Heart
"Where are you going?" Sam woke out of his sleep asking
"I'm going Sam"
"But we just …. I thought we'd sorted things?" he looked at her, wiping his eyes
"Closure Sam, I meant it, that was closure"
"Mercy" he knelt up in the bed "We're good together, please don't go"
"Sam" she rolled her eyes "We've talked about this, it might be what we want but it's infectious, we're not good for each other, we know our jealousy thing is through the roof right now too, maybe when we've done some more growing up, if it's still on the table for us, who knows"
"But I've done all my growing up, I promise, and I can calm my jealous" he jumped up saying as he watched her walking towards the door "Mercy" he jumped in front of her "Please don't go" he shielded the door
"Sam" she stood staring at him, tears in her eyes "Please move out the way"
"Please, listen to your heart" he begged, tears now rolling down both their faces
"I have to go, sorry" she stepped round him to grab the door handle
"If you walk out that door don't bother coming back, I won't be fighting to get you back ever again" he snapped at her, he'd never spoken to her like that before, he shocked himself but he was fighting for something, they had something and she was walking out the door and trashing everything they'd ever promised each other. She stood looking at him her hand still on the door as his look dared her to walk away from him forever "I mean it" he told her moving out her way "You walk out that door and all bets are off all promises are broken and we're over" he wiped his face, realising his was hopelessly angry now
"I'm sorry Sam" she twisted the handle, opened the door and walked through it, shutting it behind her
Sam curled up on the floor and cried like a baby for the longest time, he'd somehow allowed his heart, all his hopes and dreams to walk out the damn door. They'd managed to keep the relationship going for more than five years since leaving college, she'd just started getting on with her recording contract obligations, it meant a lot of time apart, but they were ready for that. Four days after lunch with her new best friends, her backing girls, she'd come in talking her crap about them not being together
"I can't do this" she flopped on the couch opposite to where he was sitting, watching him eating cereal from the box
"What.. What do you... What do you mean?" he' said almost choking on the food
"I can't be with you, I can't date you or be your girlfriend or whatever" she threw her hands up in defeat
"It was dinner wasn't it" he sat heavy in the couch next to her
"No no"
"I screwed up, no you.. no... I just... you know, when I get nervous, I just can't stop talking and now your back up singers they probably hate me don't they?"
"No they don't hate you, they like you just fine, I'm just worried about what people are going to think"
"Okay" he stood back up looking down at her "I'm going to ask you something and I want you to be honest with me" he looked at her saying "Does it have anything to do with the fact that your black and I'm white?"
"Think about it Sam, how many black female artists do you see dating white dudes? Because I've been thinking about it all day and I can't think of one, what white folks don't understand is that people pay attention to that kind of stuff, it's making a statement and I'm not sure that's the kind of statement I want to make, not now"
"I can't believe you're saying this" he looked up to the heavens "Okay you know what, this isn't you Mercy, when we were in glee club there were all types of people gay, straight, black, white Tina it didn't matter we would..."
"Sam" she stopped him, shouting "We're not in high school any more, we're not in glee club okay, this is the real world, that's all we have, and the real world has rules" she looked at him her sad eyes telling him to listen "I'm sorry Sam, I really am, but this is just the way it is" she looked at her hands fidgeting before looking back at him "You and I are not a couple and I think you should just leave me alone"
It must have been his puppy eyes that did it for her right then because they fell into the couch, she was kissing harder than him and the next thing they knew they were in the bedroom searching for protection and three hours later he was waking up to her dressed picking things up off the floor and telling him she was leaving. They'd just made love for nearly two hours, gone as crazy as they'd ever got about it and she was standing there telling him it was all over, there was no one else involved, neither of them had done anything wrong as far as he knew, this just didn't make sense. He didn't know how long he sat looking at pictures, bits of clothes she'd left around the place, calling her phone crying, shouting, swearing, begging, until maybe three months in he realised she meant it, she'd gone
Mercy had shut the door behind her and used every bit of strength she had to walk away from it, they'd been doing fine until one day when she went to the studio to put a track down, maybe four days after her girls had met her and Sam for lunch, the atmosphere was noticeably different and Adrian; her Producer on the album, had a funny conversation with her. It wasn't anything she could put her finger on, but she new there'd been a shift, she looked around to see the girls smiling and went to ask them what was going on
"Seriously?" Tessla asked "So that guy you've been dating since high school?"
"Sam" Mercy informed them
"Yeah Sam" Shanice looked at her "he's really nice" she smiled
"His impressions are really good" Tessla added
"So what's the problem?" Mercy asked looking at them angrily
"Shanice can we stop skirting around it and talk real?" Tessla looked at her asking as everyone looked on, Shanice nodded a yes before she carried on "Mercy, you're black and he's white, period" she put her hands to her hips
"Girl, he's not just white, he's blond, he's practically albino, you can see the veins in his temples" Shanice added as everyone laughed
"If you date a white Dude your going to alienate all the black women you want to buy your album and, your going to piss off black men too" Tessla told her, Mercy looked around seeing everyone nodding in agreement
"The only people that will buy your record are albino's" Shanice laughed
"Maybe I don't care" Mercy shouted at her, in defence of her relationship
"Fine" Tessla told her flicking her hair off her shoulder "Maybe you don't, but you should" she told her walking away
She sat in the studio reflecting on what the girls had said, were they right? she searched her mind for examples she could use to defend her relationship, struggling to find any, suddenly she knew what she had to do. She had to make a career choice a decision about her life this very minute, she was going to love Sam forever but music was her life path, she'd made that promise to herself long before Sam came along and if she wasn't going to be true to herself who else was she ever going to be true to. She made the journey home with a heavy heart knowing she was going to leave that vital organ right there in that man's hands when she found the strength to walk out
She finally pulled herself off the door, the first steps were hard, she could hear him in the flat crying, it broke her heart, every emotion in her body was telling her to go back and be with her man, she forged forward asking herself where the hell she thought she was going, by the time she got out the building she was trembling, noticeably scared for her future and feeling so alone. Weeks later and Sam was still trying every which way to get in touch with her, each day it became easier to disregard him and after maybe three months he finally gave up, yeah she cried for him doing that, cursed that he'd told her he'd fight to get her back and all that shit, but a firm talking to from Tessla and Shanice and she was back to diva and concentrating on her music. Maybe six months after that she was sure she'd made the right move when Adrian announced he was almost ready to put out her debut single she hoped it hit the ground running, she felt Tessla had been right for the first time in nearly seven months, she'd made the right move.
