Lights On
Mercy Jones was becoming who she'd always wanted to be, she'd already at the age of 25 completed her first album, which had been successful, and was well on the way to sending out her second track off her next album with video and everything. She was getting her name known out there in a big way, that first album seemed to just roll out her brain she was so full of things to say but this second one, she'd be sitting in the studio, or some secluded cabin in the sticks somewhere trying to squeeze something out of that stuck brain of hers.
"Mercy" Max her agent shouted through the office "I'm getting impatient for this new album, you need to put more in" he told her piling the pressure on
"I'm doing everything I can" she said through her teeth back at him
"I told you I have plenty of songs I could give you, I have them coming out my ears"
"I still want to try with my own original stuff" she tried not to snap back at him
She got to eight good songs before she went home cried, shouted and threw things around for a while then finally conceding to Max's wishes and started looking at other song writers lyrics to put on her album, there were even a few collaborations, and she couldn't lie she was happy with the end result.
She lay back at the end of that last day waiting for Max to give his verdict "I like it" he finally said as he watched Mercy jump for joy at the prospect of actually getting that out "It will be a few months before anything hits the stands mind, and there is some tweaking to do" he warned
"But you're happy?"
"Yes" he finally said after making her wait a few more seconds than she needed to "I'm happy"
"Yes" she clenched her fists throwing them up in the air, she'd done it
It had taken a while for Mercy to get into the swing of things on the music scene, she'd been taken in by girls and boys alike in those early years, everyone was her friend or so she thought. She'd had girls befriend her just so they could suss out the competition and even guide her the wrong way if they thought she was better than them, It was a dog eat dog industry she'd chosen, and she sort of knew that but somehow, although she knew competition would be fierce in the music world she hadn't expected it to fall into her personal life. The men she'd met were just as bad, everyone wanted a leg up to the next level and they really didn't care whose back they jumped on to get there, even going as far as to sleep their way up, through or past. She'd had a few fake boyfriends, and the few that could have meant anything fell by the wayside because of her hectic lifestyle.
Miles came along unexpectedly and seemed like a welcome distraction, she'd met him when she was doing a video for one of her singles on that second album, he was a dancer, a good one too and he done a lot with her while they were on project together. She'd fell doing a twist with one of the dancers quite a few times, and he must have gotten fed up with the guy not getting the move right, so he just stepped in and got it first time, of course he was given the part and that was it.
"Thanks" she'd smiled at the end of the day, when they were finished cooling down "I thought it was me"
"It was definitely him, not the right fit" he smiled back his teeth as white as snow, his arms strong as you'd expect, brown hair with a manageable high top, built like a tank, with the bluest eyes
"You seem to fit?" she double looked at him saying
"I did didn't I" he laughed "Does that come with a …."
"Girlfriend, does that come with a girlfriend?" she looked at him seriously asking
"No, no girlfriend" he laughed "Just a fish, a big fish" he raised his eyebrows telling her
"What all wet and slippery with a spine going continuously through it?"
"Are we having the same conversation?"
"I think we're talking to each other" she laughed
The banter carried on for a while, over the weeks they became friends, then the video was done and he was off on his next venture. Three months later they just happened to be on one of her collaboration videos and this time they hit it off, he understood her life, there were long gaps between their hook ups and their relationship was open, fun and distant. They lived that way for nearly six months, until finally they got this magical weekend in London, England and something clicked for them, the next thing they knew they were comfortable with each other, talking about being exclusive and a few weeks later that bomb dropped
"You may well be Miss fucking Mercy Jones and shit, but in the words of Brandy and Monica, this shit belongs to me" some woman walked on stage shouting at her in front of everyone, pointing at Miles as she rushed towards Mercy. Miles jumped in front of Mercy but instead of brushing the woman off he stood telling her he was working and Mercy meant nothing to him, she got the message
"That's it" she walked off shouting "I'm done, that is fucking it" she waved her hand about as she walked telling everyone on set "I don't even know why I bother with these fucking tricks" she shouted ignoring the calls from the producer. Eventually, Miles was gone and the music video was out, he wasn't the lead dancer but he was still in it, she hated it, he was everywhere in it a horrible reminder that the bastard had ever been in her life
"Just don't mess with the crew" Max told her as she sat licking her wounds
She heard him, it had been well over six months since Miles and she really needed some company, she'd not had chance to look outside of work and was getting pissed off with loneliness, ordering some food in she sat with Glenda; her backing singer, waiting for the delivery jumping up when the door knocked "Hi" she smiled as she saw this dark haired guy with green eyes standing at the door looking all worked out and ready for a break "Long Day?" she asked as she took the box from him and set it on the side table to scan her card into the machine
"Very and this shifts just started" he laughed
"Oh" her eyes left the machine to look at him saying "So what's your day job?"
"I work in an accountancy firm" he smiled
"Not just a pretty face then"
"Thank you" he smiled wider telling her "Thanks" he said as he took the machine off her
"Mercy by the way" she said as he turned to walk away
"Oh, I'm Brad" he turned to tell her "Nice to meet you Mercy"
"Pleasure is all mine I'm sure" she replied as she stood watching him walk away
"Mercy Jones" Glenda shouted as she shut the door "Bitch on heat or what"
"Definitely bitch on heat" she laughed as she put the box down and opened it taking a piece and biting it before following it down with a swig of wine "I'm hungry for all kinds of shit right now, and he's not in the business" she wiggled her eyebrows saying, Pizza was on the menu for a few nights a week and eventually they got to talking
"How would you feel about getting something to eat outside your house" Brad finally asked her
"I'd feel like I was actually being asked on a date" she smiled
"I guess that might be the feeling I was trying to provoke" he laughed "8pm alright with you, Tomorrow?"
