#i would tag this like crazy but nahhh i dont feel like it

[okratic]

[artislifeevans]

ParaIIProbably Think This Song Is About you|| Samcedes

Tagging—> Sam Evans and Mercedes Jones

When: 11:30 pm August 6,2019

Where: New York

General notes: Sam goes out with a friend from work for a good time, only to bump into Mercedes. OOC: Enjoy Guys!

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Sam: didn’t know how he allowed his friends from work to talk him into staying him later then he wanted to be. But yet here he was being dragged into a lounge where every where can listen to music and just relax. Don’t get Sam wrong he loved music and he loved going out and having fun. But for the past few months all he has been doing is working his ass off and going home to bed, and he was starting to love his routine. Sure his routine was something an old man would do. But Sam didn’t care, all he wanted was his bed. Sam was brought out of his thoughts by a strong around wrapping around him. come on old man” said his very good friend Darren, leading Sam into the building “You’re gonna like it.” He chuckled at the pouting Sam was doing. “If I don’t you owe me” Sam Warned. Darren playfully rolled his eyes “Don’t be a little bitch Evans.. you’ll love it” he assured Sam, walking them to the table to sit down.

Mercedes: sat in the back of the bar, practicing her preshow routine. It was the same thing every night. She had a beer, laughed with her pianist Bree and practiced vocal stretches with her guitarist Garrett. When she first started doing this, she was beyond nervous. She’d never thought of actually singing for a living but here she was, doing it. Sure, the pay was awful but she had a bit of savings to live off of and she would do this every day even if she got paid pennies. One of the stage hands came back to let them know it was almost time to start and she put her beer on the table before fluffing her hair. “You look good Mama. No need to primp it up,” Garrett winked, his southern drawl coming out. She patted his shoulder and smiled. “Thank you…. oh and I was thinking, we should play the new song second…” He raised an eyebrow. “You ready for that for sure?” She nodded. “Yeah. I mean it’s raw and real and if we start with any of the crowd pleasers, I’ll lose my nerve and never share it with anyone besides you.” He smiled and bobbed his head before leading his way out to the stage. It was surreal, the same thing every night. She could hear the sounds of people as they announced that they were coming out to play. She inhaled deeply and came out on stage to loud cheers. “Now that’s what I wanna hear,” she spoke into the mic. Normally she’d build up the crowd but instead wanted to reel them in first. She nodded to the band and they started to play their first song. It was upbeat and happy. Something that Mercedes had played dozens of times in dozens of cities. It made the people stand up and dance and laugh. It got them invested before she hit them with her next song.

Sam: sighed as he sat down in the chair next to his friend. He looked around the room, seeing how crowded the place was. He was thinking maybe if he would just make up some excuse to leave he could make a run for afterwards. “Hey you know what? I-“ he tried to say but got interrupted by Darren “Uoire not getting out of this Evans” he said Darren, shaking his head “listen.. I get it.. you don’t like going out.. but man you haven’t been out like this in forever..You’re 29 Sam! Not 70.. I mean shit… my grandfather is 80 and still goes to strip clubs every Friday night” he said waving down a waiter. Sam whined dramatically, but quickly raised his head up “They let her out of the nursing him late at night.” He asked. Darren chuckled “nahhh he breaks out.. with my help of course..”he grinned, telling the waiter he wanted two cokes. Sam couldn’t help but laugh at his friend. Even though he was annoyed at Darren at this point he was truly grateful that he wanted out of his way to spend some time with him. It had been forever since he has spent time with anyone. That it felt good to be around humans that he didn’t see outside of work. He looked at the stage as the person walked to the mic to introduce the singer that was about to come out. Sam was praying to god that this person could sing, otherwise he was gonna run out of here and never look back. He grabbed his drink, rising the glass up to get a sip of it, but only ending up choking a bit as soon as he heard a familiar voice “it can’t be” he muttered, looking up to see Mercedes standing on the stage singing. He felt Darren patting him on the back “Evans?! You good?!” He asked in concerned. Sam didn’t say anything, all he could do was sit there and stare in shock.

