wow" that came out of his mouth on taking her coat off as he made sure she was seated before he took his seat her smile for his reaction going unnoticed "I'm glad you decided to call" he said trying to break the ice
"I don't really do things like that, I hope you don't think bad of me" she replied
"Never" he said before the wine waiter arrived and they ordered a bottle and took the menu "We could discuss the weather, life in general, jobs, and all sorts of meaningless things but I want to know who Mercedes is" he said shocking himself for how upfront he was being
"What do you most hate about yourself and others?" she asked
"Hate? I'd have to say my insecurities" he laughed "And there are a lot of them" he said "I hate that I mind what people think about me, that I don't like being on show strange yeah with me being in football but true, when girls come on to me in a big way, when girls assume I like them, and that alcohol hates me" he said looking back at her with a smile on his face "And you"
"About myself nothing but; I hate when people fake around me, when the tabloids put crap out about me, when my parents tell me what I'm doing, when I'm cheated on" she said looking at Sam for that last one he didn't respond he just asked the next question
"So what do you love about yourself?"
"Too easy everything" she said
"I'd like to get my left nipple moved apparently it's uneven" he said "But that's it"
"I couldn't comment I'd have to see" she said smiling "Why are you interested in me?" she asked
"Seriously?" he asked as she nodded a yes "Well; this could get personal" he laughed "I noticed your booty first" he smiled "Then your voice, eyes, boobs all the upfront stuff and then you said hello and the electricity that passed through us made me stand to attention. I wondered what that was about and then when you started talking to Judith you sounded like me so much I was intrigued to know more about you and by the end of the show I'd formed an attraction to you" he said unashamedly to her looking at her the whole time. "I'm not going to lie I got off set that day and asked Tony; my agent, to do a check on you well of course he laughed and told me you were celebrity gold so I edged my bets anyway that you might want someone real" he said waiting for a comeback but when he didn't get one he carried on "I'm not money, I've fluked it to where I am, I guess my skills got me there and if I'm not shrewd now I could leave this game with nothing. The few friends I do have are just as busy as me so it's very rare we actually get together and we all understand that but really I don't want to replace them so, I'm a bit of a loaner" he said sitting back as he saw the waiter approaching "Have you made your choice?" he asked nodding at her menu
"I already know what I'm having" she said as he approached and they gave their order
"So why did you decide to call me?"
"Well I hear you about the electricity when we met, and when Judith told me we answered the same yeah I was interested but in all honesty physical attraction aside, my parents have started setting up dates for me and I'm not having it" she laughed "I looked at your number for months too scared to just put myself out there like this I never know what's real you know but I guess in the end that electricity won it. I figured no way could two people connect like that and ignore what nature is saying to them Luke, my best friend said it best, I found my Jake I hope"
"Avatar" Sam said excitedly
"Favourite film"
"Ever"
"Please don't speak it unless you want to call me Yawn (Love) in the future I'll accept that" she laughed as Sam moved his eyebrows up and down
"A lady who knows what she wants, I like it" he smirked "So what do your friends call you?"
"Well Mercedes really, except Luke who tends to call me Merc"
"I'm going to be forward here and ask if I can call you Yawn" he said smiling "Not meaning anything by it just yet and I'll tell you when I do mean something by it" he laughed
"Are you saying this is going to happen again?" she asked
"I was going to ask you the same thing" he laughed
"Truthfully I have an event coming up in about three months and I was going to ask you to be my plus one if this went well I think it has so I'm asking will you be my plus one?" she said not taking her eye off him
"I'd love to be your plus one, continually and unconditionally" he said
"Did you just ask to make this a regular thing?" she asked blushing
"I did but before you answer, I'm a footballer so season times are busy for me I might not have the time you need me to have at times my body won't be there but my heart will and I just need you to know that I'm a one woman man I don't play around and I expect the same from my partner lastly if I get into this I mean for it to get real serious"
"I need you to know, I'm a virgin by choice and I need to know when I give myself you my mate he's mine and I'm his forever" she smiled "Do you know what I mean?" she asked
"Yep you need to be married" he said "Not a problem, are we suggesting we might want to become an item?" he asked
"Yeah I think I'd love that, I know we haven't even kissed yet but I don't even need that at this stage I think I'm recklessly in"
"I would do that now, I mean kiss you but, I really don't want to draw attention I bet the tabloids are outside already" he said "I want to keep this between us for a long as possible"
"Give me your address" she said once they'd finished dinner and were ready to leave Chromes
They went out and faced the tabloids separately Mercy going first, she drove home and left with the Butler who dropped her off at Sam's address an hour later. Sam had made his way home and was sitting thinking about his night and basking in the fact that he'd got a girlfriend that he hadn't really kissed yet and they were going to take things slow.