"Fine" she smiled
"See you then" he walked off saying a bit red faced but smiling
Three months in and her phone was like a two way hot line, they were really into each other, if Mercy were honest it wasn't about the romance for her it was more about the fact that he seemed genuine and he was her escape away from work and she loved that, what she looked like didn't matter outside all the make up and shit. Brad was handsome, in his own right, 7 years older than her, his deep green eyes made him look sexy all the while, he lived with well groomed facial hair, always had a leather jacket on in his spare time, possessed the perfect nose and tied back hair just hitting his shoulders. His smile spread wide across his face and you could tell his mood from the different faces he made as you spoke to him, she loved that he didn't beat about the bush when he had something to say and when he finally told her he loved her she couldn't help but say it back, he was so cute.
She was off to Ohio for a two week gig, Brad had just dropped it on her that he had family over there and she should hook them up, she was getting on the train to go across town to meet up with Max and some new crew he'd got together before the off, she stood staring at him
"Family?" she asked
"Yeah I'll send you the details when you get there" He smiled as she got on the train, she stood on the step waving at him, it was like some Julia Roberts film, except it was her going, he just shouted at her just as the horn blew "Mercy marry me" just like that
"What?" she gasped holding her chest
"Marry me" he shouted again
"Yes" she said as the train moved off, she just about sat down and her phone was out, she was crying, laughing, singing everything, she couldn't believe this was finally happening for her "Brad we're getting married"she screeched as they got towards the end of their call "I love you"
"I love you" he said before closing the call
Six hours later she was in this little town called Lima in Ohio looking around wondering if it had enough young people in it to merit a full on concert "Brad" she smiled down the phone just as they left the small airport "I'm here" she smiled "I guess tomorrow I want to find your relatives and invite them to the wedding"
"When is the wedding?"
"I thought maybe September is that too early"
"No three months time is fine, I'd have said one to be honest"
"Compromise then we'll say August it has to be the first week though, I'm on tour"
"I'm guessing we'll be on tour for that one Babe, I'm not leaving my new wife that early"
"Fine" she giggled "So where are these relatives?"
"Just ask for the Hummel Garage and tell them who sent you"
Mercy did her gig that night and tried to get hold of Brad later but to no avail leaving him a message before falling asleep smiling at the thought of being a married woman at 27 year old, the next morning she was up with the birds, she had a mission, she was excited to meet these relatives of Brad's, she did feel a bit funny for doing this on her own, but the opportunity was there and she was going to take it, she'd be a part of them soon anyway.
She purposely donned a dress, she needed the I'll fit in look to be going on, accompanied by some ankle boots with her need to be on my skin denim waist jacket, breakfast was quick as she waved off Max, jumped in a waiting cab and instructed them to take her to the Hummel garage
Brad
He'd just left a very emotional relationship and decided that instead of missing Jennifer all the while, he'd take up a part time job in the evenings to make him too tired to think about her when he got home, It worked, he was getting his confidence back, he'd stopped calling her and suddenly out the blue he'd met this girl, she was a bit younger than him but she was carefree, cheeky and funny all at the same time and for him that was the total opposite to Jen.
He finally got the guts up to ask her out and, shocked himself at how quickly they hit it off, being with her was electrical, they bounced off each other, she was away a lot but, lack of space had been one of the things that had finally split him and Jen up in the first place, so he was fine with her being away.
They'd been together a full five months before they even broached the subject of sex, mainly because of her travelling but in all honesty, it really wasn't all that for him, his body didn't tingle at her every touch, she didn't move in rhythm with him, they didn't kiss enough through it and she just seemed like she was in it for the dutiful ride. He knew about Miles and felt maybe she needed more from him before she fully confidently gave herself to him, he shocked the shit out of himself when he heard the words come out his mouth but when he saw her face he just had to smile "Marry me" he'd shouted, and she simply came back at him with a "Yes"
He walked away thinking 'What the hell' but after their conversation that night he was sure he'd done the right thing
"So where are these relatives?" he heard echoing over the phone, he went into a panic unable to find the right words for a second 'Think' he slapped his head saying
"Just ask for the Hummel Garage and tell them who sent you" he finally came out with, closing the call down before any more questions came. That night he'd heard the phone ringing and he knew it was Mercy but he couldn't answer the questions he knew she'd have before she met his relatives. He didn't know whether her getting that gig in Lima was a curse or a blessing, but if she saw and heard all that and still wanted to marry him she was a keeper
Mercy
Mercy sat in the cab looking at the shabby garage, there were three men standing talking at first but when she got out the car they stood looking at her as she made her way towards the office door
"Good Morning, can I help you?" a voice asked from behind the desk asked
"Hi Brad Evans sent me, I'm looking for..."
"Sam" the rude receptionist shouted while she was speaking to her
"What's up?" he shouted back
"Brad's sent someone to see you" she shouted back
"Tell him I don't have a girl right now" he shouted back
"It is a girl" she shouted back
Seconds later a blond haired, young guy about her age with scruffy long hair tied back well shaped facial hair and the deepest green eyes appeared, taking Mercy's breath as she stood looking at this finely chiselled, guy with the same nose as Brad and sex written all over his body doing something wild to her lady parts
"What's up, how can I help you" he looked over her shoulder to see no car asking "You know I fix cars right?" he smiled as his mouth opened up to reveal the straightest teeth, and his smile covered his face
"Well no actually I didn't" she stood there saying "Brad, your brother told me to pass by"
"Yeah I know he's my brother, please don't keep reminding me" his face turned to steel as he spoke "What do you want?"
"Well I guess, he wanted you to know we're getting married in August and well since I was in the area he asked me to let you guys know"
"Who are these guys you're talking about?"
