Enjoy lovebugs :)
Song Used: In the Kitchen by Renee Rapp
I DO NOT OWN THE SONG USED
ONE YEAR LATER
If you had told Sam that he would be speaking at a press conference for the LA Kings concerning the team going and winning their fourth championship back-to-back, he would call you a bold-faced liar. However, here he was with a beard and longer hair, hot off the ice, about to speak about the win.
"Before we begin, Sam Evans would like to say a few words," Roz said on his behalf. She gestured towards him with a smile.
"I would just like to say that today marks a year since the big brawl between Spencer Porter and me, and I know a lot of people were hoping that I would be suspended. Some people wanted me to go to jail. I know I have said it before, but I am still deeply sorry about what happened between Spencer and me. He didn't deserve that. I also want to say thank you to the LA Kings board, specifically Coach Roz and Emma Pillsbury, who advocated for me and gave me the stipulations that saved not only my career but my life as well. I have been alcohol-free for a year, I have been attending therapy, I just graduated from anger-management classes last week, and I am happy to announce that I have kept my fists off of people. The only time I really rough-house someone now is on the ice, and I am pleased that it isn't as bad as it used to be." Sam announced.
"Sam, during the time last year, we all got to see the rise and fall of the relationship between you and R&B sensation Mercedes Jones. You guys met at the game, she sang the national anthem, you two were seen going on dates, you went to one of her shows, and you both seemed to be in an amazing spot. My question is, did she ever attribute to how you responded to things with violence?" One of the reporters asked him.
"No, actually, Mercedes was a big part of how I was able to stay calm in a lot of private situations. However, my anger, mixed with trauma and drinking, pushed her away. So, for that reason, I won't ever forgive myself for hurting her." Sam answered honestly.
"Could you ever see yourself getting back together with Ms. Jones?"
"Um, I am not sure. Only time can really tell," Sam answered honestly.
"So, Sam, knowing you didn't contribute to any success of the team winning the championship last year, is this season personal for you?"
"I would say so, yes. Of course, you all know I was not able to touch the ice at all, only during practice, but I am glad that my best friend and co-captain Mike Chang led the Kings to their three-peat championship. But since this season, as you all can tell, I am back and better than ever, so of course, for me, this season is personal, and we are aiming for the fourth championship in a row." Sam answered.
"That's all the time we have. Thank you all." Roz spoke before they could ask another question. She and Sam exited the press conference and headed down to the hallway.
"Sam, I know I don't say it a lot, but I am proud of the person you have morphed into. It's like everything is clearer for you, and that's all I have wanted to see."
Sam smiled, "Thank coach. I am just trying to make sure I did what you guys wanted. Got my brand deals back, my charities back, now let's work on getting that fourth ring."
Roz looked at him, "You still love her, don't you."
He shrugged, "Never stopped to be honest with you."
It was the day of the Grammys, and Mercedes had just finished with soundcheck. To say Mercedes was on top of the world was a massive understatement. Ever since she blew up, success had been non-stop for her. She released her sophomore album, along with multiple hit singles, so much so that she was nominated for eight Grammys this season. After the whole incident with Sam, she vowed to pour her heart into her music, and that she just did. So much so that her label was gearing up to put her on the road for a full United States tour. There was nothing more exciting than that for her at all.
After sound check, she was in the dressing room getting her hair done with Santana when Sue entered the room holding her infamous iPad. She held it out in front of Mercedes and clicked play. On the screen was Sam's recent press conference.
"I am glad he is doing better," Mercedes shrugged as she looked at Sue.
"Mercedes, I know you have gone on this whole facade that you don't care about anymore, and while it produced amazing music, you can't keep doing yourself like this." Sue reasoned with her.
"The label made me break up with him. I did that. The label wanted me to produce chart-topping hits along with a successful album. I did that." Mercedes argued.
"But it was all in spite of him. Look, just be prepared because I got word that since this has dropped, the press is going to want to know your response." Sue added before leaving.
Santana looked over at her friend, "It's ok if you still love him and you aren't over him."
Mercedes shrugged, "Doesn't matter anymore. I changed my number, I moved out of the apartments into my condo, and I don't really want to be around him anymore."
Santana said, "Because you still love him despite the drama, and you know if you let him back in, he would have more leverage to hurt you more than anybody else could."
Mercedes was on the red carpet dressed in a long-sleeved black couture ball gown. Her hair was in a half-up, half-down ponytail, with two strands of her hair framing her face. She decided on gold hoops with gold rings and bracelets, and she was happy with her look. As she got pulled from the carpet to do an interview with Entertainment Weekly, she braced herself for a potential Sam question.
"So Mercedes, you are performing tonight, you are a presenter tonight, and you are in eight categories. How does that make you feel, being that you are still a newbie artist?" The interviewer questioned.