"It was 12.15 a.m. and Sam decided he was going to bed because he'd promised Coach he'd go in early to do his routine in the morning when his doorbell rang, he answered it shocked to hear Mercedes voice on the intercom "Come up" he quickly said throwing things out of sight as he scanned the room before getting back to the door "Hi what are you doi…" was all he got out before Mercedes grabbed his face and he was gone. Parts of his body had swollen so much he wasn't even embarrassed about it he wanted this woman and she wanted marriage so he knew he had to find the strength to stop at some point soon plus it was a first kiss "Fuck" he gasped as he pulled her off him "I need to stop"
"Really?" she asked shocked
"Really" he said pointing at his trousers before Mercedes understood
"Sorry" she said getting embarrassed
"It's actually natural" he said smiling
"I know and I know it's uncomfortable too" she smiled
"Don't worry about it do you want a drink?" he said fetching the glasses and wine from the fridge. They sat about talking, kissing and drinking through the night and eventually fell asleep in the couch as Mercedes laying in his arms "Mercedes" he said shaking her from her sleep "Yawn" he smiled as her eyes opened "Its 6 a.m. I have to go to work, let yourself out when you're ready ok?" he said easing himself from underneath her to get himself sorted, he left a note and went.
Mercy woke up about 10 a.m. reading Sam's note saying 'It was great to wake up to you can we do that again soon' and smiled. She called her parents to let them know she was fine and then called Luke
"How did it go" he said as soon as he answered the call
"Good Morning Luke" she said sarcastically
"Yeah, Yeah how did it go?" he asked again
"Well I have a significant other now unofficially, officially and we spent the night together" he laughed
"You slut you slept with him on the first date, nasty" he scorned
"Well we slept, talked, drank, kissed but he's ok with the no sex thing"
"Really and what did he say about the getup"
"Wow" she laughed
"I'm his friend already, what's his name"
"Can I swear you to secrecy? Promise" she said
"I promise" Luke said "Pinkie Promise" he laughed
"It's Sam Evans" she said quickly waiting for the fall out
"Hey I was holding out for him, I googled him after he was on that show with you, what? Shoot me, he's a hunk" he said to Mercedes tut "And I found he hadn't had a girlfriend for like nearly a year or something I thought he was gay" he laughed
Well he's got one now I need you to go pack me some clothes and I'll send a taxi for them" she said
"Casual sexy yeah?" he asked
"And chillax" she added before saying her byes and putting the phone down
Dating
Mercy was still there when Sam returned later from practice and they spent many nights in getting to know each other and sharing living space "I'll go home tomorrow" he announced a week later
"Why?" he asked
"Space" she replied
"What for me or you?"
"You"
"I don't need it" he replied
Mercy had taken to being at home and doing her business during the days and catching up with Sam whenever he got home in the evenings at first, then he'd asked her to bring her laptop over to save travel time so she did then there were clothes, toothbrushes, slippers and a rather large keyboard for her music. Sam had moved into hers too so they decided where they were sleeping that night depending on each others obligation, and suddenly they loved coming home they were into the whole 'Toothpaste' by DNCE thing.
"We have that Ball coming up and I need to get something to wear" Sam said one evening when they were laying on each other in his apartment
"Can we go public then Babe?" she asked "I'm so fed up with stopping in and, this thing between us is moving so fast I maybe need to tell my parents and introduce you before the Ball"
"I was going to ask you to come meet mine tomorrow" he laughed "But I thought you might feel it was too soon"
"I'd love to babe just let me know what time"
"4 p.m. I know it's in the middle of your day but we need to travel to Nashville"
"I'll have a day off no problem" she said getting up off him "can I sing?" she asked sitting at the keyboard
"Yeah please" he said as he found a seat close by and settled in as she put her phone in the pod and started playing and singing 'Falling in love Tonight' by Fantasia
"You're playing your games again is this a test?" he asked smiling at her "You're not going to break me" he laughed "But that was good I enjoyed it and yeah I'm there"
"Where?"