Mercedes: wrapped up the last of the first song and reached behind her to take a sip of the water she had on stage. She cleared her throat and nodded to Garrett confidently. “For those of you that dont know me, these are my old stomping grounds,” she smiled. “I know, a singer that lived in New York, shocker but I chose to leave about a year and a half ago because I made some monumental mistakes. And yeah it was because of a man,” she laughed. “I wrote this in the midst of all of these crazy feelings of guilt and I hope you like it.” She took a step back as the piano started and pulled the mic towards her as she started to sing. "I’m lost, is it really even my fault? I don’t think that it’s supposed to be hard. If it’s really meant to be. So give me a sign….Is he always gonna be mine? Have I given it enough of my time? You cannot blame if it don’t mean nothing.” The tempo picked up and while she’d sung this song multiple times with the band and she thought she got all of her emotions out, it was still hard. It was raw and it reminded her that a year ago she was broken because she let a man change who she was because she loved him. “ Sweet, sweet fate. I had about all I can take. Am I living in the bed that I made. Is it yours? I wonder. Sweet, sweet fate. Oh if it’s really out of my hands. Can you forgive all of my sins? Have mercy on me.” She opened her eyes and blinked a few times, wondering if the bright lights were playing tricks on her. She wasnt sure if it was the beer or what but it almost seemed like Sam was sitting in the audience as she sang. She shook off the feeling and kept going.

Sam: quickly put his glass down, catching his breath “yeah I’m good.. just went down the wrong way” he assured his friend. He watched silently while Meecede sing without a care in the world. He couldn’t help but smile as he finally came down from the shock of seeing her. He knew just from the letter that she finally found some peace. But seeing her on stage singing with a smile on her face only clarified that she was in a good place. He looked around to see people dancing around and having a good time as they listen to her sing. Even Darren was trying two step to the beat. He took another sip of his drank, putting his attention back to Mercedes when she started to speak. Darren shifted in his seat “she is really good,” he said as he sat back in his seat. Sam smiled and nodded his head “Yeah.. she is.. in fa-“ he went to say but stopped mid sentence hearing Mercedes words. Even though Sam knew he was the reason she left New York, hearing it from her mouth made he wince a little. He never wanted to be a reason for her to leave and in some ways he kept telling himself that she left for other reasons as well. But he knew he was only lying to himself. He sat there quietly as she began to sing her next song, listening and I every single word that was coming out of her mouth. This wasn’t the first time that Sam has ever heard Mercedes sing. But for the first time in a long time it was as if her voice sounded different. You could hear the hurt and the pain just from the words alone. But it was also written all over her face. Sam knew that their actions wasn’t all on him. But he couldn’t help but think that if he was honest in the first place and not allow other people in his head. Neither one of them would have been through some much drama and pain, especially Mila. His eyes connected with hers and he thought for sure she saw him. But the way she shifted to the other side of the stage as she sings, she didn’t. He glanced at Darren who was rocking back and forth almost in tears. Sam played with his fingers, hanging on to every single word she was singing.

Mercedes: closed her eyes and hummed gently into the mic. “How come, when I’m lookin’ at everyone. They get away with havin’ little fun? I’m paying these dues when they don’t mean nothing,” she took a step back and sang along as Garrett came in with the background vocals. “Sweet, sweet fate I had about all I can take, am I living in the bed that I made. Is it yours I wonder?” The music got louder and louder and she got more and more lost in it. In the way she felt when she wrote this song. In the guilt that ate her up for so long after the wedding. It was like this was the only way she was able to let it go and learn from her mistakes. She hated what she did to Mila and how she hurt her but if it weren’t for the mistakes she made, she wouldn’t have this song and feel this moment. Not only was it her truth but it showed off her vocals, something she wasn’t able to do often. She finished the song with a high note and slowly let it leave her lips like a whisper in the dark. She felt chills down her spine, the same adrenaline rush she got every time she performed, and finally opened her eyes when the piano stopped playing. Her heart pounded despite how slow the song was but it was like she’d bared her soul to strangers. The applause that replaced the silence was deafening and she could do nothing but bow and smile with humility. “Thank you,” she said into the mic, realizing she needed a break. There was only so much revealing she could do on stage without a moment to collect her thoughts. She nodded to Garrett and he started to play something fast and distracting as she went off the stage and down the steps towards the bar for a drink. “Hey can I get a rum and coke,” she asked, sliding cash across the bar to the bartender and waiting for him to make her drink while she ran a hand through her thick curls.

