As promised, Sam created an afterschool plan that allowed Landon to work on getting his chemistry grade back and begin his guitar lessons. Starting the following week, right after school; they would spend an hour working on chemistry. Then, for the forty-five minutes, Sam would show him the basics of playing the guitar. It felt so good to see her son be so excited about learning something new. He had asked Mercedes if he could get a case for his guitar. She told him that he would have to ask his father, since he would be staying with him for the weekend.

"Ma, do I really have to stay with him the whole weekend?" Landon asked after he and his mother went over his teacher's after school plan. She gave him a sympathetic look.

"Unfortunately sweetheart." He smacked his lips and began slouching in his chair.

"I just can't stand having….that lady there. She gets on my nerves." Mercedes could feel the heat in her ears start to boil.

"Does she make you uncomfortable?" Landon hesitated before speaking.

"No….not really…ugh I don't know. Sometimes, she tries to act like she wants to be my mother." She reached across the kitchen table and took her sons hands.

"Landon, listen to me…that woman will NEVER be your mother. Even if something were to happen to me…I'd make sure that woman is to NEVER take my place. Okay?" He flashed a smile that reminded her too much of his father.

"Okay."

"Would you like for me to talk to your dad about her?"

"Please?" She smiled as she stood up and kissed his forehead.

"Sure thing baby."

The rest of the week went by pretty easy and quickly. When Friday rolled around, Santana had made it a point to remind her about going out.

"I know Santana. I'm not backing out tonight." She said on the phone, while looking through her closet.

"I was just checking."

"What kind of bar is this anyway? I don't know what to wear."

"I'm not sure really. All Brittany said was that one of her dance friends' parents just opened a bar recently and that we should check it out. I think the name of it is Mac's Place or something like that. Just find something casual yet sexy, who knows, you may take home a man tonight." She rolled her eyes and laughed.

"Whatever Santana. What time do I need to be ready?"

"Seven should be good."

'Alright, David's picking the kids up in a few."

"Let me know how that goes."

"Oh I will." She disconnected the call and went to check on the kids. At around 4:30, she got a text from David saying he would be about 30 minutes late picking the kids up. She rolled her eyes as she replied a quick okay.

"Typical David." She muttered. Since he was going to be late, she figured she had enough time to hop in the shower quickly and get ready. When 5:30 rolled around, she patiently waited for her ex-husband to arrive. Five thirty turned into six…then six-thirty. When the doorbell rang, she figured it was David and was ready to give him a piece her mind as she opened the door. Instead, it was Santana and her girlfriend Brittany.

"Shit, you look like you're ready to gut someone."

"David isn't here to pick the kids up yet."

"Well where is he?"

"He texted me at four fucking thirty saying he would be 30 minutes late."

"Hijo de puta! Did you call him?"

"Yes and the asshole isn't answering." Just as she finished her sentence, she heard a car pull up into her driveway, hunking the horn. She narrowed her eyes.

"Oh no the hell he did not." She started for the door, but her best friend held her back.

"No! Let that bastard come in here." They heard the car shut off and a car door close. When the doorbell rang, Mercedes took a deep breath to calm her nerves and walked to the door. She opened the door to see David with a sorry ass look on his face.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Olivia had car trouble after work."

"You couldn't tell her to wait while you picked up your kids first?"

"Whatever Mercedes, where are the kids?"

"Upstairs, waiting on you." She walked over to the staircase and called her kids down. David studied his ex-wife and realized she was headed somewhere.

"You goin somewhere tonight?"

"Yes, as a matter a fact I am. Santana and Britt are taking me out tonight."

"Oh so that's what you're going to be doing when the kids aren't around? 'Goin out'" Mercedes opened her mouth to speak but her best friend beat her to the punch.

"Listen here pendejo. You don't get to question her whereabouts. You lost that privilege the moment you decided to stick your dick into another woman." Mercedes let out a loud snort and then covered her mouth. Before David could retort a comeback, Landon and Amya came down the stairs with their bags in hand.

"Hi Daddy!" Amya exclaimed as she stepped off the last step. She dropped her bag and jumped into her father's arms.

"Hey Sweet Pea! You ready have some fun this weekend?"

"What are we doing?"

"That's a surprise….Hey Landon." Landon looked at his mom quickly and then looked back at his father.

"Hey dad. What took you so long?"

"Livy had car trouble….she's in the car waiting for you guys." Mercedes heard her son groan. She walked over to him and bent him down to her level. He had gotten so tall.

"It's gonna be okay Landon. Just try your best to respect her at all times no matter how on edge she makes you. I'll talk to your father before the weekend is over." She kissed his forehead and then looked at her daughter.

"Uh, do I get any love before you leave?" Amya laughed as she hopped from her daddy's arms and into her mother's.

"I love you mommie! See you on Sunday." She wrapped her tiny arms around Mercedes' neck and squeezed as tight as she could.

"Okay, be good for daddy okay?"

"I will." She let her down and both Amya and Landon proceeded to follow their father out of the door. But not before Santana got her final words out.