"His family I guess" she looked at him puzzled
"I'm the only one he can call that in these parts, I guess you know nothing"
"I know we're getting married" she jumped on that saying, he might have been cuter than Brad but his attitude stunk "Can we go somewhere a little more private?" she asked looking around the reception at the people congregating
"Yeah I live just across there" he pointed to the house across the street telling her before disappearing out the back. Mercy stood looking at enquiring faces determined not to say a word, hearing one of the ladies insult her she was just about to throw her diva out there when Sam came walking back in with some seriously ripped jeans, a fashionably ripped t-shirt and denim jacket the overall had disappeared, his hands were clean and his smile was bright "Shall we?" he pointed across the road saying grabbing her arm as he went
"Shit" she said under her breath as she pulled away from him gently, a warmth had just passed through her
"Sorry" he told her holding his hands up as he said it
"No, I'm sorry it's me" she smiled back at him as they walked
He ran past her to open the door for her to walk in, she stood watching him being a gentlemen and had to think when Brad had ever actually done that for her "Stop it" she told herself for starting to compare the two brothers. She walked into the house and gasped it was beautiful, on the outside it looked like any typical house in Ohio with veranda seating as normal but inside he'd knocked the kitchen and dining room into one, there were large windows in the rooms she could see making the place bright and airy, everything was clinically clean and state of the art, definitely a single man with an impressive gaming system strung up in the living room with just one couch. And a fair bit of land attached, green for as far as the eye could see
"Nice" she smiled as she walked in looking around
"It does the job" he said looking around "Drink, something to eat?" he asked walking towards the kitchen as she followed him
"Cold drink please" she said watching him move around the kitchen
"So" he held the back of a kitchen chair as he put her drink on the table asking "What does my brothers future wife do for a living?"
"Oh" she sat on the chair "I sing" she told him finally linking with his eyes as he sat in the chair opposite her
"Like what?"
"Oh R&B stuff, I'm at the Gala tonight, for two weeks actually you should come see me, I'll get you VIP tickets, we're going to be family and all" she laughed
"Yeah I might do that" he smiled his look told her there was something going on there "So why didn't Brad come did you say?"
"I didn't say but he's working"
"Working?"
"Yeah, how long has it been since you guys saw each other?"
"Oh I'd say at least four years"
"He's an accountant in a reputable law firm" she smiled for being able to tell him something about his brother "And he needs to be on hand for your Mom"
"Our Mom" Sam cocked his eyebrow mimicking Mercy saying "Of course" he smiled his eyes were definitely stripping her, she felt uncomfortable about it and suddenly needed to leave
"I should get back they'll be wondering where I am" she got up saying
"Sure" he got up with her saying both stepping off at the same time towards the front door
"So" she paused and turned to look at him saying, suddenly feeling a lot safer than she did a few seconds ago "I'll look out for you tonight, just tell Greg you're family and he'll hook you up"
"Greg?"
"Yeah Greg, Bye Sam" she held her hand out giving him, shocked when he hugged her
"We're going to be family" he smiled as he let her go
Sam
Sam wondered back to the kitchen took the glasses and plates up and flung them in the sink, the sound of glass and crockery breaking bellowed through the house "How fucking dare he" he shouted looking around for something else to break. He grabbed a plant pot near by and threw it at the door, the dirt and semi grown plant flying everywhere, he covered his face to avoid the splints
"Sam" he heard spinning round to find Mercy standing there "What..." she got out before she actually saw his face was like thunder and backed off
"Sorry" he immediately flipped back into the Sam she'd just left seconds earlier "I was having a clear out" he smiled
"That didn't look like a clear out to me" she stood looking at the broken pot saying "And God you're bleeding" he walked towards him
"It's fine" he backed away from her
"Stop being so damn stubborn" she grabbed his hand telling him as they both stood still feeling the heat passing between them "Did you feel..." she got out before the heat grew from her hand and slowly warmed her body and before she knew anything else their lips fused "Stop" she pulled away saying when she caught herself "We can't do this" she let his hand go saying "I'll clean this up" she looked round at the broken vase, plant and dirt on the floor before she started cleaning
Sam sat on the couch in the living room, tissue over his hand watching her pick up the pieces, he'd felt something, everything, there was proper heat for fuck sake. But how was he going to make this not look planned, he really hadn't planned it, but sometimes life can just be a bitch and when you wish it hard enough it can come back to fucking bite you
"I guess I got it all, but don't walk around without your house shoes on until you've had it properly cleaned" she stood at the doorway telling him "Tonight?" she asked
"Tonight" he confirmed as he watched her walk through the door and out of his life, for now anyway
That night he went to the concert, but he didn't see Greg, he stood in the crowd with everyone else watching as she sung many songs, pleasing the audience, the one that grabbed him was 'Lights On' by H.E.R as he stood listening to her singing he smiled at the challenge, and left that right there "Light is on" he walked off thinking
Mercy & Brad
She didn't know what she felt about him not turning up just before she went on stage, she hoped he would, they'd shared something and as difficult as it was going to be they needed to sort that out, he was going to be her brother-in-law in the near future.
She got off stage and her phone rang almost a minute later as she sat in the changing room exhausted "Shit" she said when she saw Brad's name on her phone "Brad" she called down the phone "I just this second got off stage"
"I know babe I got Max to call me and let me know, I just couldn't wait to hear how you got on with the family today"
"The family that turned out to be one brother that you haven't seen for nearly four years?"
"Has it been that long?" he laughed "How was he?"
"He has a phone Brad you could call him to find that out"
"Yeah but you tell stories so much better"
"He's good I guess"
"Is he coming to the wedding?"
"Shit I asked but I forgot to wait for the answer, time caught up with me" she rolled her eyes saying as she thought how the hell did she ask one question and not come out, after all that time, with the answer
"Did he come see your show?"
