Page 169 of Where We Stay

For a moment, neither of us speaks.

“The day of our date, I got a message from an unknown number saying, I’m back. Then another one saying Morgan suited me.” My breathing begins to quicken. “Jerry doesn’t think Ben knows where I am yet, but we can’t be sure. I’m fucking terrified he’s going to find me.”

Dean shifts closer, but he doesn’t pull me into his arms. He waits.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I never wanted to put you or Aspen in danger.”

“Blair, look at me.”

I force myself to meet his eyes.

“You have nothing to apologize for,” he says firmly.

“But Aspen—”

“Aspen is my responsibility. You don’t have to make that choice for me.”

“If he finds me—”

“Then we’ll deal with what we know when we know it.” Dean tightens his hold on my hand. “Right now, all I’m thinking about is the fact that you trusted me enough to tell me.”

My lip trembles.

“I’m not going to tell you what to do next,” he continues. “I’m not going to take another decision away from you.”

Dean pauses, his eyes holding mine.

“But if you want me beside you while you figure it out, I’m here.”

“What about Aspen?” I ask again.

“We’ll be careful. I’ll do everything I need to do as her dad.” His expression softens. “But whether I stand beside you is my decision, baby. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Something inside me finally gives way.

I fold into Dean, and his arms close around me as the sobs tear free. He holds me without trying to stop them or tell me everything will be okay.

For the first time since Ben’s message appeared on my phone, the need to run begins to loosen its grip.

Hartwell is my home.

Dean feels like home.

And I don’t have to face this alone anymore.

“I love you, Blair,” Dean whispers against my hair. “You’re not alone, baby. I’m right here.”

Thirty Four

Dean

I’ve never wanted to kill someone before.

Not really.

I’ve been angry enough to throw punches. Angry enough to say things I regret. But sitting beside Blair on that hill, listening to everything that man did to her, I understand exactly how someone could lose control.

But this isn’t about me or what I want to do to him.