Page 31 of Filthy Uncle To Go

Drake

Gracefully, Jenna walks across the yard, her loose fitting sundress blowing in the wind. I shouldn’t stare, but I can’t help myself. Luckily, everyone is preoccupied with the typical Fourth of July activities. Natalie and Kendrick are splashing around in the pool with Jack and Nancy’s two boys while Leanne and Nancy decorate and set up the food. Michael and Jack are off to the side drinking a couple of beers and reminiscing about their childhood, and Gerald and Connie are sitting in the shade watching their grandkids swim in the pool.

I invited the Millers to spend the Fourth of July weekend at my house in the Hamptons for some relaxation, but also so that Jenna and I can tell them that we’re expecting a child together. She’s back home for the summer, and although she isn’t showing yet, she will be soon. After all, her tummy’s already started to pooch, and soon it’ll be huge.

I turn away before anyone notices that I’m staring at my beautiful woman. After all, she’s gorgeous and glowing, and I’m ecstatic that she has my baby inside. As if in a dream, I pick up some tongs next to the grill and flip over the sizzling beef patties. I need to get it together, and yet I’m so happy I could burst.

After all, I have a hidden agenda today. Putting the tongs down, I touch the tiny jewelry box in my pocket. I want to show Jenna and everyone in the Miller family just how serious I am about her, and the best way to do that is to propose.

To be honest, I’ve wanted to ask for weeks now, but I figured we should wait to get engaged until after her family knows about us. It couldn’t happen soon enough because I’m ready for us to be out in the open with our love; I’m tired of hiding it. Living like this is taxing, even if I adore every moment I spend with my girlfriend.

“Hey, Drake,” Michael calls out to me. I look over my shoulder at the middle-aged man, and Jenna is standing by her father’s side, her beauty radiating brighter than the sun. We lock eyes, and my heart skips a beat.

“Hey Mike,” I reply. “What’s up?”

He grins.

“Why don’t you come over here for a bit and chat? The burgers will be fine,” he says.

I hesitate, wondering if he knows something. Then I dismiss the misgivings. That’s just me being paranoid, so I put down the tongs and shut the lid to the grill.

“Sure thing,” I say. “Sounds great.”

Walking over, I try my hardest to avoid looking at Jenna. One glance could make me lose my control because she’s that beautiful and desirable. Meanwhile, Michael reaches into the cooler and pulls out a beer before popping the top and handing it to me.

“Thanks,” I say as I take a sip. The drink is cool and refreshing.

“No, thank you,” Michael intones. “Thanks again for inviting us. Your place is spectacular.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Yeah, but your summer home makes our apartment look like a closet,” he jokes.

“Oh, come on, it’s not that huge,” I say.

His eyebrows practically pop off his forehead.

“Are you kidding me? Your pool house is a mansion in and of itself,” he says.

I chuckle because he’s right. Yet I envy Michael. His home is filled with love, and he gets to come home to a lovely family every night instead of a cold, dark, and lonely apartment. My home in the Hamptons is beautiful, but there isn’t a single family portrait inside. In fact, the walls are bare. As a result, on the surface, it may look like I have it all, but material possessions are useless if you can’t share them with someone who loves you.

Now, Jenna is that woman, and I reach into my pocket again, touching the jewelry box. I feel compelled to do it right here, right now, and slowly, I pull the box out of my pocket, but just as I do, Natalie lets out a loud shriek from the pool. We all spin and turn, and sure enough, Natalie’s just gotten out of the pool dressed only in a tiny bikini.

“Is anything wrong?” Leanne asks, rushing over.

“Oh, what?” Natalie asks innocently. “No, nothing’s wrong. Sorry, I think my foot just slipped a bit on the slippery deck.”

I frown. Obviously, the skinny blonde girl wanted everyone’s eyes on her, that’s all. But then I notice Jenna looking faint.

“Is everything alright?” I ask as I rush over to her. The buxom brunette looks out of it, and her skin is flushed.

“Jenna, sweetie, are you alright?” Leanne asks, coming to stand by her daughter.

“I’m just a little lightheaded,” she says faintly.

“Maybe you should have a seat,” Michael says as he holds onto Jenna and walks her over to a chair.

I follow closely behind. Could there be something wrong with the baby? I need answers, but her folks don’t know that she’s pregnant yet. Meanwhile, my beautiful girlfriend looks up into my eyes, and I can tell she wants me to comfort her, but we both know that can’t happen right now.