Thanks so much for every one's feedback on this story...this story really came out of nowhere and is really taking me on a ride...this chapter is short...i know...but it's sweet...thanks so much to Cari (cariosity on tumblr) for helping me out and doing a quick edit...I've been putting off this chapter for days now and wanted to get this out now because I have to work doubles the rest of the week...I'm hoping after this chapter things can move alone...Thanks again for reading and your feedback is greatly appreciated! i don't own glee...if i did...SAMCEDES WOULD FUCKING BE TOGETHER RIGHT GATDAMN NAO!
The Saturday following her night out with Santana and Brittany, Mercedes slept until about 10am. It was then that she remembered her kids were not there. It was the first Saturday without them since finalizing her divorce. Although she felt a bit of emptiness, she took advantage of her freedom by getting up and cleaning up the house.
She reorganized her room and office. She cleaned most of the rooms in the house. She went into Amya and Landon's rooms to pick up their dirty laundry when she caught a glimpse of Landon's guitar. That's when she decided she was going to find him a case. Her first thought was to call Sam for his advice on where to find one but figured since she JUST got his number, it would be too soon. So instead, she depended on the internet. She found that there was a Guitar Center nearby. She didn't feel like doing her hair and make-up so she decided to put on a hat and headed out the door. Ten minutes later she made it to her destination and was on her mission. When Mercedes walked inside, almost immediately, a sales associate greeted her.
"Hi! Welcome to Guitar Center. How can I help you today?"
"In what direction would your guitar cases be?" The young man guided her to where all of the guitar accessories were.
"Do you need any help as to which one you need?"
"No thanks, I'm just going to browse for a bit."
"Okay. My name is Rob if you need any more help." She smiled and nodded as she turned her attention towards the wide collection of guitar cases.
She was checking the price of one when she felt someone tap her right shoulder. When she turned to see who it was, no one was there. She found it weird but shook it off and turned back to the guitar case, only to catch a glimpse out of her left eye. She jumped and grabbed her chest.
"Jesus! You just can't do that!" She looked to her left to see Sam, doubled over in laughter.
"I'm sorry but I can't believe you fell for one of the oldest tricks in the book!" She rolled her eyes but couldn't help but laugh. She did fall for the trick.
"Whatever Sam Evans. What are you doing here? Do you work here too?"
"No, I'm just picking up some sheet music. It's actually for Landon. I take it that you're shopping for Landon as well."
"Yeah, Landon doesn't have a case for his guitar and since the kids are with their father this weekend, I figured I'd get it for him." He gave her a surprised glance.
"Kids?"
"I have a six year old daughter, Amya."
"Man on man I bet she's a spitting image of you too."
"Most people say that she is….So do you have any suggestions on what kind I should get for him?"
"Uh, I would go for the one that's he can wear as a backpack. It's a lot easier for him to carry around school when he's got his books."
"Ok, this one it is." She grabbed one off the rack and they proceeded to walked towards check out together. They made their purchases and Sam insisted on walking Mercedes to her car. He helped her out by putting the new guitar case in to her trunk and helping her into her car.
"Hey do you wanna go a get a cup of coffee? That is if you don't have anything else to do. I know this great coffee shop that's not too far from here." Internally she started to panic. She only hoped it hadn't shown on the outside.
"Oh… I am in no condition to go anywhere else. I only left the house to come here and go right back home. I didn't even comb my hair." She said, pointing up at her hat. He flashed that already familiar smile.
"If you ask me, you look just a beautiful as you did last night. Probably even more so. But that's just my opinion." He did his best impression of "the Kanye shrug" and laughed. She had to admit that he was pretty smooth.
"You have to get your way all the time, huh?"
"I just wanna get to know you over a cup of coffee." She sighed and playfully rolled her eyes.
"Fine, I'll follow you there." He grinned and nodded and helped her into her car. She waited for him to get into his car and pull out before she did. Just as she was pulling into the parking lot of a coffee shop called "The Café' bean, her cell began to ring. She grabbed it from the cupholder and laughed when she saw Santana's name flash across the screen.
"Yes ma'am?"
"Where are you?"
"I just left the Guitar Center, I just picked up a case for Landon's guitar. What's up?"
"Oh nothing, just wanted to know if you were home so we can get some lunch."
"Um….actually I'm on my way to get some coffee….with Sam." She let out a loud gasp.
"Shut the fuck up! You called him?"
"No of course I didn't call him! I ran into him in the store and then he asked me to join him for coffee."
