Kade's pov Mrs. Cross nods. " I can hear it in your voice and see it in your eyes. You remind me of Haiden when he was your age. Annoying that he was, he was special in his own way, just like you are special in your own way to Kade. And I hope you know that." I could hear it in her voice, she was hinting at something but didn't know how to just come out and say it. But then her next words completely take me off guard. "I heard when you called out your mother's name while you were thrashing in your sleep." She admitted. I drop my gaze in embarrassment. It had been a while since I had a nightmare about my life with my mother. I wasn't sure if I had ever called out her name before. Not that there were anyone around to tell me. "In the letter, Gwen mentioned about using drugs and...." She trailed not sure if to perhaps use the word prostitution. Sighing heavily she continues. " That must not have been the best life to grow up in. Did she do anything to you or force you to do anything?" Her question somehow sends a jab to my chest. My mother was far from perfect, in fact many would say that she was the devil's spawn. She was never a caring mother to me but she had never struck her hand on me, or force me to turn like her. Despite her words of apparently trying to predict my future and mingle mine with hers. She never forced me. And even though she was the least bit respected person, she was still my mother. So it did hurt me when Mrs. Cross somehow accused her of doing something to me or forcing me to do something I didn't want to. I knew she was hinting at drugs. She wanted to know if mother forced me to take drugs. And I can see why she would think that way. I did after all, looked like a homeless junkie when she saw me for the first time at mom's funeral. I know she didn't want to upset me or make me feel like crap. And I knew she didn't want me to see mother in a bad light. She was just merely concerned. For me or maybe for her daughter. I couldn't really tell. "No. I don't do drugs if that's what you're asking." I said tightly, lifting my eyes to hers so she could see the honesty in them.I had nothing to hide anymore. But then a sudden thought jams in my head. Was she checking to see if I was worth it for her daughter? Even though that left a sour taste in my mouth I completely understand. I would have done the same. Mia was special and she did deserve the best. And I knew I wasn't. I wanted to laugh because it was somewhat hilarious that she even spared me a glance or trusted me enough with her heart. I know I wasn't the best for her, but Mia had shown me I was worth it. And that was enough for me to try to be the best for her. Mrs. Cross shook her head slightly. "No, that's not what I was asking. I'm sorry if you thought I was asking if you were doing drugs. It's just that well...... She stops, taking a breath. "My father was a drug lord believe it or not." She said uneasily, perhaps uncomfortable to talk about him. I stay silent, letting her continue on her own. "If he was the one who introduced drugs into Gweneth's life, we would never know. But he was a bastard and my mom and I found out the hard way. He was a narcissist who would try to control everyone in his life, including me. And if it were up to him, Haiden and I would never had happened and Mia and Austin would not be here today." She admitted. "So somehow, I was happy that he and my mother never worked out. That he was the villain in my life and that I wouldn't have to see him or speak to him anymore. Because if he had continued to be in my life, Haiden and I would not have been who we are today." She sighs as if in the thoughts of her past memories. With the faraway look in her eyes, I knew she was. Then with a tiny shake of her head, she gives me her full attention. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I've grown up with a narcissist as a parent who tried to control my life. I know how it feels to love them yet hate them at the same time. You and I aren't different Kade. And it's clear that you're still traumatized by whatever happened with your mother. I'm just saying that I'm always here to talk if you ever want to. You're not alone anymore. You have me, Haiden, Austin and Mia. We're all here for you. " Then suddenly she narrows her eyes into slits. "You two are being safe right?" I opened my mouth only to close it as heat made me queasy. The air had gone back to awkwardness. I shifted on the balls of my feet uneasily. I would give anything to transport myself away from here.How had we gone from talking about Mia to my mom to her dad to now back to Mia? "I do not like the idea of my teenage daughter having sex with my ward under my roof. But I hope to God you two are actually being safe." With a sharp arched brow she looks at me sternly. I gulped. That look promised to castrate me if I said no. " Yes. We are." I said, cringing when I realized I openly admitted that Mia and I are sexually active. She nodded and with a disapproving look she mumbled. " Next time at least throw the used condoms in the trash instead of under your bed." I swallowed harshly but somehow the saliva went the wrong way and I ended up hacking out brutal coughs. She lifts up her hands in exaggeration. " I thought you were sneaking in girls into your room like Haiden used to do at your age. Only to find out it's my teenage daughter that's been sneaking into your room at night. Now I'm actually glad I saw those used condoms under the bed." I winced, coughing a little while feeling my cheeks flame with the heat of humiliation. If I had lied about not being sexually active with Mia, she would have surely called me out on my bullshit. She just needed me to admit it, because it was clear she already knew we were sexually active. She then points a finger at my chest. "Now I'm going to give you just a couple of days to come clean to my husband. He might not take it as lightly as I did seeing that he still views Mia as his little girl. But know until then, my mouth is sealed." I winced. One of the many reasons I was afraid to let her parents know about us was because Mr. Cross could come off as a very scary man. And by the visible scars running across his knuckles, I knew he had been a force to be reckoned with during his younger years. I opened my mouth to thank Mrs.Cross for giving me at least a few days to tell him, but she shakes her head while reaching out for her glass of milk. "Don't thank me yet, you only have four days to think of a way to tell him that you're in love with his little girl and that you two have been in a secret relationship behind our backs." She snorts, turning around with the glass of milk while mumbling. "Oh Haiden's going to blow a gasket." I winced knowing she was right. As she starts walking away she says over her shoulder before leaving. " There will be none of you and Mia fondling each other tonight. You go to bed. Your own bed and start to think of an easy way to tell my husband. And perhaps start praying to God every night too, because you'd surely need the prayers when you do in fact tell him. " I gulped, shakily reaching out for the glass of milk and gulping down every drop of the cool liquid as fear kicked me in my gut.