Page 100 of Starting Back
When Kristina straightened, her grin shrank as she looked between us.
“So, you’ve met.”
“I just thanked him for sitting with her until one of us got here.”
“Well, then let me introduce you.” Kristina came up to me and slid her arm around my waist. “Leo, this is my ex-husband, Colin, as you probably guessed. Colin, this is Leo—”
“Mom’s boyfriend,” Chloe finished for her.
Colin’s brows popped up as he scrutinized the both of us.
“Nice to meet you,” I offered, extending a hand as I draped my other arm across Kristina’s shoulders. It lingered for a second before he took it, squinting at me as if he didn’t know what to make of us.
“Emma told me about a Leo on the fire truck but not a nurse.” He gave my hand a quick shake, his eyes narrowed to slits.
“He’s a firefighter, too,” Chloe offered as she leaned her head against Kristina’s arm.
“I know, sweetie. You had a rough day. Good thing Leo was on today to sit with you until one of us got here.” Kristina swept the hair off Chloe’s forehead.
“Yeah, good thing,” Colin muttered and shook his head. I almost sympathized when I caught the flash of hurt in his features and would have if I didn’t have the image of him yelling at Kristina as she cried burned into my brain.
I understood all of Chloe’s frustration, worry, and anger, but I had to find a way to keep mine in check.
“Your mom is here to take you home, so I’ll head back to work. I’ll pick you both up on Saturday morning if you’re feeling okay.”
“I’m fine,” Chloe said, groaning as she sat up and swung her legs over the bed.
“I’ll call you later,” Colin said and planted a kiss on the back of her head.
“Bye, Dad.” Chloe’s reply was a soft whisper as Colin left, not glancing at Kristina or me on his way out. From what she’d told me and how she acted, she was mad at her father but afraid to show it. I didn’t want to break her trust, but the kid had made herself suffer enough.
“Don’t get up yet,” I said, grabbing her shoulder. “I’ll get your paperwork, and you can go home with your mom once she signs everything. Just sit for one minute, and we’ll be right back.”
She nodded and peered up at me with wide, grateful eyes.
“Thank you.” I was rewarded with my first real smile from her. It felt like a gold medal.
“Anytime, kiddo.” I tapped her chin with my knuckle and motioned Kristina to follow me.
“I am so sorry about Colin,” Kristina said as she took my hand. “You both had to meet eventually, and I knew he wouldn’t be all that friendly—”
“I don’t care about any of that. What I wanted to talk to you about was Chloe.”
“I thought she had simple stitches.”
“She did. She told me that she saw Colin make you cry a few times, and then the next day you acted as if nothing happened, so it’s hard for her to believe you when you say you’re fine. I hate breaking her trust, but I thought you should know since this is probably why she’s always so worried about you.”
Her hand flew to her mouth. “I knew she heard too much. The sad thing is, I can’t even pinpoint the night she’d seen that since so many fights ended up like that.” She rubbed her eyes, letting out a long sigh before she lifted her head. “I’m glad she told you.”
“I am too. She’s also mad at her father over it but goes to see him because she’s afraid of starting another fight. I think you both need to talk to her. Just please don’t tell her I said anything.”
I glanced back at the curtain where Chloe was waiting.
“I don’t want to ruin the nice moment we had after fighting for one this long.”
Kristina grinned when I flashed her a smile.
“I’m glad you had a moment. I wish she would have told me, but this finally makes sense.” Kristina pecked my lips. “Thank you.”