"Yeah and then it's gonna turn into a little afternoon delight!" She laughed loudly as she got out of the car.
"Oh my God, bye Santana!" She ended the call before her best friend could say anything else. She was still laughing when she met Sam at the entrance of the coffee shop.
"Everything alright?"
"Yeah, just my crazy ass best friend." He opened the door and motioned for her to enter first.
"Santana, right?"
"Yes, that girl is a mess….but she's my world." Before they stepped up to the counter, they scanned the wall menu. Mercedes turned to him and asked,
"So what's good here?"
"I usually get something chocolate or caramel flavored. There's one that I think you'd like. Would you let me order it for you?"
"Uh..sure. You have been here before me." He chuckled as he stepped up to the counter and looked at the barista.
"Can I get two small French kisses please? But could you add a shot of caramel to both?" When she heard the words "French kisses" she let out a loud snort. He looked back at her.
"What?"
"French kiss? Really?"
"It's just the name of the drink. Who doesn't like French kisses though?"
"I guess you have a point, Mr. Evans." Shortly after he ordered, their drinks were ready. Their drinks were in creative looking coffee mugs, rather than in the usual paper coffee cups. Sam grabbed them both and lead Mercedes to a spot with two plush lounge chairs with a small table in between. She sat down first as Sam handed her one of the mugs. She brought it up to her nose and inhaled the delicious scent.
"Mmhm, what's in this?"
"White chocolate, vanilla bean and I added caramel to it….go ahead…try it." She blew into the mug first before taking a sip. The sip was big enough to get a good taste of every flavor he mentioned when describing the drink. She closed her eyes and smiled. Sam let out a soft chuckle.
"Good right?"
"This is heavenly."
"See? I knew you'd like it." She laughed as she sat her mug on the table in between them.
"So, Sam. I noticed that you have a bit of a southern accent. Where down south are you from?"
"I thought I had got rid of that damn accent. I'm from Nashville. I moved up with my family when I was about 17."
"Oh so you've been here in Cleveland since?"
"Yes, ma'am I have. Are you from here?
"Actually I'm from a small town called Lima. VERY small town. I couldn't wait to get outta there. Moved down here shortly after I had Landon."
"I still find it hard to believe you have two kids…let alone a 15 year old."
"Yeah, well I got pregnant with Landon not too long after graduation." She said in a very seldom tone, not wanting to bring up her ex-husband. Sam reached across and put his hand on top of hers.
"Hey it happens."
"Yeah I know. My kids are the greatest thing that ever happened to me. They are what have kept me going."
They continued to chat and got to know each other. They both shared stories about growing up and their school years. Mercedes shared with him how it was growing up and singing in church. They got so carried away with discussion, they sort of lost track of time. Mercedes had pulled out her phone to check the time when she had noticed that they had been talking for almost two hours.
"Oh my goodness, time flew by really fast." She said with a gasp.
"It's like that when you're having fun."
"Yeah I suppose so." She looked down at her empty coffee mug that was in her lap. It had been her second one.
"I should probably head home, get back to my house work. It's amazing how much you can get done when there are no kids around."
"Yeah I bet, did you want a cup to go?" She shook her head vigorously.
"Oh nooo. I'm pretty sure two cups alone will have me wired."
"Well if you're still up late, you've got my number. I'm pretty much a night owl anyway." He lead the way towards the entrance and proceeded to walk with her over to her car.
"Thanks for the coffee. Now I have a new place to fulfill my caffeine fix."
"No problem, I had a great time chatting with you. Now I see where Landon gets his wit from."
"Landon does have a bit of an old soul."
"Your son is one of kind Ms. Jones. He's gonna do great things." She just gave him a bright smile and nodded. She unlocked her car and opened the door.
"So I guess I'll see you when I pick up Landon on Monday?"
"Not unless we bump into each other again before then." She let out a loud laugh.
"Right, it's crazy how things have worked out, huh?"
"You have no idea." Both of them stood there in silence for a couple of seconds.
"So I'll see ya around, Sam."
"You bet. See you soon, Mercedes."
Mercedes slid behind the wheel and turned on her car. When she pulled out of the parking lot. She heard a quick beep or car horn. She looked to her left and saw Sam giving her a wave and a smile. She laughed and waved back as they pulled onto the road in two different directions. When she finally got home, she noticed her face was hurting. She was smiling the whole ride home. She was in big trouble. She had a thing for her son's chemistry teacher.