Page 46 of Shadowing Charlotte
"Andrew paid for the damages," my father corrected. "And if Adam is still hanging around, you should call the police the next time he comes here."
"Okay, Daddy," I murmured, staring at my feet. I wasn't about to argue with him.
"So, since you two are dating, maybe we should go out for lunch and get acquainted?"
"I would love that, sir. But I think we'll have to take a raincheck," Lex replied, "We already have plans to see my mother today."
"Oh, I'd love to meet your mother."
"Daddy—"
"My mother lives in a care facility," Lex explained calmly. His voice was steady, but I could see the way his entire body tensed.
"I see…" my father replied with a frown. "Next weekend, then?" he offered.
"Sounds great," Lex agreed with a smile.
"What are you doing here, anyhow?" I asked, taking a step forward and catching hold of Lex's hand behind my back.
"Rebecca called and said she was worried about you."
"I haven't talked to Becca since I moved out."
Of course…Adam was still fucking with me. He'd just found a new way to do it. Becca and I had never been particularly close. In fact, I often thought she disliked me. I wondered if she and Adam had been fooling around. How else would he have convinced her to contact my dad?
"Maybe that's why she's worried," he suggested. I didn't respond, gnawing on the inside of my cheek.
"I guess we can talk about it next week," I suggested, wanting nothing more than to change the subject.
"Sure, sweet pea," Daddy agreed, holding out his arms. I allowed him to pull me into a hug, smiling as he squeezed me, the way he always did when he thought something might be wrong. "Call me if you need anything, pea pod."
"I will," I murmured, standing on my toes to peck his cheek.
"If you're staying in my house, I suggest you help her take care of it," he stated, throwing a pointed look at Alexander.
"I'll treat it like my own," Lex agreed solemnly.
I let out a heavy sigh of relief when Daddy was finally gone, locking the door behind him.
"That went better than I expected," Lex told me, combing his fingers through his hair. "Coffee, babe?"
I followed him into the kitchen, sinking into the chair at the island. "I don't know how you're so calm about this…" I muttered.
"The only thing I can't be calm about is you, princess," he replied with a smirk, sticking a pod into the coffee maker. "Your dad seems like a good guy. I half expected him to knock me out when he found us in bed together."
"So did I," I replied with a small, relieved giggle. "Are you worried about seeing your mom?" I asked, sobering at the thought.
"No, I'm used to it," he replied, shrugging. I adored that he wanted to be brave for me, but I could see the lie in his blue eyes.
"I'm sure everything will be fine," I assured him, pulling the creamer out of the fridge as he set another mug below the coffee maker, passing me the full one.
Chapter forty
Alexander
The hour after Tim left had been calm and quiet. Charlotte and I made breakfast and washed the dishes, before she showered and dressed. I watched from the doorway of the bathroom as she did her makeup, swaying her hips to some indie song on her playlist. By the time we were ready to leave, it was nearly noon.
Meeting Charlotte's father hadn't been anywhere near as nerve-wracking as I had expected it to be. Charlotte meeting my mother, on the other hand, was beyond terrifying. As I drove, I clenched the wheel to keep my hands steady, glancing over at Charlotte every few minutes. It wasn't particularly hot out, but I could feel myself sweating.