Sam had finally got on with his life, he'd decided to see what his music could do for him and had gone out solo, he'd spent maybe two months working at getting signed up with his current label, he'd quickly knocked out his first single, it was good, but didn't climb like he'd expected, learning from that he took his time sending out his next single his cover of 'Paper Hearts' by the Vamps and that cleared off the shelves. He wasted no time getting his EP into airtime, and was now hard at work getting some lyrics down, creating some great songs to hopefully start off with a smash hitting single and work his way up to his ground breaking album
One Year After The Breakup
He'd heard Mercy's version of 'Un-Break My Heart' by Toni Braxton the fourth new single off her album, it was hard not to it was all over the airways, and even if he'd have hated the ground she walked on he had to admit it was good, he was happy for her. Life had been like a merry go round for him since Mercy he'd had no steady girlfriend and as soon as the words commitment or love came into play he was out of there, that shit was never happening to him again, he'd fell too hard for that girl, his heart was still hurting, he just wasn't sitting still long enough to pay it any attention.
Mercy had found Wesley about two months after finishing things with Sam, she'd sort of started with him initially to show Sam that she meant what she said and he just seemed to stick around for a while, in the end she'd had to come out straight diva on him to get him off her damn back and their shit had gone viral. Tina had come up to console her and ended up giving her chapter and verse on Sam's bedroom behaviour, she was jealous as hell but she held it down, she'd finally heard his EP, she loved it and finally sent a heart on his Twitter page, he sent her one back.
It had been a while she'd done her record deal, he'd done his, they'd promoted until it was coming out their ear and they Sat, Mercy in her hotel and Sam in their flat wondering what life could possibly have in store for them
"I don't care what it has in store for me, I still want Sam" she decided, Sam was in their flat thinking the exact same thing about her
Mercy called her best friend "Tina" she said when she picked up the phone "I think I might have been hasty you were right" she grinned down the phone "And yes I need the number for that woman you told me about I need some props about getting my man back"
"I'll send you the details" was all Tina said an obvious smile in her voice, she'd prayed for this "He's the one then, you're finally admitting that to yourself?"
"I guess I always knew that T I was just... I don't know" she laughed, talking a bit more before closing the call
"Mike" Sam said when he answered the phone to him that night "I need your help, I'm not doing too well without Mercy and I need her to realise that we're end game" he laughed nervously down the phone
"I'll send you that number" Mike laughed "So now you want her back?"
"I always wanted her, I guess I was pissed she didn't want me, but now I feel she does, that song" he laughed
"Yours was just as bad Dude" Mike laughed telling him
"I know but I really need her you know"
"I know" Mike said sadly before they changed the subject for a while saying goodnight before closing the call
"Finally" Tina looked at a smiling Mike
"Finally" he nodded "So our plan?"
"Is in action" she laughed
6 Months Later
Rule 1: Don't try to get your Ex back
Life was on a roll for them, Sam was making his album, Mercy was on a mini tour doing stuff around America, they were both seeing their dating experts getting tips to make the other want them again without trying too hard, and suddenly, out the blue Tina and Mike announce their pending wedding. Mercy looked at the invite and rolled her eyes "How the hell am I going to do this?" she asked it hoping for an answer "I'm not ready for this" she panicked taking her phone out to call her Andrea her relationship expert for advice, closing the call before she thought "And I bet he's the damn ….." she rolled her eyes counting backwards from ten, she'd calmed down again taking a deep breath, knowing for sure Mike would have had Sam for his best man, she wasn't ready yet
"What's up?" Tessla asked her as she walked through their hotel room
"Nothing" she put the invite in her pocket saying 'Rule one' she remembered the woman saying as she heard Lee speaking and gave him attention
"You need to stop brushing me off and take a bite of this" he said as he walked past her "I know you want this girl, your being cruel to yourself"
"Maybe I am" she looked at him saying, he was easy on the eye, built like a brick house and into her, she could do this "Lee" she stopped him walking past "You busy next weekend?"
"No" he smiled
"Will you be my plus one?" she asked as he ran over and kissed her
"Sure thing" he smiled "Where are we going?"