"Falling in love tonight" he answered as she smiled back at him before going in for a kiss
"Can I come watch you train tomorrow?" she asked ignoring his observation about her game
"Yeah but I didn't tell anyone about you just yet"
"Don't; let them see us" she suggested
So the next morning they went off to practice, Sam a bit nervous for how his team were going to react. They all ran around warming up and kicking the balls around for a while before Gary, it had to be him, notice the girl in the stands and alerted everyone else. They all looked but it was Pete that actually went up to see who it was "it looks like that girl, the one whose parents are celebrities you know the Jones'" he said not believing what he was saying
"Yeah she's my girlfriend" Sam announced as everyone laughed, Gary the loudest, so he just shrugged his shoulders and carried on. At the end of the session Mercedes walked up to Sam seeing on his face that he was up for it she fell into him and kissed him "I'll be out in a minute Yawn" he said walking off with a straight face
"You sure had your eye on the fucking prize" Gary noted Sam just smiled at him and said nothing as he showered and got dressed
Later that morning they flew over to Nashville to meet his parents, which went well enough for them to stay overnight and they got back in time for Sam's later afternoon practice, the following day visiting Mercedes family which also went well
The Ball (3 months into the relationship)
Soon it was the day of the Ball and Mercy was in a beautiful Black dress with all black accessories as Sam stood in his Black evening suit with white shirt and black tie handsome as ever throwing complements at each other, reaching the venue and kissing Mercedes' mother as they entered, turning everyone's head "You're the main attraction tonight baby" her Mother said as she hugged her
"We can handle it Mom" she said smiling as she came out of the hug
Mercy moved around the room saying hello to everyone introducing Sam as her partner, generally answering the many non-verbal questions being asked around the room "Yeah we're going public tonight" she told a group of people grabbing Sam's hand and smiling at him as he stood looking proud of himself. Suddenly Lucy Doyle was in her face giving looks obviously wanting to ask questions "Lucy" Mercy said giving air kisses as they hugged
"Who do we have here?" she asked as Mercedes let her go
"This is Sam my partner and we just went public today but we've been seeing each other about 3 months now but we've known each other for over a year" she announced like she was trying to justify their relationship as Sam hugged her in to calm her down
"You got time to sing for us?" Lucy asked as Mercedes looked up at Sam
"Up to you Yawn" he said as she turned back to Lucy and nodded a yes
They sat sown had their meal listened to some speeches and then the dancing began but it wasn't like Sam had envisaged it was all R&B and real club music and everyone young and old where getting down to it he was having a whale of a time and Mercedes had relaxed too "Your having a good time" he shouted at her as they freestyled on the dancefloor
"Surprisingly yeah I think it's because you're here" she laughed and he laughed too
Then there was a break in the music and Lucy announced that Mercedes was going to sing and baskets would be going round for donations while she did that. Like everyone else Sam took out of his pocket what he had in it waiting for the bucket to come round as Mercedes kissed him and left for the stage. Next thing he knew she was up singing 'Like you'll never see me again' by Alicia Keys and he was standing wondering if she meant anything by it and people stood around listening and clapped afterwards
"Why did you sing that?" he asked when she got back to him
"The Ball's for families that have lost their loved ones in accidents sudden like and it fit" she said looking at him puzzled "Did I not mention that Babe?" she asked
"No but no mind" he replied
The rest of the evening went well as they danced, drank wine and eventually at about 1.30a.m. Mercedes asked Sam if he was ready to leave, they officially faced the tabloids for the first time together and announced they were an item for the world to know
"I see myself doing a lot of first with you Miss Jones" he said when they ran into the building from the rain grabbing her hand and pulling her into the lift to get to the apartment "I have a surprise for you, but it's for your eyes and ears only I don't do public" he said when he let her lips go
"Peaked" she said laughing as they got into the flat
Sam got a guitar our of a box under his bed "You play?" she asked surprised
"We'll see" he said "I need to tell you how I feel right now and I can't think of a better way than this song" he smiled a bit embarrassed as he tuned up the guitar and then started playing 'A happy Man' by Thomas Rhett as Mercedes sat hugging her knees listening to him with tears in her eyes smiling. Sam finished the song and put the guitar down before getting on his knee to a crying Mercedes "Mercedes Jones, Yawne, you wouldn't believe how long I've waited for you, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" he asked
"God" she said looking at him for what seemed like an eternity "Yes" she said letting the tears flow freely as Sam hugged her and let her cry
"Happy tears I hope?" he asked
"Very happy tears" she replied as he took her left hand and put a ring on her finger "I'm sort of scared that we're communicating without words here" she said pulling out a ring from her pocket too "Major connection issues" she laughed going into his kiss