DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE BUT THIS STORY I DO!
ENJOY :)
It was after nine as the person walked up the stairs, the music from the band playing outside flowing throughout the restaurant as one would pass the smoking section. The place was full of sketchy people, but somehow, their focus was not on their usual wrongdoings, instead, they were listening to the music, drinking hundred dollars worth of liquor and eating expensive meals. That why for a person who claimed to be hellbent on money was confusing to be seen in a place like this.
There was a man, hiding in the shadows of it all, his knife cutting into the tender, but juicy beef in front of him on the plate. He lifted his head when he felt a presence, gesturing for that person to sit down, in which they did.
"As I was saying over the phone, we have a mutual problem that needs taking care of."
A smirk appeared as the steak was finally done being cut, his eyes looking up as he placed some pieces in his mouth, "Please continue."
"There's no need. I just want you to scare enough to where the message is loud and clear." An envelope was pulled from the jacket pocket then slid over to him, "Five thousand just like we agreed."
The man didn't hesitate to open it up and checked to see if it was legit, nodding his head approvingly as he placed it inside of his jacket and picked up his glass, taking a sip before speaking again, "It will be handled." He watched the nod before his short term guest got up and left. He chuckled to himself as he went back to his food. This was going to be easier said than done and he wouldn't regret a thing. It was time that people knew their places.
"Yeah, I understand completely, mhm. You have a good day too." Henry said as he got off the phone, taking a deep breath before standing from his chair. They were suppose to be heading out in four days to Vegas for Sam's big fight. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. Coming out of his office and walking down the stairs, he found the man sitting on the bench next to his daughter, without a doubt going over last minute strategies for the fight, "I have some bad news."
Sam took his eyes away from the iPad once he heard him and Mercedes paused the film, both of their attention now solely focused on the man in front of them.
"Vegas' cancelled. Real bad storm coming through in the upcoming week. They didn't want to risk it." Henry announced, his eyes going to Sam's, "They want to reschedule for next year. I know this isn't how you wanted to end the year.."
"It's really okay." Sam reassured the older man, shrugging, "This year has been a lot but I'm glad that I could get back to myself in the end of it. I could use a break, it's just starting earlier than expected."
Before Henry could say anything else, Gill was calling for him, "Hen, you got another call."
"Excuse me."
"I'm sorry." Mercedes pouted disappointedly once her father left, looking over at him, "You've worked your ass off this past month preparing."
"Stuff happens. I'll be fine."
"You can box me." She responded with a smirk, listening to him chuckle, "Just like old times."
"I'm afraid you might have some lingering animosity in you." Sam looked at her, watching as she giggled, turning the iPad off before putting it back in the bag, "What are you doing tonight?"
"Changed your mind that quickly?" She teased as she zipped the bag, glancing back at him, "I have a standing date with my bed, a bottle of wine and Netflix. Why?"
"You remember my best friend Mike and his wife Tina, right?"
"Of course."
"They're having a Friendsgiving tonight and I'd like for you to come with me."
Mercedes scoffed as she gave him a look before standing up, "I'm not sure your girlfriend will like that."
"She's not in town. Plus, she can't tell me who I can and can't hang out with." He said as he stood up as well, watching as she turned back to him with folded arms, raising a brow, "I'll pick you up at seven thirty."
Mercedes pursed her lips as she cut her eyes, "Are you asking or telling?"
Sam just smirked as he turned and walked away, "You figure it out, Chipmunk."
Mercedes glared at the back of him and that nickname she hated so much. It was one way he knew that was guaranteed to piss her off when they were younger and that was calling her that. They were truly tit for tat with one another.
Sam was true to his word by picking her up at seven thirty on the dot. One thing he has always been was punctual. He, of course, went and knocked on her door, so he could escort her to his truck, where he helped her get in. It was about a twenty minute ride to Mike and Tina's home from her place, so in that timeframe, they sat in a comfortable silence, while music played in the background, along with them both unknowingly trying to collect their thoughts. Sam, for one, was really still trying to get his head wrapped around the fact that Mercedes had a daughter, but what was really getting him was the fact that Angelo out of all people was the father. Sam loathed the man, and he thought she did too. That's the reason for him making the insinuation of him taking advantage of her. Yeah, they were only one year apart but how could it be consensual if she was drunk?
