Chapter Three
NOW
Dean threw back the last of the beer left in the bottle, before tossing the glass into the trash can. Instantly Roman handed him another beer, and Dean eagerly took it. "Thanks, man."
"So, what's new?" Roman asked. The party was over by now. Dean was the only one remaining. The house was messy with beer cans and bottles scattered everywhere, used paper plates sat empty across the table, and the BBQ that Roman and Dean both cooked up, was left sitting out in the kitchen, several hours cold now. They agreed to have a few more beers, before cleaning up. Truth be told, neither one of them felt like cleaning it up, but Roman's wife would have something else to say if she walked in to a messy house.
"Same ol' same ol'." Dean said, after another swig of beer. Roman nodded, before asking, "How's things going with you and Renee?"
"Great! She's the best. I don't know what I did to deserve her." Dean said, matter of fact. In all honesty, that was the truth. When had he ever been so lucky to have such an amazing woman in his life? He honestly didn't deserve her. "I just want to make her happy, and show her how much I love her." There was a pause, and Roman noticed the deep in thought Dean looked. "Getting serious yet?" Roman asked, a smirk on his face. He remembered those days, pondering if he should pop the question, and when and how he would do it.
"I've been thinking about asking her to... you know... marry me."
"What's stopping you?"
"I don't know."
"Yes you do." Roman tried to encourage his friend, and it worked.
"You're right. I guess, my past has a lot to do with it. She still doesn't know the whole story. I mean she knows I was on the streets. She doesn't know about the drugs."
"Does she know about Seth?"
That was the first time Dean heard his name out loud. His stomach lurched up into his throat upon hearing his name, and he had to swallow the lump in his throat down before answering.
"N no. No, she doesn't."
"Damn, brother. You've been together for how long, and you haven't told her any of that?" Roman shook his head before finishing the rest of his drink, and resting the empty beer bottle on his knee.
"I know, man, I just... don't know how to tell her. I don't want to loose her. Part of me thought that maybe the past was the past for a reason, and I should just leave it alone."
"How are things with you and Leah?"
"Great! She's wonderful. I know shes going to be a great mom."
"She's gonna pop soon?"
"Couple more weeks." Roman said. "I don't know how she does it. She never complains, even though I know her back hurts, and her feet are always swollen." Roman looked over to Dean a smile on his face. "When are you and Renee gonna start cranking them out."
"I don't know man, I don't think kids are my forte." Dean said, his fingers drumming against the brown colored glass bottle that sat on the arm chair of the couch.
"Just some advice, before you ask Renee to marry you, you better find out what she wants."
Dean let out a sigh, then both men jumped, as Dean's phone rang. The song was loud, and always startled Dean or anyone around that could hear it. "I need to change that." Dean said with a laugh.
"Hey, babe." Dean said, a smile sneaking it's way onto his face, knowing that Renee's voice was on the other line. Roman laughed, and shook his head, getting up from his seat, and started to clear some of the mess away, also allowing Dean some privacy to talk.
"I need you to come home. There's a guy passed out on the porch."
Ok guys, someone's on the porch. Renee is home alone and scared. And what about Dean's past, hmmmm... things are starting to unwind. Also, sorry, but this is going to be the last update, until maybe Friday. I will work really hard to try to get another chapter out before then. How many reviews can I get?
