Page 76 of Cross + Catherine: The Companion

“Eighteen,” Cross countered, “and I want to see some direction in school other than you getting suspended every couple of months.”

“Sixteen.”

Man, this kid …

“Fuck no, Naz.”

“Sixteen,” Naz repeated, “and I will try that school. Try, Dad.”

Cross’s brow flew up. “You know that your mother and I—”

“I know I don’t have to go to it.”

“Good … okay, as long as you know that.” Cross scrubbed a hand down his jaw, and decided on another offer for his son. “Seventeen—sixteen only if you graduate early.”

“You know I could graduate by thirteen.”

“Cece will be in her final year, though.”

Naz scowled. “Fine—seventeen, but sixteen if I graduate early.”

Cross knew throwing Cece in there would keep Naz in line. He was way too protective of his older sister. The idea of her still being in school while Naz was not would drive him practically insane.

“You can quit that school whenever you want, and return to a normal district,” Cross said.

Naz nodded. “Good because I probably will.”

Cross chuckled. “Just … finish school, son. Get some years under you yet. You have got lots of time to figure out the rest. What if you end up wanting to be a scientist—or even a surgeon?”

Naz made a face. “I don’t think those things are in my blood.”

“You can do anything—blood or not.”

“Can I?”

Why did this conversation feel so familiar to Cross?

Ah, yes.

Because this had once been him with his father. And the words Calisto had told Cross all those years ago were still very present in his mind. He never forgot them because they validated everything he knew about his father, and the love the man had for him.

And that was all before he even knew the truth about his paternity.

“Naz, you can be anything. You are that amazing. And I am going to be proud regardless of what you do because you are mine, and that’s never going to change. You don’t have to be like me, son.”

Naz smirked a bit. “I’m too unique to be you.”

Yeah.

A fucking star.

“So, deal?” Naz asked.

Cross nodded. “Deal.”

Cross found his wife sitting in her library. She didn’t look up from her laptop as he took a seat beside her on the couch.

“Did you talk to Naz?”