"No, why would he, he don't know me"
"I just thought it was his kind of thing what with him... never mind" he told her before changing the subject "So how was the gig?"
"It was good, I did three more songs than I expected, but it was good"
"I'm happy you're happy babe"
"Listen I may be happy but I'm tired so..."
"Goodnight babe, don't forget to get an answer from Sam"
"Goodnight babe" she half smiled before closing the call down
The next day she woke up with a mission, she'd made some wrong choices yesterday but she wasn't getting caught out like that again, she put three tops on before peeling some denims on that made her scared to have to visit the bathroom once she was out the room and two pairs of socks under her boots. Today her damn clothes were staying on she felt totally naked yesterday when Sam had finished with her, she had to feel her body to see if it was clothed, she felt like she was clothed in washing up bubbles and that flame he'd ignited in her had sent the lot up in a puff of smoke. Once she was satisfied she could feel her clothes on her, she set out again to get an answer to the questions she was supposed to have asked yesterday
Mercy & Sam
The journey didn't take as long as it did yesterday, but it was more concentrated as she tried to get her sentences into gear and check her feelings "Hi" she said as she walked back into the garage office
"Sam" the girl at the desk shouted before Mercy could say anything else
"How rude" she whispered under her breath as she watched the door she expected him to come through
"Hi" he said from behind her "I really didn't expect to see you again" he walked towards her saying "Do you want to come over?" he pointed at his house asking
"Hi" she smiled following his hand against everything that was going on in her head, they got all the way into the house before they spoke again "I was talking to Brad last night and I realised I hadn't asked you the question I came to ask" she got out before she realised he was walking off towards the kitchen "Sam" she called before she realised he wasn't stopping and she followed him "Are you coming to the wedding?" she asked trying to get round him to see his face
"I saw your show last night" he smiled at her
"You were there?"
"Yeah but I didn't want you doing a whole show to impress me, I wanted to see the real Mercy"
"And?"
"I particularly like that phrase in your song, what was it again?" he looked at her asking 'Ain't seen this side of me, fluent in the sheets, can you read in between, me? I ain't a stranger to the foreplay, so we can skip the wordplay' he sang at her
"You sing?" she smiled
"Sometimes" he laughed "No that's a lie, I sing a lot, that's what I usually do but I'm on a break, just finished a film"
"What's your thing?"
"Mainstream and sometimes Country"
"I'll need to hear some of your art, soon"
"Can we talk about what happened yesterday" he dropped into the conversation that was nowhere near there
"It was... it was a mistake and I'm sorry I didn't stop it before it got to where it got" she looked at him saying
"All that would be very believable, if any of it were true" he walked towards her saying "There was something there, I know it" he told her standing over her, he was taller than her so as she looked up at him it looked like she was begging him to take her lips
"I'm marrying your brother" her hands found his chest saying, wanting to push him back out of her space, but when they got there they felt comfortable, right even as she looked back up at him, closing her eyes because as many clothes as she'd put on this morning they'd all gone again as heat generated through her hands and down her body.
"Do you love my brother?"
"I..." she looked up at him, the words stuck in her mouth "I do" she finally found some strength to say pushing him away, he moved willingly and let her go, her heart skipped a beat at the disappointment "I need the bathroom" she walked off saying "Where is it?"
"Upstairs second door on the left" he told her, as he watched her walk
"Shit" she got inside the bathroom closing the door and grabbing the wash basin "What the fuck Mercy Jones, you're about to cheat on your damn fiancé with his damn brother, what the hell is wrong with you?" she looked up at the mirror asking herself shocked to see Sam's face looking back at her
"Tell me if you want me to go" he looked at her mirror image telling her "But I know you feel this thing between us" he walked up to her saying, his arms were around her before she could even think of an answer for him, they felt warm, hard, passionate, needing, she felt that familiar rush of heat over take her body as she fell back against him, he cupped her breasts and squeezed them with just the right amount of pressure to make the sensation exquisite. Her mouth dropped open as she surrendered to his touch "Do you want me to stop?" he asked as she opened her eyes to take in what he was saying, she couldn't answer she knew she couldn't her mind was blowing, the heat was taking over her, her body started to shudder as he immediately found her spot at the back of her neck and kissed it repeatedly until she was in full surrender
"How the fuck did he know about that spot?" she thought as her body went about getting its own pleasure
Sam wasn't thinking past getting into her his hands had made light work of her top, she didn't know when she'd actually held her hands up for him to remove three tops but she was naked up top, she looked in the mirror at herself and felt sexy her bottom lip found the inside of her mouth when his hand slipped down her trousers and cupped her before pushing her trouser down with more ease than she'd need "Do you want me to stop?" he asked again as she pulled her leg out of the heap of clothes now on the floor and opened up for him to fit himself inside her "God" he gasped as he entered her
"God" she echoed at the same time, grabbing hold of the basin before turning her head to find his mouth, she needed his mouth, she smiled as his right hand found her core and worked it while his left hand kept her nipples standing to attention "Sam" she squealed at the pleasure he was rocking up on her
"Mercy" he whimpered before ramming into her and staying there as she pumped around him, they finally stood limp looking at each other in the mirror
"We shouldn't have done that" she finally said
"Please don't regret it" he pulled away from her begging
"I don't think I regret it, we just shouldn't have done it"
"Is that not the same thing?"
