Chapter 12
Chapter
Twelve
Burkeley
I sat at my parents’ dining table listening to them going on and on about Amber’s first family activity. Everything was coming up fast, especially with them adding activities to the list, which had us moving us up the timeframe of when fall family fest would kick off.
“BK!” My father calling my name snapped me out my thoughts.
“Are you good, son?” I glanced around the table at all of them wearing concerned expressions.
I nodded while releasing a heavy sigh. This was my moment to drop the bomb about McKay.
The original plan was to show up with her the night of the pumpkin patch, but of course McKay felt it would be better if I casually brought her up beforehand to ease them into the idea of me having a secret girlfriend who was having my baby.
I smiled to myself as I heard McKay’s raspy voice reminding me how she was my fake girlfriend.
“Yeah, I just have something to talk to you guys about. It’s important.”
“Oh my God, are you sick? Is that why you don’t want to date anymore? Oh lawd, Paul, my baby is dying,” my mother shrieked, covering her mouth.
I frowned before busting out into a chuckle.
“What? Anna, no. Far from it. I’m having a baby.”
“A what? With who?” my dad asked.
“Ah shit, I knew yo’ ass was out there getti—"
“Arthur David Morgan!” our mother warned, cutting him off in the process.
“You haven’t met her—"
“Well obviously, Burkeley. That still doesn’t answer my question, who is the woman? Are you sure it’s yours?”
Oh I’m a hundred percent sure it’s not.
“Of course I am. McKay and I have been steady for the last six months.”
“Six months? And I’m just now hearing about this? Naw, I don’t believe it. Wait, it’s ol’ girl from the other day, ain’t it? I knew it!” Art yelled, as if he had just solved the biggest mystery.
“Fool, why would I tell you when all you talk about is how cheap I am to be dating? Had I let you meet her earlier I’m sure you would’ve ran her off before I could properly lock her down just like yo’ ass almost did that day,” I said with the confidence to sell this.
Art glanced over at me, laughing to agree.
“No lie, I would’ve. I can’t believe she stayed this long, you must be tricking and di—"
“Arthur, you one syllable away from me washing your mouth out with soap.” Our mother cut him off again with Amber hitting him in his arm, which had me snickering lowly.
“Burkeley, well if you two made it this far, I think it’s time for you to stop hiding the young lady. We’re planning to have Amber’s parents over next weekend, how about you bring McKay?” my dad said, his tone still holding a little bit of speculation behind it.
“Actually, I was hoping to bring her with me to the haunted house first. That way she doesn’t feel so bombarded with meeting everyone at first. Then maybe schedule a quiet dinner before the Halloween party.”
“Oh wow, this is serious. Well, we can make the arrangements. I prayed for times like this, but I never thought my two boys would move so fast and back-to-back,” my mother said with so much glee, making me flinch slightly, helping me see what McKay had been talking about when she mentioned families and babies.
Damn, maybe this wasn’t the best idea. Yes, it is, BK. Remember we’re thinking eternity.
Still, my family was yet another innocent casualty I was getting involved this time. The first was me by McKay. There was no going back from this point. Yeah, McKay had given me an out, but I wasn’t taking it. This was a lie I could clean up later.
“Well, it’s set. We’ll have everyone over together. It will be good for McKay to meet your brother and Amber too,” my dad chimed in, giving me that look that let me know there was no way around McKay meeting everyone.
“Ooh, since McKay is the one with the crazy tastebuds right now, let me know what she’s feeling and I’ll have that whipped up for her,” my mother offered.
“I know she likes chocolate for sure.” I chuckled at the memory of her moaning while drinking the shake I’d brought that night and the ice cream she ate the other night. I didn’t even think she noticed that she did it so many times throughout the duration of eating.
“Okay, I’ll think of something good for her. Let me know of anything else. I want her to feel welcomed and enjoy her meal that night. Mama’s needs are the most important right now,” she stressed, making me remember that part of fake dating a pregnant lady.
“I’ll give you her final menu by Tuesday.” I grabbed my phone out of my pocket, going for McKay’s name in my message thread to text her.
Me: Hey, did you and Peanut eat yet? Or do you want anything?
I looked at the table to see what was leftover and what I could offer. I noticed there were just a little bit of sides left, nothing worth packing up.
McKay: Not yet. But you don’t have to get me anything, Burkeley. Remember, you’re not really my baby’s father.
