The Babysitter novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30: (Aubrey's POV)- Third-Wheeling

I woke up at the usual time and got ready to head over to Xavier's for babysitting. I remembered to gather my belongings for the weekend since Catherine and Sheriff Clarke are going on a little getaway for the weekend to Rock Hill.

My mom was gone already, as I thought, and I made sure to grab the keys before keeping my backpack on and getting on my bike, making my way over to the Parker household. I parked in their driveway to see Catherine and Sheriff Clarke throwing Catherine's bags into the trunk of his car.

"Take care, do not cause her trouble, love you!" Catherine announced before noticing me. "Thank you for staying, I owe you." She gave me a quick hug before I greeted Robert. They quickly got into the car and sped off.

I stood at the beginning of the driveway as Xavier stood in the doorway of the front door, leaning on the doorframe, shirtless, squinting at the brightness of the sun. Did he just wake up? He smirked as I walked up the driveway. "Welcome home." He held the door open, letting me walk as I eyed him suspiciously. He seems giddy. "Now Carthy, from our conversation last night, I get the impression you have a challenge for me, which I accept, however, I have a challenge for you too." He waited for my reaction but I just observed him. "The first one to fall loses." His eyes twinkled with amusement.

"Challenge accepted, Parker." I shrugged casually before plopping down on the couch as he headed upstairs.

"Oh, by the way, I invited Julie over to hang out." His head peeped out from the doorway as he winked before going into his bedroom.

That asshole.

Why would he invite her after everything that happened?

Oh my god.

I am so incredibly stupid.

He wanted me to agree to the challenge so my jealousy would confirm my falling and my dumbass agreed without thinking of any possibilities and consequences. It takes two to tango, babe.

If you want to play, I can too. With that dancing thought, I picked up my phone and dialed Peter's number without hesitation. "Hey, are you free today? I was wondering if you'd want to hang out?" I smirked to myself while playing it cool and casual over the phone.

"Sure, where?" he asked.

"Xavier's house. Don't worry, I got it covered. Meet me in thirty?"

He agreed and with that, we said bye and hung up, just as Xavier came downstairs, now dressed and his hair slightly damp.

"Oh, by the way, I invited Peter over to hang out," I smirked while aimlessly scrolling through my social media, keeping my gaze glued to my phone as he froze in his tracks to the kitchen and turned in my direction.

"You did what?" he questioned in shock. "Why?" he asked through gritted teeth while taking a seat beside me.

"You invited Julie." I shrugged. "It takes two to tango, babe." I teased before getting up and going into the kitchen to make myself a fruit salad since I skipped breakfast to be here earlier since Catherine requested as she was leaving.

"Okay, but why Peter?" he groaned while sitting on a barstool as I grabbed strawberries and washed them.

"Why Julie?"

He opened his mouth to speak but I beat him to it. "Parker, don't even try saying it's different. It's not different at all. She's the other girl and Peter's the other guy." I shrugged.

He had a pout on his face the entire time until the doorbell rang. I was hoping it was Peter so that I wouldn't have to be the third wheel today but of course, it was Julie. I just told Peter thirty minutes because I didn't know when she was getting here, whatever, guess I just have to deal with it.

"Hey." Parker greeted her and she greeted him back with a tight hug, a little too tight.

I resisted an eye roll as I continued chopping the top off my strawberries since the fridge had no other good fruits, just boring old apples. Maybe I should've had an apple. Maybe an apple a day could've kept a Julie away if not a doctor.

"We have company today." He brought her into the kitchen.

Her eyes widened a little before she smirked.

I plastered a smile on my face before narrowing my eyes at her slightly.

Geez, Aubrey. Back off, he's not yours now.

"We'll have more company joining us later too," I grinned at the sight of Xavier squirming slightly in his spot.

"Will you be making us breakfast?" she smirked at me.