I am sorry for the delay. As a thank you for your patience, I am adding two new stories to my list. Don't worry—updates on the old ones are coming, too! You just inspire me.

Sam picked up the sledgehammer and slammed it down with all of his might. Even watching the concrete break apart didn't take his mind off of Mercedes. It had been five weeks since Sam had seen Mercedes for more than a few minutes at a time.

He really wanted to talk to her, but he didn't want to go back there and see her with him.

When Aiden returned to her life, Sam knew their days were numbered.

He would call, and their calls grew shorter. Every date was cut short, and soon, they were canceled until finally, he showed up at her place, needing an answer.

A Week Ago

Sam wrung out his hands as he knocked at Mercedes's front door. Waiting patiently, his smile moved to a frown as Aiden opened the door instead of Mercedes.

"Hey man, can I help you?"

Sam got a good look at the man, and though he did share similarities with Mike, he could see why Mercedes fell for him. He reminded Sam of that actor, Henry Golding.

"I…I am looking for a Mercedes. Is she here?"

"Yeah, she is; she's just getting out of the shower." He smirked.

Sam's heart dropped as he thought about Mercedes and Aiden and the reason she may have needed a shower. "Oh, never mind."

"Do you want me to let her know you stopped by?"

Sam shook his head no. "No..just forget it."

"Sam!" Came from behind Aiden, and he smiled as Cam ran to him, hugging him.

"Cam, the man! How are you? We missed you this week at the farm."

"We missed you too! Are you coming to see mom?"

Sam exhaled as he nodded. He wasn't going to let Cam see how upset he was. "Yes and no. I was coming to see if you wanted more riding lessons since we missed you. But I can come back later."

"Oh, I can ask her!" Cam said excitedly.

Before Sam could react, Mercedes showed up behind them. Sam couldn't help his eyes roaming her body. Her hair was still wet and curly, and the leopard-print top clung to her.

"Sam…uh…what… what are you doing here?"

He shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I wanted to see if Cam wanted more riding lessons."

Noticing the look between Sam and Mercedes, Aiden stepped closer to her. "We should let him, babe. That way, we can go to that restaurant you mentioned last night before bed."

Mercedes side-eyed Aiden as Sam shot her a look. "Babe?"

"Sam its not…I don't…"

Holding his hands up, Sam shook his head. "He can come with me now; I don't mind having him over for your date night."

Mercedes reached for him, but Aiden intervened, wrapping his arms around her as Cam Jumped up and down.

"Can I? Please?! I could stay the night like you promised, Sam?"

Sam couldn't take his eyes off Mercedes. "As long as your mom says it's okay. I am having a few of the kids over; it should be fun for them."

Mercedes chewed her bottom lip as she let her eyes look at Sam, his biceps bulging out of his shirt. Her breath hitched as her eyes caught his.

Aiden looked between the two of them, not liking what he was seeing. It was as if they were having a conversation without using words. Pulling Mercedes closer, he forced a smile. "I say go for it, champ! Your mom and I are okay with it! And when you get back, you, me, and your uncle Mike can go fishing like we talked about!"

Cam raised an eyebrow, looking confused. "Um, o…kay…"

"Cam, go ahead and pack a bag real quick," Mercedes said, and Cam quickly ran to his room.

"I will leave you two alone. Tell Cam I am in my truck," Sam said, walking away.

Mercedes hesitated for a moment, then looked at Aiden. "Make sure he packs his toothbrush."

Aiden was about to speak, but Mercedes walked away.

Sam opened his truck's door, and Mercedes approached him. "Sam…"

She turned him towards her. "Let me at least explain."

"There is nothing to explain; you got back with your child's father; how can I be mad at that? I would have given anything to have my family back."

Mercedes reached for him, "It's not like that!"

Sam looked down at her, putting her hair behind her ear. "Mercedes, I know what you look like after…and it's not even my place to judge. If you are happy and Cam is, there is nothing I can do about it. We knew what this was, and now it's over."

