♡ Mia's pov ♡ We all sat around the table later that night. It was rather awkward especially since I kept getting flashbacks of what happened mere hours ago. It was even more awkward since Austin kept saying he swore he heard weird sounds while he slept. Of course Kade was quick to say it was probably the sounds coming from the movie. But I had an inkling Austin had definitely heard my muffled moans and not those coming from the television. And the thought alone had me spotting a blush the entire time we sat around the table. It didn't help that Kade's palm was on my thigh, dangerously close to my throbbing pussy. I believe he was doing this all on purpose to rile me up. I wasn't about to let out an embarrassing moan and wouldn't be able to explain it. So I placed my hands on his, trying and failing to pry his hands away from my skin. He only grip it harder and smiles at whatever mom was saying. I was too lost in my head to hear her question but his answer, I heard clearly. "I actually did. I got a job at the tattoo shop. Tim Charlie is the owner." "Oh! That's lovely, pretty cool in fact." Mom smiles cheerily, clearly happy that Kade got a job on his first day of searching. But I felt awful for feeling somehow disappointed. In a selfish way, I didn't want him to get that job so soon. And I knew it was terrible of me to think that way. Especially for my own selfish reasons. Kade deserved the job. He deserves to do whatever he wants, even if that means living on his own once he turns eighteen. Since he now has a job it would not be too hard for him to save up and find an apartment of his own soon. That is, if he will stay in town. What if he chooses to fly half way across the world and settle there? Where my thoughts had strayed wasn't really a good place. In fact, it was cold and dark and I felt alone. Just like I'd feel if my thoughts somehow turned true. Now that he was in my life, I can't possibly picture him out of it and away from me. "It really is. I never pictured you as a tattoo artist Kade. Despite those markings of them on your arm." Dad joked and it earns a smile from Kade. I was happy he was warming up to my family. His smile suited him. The grungy look did not. " There's a lot you don't know about me, Mr. Cross. I'm actually an artist." Kade says nervously. I snap my head to the side of his face, completely shocked by his admission. "You draw?" I didn't realize the question came from my lips until he turned around to nod at me. "I'm not the best, but I can draw a stick figure in seconds." Mom giggles at Kade's joke while dad snort in amusement, but all I seem to do is just stare at him lost and confused. He was right, we knew little of him. "We definitely need to see one of your masterpieces someday," Dad added after Kade and I stared at each other for longer than necessary. Hearing my dad's words Kade's hand on my thighs stiffens and suddenly he moves his hand off my leg. I grow confused by his abrupt actions. Kade draws his attention away from me and to my dad. He gives a stiff nod and mumbles. "Yeah, some day." Did he not want us to see his drawings? "When you're ready of course." Mom adds, seeming to sense the quick change in Kade's mood. In all honesty, I don't think Kade will ever be ready to show us any of his drawings. Not with how he was now reacting. Dad clears his throat. "So when do you start your first day as a tattoo artist?" Kade answers, this time his voice held no warmth. "Tomorrow. On school days, I'll start at four until eight." He said dismissively. The dinner was now filled with the most intense awkward silence I had ever had to endure. I couldn't blame it all on Kade, I wasn't trying to ease the tension myself. So after the dinner, everyone seemed to want to get out of there as quickly as possible. I followed mom to the kitchen, helping her place the plates in the sink. "Think we said something wrong tonight?" She whispered, looking behind her with a worried gaze. Yes. But I don't think you or dad was the problem. But I don't tell her the truth. Well, all of it.Instead, I murmured. " No. I don't think this has anything to do with any of us. Kade seems to be lost in his head. Maybe something was triggered. Maybe the question triggered something unpleasant." While shaking my head. Mom sighs heavily while opening the faucet. " Sometimes I think we say the wrong things at the wrong time. Poor kid probably had a lot to deal with growing up, especially with having Gwen as a mother. " I turn to mom, my brows clenching as I looked at her. There was something she wasn't saying. Something she was keeping away locked inside her. But before I could question her further, a very masculine voice sneered lowly. "You know so much about my mother seeing as you never once visited or called to find out about her well-being. " Both mom and I whirled around in shock to see Kade standing just a mere foot away from us, his dirty plate in his hand and his eyes deadly cold. He walks over stiffly and places the plate in the sink wordless. He brushes against me unintentionally but I don't get the warmth like I usually did this time. It feels cold. "Kade I-" My mom starts but he back away from us like he took a bad odor. "I don't care to hear more about her awful parenting skills. Not when I knew it first hand. But thanks for dinner. It was delicious." He mumbles and turns around to leave the kitchen. Mom looks at his back helplessly. She opened her mouth to speak but thought it was better to keep her words to herself. She turns to me when Kade leaves the room. "He hates me again." Sighing heavily she turns to face the sink, her eyes deepening in sadness. ' And just when I thought he was warming up to me." I shook my head. "He doesn't. Trust me mom, he doesn't. I'll go talk to him." I whispered. She nods, pressing her lips together. I turn around and make my way after Kade. His legs are long and he's already in his room before I reach the top stair. When I'm beside his door, I take a moment to breathe before entering without permission. His back is tense as he stands facing the wall. He doesn't turn around even though I knew, he knew I was there. He only mumbles after a few awkward moments of silence. " Not now Mia. " My heart tightens. He was sad. He wasn't angry. But sad. "Kade-Suddenly he whips around so quickly that I flinched and backed away on instinct. "Not now! Can you for once just leave me alone!" He snapped, staring at me in frustration. I could see that his eyes were red and I was sure it wasn't because of anger but because he was holding himself back from crying. Knowing that he just didn't want me to see him this way, I just nod, not taking his harsh words to heart. "Okay," I whispered turning around to walk out of the room. I would let him cry, to give him the space he wanted. To be frustrated. Because I knew he needed this. Whatever was eating him inside, he needed to deal with it on his own. I couldn't help him with this one. But I would be there when he will need me. I wasn't going anywhere. I left his room, knowing that I will only give him a few minutes for himself and come back to be that shoulder he needed. I was going to be there for him, whether he liked it or not.