"I need to speak to Brad" she grabbed her clothes telling him as he stood watching her preparing to go back to his brother
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"What? No no I don't" she shook her head at his ridiculous request "I'll speak to you tomorrow Sam, I need to sort this hot mess out" she squeezed her boots on, wondering how the hell they got off her feet
"I could take you back to your hotel" he buttoned up telling her "It will take a while for a cab to come, as you know"
"I'll take a lift" she smiled up at him
"Come on" he grabbed her hand telling her
"Where are we going?" she asked when she saw them going the opposite way to the stairs
"Freshen up and then I'll take you" he told her she actually felt something for the way he demanded that happen "Bathroom's through there" he pointed to the wall "Just push that button on the wall" he told her as she looked round at him for more instruction. The bedroom was plush, there was no other word for it, it was definitely a man's space with all the brown and white colour scheme and everything, but it didn't look like it saw much action and there was nothing out of place to suggest someone else had been there "I've only got man stuff so you'll have to make do I'm afraid" he shouted through as she shut the door
Mercy didn't hold back she filled the bath up and was sat in it for half an hour, when Sam came in she smiled "You make a habit of following girls into bathrooms?" she asked
"I'll follow you anywhere" he smiled stripping off and getting in the bath with her "God this waters cold turn the tap on" he yelled before sitting down, they finally stopped talking and left the bathroom a long while later
"Come see me tonight at the show" she asked but told him
"I might have something else to do" he smiled
"Sing something" she smiled
"I guess local folks are fed up of hearing me sing" he laughed "But I want to see more of you, so I'll come"
"We just got out the bath together I don't think there's actually any more of me to see" she laughed
"There's so much more to know about you" he pulled her to him kissing her lips lightly before spinning her round "All I know for sure right now it that I've found two zones, except the obvious one, so far" he kissed the back of her neck again making her fall into him as he cupped her breast making her moan "Two"
"You're a big one too" she smiled looking round at him "But we still shouldn't have done it"
"Back to the hotel" he let her go saying, if she had to describe how she felt just then, she'd say upset, the drive back was quite considering how much they'd spoke in the bath a short while ago. Mercy was reflecting on what she'd actually done and trying to find some shame about it, that shit was so not her, she looked at him wondering if he knew that or he just thought she was a loose woman not really worthy of his brother
"I'm not usually like that you know, I don't make a habit of sleeping with random men, let alone brothers of my boyfriends" she looked at him for a reaction saying
"I don't usually sleep with women I haven't even dated for three months, the concept of my brothers wife is alien to me too" he looked back at her saying
"So?"
"So what?"
"Are you not going to tell me how I'm not worthy, call him, tell and get me out of his life?"
"No"
"Why not?"
"Because you're going to tell him all that yourself, when you're ready" he laughed "Only it will be him that's not worthy, and you'll be happy to get him out of your life"
"Is there something I should know about you two?"
"There is but he'll be the one telling you, and when he does..." he pulled up at the venue and stopped the car before turning to look at her "Get out the car" he demanded stretching across her to open her door. Within seconds he was standing in front of her, so close a couple of feathers and she'd have been laying on the side of the car "When he does..." he looked into her eyes saying as he grabbed her waist and pulled her to him "Remember this.." he held her eyes until he was sure he had her full attention before bending to kiss her lips. Mercy knew she'd breathed in, she felt like she was going into a place where there was going to be no air for a while, it felt like some serious minutes had passed before she actually remembered to breath out, and when she did she felt weak and light headed "This is real, in all of it, this is real" he told her letting her go "Tonight" he smiled as he moved to the side of her to let her walk off into the building
"Tonight" she finally said before she stopped backing away from him and looked where she was going
Mercy & Brad
She got back to the crew and she was bursting to tell someone, but what was there to tell she was cheating "How's Brad's family?" Max asked his eyes mysterious, Mercy wondered if he'd seen them out front "Everyone has a frisky Uncle" he laughed
"They're fine" she laughed 'a frisky someone' she thought
"He's been on the phone looking for you apparently he couldn't get your cell"
"Couldn't he?" she took her phone out her bag asking to see it on silent, she smiled before she frowned at the intrusion, she'd pressed his quick key before she actually realised, she had something to be guilty about "Brad" she said blushing for what she knew she wasn't going to tell him especially over the phone
"I've been calling all day babe"
"Must have been all the outback, no signal" she laughed
"Is he coming?"
"He asked for a day to make his mind up, I told him to call you"
"He won't" he said with some sadness in his voice
"What's going on with you two?"
"Just brother stuff I guess"
"Are you still coming down next week?"
"No babe sorry, that's what I called for Mom's not well, I'm thinking of taking her to hospital if she doesn't get better soon"
"Gosh that bad, do I need to tell Sam to get there"
"No babe" he laughed "She's not at deaths door, there's just no one else to look after her"
"You're a good son"
"I try to be" he said as she imagined his eyes going into puppy mode, and his lips getting into kiss me mode "I miss you babe"
"I miss you too, hurry back" he ordered, somehow it didn't have the same effect as Sam's order, she looked at the phone thinking "I need to marry you"
A very weak "Yeah" was all she could muster "Bye babe"
"Bye babe"
She put the phone down feeling sick, what the hell was she doing becoming the kind of person she'd been running away from all these years 'I wish I could stay with that thought for even a second more' she thought as her mind forced her to think about the hot morning she'd had with Sam
"Mercy, practice" Max shouted making her jump "That man got you dreaming again?" he laughed
"Yeah" she smiled, she couldn't actually tell him which man that was, rehearsals took up the rest of the day and then she was on hooks again unable to wait to see Sam walk through the door
Mercy & Sam
She'd done her make up, hair, stepped into her underwear and was standing admiring her body in the mirror, flashes of the mornings activities flashing through her head "I walk into changing rooms too" she heard his voice say bringing a smile to her face
"You just love seeing me naked" she turned to tell him
"Nothing gets past you" he walked towards her saying "That's enough thinking about my damn brother, focus on me now" he bent to kiss her neck
"Focused" she raised her head to give him access saying "Sam" she pulled away to look up at him "Are you and Brad in some sort of competition?"