"David be sure to give your querida our love." David looked back at her with a scowl, ready to say something but the look on Mercedes's face told him not to say anything in front of the kids. So he just turned his attention back to the door and walked out. When Mercedes closed the door, she let out the loudest laugh.

"Santana you are a mess!"

"What? I've been waiting to give that bastard a piece of my mind."

"I understand. Can we go? I'm starving."

"Yeah we can just eat at the bar." Brittany said. Twenty minutes later they arrived to Mac's Place and quickly found a parking spot. One the way to the entrance, they noticed a sign saying they were having a live band. They could hear the music blaring before they even stepped foot inside.

"Ok I hope this is music I can tolerate listening to. Otherwise Britt you are in trouble." Santana said sternly. When they made their way inside, they realized that a blues band was playing. Mercedes turned to Santana and smiled.

"Is this to your liking Santana?"

"I don't yet, let's find a spot first and I'll come up with a verdict." As they searched for a table a very soulful voice sang out,

Everyday. Everyday I have the blues.

Said everyday. Everyday I have the blues.

When you see me worryin' baby, it's you have to lose.

No body loves me, Nobody seems to care

Nobody loves me, Nobody seems to care

Talkin' bout worries and problems people, oh you know I've had my share.

The singer went into his guitar solo just as the found a table and sat down. Mercedes had sat down facing the stage and almost fell out of her seat when she finally got a look at the band.

"Oh my fucking God." Her friends quickly turned to look at her.

"What?"

"The...the guy playing...That's Landon's chemistry teacher." Santana snapped her neck around to get a better look.

"Holy shit! That fucker is hot! Now I see why you were blushing the other day." A hard as she tried, Mercedes could not tear her eyes away from Sam as he played out his solo. The man was good. Damn good. Her attention was quickly turned to his strong forearms and his glistening biceps that were busting through the thin v-neck t-shirt he was wearing.

"This guy's gonna be teaching Landon how to play the guitar?" Santana asked, causing Mercedes to snap out of her trance.

"Huh? Oh yeah. Suppose to start on Monday."

"If it wasn't dark in here I'd guess you were drooling, Mercedes."

"Shut up Santana! Ain't nobody droolin'."

"Whatever." They both turned their attention back to the band and Sam continued to play out his solo. Mercedes watched his talented fingers master his instrument and noticed to concentration on his face. He had his eyes closed all throughout his solo and then opened them to continue singing.

Everyday yeah, everyday yeah.

Now every day, every day , every day

Every day, every day, every day, every day

Every day, every day, every day, yeah

Every day now, Every day I have the blues.

When the band ended the song, Mercedes let out a deep breath, realizing she had been holding it.

"Well shit, I think it's safe to say that even that solo would turn me straight." Brittany blurted as the three of them gave the band their applause. Mercedes scooted out her chair.

"I need a drink." Before her best friends could make any jokes, she stood up and made her way to the bar. There were only a couple people ahead of her so she patiently waited for her turn and pondered on what drink she was going to order. When it was almost her turn, she heard a voice call out her name.

"Mercedes?" She couldn't ignore the way her heart jumped at the sound of Sam Evans calling out her name. She smiled and turned to face him.

"Sam, hi." He flashed the same spine chilling smile he the first time she saw him just a few days prior.

"I knew that was you I spotted at that table. What brings you out here?"

"My best friends brought me out tonight. Nice surprise to see you up there."

"Yeah this is just weekend playtime."

"Well you sounded amazing. I really had no idea you were THAT good." He let out a chuckle that even sounded sexy to her

"Well I don't like to brag." Mercedes turned to see that it was her turn and stepped up to the bartender.

"Can I get A long island and two Smirnoff ices please?" She felt Sam come up beside her.

"Put it on my tab Tony, add a Corona too."

"You don't have to do that Sam."

"No I don't but I wanted to. There's a big difference." She shook her head, somehow knowing she wouldn't be able to win that argument.

"Ok Sam Evans but those are the only drinks you're buying me tonight."

"We'll see about this Miss Jones." When the Bartender sat the drinks up, Sam grabbed his beer and her drink.

"I'll help you take these to your table." She nodded and led him back to the table. When Santana saw Mercedes return to the table with company, she looked up them and smiled.

"Oh look, she came back with more than our drinks!"

"Santana…Brittany, this is Sam Evans. He's Landon's Chemistry teacher."

"And one hell of a guitar player." Santana said as she held her hand out to Sam.

"Nice to meet you ladies." Santana pulled out the chair that was between her and Mercedes.

"Sit down, if you have a minute." Sam had his back facing Mercedes so he didn't see the scowl she gave her best friend.

"So what brings you beautiful ladies out tonight?" He asking, looking at all three women, but gave Mercedes an extra look as he said 'beautiful'. Brittany gave him a bright smile.

"One of my dance friends suggested it to me and since Mercy hasn't been out with us in a long time."

"Oh well I'm glad you decided to pick this place."

"So you're a school teacher by day, and Cleveland's guitar God by night?" Santana asked. He smiled and shook his head,

"I wouldn't say all that. But, it's a nice get away from the work week."

