The Babysitter novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49: (Xavier's POV)- Interrogation

I stood at the door, leaning on the frame as I watched her apply the slightest amount of makeup in her lavender sundress.

"The best feeling is when I look at you and you're already staring." she smiled and set her mascara down before walking over to me.

"Of course I'll be staring," I admitted while pushing myself off the wall as she grabbed her phone and threw her good old converse on. "We're driving today." I huffed while grabbing the keys to the jeep. I watched as her eyes widened.

"Do you have a license?" she asked as she got in the front seat without hesitation.

"Yes mam, got my permit cleared before and wanna know who took my test?" I turned to her while backing out of the garage.

"Sheriff Clarke of course." she nodded while guessing correctly. She stuck her hand out the window as the wind hit against it before she stuck her face out, laughing as the wind flirted with her hair, whipping it back and forth.

We finally pulled up in her driveway and I got out before walking over to her side and getting the door for her before she stepped out and ran her hand through her hair. She brushed the creases out of her dress before taking my hand in hers.

"Lead the way," she smiled as she nudged my shoulder with hers. I walked up to her front door and rang the doorbell to be greeted with Natalie smiling and welcoming in before seeing her dad sitting on the couch with a frown.

"You're late," he stood up and walked over to us before glaring at us.

Deep breaths, Parker, deep breaths.

"It's my fault, I took too long to get ready, I lost track of time and couldn't find the dress." She's lying for me.

Reason number one why we shouldn't date, we lie because of each other and for each other.

"Well, let's get seated shall we?" her dad lead the way into the living room where I sat beside her while her parents sat across from us. "So Xavier, tell me about yourself," I said one last prayer in my head before I began.

"Uh- well I'm sixteen, almost seventeen, I'm in the same class as Aubrey, I like to read and I'm interested in some sports at school," I explained as shortly and vaguely as I possibly could.

"Sports such as dyeing the coach's hair?" he arched an eyebrow at me.

"That and I was on the swim team for a while as well as football and soccer." I countered.

"What are your opinions on basketball?" he asked very seriously. I think this question is more important than we think.

"I was planning on trying it out once school starts," I replied. I wasn't planning on doing that but I am now.

"Let's talk about the law, shall we?" he adjusted himself in his seat. I felt Aubrey's grip tighten on my arm and it dawned on me that this was an interrogation, an extremely crucial one too.

"I've broken it, multiple times, bent it occasionally," I answered.

"And do you think the law is something to be bent and toyed with?" This man is terrifying.

"Absolutely not, sir. I had things going on at home and it was just a way of coping. I don't think my actions were right, there were more ways for me and I regret it." I answered truthfully. No point in hiding anything from this man, he'll find out sooner or later. He took a deep inhale.

"You were on probation. For what crime or crimes?" he spoke while staring at Aubrey.

"For breaking and entering as well as offending an officer's weapon," I admitted. He nodded before continuing.

"Were you drunk while doing so?" he asked and I shook my head in response.

"I don't drink, sir," I informed him. He looked at Natalie before turning back to me.

"However I was informed there was alcohol at your house." he gave me a pointed look. Great that he knows, isn't it.

"There was that night, I had drinks but I wasn't drunk," I explained truthfully.

"What about your family? I know your mother but not your father?" he pried. He's pushing far below the belt.

"Dad," Aubrey said warningly. He ignored her and waited for my answer.

"He and my mom recently got divorced, things weren't working for them." I clenched my jaw.

"Now about you two. How long had this been going on? A week?" he pressed further.

"Three weeks and six days." Aubrey and I answered simultaneously before looking at each other, biting back our smiles.

"And this started with Aubrey as your babysitter." he reminded, almost as if that made our relationship wrong.

"How much do you truly care for my daughter? How much does she mean to you?" he interrogated.

"She means the world to me, sir. I love her with every inch of me. She was there for me when no one was and she helped me a lot through my family issues. I love her a lot." I spoke, not looking at her because her eyes would make me get all nervous and giddy, and then I'd fuck up.

"Why don't we take a walk outside while Aubrey helps set up dinner." it wasn't a suggestion, it was an order. I gave her hand one reassuring squeeze before following her dad out into their backyard.

We got outside and he talked to me as we walked around.

"Xavier, I have one child, one daughter, and a boy like you does not usually believe in love and breeds heartbreak amongst girls. I can't be here for her physically, which is why I need her to make the right choices for herself. I want to believe that you're the right guy for her because she truly is in love with you, just as much as you are if not more. But your actions make me think otherwise." he explained honestly.

"Sir, I've changed between the time I didn't know her and now. And I'm aware that it's a very typical thing to say but I mean it. Your daughter brings out the best in me and I love her every day for it. She's been there with me through what was hell for me, I knew her before but we never spoke until this summer and I am so grateful that we did because I don't know what I'd do without her, I truly don't and with all due respect, sir-" I took a deep breath.

It's now or never, lover boy.

"Your answer won't change a thing for me. I will continue to see her every day and I will continue to love her every day, whether you say yes or no." I had to tell him the truth, make him believe that I wasn't going to lie.

"I'd never hurt her, Mr. Carthy. It would kill me to do it. We've hurt each other but we're finally doing good. Please, sir?" I pleaded. He stayed quiet for a moment, probably contemplating what to say.

"You have my permission."

Yes! Holy Jesus! Oh my god, yes! Fuck yeah!

"And keep her for the summer, will you? I'd like to take her mother out of the country for a while but with her in the house, we can't stay away." he patted my shoulder.

"Sure thing!" my shoulder deflated as the stress left my body while a smile danced on my lips.

"I'm not that scary, but the boyfriend-father introduction has to be." he shrugged before leading the way back in as I followed closely behind.

We decided not to tell Aubrey that I got the green light to get the priceless reaction out of her later, but I felt horrible for putting her through the stress while I was having a party in my head. I sat down beside her at the table while Mr. Carthy whispered something in Natalie's ear.

I saw her fight back a smile before saying, "Help yourselves!" in her usual cheery voice. Aubrey sat nervously beside me, her leg tapping on the ground, bouncing up and down. I helped myself and her to some food before placing my hand on her thigh, making her stiffen for a split second before she relaxed under my touch.

We ate dinner while Natalie made small conversation with us, asking us how we met on the first day, how our feelings developed, when we realized, and a lot more.

We were now finished with dinner and Aubrey and I were leaving.

She stopped at the door and turned to her dad with hope, anxiety, worry, and a whole lot of stress radiating off of her.

"Is it a yes?" she asked as her hand gripped mine so tightly, I was losing blood flow.

"Yes, it is." he smiled at us.