Sam: continue to sit there in silence as he watched Mercedes give her all into her song. And honestly he was amazed at how raw and uncensored she was. But he knew that song was reminded of what had happened with them and Mila. He then understand how Mercedes was able to let go of everything that has happened. It was like she was singing the guilt was melting off of her and he even though everything was replaying in the back of his head. Which was marking him on edge of bit. He was happy that she was able to find peace of mind, especially in the one that he knew she loved so dearly and that was music. He sadly smiled as Mercedes hit the high note, hearing people clapping and praising loudly in his ear. “Damn” chuckled his friend Darren. They both stood up and clapped their hands, watching Mercedes quickly leave the stage. Sam sat back down, wanting to go at least say hi. But he wasn’t sure if now was the time. Darren finished his drink and laughed “Wow she was so good! I bet you’re glad that you came huh?!” He said playing poking Sam causing him to chuckle. “Alright! alright.. I’m glad I came.. especially now..” he said looking toward Mercedes way. Darren kept looking between Sam and Mercedes who was sitting at the bar “Evans.. listen.. there’s no way you can get a girl like that.. she’s too much for you..” he teased. Sam playfully rolled his eyes “For your information.. I know her.. “ he confessed “She’s the one I was telling you about..” he said softly. Darren eyes got big “Wait.. that’s her.. You let HER go?” He laughed shaking his head “You white boys are really stupid” he said earning a look from Sam.. “Sorry boss” he shrugged. Darren knew how guilty felt about everything that had happened between Sam and his exes. Every time Darren would ask about Sam’s friends every conversation has ended up with Sam talking about Mercedes. “Go talk to her” he said finally ending the long silences. Sam quickly shook his head “No.. I couldn’t.. she wouldn’t want to see me” he assured his friend. Darren rolled eyes ass and sighed “Sam.. you told me about the letter she wrote you. Obviously she is in a better place…go talk to her. What’s the worst that can happen” he said getting up to pull Sam out of his chair. Sam wine, getting out of his chair “Well she could throw her drink in my face.. or cut me” he rushed out, feeling Darren pushing him toward the bar. “Stop being a pussy Sam… being a coward is what got here in the first place,” he stated. Sam wanted to argue but he knew Darren was right. He walked slowly to the bar, praying that this would go well. The last thing he wants is for her to freak out and kick him. He fixed his jack, trying to wipe the sweat off his hands, clearing his throat once he got behind her “H-Hi” he greeted nervously.

Mercedes: finally got her drink and smiled at the bartender before taking a sip of the drink. She was barely able to swallow before she heard someone clear their throat behind her. She turned around and froze, her heart leaping into her throat and her stomach flipping. So she wasnt seeing things up on that stage. It was Sam she saw. But she wasnt sure how? She was playing at a dive bar in the Bronx. This wasnt his side of town exactly. Either way, she wasnt ready to see him, at least she thought so. She’d written the letter and thought she’d never see him again and yet here he was, standing in front of her. She wasnt sure what she should say or if she should say anything but all she could do was look at him. He looked tired, like he hadnt gotten a good night sleep in so long. She felt bad for him. She finally opened her mouth to speak but her words muffled away the minute Garrett bum rushed her with compliments. “Mama you were so good!” he applauded, kissing her cheek multiple times. “I mean when you showed me that song I thought it was good but that was something else!” Mercedes smiled and turned back to Sam. “Garrett, this is Sam,” she finally spoke, her voice sounding foreign. Garrett turned towards the other man and cleared his throat. “Sam? As in Sam Sam?” he asked. Mercedes nodded. “I only know one Sam.” Garrett extended his hand forward. “Nice to meet you Sam. One, you’re a royal jack ass, and two, thank you. If it werent for you, Mercedes here wouldnt be writing those damn good songs,” he said, his twang coming out even more now. “You wanna talk to him Mama or do you want me to make him leave?” She contemplated his words for a moment before shaking his head. “No… It’s okay Garrett um… can you give us a second?” Garrett nodded and walked away, his eyes never leaving Sam. Mercedes placed her drink down. “Sorry about Garrett he’s… protective.” She exhaled slowly and shook her head. “What are you doing here Sam?”