"Rhode Island" she smiled as she watched him walk away 'Sorted'
Sam woke up to find some random in his bed "What's your name again?" he asked pulling his hair off his face
"Carrie-Ann" she smiled at him
"Well Carrie-Ann will you got the fuck out my place" he told her flashing the sheets off him and walking almost naked towards the bathroom, coming out to grab his clothes and make his way to the kitchen to get a drink, stopping when he saw the pile of mail at the door, he picked them up and carried on to the kitchen "Are you still here?" he looked up to see Carrie-Ann still in the apartment, as he ripped the first letter open "Shit" he said rolling his eyes at the Tina of it all, he wasn't anywhere near ready for this, she was going to eat him alive 'Rule one' he told himself looking up to see this woman still looking at him "And I bet..." he lingered off looking back up at Carrie-Ann his mind in overdrive 'Rule one' he reminded himself again "Do you want to be my plus one next weekend?" he asked her
"Yeah sure" she smiled, so of course they were buddy's for the week, well once that week, because he was hyped on the thought of seeing Mercy again, he finally made plans for them to get to Rhode Island the Friday before the wedding, because he had a stag night to get through
Friday
Rule 2: Create an attractive new Lifestyle
Mercy got off the plane and made her way to the shop to get fitted for her dress, they had very little time to get everything done and tonight they had to fit a hen night in, Tina was eager to tell her that Sam was Mike's best man for the thousandth time since they'd announced the wedding, laughing when Mercy rolled her eyes
"You know I have an agenda don't you?" she laughed
"Tina, I'd have to be blind, deaf and dumb to not know, we're done lets leave it at that shall we?" her inside flipping in excitement for seeing her man again, he'd have a random she knew he'd have a random that's why she'd brought hers
"If I could honestly girl I would but ..." she looked at her still smiling
"Let's get this show on the road" Mercy finally said once everything on the dress had been agreed
"Right we've got to get back and get dressed for the hen night" Tina laughed, Mercy looked at her but said nothing, just did as told, Tina was way too happy for there not to be a surprise in there
Sam had flown in with his suit, as instructed my Mike, with his random on his arm, Carrie-Ann was easy on the eye, hard on the damn head, nothing stayed in it, he felt like they were having the same conversations every time she opened her damn mouth. But she looked good, her legs were so long any man would want to crawl up them at least once, but the fact that he'd gone there twice already told him he was still craving over Mrs Jones, her blond hair was silky, smooth and smelt of cigarette, one of her many vices, but for effect she was good enough.
He got to Mike's and got settled into his room, got dressed as instructed, for the stag night ahead, he'd given Carrie-Ann specific instructions he didn't want her kissing all over him or hanging on because that would get Mercy's back up straight away and he needed to build bridges not create them "I'll see you downstairs" he shouted through the bathroom door before he left the room
He'd told her he wanted perfection to impress his friends, in actual fact he only wanted to blow the face off one single person in the room, she was going to regret what she'd given up 'Rule two' he thought "Acclaimed singer with music on the selves, dapper and still fuckable, checked" he smiled as he walked down the steps "Hi" he smiled as he walked towards a crowd of men all anxiously waiting for their woman to descend
"Hi" one of the two black men in the room turned to say to him, he smiled back, assuming that maybe the others didn't speak English as a first language
"Sam" he held his hand out saying
"Nice to meet you Sam I'm..."
"Sam" Carrie-Ann called from behind him as he swung round to see her standing there in a slender fit silver floor length dress scattered in sequins
"Carrie-Ann" he said holding his hand out to greet her pulling her to him aware everyone was watching, she was the first woman down, feeling he'd get his desired effect from the fact that everyone had produced a smile "This is Carrie-Ann my date" he introduced her to this man standing in front of him, as she looked in his face, he was smiling but his eyes were telling her she was arm candy and she really didn't look like that even mattered.
Mercy had been standing in her bedroom doorway looking down at Sam and Lee talking, she smiled as she saw the game Sam was bringing 'She might have a look, but it ain't my look Mr' she thought as she watched him greet her 'It's all for show' she smiled straightening her clothes as she made her way down 'Rule two' she thought "Music, album, hit times two sorted" she told herself before setting her poker face and hitting the bottom step to meet the crowd
"Sorry" Lee said, holding his hand out as he looked at the stairs to see Mercy coming towards him "My name's …." Sam heard the giggle almost behind his back and every hair on his body stood up "Babe you look beautiful" Lee said as Mercy took the three steps towards him and pulled him in to kiss him, he took the kiss while Sam stood there with Carrie-Ann attached watching the play
"Thank you" she looked at Lee attentively saying before turning to look at everyone else "Good Evening" she smiled finally looking to her side where she knew Sam was, to get what looked like the biggest surprise "Sam" she almost shouted, grabbing his face and kissing his cheek, a bit too close to his mouth for Lee's liking, but Sam loved it
"Mercy" he said when he found breath, she was standing there her lips with cherry glow, pouting she knew what she was doing
"Lee" she spun round to her date saying "This is Sam Evans we went to school together" she looked at Sam smiling hard "Have you met Lee?" she asked him "You two were standing so close you must have been talking?"
