Page 68 of Crossing Arizona

Love, because they’re my daughter’s eyes.

Hate because they also belong to her mother.

“Hey, jelly bean,” I rasp, smiling at Hannah as Xed starts to tremble in my arms. It hits me then that we’re both still very much naked under the blanket. “Why don’t you take your backpack upstairs so Mommy and I can talk?”

Valerie’s lips twist, outrage crossing her features, but our daughter just giggles and runs for the stairs.

“Kay. Hi, Fungus!”

Xed lifts his hand in a wave but says nothing, resting his head on my shoulder as we wait for Hannah to leave. I can feel his pulse pounding through his body, and mine matches the tempo.

When we’re all alone, I sit up slowly, wincing when my asshole twinges, reminding me of what happened last night. Keeping our laps covered, I lean down to grab Xed’s boxers off the floor, then mine.

As we dress beneath the blanket, Val says nothing, but the anger rolling off her body is like a physical being tearing through the room like an inferno, burning everything to ash. When I finally raise my gaze to hers, I feel it in my chest, in my gut, down to the very fabric of my existence.

Everything’s about to change.

“Where’s Jenna?” I ask, clearing my throat, and Val eyes Xed with a look that could kill.

“She was running late for work and couldn’t reach either of you. We were worried.”

Shit. I was supposed to pick up Hannah at nine. Goddammit.

“What time is it?”

Xed groans, grimly checking his phone before shooting to his feet. “It’s almost noon, fuck. I’m supposed to be to work in ten minutes. I need to go.”

He takes two steps toward the door, barely brushing past Val, before he halts in place, spinning back around. His jaw tightens, gaze flicking between her and me, something dark flashing behind his gold-flecked eyes. “I’m not leaving.”

The words come out firm, and I feel my stomach twist. “Xed, it’s fine.”

“No, Matty.” His voice sharpens as he crosses his arms. “I’m not fucking leaving you alone with her.”

Val scoffs, rolling her eyes. “Jealous, much?”

He doesn’t even acknowledge her, his gaze locked on mine. “I’ll call in. I’ll say I’m sick or some shit—"

“No.” I shake my head, lifting to my feet. “Go. I’m okay.”

“You’re not,” he snaps, exasperated. “I can see how you’re looking at her, and I don’t trust her not to—"

“Xed.” I cut him off, begging. “Please. Go.”

His fists clench at his sides, his jaw flexing. I can see the war raging in his head—stay and risk a job he loves, or leave and risk me.

I can’t let him make that choice.

“You’re on your last warning,” I remind him, forcing a smile like this is nothing. Like my skin isn’t crawling under Val’s gaze. “And I know you don’t wanna get fired. I’ve got this. I promise.”

His nostrils flare, and for a second, I think he’s going to fight me on this, tell me to fuck off and park his ass on the couch like the stubborn man he is.

But instead, he exhales sharply, defeat sinking into his shoulders. “We’ll talk later?”

Dropping my gaze, I nod, unable to look at him or Valerie as guilt clogs my throat.

I can feel his attention linger on me when he backs toward the door, but when he’s finally gone, a breath gunshots from my lungs. Only to get caught again when I lift my head and see the disgust on Val’s face.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?" She growls, marching toward me as I get to my feet, and I flinch again from the pain in my ass.