"No"
"So where's your guilt about all this?"
"I have none, you couldn't make me want you if I didn't" he smiled
"I'm serious Sam" she said knowing he was giving her back one of her songs
"Me too, this is nothing to do with what's going on with him and me"
"You can't even say his name"
"I can I just choose not to"
"What and then he doesn't exist?"
"As long as he's taking up space in your head he'll always exist" he pulled her to him telling her "Can we get back to us now?" he asked taking her lips
"Can I get back to my show?" she asked when she finally pulled away from him "How did you get in here anyway?"
"I live round here, everyone knows me" he laughed "I'll see you later" he kissed her nose backing out of the room, Mercy couldn't help smiling, he made her feel alive, sexy, lovable even, he lit something in her that she didn't know existed he could be very bad for her, or very good, she told herself as she took one last look at herself in the mirror before putting her dress on.
The night went well, she was even more buzzed for knowing Sam was up front dancing along as she sung the fast ones and standing listening as the crowd rocked to the slow ones, she finally gave him a treat and sung his favourite song of hers, with a few more until she finally sung her last song and left the stage as Sam left the audience.
"Sam" she smiled when he opened her changing room door "I'll be ready in a bit, we'll get out of here and talk"
"Okay" he smiled slipping into the room and closing the door to find a seat, watching her, get undressed, taking her make up off, sorting her hair out, her shadow in the shower as she touched her body clean, her wet body rapped in a towel as she tapped her body with it, he needed to be with her right now. He smiled as he caught her watching him watch her, looking at him as she put her underclothes on, creamed her skin and slipped her dress on
"Ready" she smiled grabbing her purse and his hand as she neared the door
They ended up at her hotel room, a rather luxurious double room with mini bar and all the usual amenities "Drink?" she asked as she dropped her purse on the couch
"No I'm fine" he followed her saying "I just need …." he spun her round saying, grabbing her lips with some urgency as his hands moved around her body. It took a few seconds for Mercy to react and when she did her arms wrapped themselves around his neck and pulled her up his body just as urgent
"Sorry" she pulled away saying as she heard her phone ring "It's Brad" she opened the call up telling him, Sam stood watching her answer the call, his face expressionless "Brad" she smiled down the phone, as Sam threw himself on the couch listening to her
Mercy & Brad
"Hi Babe" she sighed a definite smile on her face "I miss you" she told him looking back at Sam, her eyes saying sorry but her words coming out sincere to his brother
"I miss you too Babe" Brad told her back "How was the show?"
"It was good, your brother showed up"
"Did he?" he paused before carrying on "Is he coming to the wedding?"
"He hasn't answered yet I don't know" she looked back at Sam saying
"That's Sam" he laughed "I need you to come home"
"Why what's up?"
"I need my woman, what do you mean why?"
"I need my man too" she laughed looking back at Sam still sitting on the couch, his face blazing "Listen Babe I'm tired I need my bed, I'll call tomorrow"
"Tomorrow babe I love you"
"I love you babe" she told him closing the call down, her back to Sam as she stood wondering how she was going to play this now
"I guess I should go" Sam got up telling her "I mean you're tired" he walked straight past her and out the door, Mercy watched him walk, she could do nothing, right now she felt cheap and dirty, she cried that was the only emotion that could help her right now
Mercy & Sam
"I thought we could have the day" she jumped out of her sleep for hearing someone in her space "It's only me" Sam sat on the bed telling her as she wiped her eyes to get some focus
"How did you... everyone knows you" she rolled her eyes saying throwing the blankets off her
"I thought I could show you round our town today, what do you say?"
"Yeah" she smiled getting up to visit the bathroom coming out with a question on her mind "Sam" she sat on the bed next to him "Why did you walk out last night?"
"Seriously?" he looked at her asking "Fuck" he hissed under his breath "I got to go" he jumped up telling her
"Sam" she grabbed hold of his arm shouting "Don't keep running away from me, what the hell is going on with you?" she got up to pull him to face her asking
"Nothing" he looked down at her saying
"There's something Sam, talk to me" she pulled his arm asking "Brad told me days ago your Mom was ill and you haven't even thought about going to see her, is that it?"
"My Mom's ill, is that what he told you?" Mercy I … I can't" he pulled away from her and walked out, she watched as he walked out, there was nothing else she could do, she took her phone out and called him
"Sam" she called surprised he'd answered the call "Please come back and talk to me"
"Speak to my brother, and remember in all of it, this thing between us is real"
"I don't understand..." she got out before the phone went dead
They were arguing but her body was on fire, she felt angry, everything in her had balled up into a scream, she was so frustrated with this man not telling her anything. She sat for a while thinking about things, making the final decision that Brad gave her a more settled life and although Sam was passion she was sure Brad was security and that's what she needed right now, plus Sam was in the business, not a good combination according to Max. She done her routine and left the hotel, she'd made a decision and she was off to tell Sam she didn't want what he was offering she'd chosen the less complicated Brad.
She got to his house and stood waiting for him to open the door, unwilling to visit the garage right now she had some serious words to say and she didn't need to see anyone else before she spoke to him "Hi" she heard spinning round to look at the garage as she saw Sam walking towards her as if they hadn't just had words less than two hours ago.