"You're thinking mighty hard over there." Mercedes spoke, breaking his thought process as she spoke out once she took note of how extremely quiet he was and how his facial expression was set on what she called his concentration face.
"You and Angelo, huh?"
Mercedes was really expecting that to come from his mouth anymore after they talked about it already. Why was this coming up again? She let out a breathy sigh, realizing that he probably wasn't going to ever let this go, "I was frustrated, hurt and angry. Now that I'm saying this out loud, I took all of what I felt for you out on him. I low key kind of used him."
"But he didn't..."
"Sam, I already told he didn't. Relax. We both were drunk, but not to the point where we didn't know what we were doing. I promise."
"You was visibly shaken, Mercedes and don't tell me you weren't because I know you. I know when you're happy, I know when you're upset and I most definitely know when you're scared."
"That was his first time ever grabbing me like that, I swear and I honestly don't know why he did it. I was caught off guard but believe me when I say, as much as I hate the asshole, the one thing he did ask that night was if I was sure and made sure I got home okay. It was a stupid, stupid mistake. A fucking horrible lapse of judgment. Once Dad and cousins found out I was pregnant and that he was the father, they went ballistic. My dad kicked him out the gym, told him if he ever catch him back around here, he was going to make sure he never walked again and basically blackballed him, which lasted until some newbie in town took him under his wing."
Sam's jaw clenched hard as he turned the signal light on. As much as he didn't like what happened at all, he could tell that she was telling the truth and know that if anything inappropriately did happen, she wouldn't told and he wouldn't be walking around so freely. He was going to let it go because of that but he would definitely be there if he showed back up pulling that shot again.
"I lost my virginity to an asshole when the one person I did want to lose it to left." She all of sudden admitted in a whisper as she stared out the window, not knowing why in the hell she did and hoping that Sam didn't hear her. Truth was, she did have feelings for Sam, a lot of them, and she hated that she lied to herself for years in denying them. She cleared her throat and looked back over him, opening her mouth but he beat her to the point.
"I was offered two hundred thousand dollars for two fights. If I won both, I would get a four year contract and a bonus. That was all it took to convince me I was going to make it big, but also the major reason is because I wanted to get my mom and sister out of that asshole's dodge. So, I fought and won, given majority of the money to my mom so she could leave and leaving myself just enough so I can find a place of my own, which landed me in Chicago for five years before I came back." Sam's eyes stayed on the road as he turned down the neighborhood, "That's why I left. I believed that the pace that Henry wanted me to go, I wouldn't get to where I wanted to be quick enough. So, I took the easy route with a whole lot of consequences to follow."
"All this time..." Mercedes started as they pulled into the driveway of the house, "Why didn't you just tell us?"
"Pride and arrogance." Was all he said before turning off his truck, "Let's just leave all of this in the past and bury it."
"I couldn't agree with you more."
Mike had placed the wine glasses on the table, while his wife leaned against the counter and watched. She was in an irritable mood due to the incoming presence of one person she didn't want in her home, "Babe, let's just try to make it the best we can."
Tina groaned loudly as she heard the doorbell, looking at her husband, "Just hope I can bite my tongue and there's enough wine." She headed for the door, taking a deep breath before plastering on a smile once she opened it. The smile on her face, however changed to a much genuine one when she saw Mercedes, "Wow, I wasn't expecting this. This is a good and welcoming surprise, come on in." She practically squealed as she pulled her in for a hug, "My God, it's been forever."
"I know." Mercedes hugged the woman, pulling back with a smile and handing her the bottle of wine, "I would've made something, but Sam literally just told me a couple of hours ago."
"No, this is fine."
Sam pulled off his jacket and shook his head at obviously being forgotten about, "Well, hello to you too, Tina. I'm fine, thanks for asking." He watched her roll her eyes before coming back over and giving him a huge, heading back and grabbing Mercedes by the hand so she could give her a tour. He grunted lowly before making his way down the familiar path that led him to the dining room, "Gotta admit, I love this house husband look you got going."
Mike rolled his eyes at him as he sat the last fork down, turning to his best friend with a raise brow before heading back to the kitchen, "Did I just hear Mercedes' voice?"
"Yes." Sam answered as moved to follow to help bring the food the table, "It's not like that."
Mike snorted as he picked up the platter, "I didn't even say anything, Sam."