"Sam, don't say that!"

Reaching for her, Sam pulled her lips to his, kissing her passionately as her arms wrapped around his neck. As a soft moan left her lips, Sam pulled away. "I'm sorry. I just needed one last kiss."

"Sam, I-"

"I'm Ready!" Cam said happily,

Sam let Mercedes go and nodded. "Come on, Cam. Let's get going and give your mom and dad time together."

Mercedes stepped back as Sam and Cam drove off, feeling her heart breaking.

Present

Sam slammed the hammer back down, thinking about what Mercedes was doing with Aiden. As he slammed it over and over, he jumped as a pair of hands touched him.

Turning, he frowned, seeing Carmen, one of the mothers of the riders he taught.

"Sorry, Sam, I called out, but you never answered back."

Putting the hammer down, he used his shirt to wipe the sweat from his forehead. "How can I help you, Carmen?"

She moved closer to him. "Well, I was actually hoping I could help you?"

Sam folded his arms across his chest. "Is that so? Please enlighten me."

She invaded his space, placing her hands on his chest. "Rumor has it that you are single, and since I am newly divorced, I am offering you me."

Sam took her hands and gently put them down. "Thank you, Carmen; you are gorgeous, but no."

She frowned. "I am giving you my body with no commitment, and you are turning me down? I know I am your type, so let's roll in the hay."

Sam sighed. She was right. Before he met Mercedes, she was his type, especially since she had long, flowing brown hair and big, full hips. But she wasn't who he wanted. "No thanks, but please let Manny know we are still on for his afternoon lessons."

Sam picked up the hammer and walked towards the barn, leaving Carmen standing there, mouth hanging open.

"Well, that was fun to watch; she's the what? Fifth lonely housewife, you turned down today?" Stacey said, leaning against the wall.

"I am not interested in them," Sam said flatly.

"But you and Mercedes aren't together anymore, so why not? I mean, if she was dumb enough to let you go, I say good riddance."

Sam sighed, scratching at his scalp. "That's not exactly what happened, Stace. She and I just…she didn't do anything wrong."

"She dumped you for her ex. That's wrong."

Sam groaned. "It wasn't so much that she dumped me. As it was me telling her that she should make it work with him."

Stacey pushed herself off the wall. "I'm sorry; what did you just say?"

"He came back, and Cam has a chance for his mom and dad to be together, so I told her to be with him."

"You are such an idiot."

Sam stared at her. "I did something good!"

"No, you chickened out. That woman is in love with you, and you are in love with her. And that scares you, so Aiden gave you a way out."

Sam shook his head as he walked towards the back of the barn. "You don't know what you are talking about."

"Don't I? Your whole life, you have been in control, sleeping around and never having to worry about your feelings. But from day one, Mercedes was in control. You chased and wanted her, and you had to win her heart. And now there is a chance she won't choose you, and instead of fighting for the woman you love, you chickened out."

"Are you done? I need to grab a shower before the kids come."

Stacey shook her head. "Pathetic."

"Who's pathetic?" Stevie said, walking up to them and pulling his hat off.

"Sam," Stacey said as she looked between her brothers.

"Oh, I knew that. He still pining over Mercedes?"

"I am not pining," Sam growled.

"No?" Stacey said, placing her hand on her hips. "You break up with Mercedes, are turning down hookups, and are about to take a shower so you can see Mercedes when you pick Cam up for his lessons."

"I thought she dumped him," Stevie said, confused.

"Nope, Sam dumped her."

"I didn't dump her!" Sam defended. "I just told her to work it out with her ex."

"Dumbass." Stevie hissed. "You are helpless, and I can't believe you would do this!"

Sam didn't need them to make him feel bad; he already felt bad enough. "I am going to go take a shower. The boys will be here soon, and we are preparing for the campout next week."