Sam couldn't speak the fact that she'd literally kissed another guy in front of him was still trying to sink in, suddenly all the women seemed to come down in a flurry and everyone was ready for the off "Actually" Mike stood in front of them all "It's a joint event" he smiled looking at Sam
Sam was still looking at Mercy, he didn't know what he'd expected but she really hadn't changed that much, she stood there in her ripped jeans, trainers, purple top and denim jacket looking all ready for action and Carrie-Ann was standing there in an evening dress "So Sam" Mercy said looking at the girl hanging on his arm
"Sorry this is Carrie-Ann my date for the occasion" he told Mercy looking at Lee again as he spoke to not seem rude
"I'll be back in a while" Carrie-Ann said before Mercy could ask a question
"I was going to mention, she was a tad overdressed" Mercy laughed "So it looks like we're to enjoy each others company for the night, we must catch up"
"I guess" was all Sam could find to say, he stood there as she moved off with Lee wondering why the hell this woman still had power over him, why the hell did he care what she thought of him, he was his own man he could do his own thing and he could fuck who he wanted. She'd made it clear he wasn't it and he was getting far too much pussy to mind what this bitch thought about him, he looked up to see her looking back at him 'But you do' his heart told him "happy Sam, you're happy" he told himself, holding in his mad for what she just did. Twenty minutes later Carrie-Ann was back down the stairs in a floral dress, boots and leather jacket
"Everyone ready?" Mike shouted and they were off making their way to the joint hen and stag night, they sat on the minibus with their dates Sam making sure to sit in a seat that he could see Mercy in between the head rests and Mercy taking care to do the same, the drive was nearly three hours long and they both caught each other taking sneak peaks, he turned every time she laughed and she seemed to do it all the more. Eventually they got to the venue, drinks had been flowing in the minibus but it went into full flow at the venue "Nobody is allowed to get out sober" Mike announced as the doors closed and the three bus loads were sealed into the venue
Rule 3: Show you can walk away
"This is our spot babe" Lee pulled Mercy into one of the dark corners of the room saying as everyone carried on walking, Sam had seen them move off and mentioned something about finding the men's room moving off in their direction, he was disgusted to find Mercy making out in the booth
"Sorry" he jumped back "I was looking for the men's room"
"It's not down here Sam" Lee smiled before grabbing Mercy's head back to kiss her again
"Yeah I can see that" he stood for a few seconds watching, 'Rule three' he was saying over and over again while he still stood there waiting for Mercy to look back at him and feel shame, but she didn't he was angry 'Walk the fuck away' he told himself jerking him off the spot he was stuck in
"Sam" Mike shouted as he went back to the party "I got the mic" he held it up in his hand saying as Sam walked towards him "My best man ladies and Gentlemen" Sam grabbed the mic
'I've got some shit to get out anyway, this is just about the perfect time, un-break that fucker I think not' "Pay no mind" he told Mike as he mounted the stage and told the DJ what he wanted before he started singing his version of 'Brokenhearted' by Lawson ft B.o.B he got the second chorus before he saw Mercy emerge from her dark corner, she was listening to him 'is that hurt on your damn face' he looked at her thinking as he sung his song 'Shit hurts don't it?' he was happy she was finally feeling some of what he'd felt in the extreme those first few months and he really didn't think he'd feel it now, but hell he did, she was hurting him and she needed to know it. He smiled as he watched her walk off when he'd finished his song to her, now it really was her damn time to cry 'Now you're living with a damn broken heart' he told her hoping she'd hear his thought, as he walked off to find Carrie-Ann 'Really is that what you call walking away?' he asked himself, 'You're going to pay for that Evans'
Mercy had walked off because she was mad 'Now he's telling me I'm fucking cold' she kicked the waste basket in the ladies room 'I sold my damn soul?' she stood in the mirror asking herself 'And now I'm lonely, he's the bitch standing there with some damn hooker on his fucking arm' she slapped the sink, bringing tears for the pain in her hand "Right Mr Evans we'll play your damn game" she finally said wiping her face, checking her make up and setting her poker face again 'Sorry Andrea, I really can't walk away'
When she got back some of Mike's relatives were up on stage singing, which they did nearly as well as Mike, but everyone clapped and cheered anyway "Mercedes" Tina shouted calling her with her hand as she saw her come back in the room "The best singer in the world and she's my chief Bridesmaid" she said finally giving her the mic as she reached the stage, she didn't introduce anything she just started singing her version of 'Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart' by Alicia Keys
Sam stood listening to her sing, his arm wrapped around Carrie-Ann, "Shit" he said loud enough for Carrie-Ann to look at him as he moved his arm from around her, he'd just given the worst disrespect to his woman and she was up there telling him now that she still loved him, and she'd made a mistake 'Take me, make me, you know that I'll always be in love, with you, right till the end' "Shit" he spat again as he watched her up there with real tears in her eyes bearing her soul to him
'Reeled in, paper' she smiled inside as she saw regret on his face, she stood singing her song at this Hen and stag do, knowing that he'd be analysing every word she said and somehow this would all be about him 'And maybe it is, but I'm really not up for him knowing that right now' she finished her song and left the stage back to the arms of Lee. They found their corner again, Mercy had a game plan and Sam needed to know it,
"That song was the bomb" Lee said kissing her neck as he spoke "Please tell me you were singing that to me and my lucks in" he asked her still kissing on her neck as her eyes moved around the parts of the room she could see, she was expecting Sam to turn up after that performance with at least a sorry
She saw a shadow moving slowly coming towards where they were she prayed it was him 'Bring it' she told herself lifting Lee's head up off her neck "Of course I was singing that to you" she told him looking into his eyes, she could see Sam stood watching as she focused on Lee, she had to make this passionate "You know that you'll always have a special place in my heart" she told him as she kissed him deep making him pull her to him hard
'Fuck did she just fucking play me again' he stood thinking to himself, suddenly seeing what he must look like standing there 'Rule 3 quick' he turned and quickly found Carrie-Ann "Scrap that no PDA shit" he told her "Whatever you want, do it" he told her kissing her neck as he spoke 'Bitch, bitch, bitch' was all he could think "So now she wants to play with feelings"
"What?" Carrie-Ann pulled away from him asking
"Nothing" he straightened up saying "Nothing" as he looked around the room to see if his theory was right, if it was she'd have moved out of that dark spot as soon as she knew she'd planted the seed, he smiled when he saw her across the room looking at him, and nodded his head in acknowledgement of it, she smiled back "Game fucking on" he grinned as Carrie-Ann grabbed his neck and pulled him to her for a kiss, 'She can't walk away either' he didn't even bother to look at Mercy he just did his thing.