"Hi" she said as he neared hairs standing up all over her body, that familiar heat rising without any contact as she watched him, there was no explanation for what actually happened as she looked into his face, she felt a need she'd never felt before as she watched him stretch past her and opened the door to let her in. She felt herself arouse for the possibility of him touching her as she followed his strong arm watching him move out the way for her to get in, she was stuck to the floor, looking up at him. She suddenly felt his hand push her inside the door and she knew for sure that just then she took a breath, before she noticed him looking down at her "Sam" she whispered all her strength gone as she grabbed his shirt and pulled his lips to her. They were lost in the kiss, as they fought to remove clothes, stay connected and move towards the bedroom all at the same time delivering pleasure, and satisfaction "I came to stop this" she looked up at him as they lay on his bed
"I don't know that I can do that, leave you alone" he stroked her forehead telling her
"I guess I share your pain" she didn't try to end things after that, whatever she felt, she was addicted Sam was her weakness. The rest of the time went pretty much the same as she spent days with Sam and evenings doing her gig ending each day with Sam either in her bed or in his, then two weeks were up and it was time to go back
They woke up that morning with tears, Mercy was crying, she still really didn't want to break Brad's heart, but she'd quietly fell in love with Sam and she didn't know what to do about that "Morning" Sam sat at the end of his bed telling her "Don't cry, this isn't the end" he told her confidently
"I don't want to talk about it" she said running off to the bathroom, coming back with tissue and jumping back into bed
"Can I sing to you?"
"About time" she smiled sitting up in the bed, watching him get up to fetch his guitar
"Okay I get mad when I think about a lot of things in my life, and you know how mad I can get" he sat back on the bed looking at her with raised eyebrows
"I do" she giggled
"But when I'm with you I feel different, I don't know why, and because of the situation, I don't actually know what to call my feelings, but I need to tell you something before I burst, so here's my thoughts" he smiled as he strummed his guitar and started singing his version of "Lights On" by Shawn Mendes
"That was beautiful, and you've done that nearly every night anyway" she laughed
"I know, but I do want to get to know everything about you"
"I don't know that I can commit to that, Brad's expecting so much of me"
"You know I just told you I feel different around you?" he asked watching her nod her response "Well you talking about him all the while sends me right back there, so could you just stop that please, and you're not going to marry him"
"Sam" she looked at him upset for this constant verbal battle without reason
"I mean it Mercy, I'll..." he stopped as her phone rang
"It's Brad" she looked up at him saying, watching him roll his eyes and rake his hand through his hair
Mercy & Brad
"Hi babe" she took her eyes off Sam saying as she turned her back to him
"Babe, You're back tomorrow, I can't wait"
"Me neither I miss you"
"I miss you too, I've got so much in store for you" he chuckled
"Gosh now I can't wait" she giggled looking back at Sam as she spoke "How's you Mom?" she asked, trying to change the subject before it got out of hand, as she felt Sam's hands on her
"She's getting better, you guys need to hook up when you get back here"
"Yeah I'd love to meet her before the wedding" she leaned back onto Sam's chest as his hands wondered over her body and his lips grabbed her neck "Brad sorry I've got to go" she said suddenly
"Okay, I love you babe, tomorrow" he said blowing a kiss down the phone
Mercy & Sam
"I love you" Mercy spun round to look into Sam's eyes telling him as she held the phone to her ear "Tomorrow" she gasped into the phone before throwing it down to grab Sam's head and pull it to meet her lips, a moan escaped her lips as his mouth travelled down to her breasts his hands sending heat to everywhere they touched, their bodies connecting in ways not previously known to either of them
"I love you too" he pulled away for a second to tell her not giving any time for a response before he grabbed her lips again, falling onto the bed as she opened up to him, that urgency came back again as Sam tried to take his time to prolong the sensation he was feeling, but Mercy's body didn't afford him the luxury of control, his hand found her spot as he pumped rhythmically, her leg up on his shoulder "God you're perfect" he looked down at her saying
"You're perfect" she moaned before she sighed as he watched her body tense for a while before relax came, her pulse around him bringing him to peak, he closed his eyes and imagined it lasting forever. Sam finally lay next to her breathing heavy as he pulled her to him spooning her in his arms, laying so still until they both fell asleep "Sam" Mercy knocked him awake saying "It's time for me to go" she sat up to check the time "Shit it's time for me to go, I'm late"
"What?" Sam jumped out of his sleep asking "What's up?"
"I'm going to be late for rehearsals" she told him watching him jump up "Shit Mercy I'm sorry, I was supposed to wake you up" he grabbed his sweats telling her "Bathroom" he shouted as he went towards it, they grabbed a shower, got dressed and got Mercy back to the venue just in time. Later that evening after her show, he helped pack everything up and they said their private goodbye before she left for home.
"Can I ask one thing?" Sam asked as they stood his arms wrapped around her pulling her in so tight she had to bend her back to keep their lips from touching
"What?" she smiled back at him as he bent towards her and pecked her lips
"Don't sleep with my brother, you're mine, and you know I'm a jealous man"
"I'll see what I can do" she kissed his lips lightly saying, minutes later they separated and she was on her way back home
Home
"Sam" she called over the phone two days later "I'm going to meet you're parents on Saturday"
"My parents?" he asked, angry in his voice "I told you already you're not marrying that man"
"I'm scared to tell him" she finally admitted "I'm scared for the whole damn thing"
"Our love scares you?"