Sam walked away, and Stacey rolled her eyes. "I don't like this version of our brother. I mean, I didn't like the hoe version, but at least he was happy."

Stevie nodded. "He made up his mind. Nothing we can do."

"That's what you say, but you have a plan, right?"

Stevie shrugged. "We'll see."

Mercedes grabbed her phone and checked the time. "Cam, Sam will be here to pick you up for the camping trip with the guys soon."

Aiden smiled, staring at her. "So that means we have the weekend to ourselves."

Mercedes sighed, offering him a small smile. "I suppose. Cam?"

Cam came into the living room bouncing. "I am ready! I am so excited! Harley, Ryan, and Paxton will be there, and Sam said that we are going to sleep under the stars."

"You like this Sam guy, huh? Every time I visit, you talk about him," Aiden said, the hint of sarcasm not lost on Mercedes.

"I'm going to grab your sleeping bag from the hall closet," Mercedes said, cutting her eyes at Aiden.

Cam sat on the chair by the door. "Sam is super cool, Aiden. And his farm is the biggest in the county." Cam slipped into his shoes. "His family also owns an apple farm. He and Mom took me apple picking, and it was the best apple I have ever tasted."

"So your mom and Sam spent a lot of time together?"

Cam looked up at Aiden. "They did. Til you showed up." He mumbled that last part.

"Cam, I am glad you and your friends have a place to go. A place to enjoy being a kid."

Mercedes walked over, attaching the sleeping bag to the duffle. "Do you have your pillow?"

"Crap. Be right back."

Cam ran into the room as someone knocked on the door. Mercedes opened the door and exhaled, seeing Sam standing there. She hadn't seen him since he had pushed her away.

"Sam…I-hey."

"Hey, Mercedes. I am just picking up Cam."

She nodded. "Um. How are you?"

Sam stared at her. "I am okay. How are you?"

"M' okay." She said, unable to look away from him.

Cam ran out and grabbed his bag as they stared at each other.

"I'm ready!" He kissed Mercedes on the cheek. "Bye, Mom!"

Sam smiled. "Cam! You ready to have some fun!?" Taking Cam's bag, Sam looked at Mercedes. "Stevie will bring him back on Sunday."

"Stevie?"

"Uh yeah. Come on, Cam."

Sam turned and walked away with Cam in tow.

"Uh yeah?" Mercedes repeated as she followed them. "That is not an answer. You've had no issue picking him up and dropping him off for the last two weeks."

Cam got into Sam's truck as Sam stopped and turned to Mercedes. "That was before, and this is now."

"What is now?" She asked, confused.

"With you and Aiden getting closer, it's time for me to step back."

"Sam, what are you talking about?"

Sam shook his head, raising his hands over his head. "I gotta go. You look good, Merce. I'm glad I got to see you one last time."

Mercedes watched as Sam got in and drove off, her mind racing with thoughts of four weeks ago when she got home to see Aiden sitting on the steps waiting for her.

It was something she had wanted to happen after she gave birth, and yet all she could do was send him away. She kissed Sam goodnight, then walked inside and slammed the door.

Aiden left but came back the following day. Mercedes was terrified that Cam would return home and see him, so she agreed to meet him for lunch.

A public place was safer for him anyway because she wanted to slap him for all the pain she felt over the years.

Once she arrived, it didn't take her long to spot him, and yet her anger had not subsided.

Four Weeks Ago

Mercedes walked into the restaurant wearing blue jeans, a burnt orange plaid button-down shirt, and a white T-shirt. Her hair was in a messy bun, and she wore very little makeup. She wanted him to see that she had no intention of ever dressing up for him.

Taking a seat, Aiden smiled at her. "You look beautiful."

"Uh-huh. Why are you here?"

Aiden laughed. "Right to the point, I see?"

"Aiden, you found out I was pregnant and told me to abort; you and your family literally paid for me to go away, not to mention you gave up your parental rights, so, again, I ask, why are you here?"