Sam grabbed the two bowls, walking behind him as they sat the times in the middle of the table, "She's out of town, so you and Tina lucked up. All of us did really."
"I could care less if she came or not. I'm just glad I won't have to hear her complain about everything the whole time and plus, I'm glad Mercedes is here so we can catch up." Mike commented as he stood up straight and looked at him seriously, "But please inform me on why you're dragging this relationship out when you clearly don't want to be in it?"
Sam opened his mouth to respond, only stopping when he heard the sounds of the giggling women approaching the room. He would tell him why later, because there was in fact a reason.
Mike smiled when he saw the woman, going over to where she was, "It's so good to see you."
"You too, Mike." She smiled as she gave him a hug, going to take a seat after she let go, thanking Sam when pulled out the chair for her.
Tina nudge Mike in his side with her elbow, a big smile on her face still as she sat down, watching as Sam took the seat beside her.
When they all got settled, they joined hands to pray before diving into the delicious meal that gracious hosts prepared, consisting of Cornish Hens, Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Stuffing and Green Beans.
Friendsgiving had turned out to be so nice. The four friends had truly enjoyed each other's company while catching up, eating food and drinking wine, and to top off their night, they had Sweet Potato Pie for dessert. Time had flew so quickly, that Sam and Mercedes both bided the married couple goodnight around ten, with promises to get together again.
Mercedes was so full and content that she ended up falling asleep while Sam drove her back home. She didn't even realized that they had made it back until she felt him gently shake her awake. Yawning, she unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door, stepping out carefully as she tried to get herself together. Thankfully, she didn't have to go far to get to her apartment. She got her keys out of her purse once they made it to her door, sticking it in and opening the door. She stepped inside, setting her things down on the table before she turned back to him, "I had a really nice time."
Sam stuffed his hands in the pockets of his coat, "Beats your regular night, huh?"
"Sure does." Mercedes chuckled as she titled her head, sincerely expressing, "Thank you again for inviting me."
Sam nodded his head, clearing his throat, "Before you go, I just want you to know that I heard what you said earlier in the truck.
Mercedes sighed quietly as she found the ground very interesting, realizing what he was talking about, "I was hoping you didn't."
"I'm glad I did because I want you to know that I have always had feelings for you. I know it's mute point now, but I would've been honored to have been your first if that's what you wanted." Still do have feelings for you if I'm being honest with myself he thought. He watched as she stared at him with soft eyes. He had heard her and to be honest, he figured it was apart of the reason he annoyed her and was so protective of her, "I just had a horrible way of showing I liked you."
A small smile graced Mercedes lips as she leaned against her door. Too bad they weren't up front with their feelings early on because things could've been a lot different, "Meet me at the gym at seven. I have something I want to show you."
"I'll be there."
"Goodnight Sam."
"Goodnight Merce." He waited until she closed her door and heard her lock it before he walked away, taking a deep breath as he made his way to his truck. The night of clearly skies would soon change into darkness due to an impending storm.
The next morning, Mercedes has dressed in her warmest pair of sweats, sweatshirt plus a hoodie, and her boots. Her hair was tucked away underneath the beanie as the hot air from the heater blew in her face as she drove. It was beyond cold this morning, something that she wasn't prepared for. Don't get her wrong, it got cold but this was unexpectedly cold. Pulling up in the alleyway and parking, she came to the back like always, the only difference was there was nobody there to see her in due to her being an hour early, "It's freezing." She mumbled as she locked her car, making her way the back door quickly as she search for the key on her key ring. She had planned to give Sam some things in storage that she wanted him to have. After the past couple of weeks of them rekindling their friendships, and getting to the point where they were opened with each other, she figured that this was the best time to do it. She had just got her key into the door when she heard something behind her, prompting her to turn around. What she wasn't expecting was someone to be there, dressed in a hoodie with a mask over their face, charging her. She didn't have enough time to react when she felt something really hard hit her in her face twice. She fell to the ground, her head hitting the pavement, her items falling out of her hands as the perpetrator left, feeling the pain immediately coming and blood flowing, her eyes closed almost instantly as she began slip out of consciousness.
A/N. Hiatus time, sorry to leave you on a cliffy but leave your thoughts as always! Be back after Thanksgiving! Happy Early, Early Turkey Day & continue to stay safe!