"No breaking someone's heart scares me"
"That bastard has no heart, I'm forbidding you to go ahead with this wedding thing"
"You can't tell me what to do"
"No you're right" he shouted at her slamming the phone down
Brad & Sam's Parents Home
Brad had set up a family meeting, Mercy was excited this was the one but last thing to do, after this he was going to meet her parents and then that left two weeks to the wedding. Her dress was being adjusted on the length she'd found so much wrong with it since Glenda and her went wedding shopping and thought it was the perfect dress, no matter how she adjusted it, she felt discomfort. Now she was on her way to meet his parents, she was a bit mad that he hadn't planned on meeting her to take her there but she'd gone all the way to Lima on her own to meet his brother "God Sam" she gasped as he came into her mind "I can't do this" she rolled her eyes getting out the cab
She stood outside this magnificent home, spread across a single floor, she could see right through it on the left side, to water suggesting there was a pool and on the right a large garage, nothing like the one Sam worked in, the house was money, lots of it. Mercy walked up to the front door and rung the bell waiting for a response, she smiled when Brad's familiar face came to the door "Hi Babe" she told him going in for a hug, shaking with nerves suddenly
"Hi" he replied barely hugging her back "Come in, everyone's in the dining room" he turned saying, she looked at him for the cold response and followed him through the grand house
"Your parents have a beautiful home" she told him as they walked, her eyes taking everything in
"Everyone this is Mercy" he announced as they entered the room "Mercy this is Mom, Dad, Jen and of course you know my brother Sam" he laughed
"Mercy gasped as she walked in and saw Sam sitting there, he hadn't said he was going to be here, but he'd threatened she wasn't going to marry Brad, she was terrified and excited at the same time
"Mr Evans" she smiled shaking their Dad's hand as she went round, the table doing the same to everyone, her heart beating like a drum as she took the hand of Sam's girlfriend. It was obvious she wasn't family, her black skin, sort of told it's own story "Jen?" she asked for confirmation
"Yeah Jen" she smiled taking the hand shake
"And Sam" she smiled as he got up and hugged her, tellingly familiar she thought, but no one said anything about it
She eventually got her jacket off, sat at the empty chair next to Brad opposite Sam and dinner was served, they ate in a strange silence as Sam's eyes pierced into her "So" Jen finally broke the silence looking up at Mercy "How long have Sam and you been an item?"
Mercy was stunned, he'd already said something, that was why everyone was quiet, she looked around the table at eyes daggering her "I'm with Brad" she looked at him telling her
"What?" Jen asked chocking on the food she'd just put in her mouth "Brad?" she looked at him asking "You're with Brad?" she asked her eyes focusing on Mercy again
"Now the shit hits the fan" Sam sat back in his chair saying
"Is this why you got me here?" Jen looked at Sam asking
"Yep" Sam told her "You need to see what this man is"
"You did this on purpose?" Brad asked getting up to approach his little brother "So you what, wanted to get me back?"
"No I wanted everyone to see what you were"
"What's going on?" Mercy finally asked stopping the conversation
"The floors yours" Sam told Brad as he towered over him
"Come on, it's been four years since we all sat together as a family, stop all this and learn to get on" their Dad shouted as both boys looked at him, his frail body and weak voice sent them both into submission, as Brad found his seat again
"Brad, what's going on?" Mercy asked again
"Yes Brad, tell us all what's going on" Jen asked her eyes slits as she spoke to him
"I'm sorry" he looked at Jen telling her before turning to Mercy "I can't marry you, I know I asked and everything but it was a mistake an impossible mistake"
"What?" Mercy asked, she really wasn't understanding any of what was going on "You asked me" she looked around the table telling him
"I had no business doing that, I'm …. I'm already married to Jen" he looked across the table at his wife saying
"Seriously?" was all she could say looking at his parents sitting listening to all this play out "Sam" she looked at him for help "I'm scared" she told him a tear fell down her face
"Mercy" he gasped as he watched her break in front of is eyes, in slow motion he sprung up and grabbed her, pulling her to him and holding her there as her shuddering shoulders revealed she was crying "Remember what I said" he whispered as he rocked her
"Are you guys sleeping together?" Brad asked as he watched Mercy stood comfortably in Sam's arms
"Did you know about this?" Mercy looked up at Sam asking
"He's my brother of course I knew" Sam told her as she jerked out of his arms
"So why...?"
"Because it's up to him to tell you"
"What now in front of your family and his wife?" she pushed him in the chest hard enough to move him before she walked away
"Mercy" he shouted as he watched her walk "There's more" he told her, she stopped to look at him "He's got more to tell you" he looked at Brad telling her "Tell her" he ordered as Brad looked at him scornfully
"Yeah Brad tell her" Jen sat looking at him disgusted, his parents looked at each other and shook their heads
"I... well Jen and I got together, while she was with Sam I guess, I fell in love with her and well against everything we ever were to each other, Sam and I that is, I took her off him, she fell in love with me too"
"So what, all this between us was to spite your brother?" she turned to Sam asking
"No, I told you we're real" he walked over to her grabbed her hand and pulled her to him "You know this is real"
"So you guys are together?" Brad asked looking at them holding hands
"We're not officially together, but yeah we've been together, sound familiar?" Sam smiled gripping Mercy's hand tighter
"You're not telling me this wasn't to get me back" Brad told him, the two men now standing
"I'm telling you I took one look at her and fell in love, I couldn't have helped wanting her, even with everything in my body not wanting to be like you" Sam spat at him
"Shit it's not even a fight I want to have, you can have her" Brad spat back at him
"How dare you" Sam told him as his fists started flying, he was younger and more agile than his brother he got the upper hand quickly and had him pinned to the floor before they heard their parents shouting
"God did I pick the wrong damn brother" Jen announced as she watched Sam beating the life out of Brad
"I guess I know how you feel" Mercy smiled at her "But you can't have him back, he made me love him and I hell of a want to" she giggled Sam looked up at her
"What did you say?" he asked standing up from hitting his brother walking towards her
"I said" she smiled "Your skin's so perfect up against me" she pulled him to her singing, his parents standing watching and they didn't care
"And yours against mine" he smiled
"I wanna love you with the..." she smiled singing
"Hold that thought" he smiled putting his finger against her lips "Can we try something new.."
"What do you have in mind?"
"Well, now you know everything, will you Marry Me?"
"Yes" she smiled watching his mouth coming towards hers, she closed her eyes to take the kiss
"Lights?" he pulled away to ask
"Definitely on" she smiled
The End