Me: So? What does that mean, McKay? Until we officially break up, you are more than that, you’re my damn woman. Now tell me what you have a taste for and I’ll get it.
Me: Plus, I’m coming over tonight. We still have a couple more things to go over.
McKay: Ugh, fake boyfriend, we’ve together for two days and I’m already annoyed. I really want Korean BBQ, but I also want a caramel brownie from Seasonal Sweets and a small salad from Total Greens. I just have to pay the delivery fee for every location and I’m hating it.
I smiled at her trying her hardest to not like me, but I was determined to wear her down.
Me: Annoyed? Girl, stop playing. But no need to do all that. Fake boyfriend duties include doing the food runs. I’ll call you once I’m there to get your order.
“Is that McKay?” my mom asked. I glanced up to see the whole table looking at me, everyone but my dad wearing silly ass grins.
“Yes. It’s getting late and I have to get her food. She still hasn’t fed my baby.” Those last few words flowed out with ease, so much that it almost shocked me.
“Oh my gosh, do you want me to pack up some food for her?” Anna was moving now too, right along with me.
“No thank you, Mom. McKay requested Korean BBQ and a salad from Total Greens.” My phone vibrated again.
McKay: I placed to-go orders for Korean BBQ and Total Greens, you just have to pick up the brownie. And please get a good-looking piece. Once you get here I’ll pay you back for it. Thank you, BK.
I smirked just as I hit the foyer with my mother on my heels. McKay was going to learn that I wasn’t half stepping with this fake boyfriend title.
Especially not when I’m on a mission to make it real.
“Oh okay. Well don’t forget to call me. What am I talking about?
I have to stop by and drop off your meals for the week.
Ooh, I’ll make enough for McKay too. Get that list to me sooner.
Oh, and please make sure she’s getting enough water, BK.
She needs more of that now more than ever.
” I went to tell my mother no but stopped myself because she wouldn’t listen to shit I said.
“Okay, now let me go. I love you. Thanks for dinner.” I leaned down and kissed her cheek then turned and headed out of the door so I could rush to the other side of town.
I chuckled as I looked at McKay’s ass leaning out of the door like she always did, watching me walk down the hallway to her unit. But the cutest part was her toothless grin.
“I know that wide ass smile is for the bags of food in my hand, but I’ma pretend that it’s for me,” I said as I stood in front of her. She was dressed down in a long house dress with her small belly on full display.
“It’s for both. You for bringing everything and the food for Peanut.” She stretched her hands out, but I ignored them, carrying the bags into the kitchen myself with McKay following me.
“Uh huh. What took you so long to eat today?” I asked, unpacking the food while McKay busied herself getting a fork and plate.
“After I listed the next Shark’s game and the concert for next month at the arena, I tapped out.
It’s been a long day. The nap was supposed to be quick so I could make it to The Marketplace to make groceries but that didn’t work out.
Then I couldn’t decide. I need someone to meal prep for me with all my favorites as options to make life easier right now.
” She chuckled as she put the salad on the plate first, picking up a cucumber and taking a bite.
My brows shot up at her words as I thought about Anna’s offer to prep food for McKay and how everything was falling together so naturally.
“Going forward, McKay, call me. I told you, I will move things around to accommodate your needs. If you have a list for groceries, I’ll have them here in the morning.”
McKay shook her head while putting Korean BBQ on the plate next.
“BK, I can handle groceries. I was just a little busy today.”
“It’s not up for debate. Now stack that plate up so you can eat while we talk.”
I watched her take a bite of her salad before she turned her face up at me and frowned mid chew.
“Talk about what? Before you got here I was trying to figure out what was left to discuss? I mean, I haven’t reached out to my parents yet and figured I had at least two weeks before we got started with yours.”
“I wanted to give you a heads up of what you’re walking into.
I told my parents tonight. They are excited to meet you and want to do dinner.
Oh and speaking of meal prepping, my mama requested that I give her a list of some of the foods and snacks you’re into right now.
Also, my sister-in-law moved the events up to make sure she gets to do everything before the fall scene is over.
Are you okay with doing a haunted house or will that affect the baby? ”
McKay giggled, giving me that gorgeous smile of hers.
“Yes, I can do a haunted house, BK. And a list of foods for a dinner? That sounds intense. Umm… tell her whatever she makes will be fine. No need to go out of her way for me.”