Page 225 of Where We Stay

Blair shakes her head as her tears spill faster. “But Aspen—”

“Is safe,” I tell her, cupping her face carefully and avoiding her split lip. “She’s with my parents. Ben never got near her.”

“He knew her name.”

Fuck, I know.

The thought makes me want to tear him apart all over again, but this isn’t about what I want to do to him.

It’s about Blair.

“That is on Ben,” I tell her. “Not you.”

“Dean—”

“No. You don’t get to carry what that fucker did.” My voice cracks despite everything I’m doing to hold it together. “You didn’t bring him here. He followed you. He broke into your house, and he put his hands on you.”

Her face crumples. “I brought this into your lives.”

“You loving me does not make this your fault,” I tell her, holding her gaze. “And Aspen loving you doesn’t make it your fault either.”

Blair begins sobbing harder, and I pull her against my chest.

The female officer gives us a moment before speaking again. “Ms. Morgan, the paramedics need to examine you. Because he put pressure on your neck, they’ll need to take you to the hospital for a proper assessment.”

Blair shakes her head. “I’m fine.”

I look at her in disbelief. “Baby, you’re bleeding.”

“It’s a split lip.”

“You hit the floor, and he had his hands around your neck.”

Blair releases a tired breath. “Dean—”

“I’m not arguing with you because I want control,” I tell her, lowering my voice. “I’m arguing because I need to know you’re okay.”

Her eyes soften slightly.

“Okay, baby.” She rests her hand against my cheek. “I’ll go.”

While the paramedics help Blair into the ambulance, I step away long enough to call Mom.

She answers immediately. “Dean, what the hell is going on?”

“I can’t explain everything right now,” I tell her, keeping my eyes on Blair. “Keep Pen with you tonight. I’m going to Bellamy Hospital with Blair.”

“Is she okay?” Mom asks, her voice catching.

“She’s awake and talking. The paramedics are checking her now.” My voice cracks before I can stop it.

“Oh, thank God,” Mom whispers. “Rory told us what Georgie said. Aspen doesn’t know the details.”

“Good. Keep it that way for now.”

“We will,” Mom promises. “Aspen is safe here. Stay with Blair and keep me updated.”

“I will.”