Then Mercy kissed Lee and when she'd finished she'd look around for Sam, he'd wait until she found him before he'd do the same thing, they'd caught onto the game and now they were doing things and smiling at each other, they both knew they were wishing it was each other but that wasn't going to happen, not today anyway
Rule 4: Make them remember what they love about you
"Sam" he heard a while later, he'd have sworn Mike was using him and Mercy as the damn entertainment, they had them over a barrel right now, he made his way to the stage
"Mike" he said when he got to him "What can I do for you?" he smiled as he took the mic "I have a love song this time" he laughed as Mike left the stage 'Rule four' he smiled as he sung his version of 'Dreaming With A Broken Heart' by John Mayer looking at Mercy as he sung 'Wondering, was she really here? Is she standing in my room?' her face told him she knew those exact feelings and she knew he was singing from the heart, thoughts of their life past coming back to haunt her, coming back to the now when she heard him singing 'When you're dreaming with a broken heart, the getting up is the hardest part' he knew he'd got her but that was short lived because he realised she'd got him too, he meant those words he was singing them to her, he spent the majority of the song looking at the floor or with his eyes closed, his feeling too obviously painted on his face and his eyes unable to sing the words without focusing on Mercy
"How did he win this game without even trying?" she turned and found the bar saying as Lee started to follow close behind "I'm going to the ladies before I get a drink I won't be long" she told him walking off to go kick herself about Sam, Lee stood watching her walk away, Sam watching him watch her, looking for his moment. He smiled when he saw Lee's attention taken by a average blond girl, 'They're not even a couple' he smiled telling himself before he realise neither were Carrie-Ann and he stepping off to finally corner Mercy
"Mercy" he walked up behind her, she spun round to look at him
"Sam" she smiled back at him as he looked around before grabbing her arm and dodging into that same dark corner of the room
"We need to talk, this is stupid" he let her go "We haven't really spoken since the split and well we were... tight you know, it's not easy to just stop missing your best friend and I hate the way we're being now" he looked at her to say
"I just don't know how to be around you yet Sam, as you said it's the first time since we split and it just feels all kind of … I don't know I guess it feels real"
"Well spending the night trying to make each other jealous with random people isn't the way"
"I'm not saying it is, but it's how I'm coping with this" she smiled "So she is a random then?"
"Of course she's a random, I can't let anyone get as close as you did, ever actually... I …... I don't want anyone as close to me as you were... are even" he smiled "I so miss you Mercy" he grabbed her hand saying
"Sam I …."
"I've been looking for you all over the place" Carrie-Ann came into their space saying grabbing Sam's face and kissing him, all he could think was that he'd forgotten to tell her the damn game was over
"Bye Sam" Mercy said when the woman finally let him up, as she walked away
"Mercy" he called after her but she wasn't listening, her face had told him she wasn't going to listen "Fuck" he held his head saying, to have done all that work to be back as square one, the look he gave Carrie-Ann was bone chilling, but what could he say he'd given her instructions
Rule 5: There has to be a plan
The rest of the night went with pure avoidance, every time he saw her after that she was hanging off Lee, he'd told Carrie-Ann to back off but it was all just too little too late. It was the wedding tomorrow and if he knew Mercy she'd be off before the first slow dance happened, he needed a plan B, and he had a night to hatch one. How was he really thinking of walking back in and getting her to accept him back just like that, real talk that's how they rock and before the day was out tomorrow she was going to get that from him 'Lost' by Luke Christopher was the only song he could find in his head, there had been enough games. If he'd got nothing else out of this night he knew they still loved each other, and that alone made him finally fall asleep with a smile on his face
Mercy had walked off yes she was pissed about that bitch fucking slobbering all over her damn man but just before that he'd straight out told her he missed her translating to he still wanted her, yep she'd given him an appetite for a lot more of her and she was certain, even after all this time, that he was still hers, she smiled as she walked around sneaking looks, getting uncharacteristically quietly turned on humming 'Fetish' by Selena Gomez ft Gucci Mane her plan was coming together, he'd told her what she needed to know, he was feeling the same as her, she breathed with relief at bimbo turning up, because she wanted to throw herself at him just then 'Great save' she looked at them standing awkwardly together thinking, needless to say she had a sound sleep knowing her man was still hers, Andrea was right her plan was working
Saturday
Rule 6: Reflect on the Reasons you split
They sneaked looks across the table at breakfast, Sam smiled a couple of times but she didn't bite the bate, her face cold, emotionless and even unhappy "Can we talk?" he finally asked as everyone got up to grab air before the rush of the day, she didn't say anything to him, she turned to Lee
"Babe" she tugged at him saying in ear shot to Sam "I won't be too long, just catching up" she told him nodding at Sam
"Don't be too long" Lee grabbed her lips
Sam smiled, there was nothing else he could do, she was getting him back, he knew it, he deserved it even but he still cut his eye at Lee when he finally caught his attention. They walked a way down the garden before stopping under a large tree, they hadn't said much to each other on the journey
"Mercy" he suddenly spun round saying as they came to a halt "I'm sorry about yesterday, I should have told her the game was over and I got distracted and forgot"
"That's fine" she flicked her hair, as she rested on the tree
"Don't be like that I know it's not fine, you've given me a whole night of your not fine, and I'm trying to say sorry here" he stood in front of her
"You've said it" she stared at him, eyes still cold
"Why are you being like this?"
"Because we've already closed this Sam and I'm not about to open old wounds"
"Old wounds?" he laughed irritated by her attitude "They're not old Mercy, they still exist for me"
"I'm not saying they don't exist Sam, I'm saying I'm not willing to go backwards"
"Backwards?" he shouted "So you're saying being with me would be going backwards?"
"I'm asking if you remember why we split up in the first place, and if you do; what's changed?"
"Of course I remember and no nothings changed I'm still white and" he touched her face saying "You're still black" making her smile "But Mercy I love you, so what if you happen to be black?"