"Well…" Aiden took a deep breath. "Cards on the table, I was a stupid young kid who was living for his family. I didn't want to hurt you; I didn't want to step up, so I did what my family does and threw money at a problem. But then I spoke to Mike."

"Mike? Oh, I am gonna kick his ass."

"No! He only did it because I begged him. When I discovered he was still talking to you, he had a relationship with Cam…I was devastated. He showed me all the photos you sent through the years and those he took, and I felt like an Eel. I ruined our family."

"Family? Aiden, you didn't walk out on me after years of trying. I was a scared young woman, forced into motherhood alone. And it's been hard. I shouldn't be raising my son by myself, but that is the situation you left me in. And now you wanna come back, and what?"

Aiden paused for a moment. "I want to be a family. I need to be a family. I need to know my son."

Mercedes laughed. "Yeah, that's not happening."

"I can force my hand, Mercedes, but I don't want to."

"No, you can't. You may have money, but that doesn't mean shit when I still have the paperwork you signed that said you gave up your parental rights. You have no leg to stand on, so I dare you try to come for me. I promise you won't like what happens."

Aiden sighed. "Mercy." He pleaded with her. "Please."

"No! Why would I let you anywhere near him!"

"You shouldn't, I know that! I don't deserve this. I was a coward, but please know that I will wait as long as you want me to; I will work hard to earn not only your trust but his trust, too; I don't know what else I can say or do to get you to trust that I mean what I say and say what I mean."

Mercedes exhaled as she stood. "I can't do this right now. I need to get home."

Aiden reached out and grabbed her hand. "Do you remember our first date?"

Mercedes stood still as he continued, "I spilled rootbeer down your brand-new dress. You told me that if we didn't show forgiveness to others for mistakes, this world would be a sad place."

Mercedes yanked her hand away, "Spilling a drink on my dress and abandoning me when I was pregnant are two very different things."

Mercedes walked away from him with the intention of never letting him near her son. Still, after talking to her parents, her Aunt, Mike, and surprisingly, Sam, she decided to introduce him to Cam.

Back to Present.

After meeting Cam, Aiden returned to where he came from, promising he would come back. Mercedes was surprised when he showed up again a few days later. She wanted to believe that this was the start of something great, at least for Cam, but in truth, she was scared of what his being there would do to her relationship with her son. In the end, he came first.

Walking back into the house, she sighed, leaning against the door. Sam was trying to distance himself from her, and that just pissed her off more.

"Everything okay."

She looked up to see Aiden. "Oh, um, yeah."

He slowly approached her. "So, now things with Cam seem to be going…well. Can we finally focus on what's been building between us?"

Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "Us?"

He lifted her hand to his lips, brushing a kiss to her knuckles. "I still love Mercedes; just because things turned out the way they did doesn't mean my feelings changed. And I think a part of you still loves me."

"Aiden, you abandoned us, and you think I have any feelings towards you?"

He nodded, "I do. Because you kept me in your life, you gave me a chance, one I wouldn't have if you didn't take pity on me."

"Aiden…"

"I am ready, Mercedes, ready to be a father to our son and be what you need me to be."

Mercedes stared at him. She wanted to say something else but needed help with words.

He moved closer to him. "I should have said this a long time ago, but I am praying that it's better late than never means something here."

"Aiden, I have feelings for someone else."

He nodded. "I know. But maybe, just maybe, you have feelings for me, too."

"And if you are wrong?"

Aiden smiled. "At least I get to kiss you again."

Before Mercedes could protest, he kissed her, filling that kiss with everything he had felt since he saw her again.

Mercedes kissed him back; it felt different than she remembered. The way his hand caressed her back, the way his hands moved through her hair. It was true that he had grown. It was true that he was no longer a boy experiencing his first time but a man out to prove that he could be hers.

"I could love you if you let me. Let me show you how." Aiden said as he pulled back, caressing her face.