Page 82 of Crossing Arizona

But he’s not there.

And as we walk toward the gate, it feels like I’m leaving behind more than just the city I’ve lived in my entire life.

I’m leaving the man I love, too.

“Seriously, can’t you do anything right?!”

The wrapping paper tube smacks against my temple, and I glare up at Valerie as I rub the sting away. “How many times do I need to ask you not to hit me?”

She scoffs, gesturing at the Great White remote control shark on the floor between us. “Who the hell taught you to wrap presents? A monkey could do better than that.”

“Go get one then,” I mutter, fiddling with the messy tape job on Hannah’s gift. It’s not pretty, but it’s wrapped. You’d think that would be enough, but nothing’s ever enough for Val.

She rolls her eyes, tossing the tube onto the couch before scanning the pile of presents stacked next to her. “You’re fucking embarrassing. Jesus, a grown man who can’t even work a tape gun.”

Biting my tongue, I force myself to stay quiet. She’s been like this all morning—nitpicking every little thing, throwing insults my way. First, it was the cake I bought, which apparently wasn’t right because she wanted whipped frosting instead of buttercream. What the hell’s the difference?

Then she was pissed that I hadn’t invited any of my teammates and their significant others like any of them would be interested in a five-year-old’s party. I think she just wants to show off.

After that, it was the wrapping paper because the cute tiger sharks printed on it look trashy. Val’s words, not mine, even though Hannah picked them out herself. Normally, I’d just shrug it off for the sake of Hannah, but today feels heavier than usual because this is the first birthday he’s missed.

Xed.

The thought of him rips through my chest, puncturing deep, and I duck my head to fix a ribbon so Val won’t see the tears in my eyes.

He used to laugh at my terrible wrapping skills, but it never mattered.

Now, he’s just…gone. A ghost I can’t stop chasing.

“Daddy, Mommy!” Hannah’s voice echoes down the stairs, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Come see!”

Valerie sighs dramatically, flicking a hand at me. “Go see what she wants. I’ve got presents to wrap since, apparently, you’re too stupid to help.”

Ignoring her, I climb the stairs, my chest tightening as I follow the sound of Hannah’s giggles. She’s in her room, sitting cross-legged on her bed with her tablet propped against a pillow. Her face lights up when she sees me, covered heavily in makeup. Valerie’s cosmetic bag sits beside her, contents strewn all over the comforter. Very, very expensive contents.

Shit. I’ll never hear the end of this one, even though I paid for all of it.

“Do I look pretty?” Hannah asks, batting her lids, which are caked in glittery eyeshadow. “I’m doing makeup with Fungus.”

Fungus.

My heart stumbles at the nickname, my throat tightening as I slowly step forward. “Fungus?”

She nods excitedly, grinning wide enough to show teeth stained with lipstick. When she spins the tablet around, I drop my gaze and…

And there he is.

Xed’s face fills the screen, his hair longer than last I saw him. He’s sitting on a couch somewhere, a faint smile playing on his lips as he talks to Hannah.

For a moment, I can’t speak. My chest feels too tight, my stomach in knots. All I can do is stare at the man I’ve missed more than I ever thought possible. When he hadn’t shown up at the airport all those weeks ago to say goodbye, I never thought I’d see him again.

“Hi,” I rasp, my voice barely above a whisper.

His smile drops when he sees me, the warmth in his eyes immediately growing cold. “Hey.”

Hannah bounces on the bed, oblivious to the tension. “Fungus says he’s coming to visit! Right, Fungus?”

Xed hesitates, his gaze flicking to mine before he answers. “We’ll see, Creature. I said maybe—"