Sam: took a breath as Mercedes turned to face with shock written all over her face. If he was honest, he was scared out of his mine to even be in front of her. He knew that she had forgiven him, but that didn’t mean she was ready to face him. He walked a little closer toward her, but stopped when Garrett rushed in to praise her. He smiled nervously when Mercedes introduced him, Sam could tell just from their interaction that Garrett was protective of Mercedes, as he should be. He reached out to shake the man, trying not to react to his comments. Sam was about to speak but stopped when Garrett offered to kick him out. He looked between them, thinking maybe he should just leave. It was obvious this was awkward and she didn’t seem like she was ready to talk to him “I can-“ he tried to say,’only for Mercedes Chim in. Sam followed Garrett’s eyes until he finally turn to look straight. “wow and I thought Charice eyes were scary” he chuckled lightly, seeing that Mercedes wasn’t laughing “sorry..” he said clearing his throat “Listen.. I didn’t want to be here.. I sort of got kidnapped” he said glancing over at Darren who had a goofy look on his face. He shook his head turning back to Mercedes. He always thought about what he would say if he ever say her again. And a million and one things came to mind. But now that she is really in front of him. He had no idea what to say. “Wow.. I really don’t know what to say right now.. but just hi..” he scoffed at himself “I didn’t want to bother you-“ he trailed off nervously “I guess I just wanted to see you close up.. I was so surprised to you on stage and I just wanted to see if this was real.. “

Mercedes: tucked a stray curl behind her ear and looked down at her feet bashfully. “I’m real,” she whispered, looking back up to meet his eyes. She nearly got lost in them but made sure to break eye contact. “I um… I wrote you a letter.. did you get it?” she asked.

Sam: couldn’t help but smile softly when she looked down at the ground. Even though things between would never be like it used to be and he has learned to accept it. She still had her way to get him to smile at the littlest things. He nodded and chuckled, “You are.. beautiful smile and all” he said softly. He locked eyes with her for a second, reminding himself not to stare for too long. “O-oh Yeah… I got it.. um thank you for writing me.. you didn’t have to..I’m the last person you should write.. but I’m grateful you did”

Mercedes: shook her head. “Dont do that. Dont talk about yourself like you dont deserve good things. I didnt write you for the hell of it. I wrote you to release you and in a way me from all the crap that happened before. I wrote because loving you and hating you at the same time was killing me. And I wanted be free to live and love again and not feel like I had a Sam sized cloud over me all the time. And I wanted that freedom for you too.”

Sam: bit his bottom lip and shook his head “Listen.. I have done some things that I’m not proud of.. and I know that I can get pass it. But it’s just gonna take some time.. but thanks to your letter.. I finally can.. doesn’t mean I’m not gonna still feel some kind of guilt about everything.. “ he said honestly. He could tell how different, she was happy and she was free of everything that had happened and Sam was happy for her. He nodded his head gently as she explained why she wrote the song, thinking about how she was right. When it came to them, they loved each other hard to the point that it was taken over their lives and it was becoming toxic for the both of them “I understand.. I didn’t know I could love someone to the point that it was hurtful.. for not just you or me.. but everyone around us.. “ he pointed out. If Sam was honest it was hard to think about having to live without Mercedes and not having her beside him. But over time, he had time to think about how they got to the place they were in and he realized that it was time to let her go and move on. “But I’m finally realizing that I can still love you.. but as far as us being together it’s just not meant to be and for the first time.. I’m actually okay with it….I mean seeing you so happy and that is all I ever wanted you to feel…” he smiled brightly.

Mercedes: smiled gently and nodded her head. “Thank you. And I want the same thing for you. I always have even when I didnt think I did…” she trailed off, not sure if she should say the next thing she wanted to say. “Sam… you look tired. I know we arent close anymore and I dont even know if friends are what we should be but you can talk to me about whatever is going on right now.”

Sam: chuckled lightly “thanks.. I’ll be okay.. it’s just gonna take me a minute.. but believe it or not.. I am happy.. I just need to remind myself to be happy” he said softly. Sam smile melted away at her question, if he was honestly he didn’t really think people can notice just how tired he was. But then again this was Mercedes, she could always read him like a book. And even though they haven’t seen each other over a year, she still had that super hero power. “He walked over to the bar to sit down, letting out a long sigh “I-I’m” he said shaking his head “I’m exhausted…I’m still at my dad’s company.. I’m trying to get out of my contract.. but.. Mr. Wong.. won’t let me go..he is even t-“ he trailed off “Its nothing Shortie..it’s nothing that I can’t fix.”he assured her.