"I'm just breaking through Sam, you're just breaking too, your song is great by the way, do we really want to give all that up?"
"I know you care about this shit so I'd just like to say your wrong for once" he smiled
"I'm wrong?" she looked at him shocked
"Matthew McConaughey & Camila Alves, Justin & Keisha Chambers, Halle Berry & Olivier Martinez and please don't forget Alfre Woodard & Roderick Spencer spanning over thirty years" he laughed saying "All proving your theory wrong, and there's more, lots more"
"I know" she smiled "I researched too"
"Okay here's me asking for something in this relationship for once" he looked at her saying, watching her roll her eyes "Yes Mercy I'm still asking for a relationship, and I want it to be private, no one knows except us, not friends, family no one"
"How the hell is that going to work?" she chuckled
"We'll make it work" he smiled "Please say yes"
"So you're telling me you're willing to have us on any level?"
"Any level"
"Mercy" they heard as they both looked to see Lee standing next to them "Tina asked me to come look for you guys, apparently you're both needed like yesterday"
Sam was so frustrated with the situation he ignored Lee "What are you saying?"
"Right now I'm wanting to see what you mean by any level" she told him moving off to follow Lee back to the rest of the wedding party
Three hours later it was time to start rushing around, Mike and Tina had decided they wanted them to sing them down the aisle and be at the front of the church before them so things had changed a tiny bit in the proceedings "Do you think you guys can keep your hands off each other for that long" Mike laughed, they looked at each other smiling
"I'm here with my date" Mercy reminded them "And so is he, for that matter" she laughed as Sam looked at her puzzled "Any level right?" he said nothing, just smiled as he thought about the challenge she was going to bring to test his fact
"Places people" the Planner shouted and everyone fell into place as the crowd quietened down "And three, two, one" she said nodding her head as the wedding started Mercy and Sam leading as they sung 'Romeo and Juliet' by Johnny Drille (Adapted) for the wedding procession
Sam: Love is a beautiful thing, this loves there for you and me Both: Be my Juliet and I'll be your Romeo Sam: my Love
Mercy: It's the hand of God now him bring you to me, it's indescribable what you mean to me
Mercy: Could I be your Juliet Sam: and I'll be your Romeo Sam: my love, yeah yeah
Mercy: Could I be your Juliet Sam: and I'll be your Romeo Mercy: my love Sam: my Love oh
Both: And when the stars come out tonight I'll think about you my love, my love oh
And in the dark I'll see your lovely eyes, darling you are my light, you are my love oh
Sam: I can be your lover find you everywhere you go, and like Jack and Jake our love will never grow old
Sam: Please be my Juliet Mercy: and you can be my Romeo, my love, Sam: yeah yeah
Mercy: Could I be your Juliet Sam: and I'll be your Romeo, my love Mercy: my love oh
Both: And when the stars come out tonight I'll think about you my love Sam: my love oh
Both: And in the dark I'll see your lovely eyes, darling you are my light, you are my love oh
Sam: Take my hand and walk with me my love, just say what you want and I'll get it for you, my love
Mercy: Take my all I give it all won't take it back all I want is your love, yeah
Both: Just take my all I give it all won't take it back, all I want is your love, all I want is your love, yeah
Both: And when the stars come out tonight I'm gonna think about you my love, my love oh
And in the dark I'll see your lovely eyes, darling you are my light, you are my love oh
Mercy: I'll be your Juliet Sam: and I'll be your Romeo my love my love Mercy: I'll be your Juliet Sam: and I'll be your Romeo Both: my love yeah my love
Mercy: Can I be your Juliet and you be my Romeo my love Both: my love Sam: Would you be my Juliet and I'll be your Romeo oh my love Both: oh my love
They couldn't help but look at each other as they sung the words that spoke their true feelings as they sang supposedly for their friends, and in essence it was but they always saw themselves together in every duet they did. The looks didn't die down when the congregation sat down, they were on full show, nearly every sentence the minister said one or the other looked, smiled or even giggled, Mike and Tina looked on smiling, they wanted so much to see this pairing back together.
Rule 7: Believe what you have is worth investing in
The vows were done, the speeches were said and the cake was cut, there was some rumble over the bouquet, as Tina turned to threw it directly at Mercy, she looked at Lee smiling his head off and dodged the damn thing, and about six girls ended up in a pile behind her, Lee went into a sulk and Sam outright belly laughed as everyone turned to look at him, including Mercy
"What was so funny?" she asked him
"I was..." he got out before the announcement about the first dance came over the mic 'Saved by the fucking mic' he breathed as everyone's attention went to the stage
"Bride and Groom up here please" the planner shouted followed by "Best man and his Chief Bridesmaid" as they left their dates and went to the front as instructed, looking at Tina and Mike who they knew had something to do with this "The dance" she said as she paired everyone in the wedding party up "Remember pictures" he shouted as the music started Mercy and Sam looked at each other and smiled as 'I Will Always Love You' by Whitney Houston belted out, Sam grabbed Mercy and started moving, giving Tina the eye as they passed them.
This was a sad song for them back then but later on he grew to understand what she was saying, he looked down to see her singing 'And I... will always love you, ooh, will always love you, you, my darling, you...mmm-mm' he smiled as he listened to her, her voice low but perfect with every note
She sang other bits of the song as they moved around the floor, Sam reflecting back on their conversation in the garden, we invested didn't we?" he asked
"I think we did, yes we did" she smiled "Can we talk after this?" she asked as they danced, her face telling him there was nothing to worry about
"Anytime, I told you any level" he said smiling before she rested back on his chest and finished the dance, linking hands and openly leaving the room as Lee and Carrie-Ann looked on
Lee couldn't hold the shame he followed them out "Seriously?" he shouted after Mercy making them both turn round "You guy are seriously just going to walk out together like that, after bringing me all this way?"
