Page 90 of Chasing Xander
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Two hours later, they walked into his parents’ house. It was a few minutes past eleven o’clock, but his mom and dad were wide awake, sitting at the dining room table with Ryder.
“Mom? Dad? We’re here,” Tanner called.
“I was beginning to worry you wouldn’t make it.” His mom rushed into the foyer. She gave Tanner and Jules a hug before turning her attention to Xander. She gasped, her hands going to her mouth. “Alexander! What happened to your face?” She reached for him, but he dodged out of her way.
“It’s a long story. I’ll explain later.”
She frowned and tsked at him. Then she noticed Kylie, and her face split into a smile. “Who is this?”
“Mom, this is my friend from school, Kylie Quinn. Kylie, this is my mom, Debbie.”
Kylie extended her hand. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Collins.”
“If you want me to answer you, call me Debbie.” She ignored Kylie’s hand and pulled her into a hug instead. Mrs. Collins held her out at arm’s length. “Well, look at you. So pretty.”
“Thank you.”
“She’s just a friend, Xander?” His mother turned to him but didn’t release Kylie.
He nodded, not sure what else to do because they’d never discussed a label. In his mind, she was his girlfriend, but he wasn’t sure announcing that to his parents before he discussed it with Kylie was a good idea.
“Hmm, such a shame.” Finally, Mrs. Collins released Kylie.
“Mom.” Xander groaned. Tanner laughed.
“That’s my dad, Ethan.” Xander pointed to his father, who’d come out of the dining room. “And my other brother, Ryder. This is Kylie.” He reached down and took her hand, praying no one said or did anything to embarrass him any more than his mom already had.
“It’s a pleasure.” His dad shook her hand.
“Likewise,” Kylie said.
“I’m sorry.” Ryder stepped forward. “I’m having trouble with the fact my brother brought home a real, live girl.”
“Dude, come on.” Xander gave him a dirty look.
“Why? Does he normally bring home fake girls?” Kylie asked.
The room fell silent and then erupted in laughter. And that quick wit right there was one of the many reasons he was head over heels for her. He gently nudged her hip with his and smiled.
His father nodded at Xander. “Hope the other guy looks worse.”
Xander shrugged, refusing to meet his dad’s gaze.
“Why did you drive here when I’d bought you plane tickets?” his father asked.
Xander’s stomach dropped. “It’s a long story.”
Dad crossed his arms and waited.
“You guys must be famished after the long drive.” His mom ushered all but Xander into the kitchen.
Left alone with his father, there was no more avoiding it. Xander took a deep breath and told his father everything, starting with how he and Kylie had become friends, right down to how he’d ended up driving home. He included getting into a fist fight with her father, being taken to the police station for questioning, and calling Tanner for help, but left out the part about spending the morning sitting in a jail cell.
“You hit her father?”
He nodded. “It was stupid. I shouldn’t have done it.” The best way to deal with this was to admit guilt and accept responsibility. He had a lot of other things to answer for, and he’d much rather focus on those than the fight.