Mercedes: took a seat next to him and shook her head. “Sam, in every moment, you get to choose what your future will look like,” she smiled. “You hate that company. I can see how much you hate it and how it makes you feel like you’re becoming your dad. But you’re not him. You never have been.” She sighed, sitting up straight. “You want my advice? Sell the goddamn company. Screw Mr. Wong. If he threatens you, use that smart head of yours that keeps that company running to bury him. You have a choice. You’ve always had a choice. Choose you this time.”

Sam: wanted to believe that he could fix this without getting him or anyone hurt. But right now he couldn’t see it. “I knows But Mr.Wong could take everything that I have worked hard for away.” He said softly. He sat there quietly thinking about every word Mercedes was saying and he knew she was right. He was miserable and if he was honest Mr.Wong couldn’t hurt him anymore then he already has. “I wish it was that simple.. but everyone in the business world is scared of him… But.. I really need to get out of this company.. it’s driving me nuts.. and I’m losing time with Allison as is.. she is always with Marley or Charice now.” He said softly, glancing at her. He wanted to reach out and grab her hand, but he didn’t want to ruin the moment “Thank you..”

Mercedes: shook her head. “You’re not scared of anything. You fight for what you love, to hell with anything else. If this company is taking you away from Allison, let it go.” She frowned a bit when he mentioned Charice and sat up straight in her seat. “H-how is Charice? I wrote her a letter and she sent it back to me…”

Sam: nodded his head at her kind words. She always did have the right words to say. “You’re right.. I’m gonna work something out.. I lost people that I didn’t expect to lose..I refuse to lose Allison too.” He said noticing the change of Mercedes body language when he mentioned Charice. He sighed softly “Other then working and chasing after the kids.. she seems to be doing great.. But I know she misses you..”

Mercedes: scoffed. “She doesnt miss me… I knew that when I left I’d hurt people and I knew it would take a lot for them to forgive me but I have no doubt in my mind that she might never forgive me.”

Sam: shook his head “Listen.. sure she is mad.. but she does miss you.. you know Charice she will let you know all about how pissed off at you.. but then she’ll let you know that she missed you.. well at least in her own way.” He said with sighed. He hated how their actions caused them so much trouble with their friends. Especially since they just got to the point where they were connected again “They will all come around.. I know they will forgive you.. besides they know none of that would have happened if it wasn’t for me. I mean the only reason why Charice and Brittany even talk to me is because of Allison..” he shrugged sadly “But listen.. just give them time. They’ll forgive you. They love you too much to stay mad for too long”

Mercedes: didnt have much hope in what Sam was saying but she didnt want to let him know that. She knew when Charice was mad and even when Brittany was mad but there was radio silence on both of their ends. She knew she’d really messed up and she was just going to have to live with that. She nodded her head and looked over to the stage as Garrett nodded her back over. “I’m sorry, I’ve gotta get back to the show. You should stick around though,” she smiled, placing her drink down and turning to Sam one last time. “It was really nice to see you again. I mean it. I hope…” she didnt know what she hoped for. She knew their friendship would never be the same the way it used to be before but she also didnt want to lose him completely. “I hope we can keep in touch,” she settled on with a smile before patting his shoulder. “Bye Sam.

Sam: could tell that she was still worried about Charice still being upset with her. He wished that he could ease her mind better. But couldn’t. Especially since everyone was still pissed off at him and only spoke to him when it had to do with her father and Allison. Which he didn’t blame them. He just truly missed them and wish that things could go back to the way things were. He nodded his head as she told him that she has to leave, getting up with her. “No it’s okay.” He assured with a smile “same here shorty” he said softly. He was happy to hear her words about them keeping in touch because he knew they could ever be romantically involved anymore, but he still wanted her in his life even if it was only as a friend. “Of course. I’m always here if you need me shorty.. bye” he sighed, watching her get back on to the stage. Sam headed back to the table, thinking that he was actually happy that he came tonight. Because he got to see Mercedes and maybe just maybe got his friend back in the process.