"We didn't finish our talk this morning Lee, don't be a bitch, and even if that was the damn intention, we ain't down like that anyway" Mercy looked at him
"It's not about what we're down with or about Mercedes, you came here with me, you asked me to be your plus one"
"Now I'm going to ask" she looked at him "seriously?" she asked her hands now resting on her hips, she wasn't playing, Sam stood watching not getting involved, Carrie-Ann came out to join the party
"Look" Sam said calmly "We're not going off to do the nasty, if that were the case we'd have gone upstairs, we have stuff to talk about" he told the both of them before Carrie-Ann could even consider asking a question, not that he expected her to they weren't even like that
"What stuff?" Lee stood clearly angry asking
Sam didn't answer he looked at Mercy for intervention "Look Lee the day I have to justify myself to you will be a cold day in hell" she snapped at him "So go back and enjoy the damn party, free food, drink and there are a few loose women I'm sure could do with the attention" she said spinning on her heels, grabbing Sam's hand and walking off, she hadn't even acknowledged that Carrie-Ann was standing there "And that level you were talking about if I have to look at that smug bitch one more time" she looked at him saying as they walked
"Yeah I was going to say get rid of him too" he replied, they finally got to a place they could sit and lay themselves on the ground "If this gets interrupted again" he warned as they looked up at the sky
Rule 8 : Establish where you both are now
"Levels" Mercy announced
"Yeah" he shuffled his bum saying "As I said any level, I'm willing because I know in my heart this" he pointed between them "Was meant to be and I understand you being scared, I guess I am too, but I think we're worth it" he smiled "What are you thinking?"
"Thinking?" she laughed "I'm asking myself what the hell it is about you that keeps me coming back, why I'm still trying my damn best to fight it and when did I got someone to fall so madly in love with me" she giggled "Random" she said making Sam roll his eyes for what was coming "Have you slept with her today?"
"No"
"When was the …."
"Last Friday night"
"Did you use..."
"Yeah" he laughed "standard" he looked at her saying "And I check" he sat wondering when he had checked on that morning, smiling because he remembered he'd uncharacteristically worn underwear to bed that night
"That has to stop you know that yeah?"
"So what, are you saying this is a go?"
"I'm still testing those levels, but I insist on us having a committed relationship, if it's ever going to happen"
"That goes without say, but I still need what I need so hows that going to work?"
"We get days off" she smiled "And although I'm saying yes to this secret relationship, I'm nowhere near ready to settle down"
"Why not?"
"Because there's so much more for us to do"
"So" he looked at her saying "What's the deal with you, anyone I should know about?" he looked back at the sky asking
"No not now I was seeing Wesley, this rebound for a while but I got fed up and well.. you probably read the damn story" she looked at him saying
"Yeah I read about that jerk" he frowned "So what happens now?"
"I guess we're a couple again, if that's what you'd want"
"That's exactly what I'd want" he looked at her saying "I'd love to kiss you right now but we both have plus one's waiting and I really don't want to ever be that kind of person, but I'll tell her tonight"
"Tell her the truth, I want to go public"
"Public" he shouted sitting up as he spoke "Seriously"
"Seriously" she smiled sitting up too "I love you Sam, and there's no way I'd let you compromise yourself like that for me"
"God I so want to kiss you" he moved towards her saying "And you know I'll always fight to get you back"
"I was counting on it" she giggled
"Don't shoot the messenger, I so don't want to be here right now, but Mike sent me to come get you guys" Carrie-Ann suddenly stood over them saying, Sam looked at Mercy and rolled his eyes
"Sorry" he smiled nervously "She wont be the next time you see her"
"She better not be" Mercy got up saying walking towards the reception 'The smug bitch' she thought as Sam ran to catch her up leaving Carrie-Ann walking behind them
Rule 9: Learn to Laugh together again
"Mike" they both said as they walked in to see him standing waiting for them to get to him, looking at each other to smile
"Guys" he looking around the room smiling as Tina came towards him "We" he said grabbing hold of his new wife "Decided to have an extra song and we just wanted you guys to be here to..."
"You want us to dance again" Mercy rolled her eyes saying
"Well yeah" Tina laughed "We wouldn't be friends if we didn't try everything" she grabbed Mercy's hand saying "So this is the last try for today, I promise" she said pulling her to the middle of the dance floor and nodding to the DJ.
The music started and Mercy and Sam looked at each other and burst out laughing as 'Hero' by Enrique Iglesias rang out "Let me be your hero" he whispered in her ear
"You are" she looked up at him saying as he grabbed hold of her and started moving to the music "Those shoes" she giggled
"They were traditional" he laughed as they danced
"Signature move that body roll" she looked up at him saying
"You loved it" he giggled letting go of her and doing one right there on the dance floor "I can be your hero baby" he sang as he pulled her back to him, smiling as she giggled
"I can kiss away the pain" she looked up at him singing
"I will stand by you forever, you can take my breath away" he sung as she looked into his eyes, he smiled as he recognised her begging eyes, lips pouting expecting, his hands ran up and down her back before cupping her face to bring those lips up to meet his, he felt her tremble at the impact, something uncontrollable was happening for them right now they couldn't stop it even if they wanted to, they'd connected again. They became aware at some point that they were in company and Sam pulled way from her "I'm getting out of control" he smiled
"Am I in too deep? have I lost my mind? well, I don't care, you're here tonight" she sang in reply as she lay her head on his chest and rocked the rest of the song away
"I can be your hero" he sang the last line looking at her, everyone clapping making them look up and around before they smiled at each other "My hearts beating again"
"Mine too"
Rule 10: Review the Plan
The first person Mercy saw was Lee but he wasn't angry he was clapping like everyone else, she looked back at Sam wondering what was going on, he didn't understand the look and just carried on looking around. Then he spotted Carrie-Ann clapping and smiling and looked at her puzzled too
"Sorry" Mercy walked towards Lee saying assuming he was just being a good sportsman to hide the shame
"It's fine" he smiled as she looked around for Sam noticing he was making his way to Carrie-Ann
"I'm sorry Carrie-Ann but it's been her all along, I'm sorry for..."