"Which is something you failed to mention the other day." Mercedes added.

"I guess it must've slipped my mind." He said as he took a sip from his beer, still keeping eye contact with her.

They all talked for a few more minutes until Sam was called back on stage. The band continued to play blues classics as well as some recent rock songs.

During part of the show, a waitress approached their table with another round of drinks.

"These are compliments of Sam, ladies. He said to enjoy." Mercedes smacked her lips and laughed,

"I told him not to buy anymore drinks for us."

"Looks like he's trying to show you his sweet side, Mercy." Santana sang as she took a sip of her drink. Mercedes just rolled her eyes and took a sip from her Long Island Ice tea.

Sam and Mercedes would occasionally steal glances while he was on stage. For the last number of the night, Sam decided to slow things down. When he broke into a slow blues number, the audience began clapping once they heard what song was about to be performed. He began the song with a guitar solo and again, Mercedes couldn't help but watch his muscles flex and the concentration on his face as he played.

I'm puttin you baby

I'm puttin you right out, right out of my mind

I'm puttin you baby

I'm puttin you right out, right out of my mind.

So tired of runnin after you girl, bein', bein', bein', bein', bein', bein'

Bein one and one, one and one, one and one, one and one half steps behind...all the time.

Go tell your friends, your stupid friends

Go tell your friends just what Sammy did.

Go tell your friends. go tell your friends exactly...exactly what Sammy did.

The way he delivered the song was in such a sexy way in Mercedes' opinion, she couldn't help but be turned on. She knew this time she had been watching him with her mouth open and closed it quickly before Santana could turn around and notice.

If they don't tell you that you're stupid and crazy baby

Oh they're just as messed up as you, yeah.

He looked out into the crowd and said,

"Is it okay if I just play my guitar for ya'll?" Everyone in the bar yelled out "YES!" Santana looked back at Mercedes and smiled,

"Oh he's about to show out! Watch!" Sam stepped away from the microphone and went in on his solo, causing Mercedes to smile at the hard expression on his face as his fingers worked up and down on his guitar. The man was indeed a guitar god whether or not he agreed. He was extremely talented. His solo lasted a good portion of the song. Once he finished, everyone then went into thunderous applause. Brittany and Santana had started to fan themselves.

"Holy shit! Who knew a guitar solo could be so damn climatic." Brittany blurted. Mercedes just laughed and shook her head, not trusting her voice because she more than agreed on that statement. Sam stepped back up to the mic.

Oh nah. I'm puttin you baby

Right out, right out, right out of my mind.

So tired of runnin of you girl

being one and one half steps

being one and one have steps

Being one and one and one and one half steps behind.

Once the song was over, everyone in the bar rose to their feet and gave the band a standing ovation. It had been a while since Mercedes had stood up, so she started to feel the effect of her two drinks she had.

After the band had packed up their equipment, some of the patrons had started to leave the bar. Mercedes and her best friends had taken that as their cue to leave. Santana paid for their food and Mercedes made her way to the bathroom before they left. When she exited the restroom, she noticed Sam leaning up against the wall across from the door.

"I thought you had left already." She said, with surprise in her voice.

"Nope not yet. I wanted to walk you ladies to the your car." She smiled as he followed her back to the table where her friends were.

"Ready to go San?" Santana gave her a sly smile and said,

"Sure. Sam, you comin home with us?" He let out a chuckle.

"No ma'am, just making sure you ladies get to the car safely. I have all my stuff already loaded up and ready to go." The three women nodded and proceeded to head towards the door.

"So I think Landon has hit the jackpot, getting you as a guitar teacher." Mercedes stated as they stepped into the brisk Cleveland nighttime air.

"Is that right?"

"Oh please, you know you're good! Don't play."

"Whatever. I have to keep myself humble."

"You can think you're good and stay humble at the same time."

"If you say so Miss Jones." She looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"What did I tell you about that?" He let out a loud guffaw.

"Oh damn. I'm so sorry. I would sure hate to be in Landon's shoes whenever this face appears."

"Yeah he knows. You better watch it." They all stopped at the car. Santana and Brittany got in the car while, Mercedes stood next to the back passenger seat, her hand on the handle.

"Hey before you go, I remembered I didn't leave any other contact info at the end of the lesson plan so…" He then handed her a card with a couple of phone numbers on it.

"That's my cell and my home number, so If Landon needs any extra help after he leaves school, just call me."

"Ok." He gave her arm a gentle squeeze.

"Have a goodnight Mercedes." She smiled and nodded

"Okay, you too." She opened her car door and slid in. Before she could grab the handle to close it, Sam beat her to it and closed the door for her. He gave Santana a smile and nod as she started up the car and pulled away. Brittany turned to look back at her and said,

"Mercy, call me crazy but I think your son's teacher was putting the moves on you."

Spanish translations:

Hijo De Puta= son of a bitch

pendejo= asshole

querida= mistress/homewrecker

The songs in this chapter is B.B Kings Everyday I have the blues and John Mayer Trio version of Out of My mind