“I'm okay. Look, I, um, have something to tell you.”
“Is everything okay?”
“No,” I sigh. “Dad, he's dead. He started drinking again and he went out to a bar, got too drunk, and attempted to drive home. I'm sorry, Uncle Roy.”
He's silent for a few minutes before he finally speaks. “We'll be there this afternoon. I'll see you then. Love you, Jake.”
“Love you too, Uncle Roy.”
Whew. Now, I don't have to deal with the arrangements. Uncle Roy can handle that. Mike pulls in just as I'm about to go inside.
“My uncle is coming down,” I answer his question as to how things are today. Before we go inside, I mention the change of plans. “He doesn't want to stay with anyone but me and I don't have the heart to do otherwise.”
“That's fine,” he says, patting my shoulder. “I'll be here to help every step of the way.”
“Thanks.”
We go inside and I snag Emily from the guys to let her know what's going on.
“Okay. No problem. We'll figure out a way to handle this,” she comments, not really looking at me.
“Sweetness, what's wrong?”
She sneaks a sideways glance at me and sighs. “Nothing. I was only attempting to figure everything out at once and got overwhelmed.”
“We'll figure this out together. Once Uncle Roy comes down, maybe we can get a chance to discuss things.”
“I know. I'm sorry.”
“For what?” I ask quizzically.
“For being momentarily selfish. I thought of myself first and everything I would have to change in my life for you and then I realized that that is what we are about. Being there for one another and compromising. I realized how easily you would do the same for me and how I hated myself for being selfish. Even if it was just for a second.”
I tuck her into a hug and kiss the crown of her head. “You're not perfect, Emily, and neither am I. I love you, Sweetness.”
She playfully punches my arm, coming out of our embrace. “Don't call me Emily.”
“It's your name, Sweetness,” I smile.
“Not coming from you and you know it.”
“Let's get back inside.”
Taking her hand, I lead her inside to the living room where Mike and Drake are watching cartoons. For two hours, we sit and enjoy the distracting sounds of Tom and Jerry without a worry in the world. It's blissful. Then the door swings open and Uncle Roy and Aunt Diane burst through with their girls following behind.
“Oh Jake. Drake,” she cries bringing us together in a hug as Drake and I are sitting next to one another. It's an awkward hug and Uncle Roy stands near Emily, a sad frown on his face. Aunt Diane kneels in front of us and pulls away to get a better look.
“We're fine,” I lie.
My eyes are drawn to Emily as I catch her fidgeting in her seat. Her hands are wringing together, and I wonder why. Her eyes are looking everywhere but at Uncle Roy. With a quick, subtle glance his way, I see his eyes are focused on Emily's hand. Shit. He knows about our engagement. What a fine time to find out. No doubt that Emily is reliving what happened at the charity ball.
“Can I speak with you and Emily for a second?” Uncle Roy asks, directing his question at me.
“Sure,” I say nonchalant. Emily and I follow him out to the front porch. I hold Emily's hand and she squeezes it nervously. My uncle runs his hand through his nonexistent hair.
“How long have y'all been...like this?” he asks exasperated, looking down at our hands.
“Not long at all. We aren't getting married any time soon,” Emily tries to soothe him.