"It's fine" she smiled still clapping the dance, he looked back to see Mercy coming towards him and moved away from Carrie-Ann
"He said it's fine" she told him looking back at Lee
"She said the same" he looked at Mike and Tina hugging saying "They had a plan" he smiled as Mercy turned to look at them too
"No I had a plan" she grabbed his shirt saying
"I had a plan too" he laughed "Did yours work?"
"Yeah" she smiled tugging at his shirt for him to grab her lips again
"Mine too" he told her when she finally let him up as he pulled her back in
"Break that up, its our wedding day" Mike walked towards them saying
But I guess you guys are celebrating too?" Tina asked
"We are" Mercy looked up at Sam saying
"See there always has to be..." Tina said smiling
"A plan" all four said at the same time laughing
Rule 11: New Beginning
Sam stood looking around the room, if he was serious about this new start he needed to speak to Carrie-Ann sooner rather than later because Mercy wasn't joking when she said get rid "You looking for Carrie?" Tina asked when his head came back round to them
"Yeah I guess I need to apologise and set things straight"
"No need she knows" Tina smiled "So does Lee actually" she looked at Mercy smiling
"How?" she asked looking up at Sam
"Carrie-Ann, you met her at that bar on Rodeo Drive right, all legs and sweet talk, giving it large with the Mercedes phrases and generally just offering a no ties, safe one night stand yeah?"
"I don't remember half of that, but I did meet her in a bar I was wasted, shocked to find her still in my bed the next morning" Sam told them
"I sent her to the bar that night I needed the game to move along and I was hoping you'd ask her to come here, part of the plan" Mike laughed "Oh and she said you guys didn't that night"
"I sort of knew that I wasn't naked" he laughed
"Lee" Tina looked at Mercy saying "The irritating brother who thinks he's gods gift, you wouldn't give him the time of day but faced with seeing Sam here again, anyone would do and I told him to offer until it was going out of fashion"
"What you guys set this up?" Mercy stood looking at their friends asking
"Well you guys were getting on our damn nerves, calling every damn night almost, moaning about missing each other, you needed to talk to each other, and fast, so we made a plan"
"So you sent them" Sam smiled "Okay, intervention I get it" he frowned "You guys are so lucky it's your fucking wedding day honestly"
"That's what we figured" Mike smiled "Oh and one more thing" he looked at them saying "Andrea, she's a part of the plan too"
"Andrea" Sam gasped, thinking of all the emotions he'd shared with the woman "She not an expert?"
"Yeah she is, really she is" Tina quickly told him "So now everything is in the open do you guys think you can find yourselves a new beginning?"
"Actually we just agreed ourselves a new beginning" Mercy said looking up at Sam to smile "So as much as I want to kick you guys into space right now, I have my man back, which was my plan some six months ago or so so I'm good"
"All my dreams have come true too so, thanks" he looked at them saying, as all four hugged
"Can we have our last dance song" Mike asked cheekily
"Sure" Sam said grabbing Mercy's hand to mount the stage
"I don't really have much to say, I just kind of wanted to sing about how I feel" she told the crowd "Could we sing Loving life?" she looked at Sam asking as he grabbed his guitar
"Sure" he kissed her before turning to the wedding guest "This is for the bride and groom, their final song of the evening, wishing them all the very best from my girlfriend and I" Sam announced as everyone cheered and the music started "Come on get up and dance" he ordered, before they started singing
'Loving Life' by Rationale
Sam
Oh my, there's something 'bout the look in your eyes, that says there's nowhere you would rather be
Than here with me in the sunshine, it's no lie, and I'm so high
I can't believe that you are all mine, this is more than just a run, I think you could be the one, I don't even think you know why, know why
But I need you, every morning, every night, and when I see you, I am wholly loving life
Everyone got up dancing along to the song as Sam and Mercy took to doing their own thing on the stage as they sang
Mercy
Sometime, every time I look in your eyes, you can read me like a melody, ain't a single doubt in my mind, my mind
Do what you do, what you do, what you do, when you show me too much, I never knew, never knew, never knew, 'till you showed me too much
That's why I need you, every morning, every night, and when I see you, I am wholly loving life
Both (Mercy)
That's why I need you, every morning (every morning), every night (every night), and when I see you, Oh, I am wholly loving life
That's why I need you, Oh, every morning (every morning), every night (every night) and when I see you, Oh-oh, I am wholly loving life,
They encouraged the crowd to join in and the whole wedding party was jumping around dancing and singing the last song of the night
Everyone X 2
Do what you do, what you do, what you do, when you show me too much
I never knew, never knew, never knew, till you showed me too much, (That's why I need you) Do what you do, what you do, what you do
Show me too much
"I'll never be able to show you how much I love you Sam"
"So now we know what we want, can we announce end game"
"End game" she grabbed hold of his lips saying
"Guys we're leaving" Mike shouted across at them jerking them out of the locked lips,
"We're officially dating again" Sam told them as they went over kissed and hugged their friends farewell. 12 hours later they were on a flight back to LA this time to find their flat and restart their lives together
The End