"You know, it feels surreal and rewarding in the same breath. This is something that I have dreamed of, and I am just so happy and honored to be recognized on one of the biggest award shows for musicians." Mercedes answered.
"Amazing, well you know I have to ask. Your ex-boyfriend Sam Evans recently spoke briefly about your past relationship, and today marks a year since you both broke up. You broke up with him at a time when he probably needed you the most. How do you handle the accusations that you were only there with him for his fame and status?"
Mercedes kept her smile, "Well, I would say that people do not know the entire scope of the story of what happened, causing the breakup between Sam and I. So they don't really know why I left him. Also, I never dated anyone based on their status. In fact, Sam consistently pursued me, and what I felt for him never had anything to do with my status or lack thereof."
"Well, your eyes still twinkle when you speak about him, so is there any room for rekindling?"
"I don't know about Twinkle, but I still care about him, and I am proud of him for how far he has come, but I don't know if we could ever have the relationship again," Mercedes answered. After her interview, she was taken to the auditorium and seated. About an hour had passed, and she headed backstage to change into her performance outfit. For tonight's number, she was dressed in a white gown with matching white sleeves. She was going to perform her hit single, "INN the Kitchen." Which she had written about a day after she and Sam had broken up.
"Everyone, please give it up for Miss Mercedes Jones." Skip Marley announced.
The lights showed on Mercedes behind a couple in a kitchen, and she took a deep breath and started to sing.
When I walk in the kitchen
My heart hits the floor
'Cause' it's you that I'm missing
I still see a vision of us cooking dinner
And you holding me from behind (from behind)
And you say, "Please be careful
The knife is so big
And we can't have another ER trip
We're too young, too dumb, too in love to afford it" (to afford it)
Now it's just me
And a hundred square feet of bittersweet memories
Deleted the playlist
But I still hear all your favorite melodies
Strangers, to lovers, to enemies
So I'll dance with your ghost in the living room
And I'll play the piano alone
But I'm too scared to delete all our videos
'Cause it's real once everyone knows
Could've at least shown me some decency
Done me a favor and packed up your clothes
Falling in love, no, it ain't for the weak
So don't try this at home
The couch that we sat on back in New York
Has made its way three thousand miles to L.A
These pillows been talking
Asking me where the hell you've been (where the hell you've been)
Told me you loved me two weeks in
And I knew I would fall for you over and over
But who would've known that the falling would come to an end (come to an end)
But now it's just me
And a hundred square feet of bittersweet memories
Deleted the playlist
But I still hear all your favorite melodies
Strangers, to lovers, to enemies
So I'll dance with your ghost in the living room
And I'll play the piano alone
But I'm too scared to delete all our videos
'Cause it's real once everyone knows
You could've at least shown me some decency
Done me a favor and packed up your clothes
Falling in love, no, it ain't for the weak
So don't try this at home
So don't try this at home
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Ain't it funny how time shows you
You know nothing
'Cause I used to love you
But now you're dead to me
Strangers, to lovers, to enemies
Mercedes hadn't sung the song live before, and she knew she was taking a risk, but by the standing ovation, she could tell she nailed it. She hadn't even realized she was crying until she felt the moisture on her cheeks. As she sang the song, she thought about all the memories and the hurt that being with Sam had left her. Every word she sang rang true for the most part. They were strangers, then they were so deeply madly in love, and then they weren't. She missed him; she missed the way he made her feel and everything about him, but she couldn't trust him anymore.
Sam had seen the performance, and he wasn't an idiot. He knew that Mercedes had written that song about him, and it broke his heart all over again thinking about how he treated her when he needed her the most. He still had the bag that she gave him, and the charm bracelet glittered in the bag as he hadn't unpacked it. In fact, he had moved into a new condo, and he still hadn't unpacked it. Everything in the new house was unpacked. He had been on the hunt for a new place for a year because he couldn't stand being in the old place. So he sold it and stayed in a hotel for a whole year until he found the perfect place to live. He was happy with it; it was a nice size just for him, and the new light grey pitbull, Nala, he had gotten once he had gotten the house.
Speaking of Nala, she had come and hopped on Sam's lap as it was announced that Mercedes had won all her categories.
"Yeah, girl, I messed up, but who knows, we will make it back to each other."
The next day after Mercedes's performance, she was sitting around her condo when she noticed that the realtor had come back and taken the for sale sign out of the yard across the street from hers. She had been dying to know who was going to move in since her last neighbors and elderly couple sold the house, and she figured the best way to find out was to go over and introduce herself. After putting on a pair of blue jeans and one of her cropped hockey jerseys, she walked over to the house with her best smile. She reached up and knocked on the door, and when it opened, she wanted to pass out.
"Mercedes," Sam said, surprised.
"Sam," Mercedes said out of breath.