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“Thirty thousand.”

“Jesus fucking Christ.”

Blair tells me what happened at The Breakwater. Courtney coming in. What she said about Aspen. Logan stepping in and revealing she’d asked Dad for money.

I’m not pissed at him. Logan wouldn’t lie about something like this, and if he hadn’t told me yet, he was probably trying to figure out the best way to do it.

It also explains why Blair sounded so unsettled last night.

“Did Dad give it to her?” I ask.

“I don’t know.” Blair shakes her head. “From the way Logan spoke, I don’t think so.”

“She knew better than to ask me.”

Blair nods. “That was my first thought.”

“Because I would’ve asked why.”

Her eyes turn glassy. “Dean, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” I reach for her, brushing my thumb beneath her eye before any tears can fall. “You did the right thing by telling me.”

“I hate being the person bringing this to you.”

“You’re not responsible for whatever mess Courtney has gotten herself into.” I hold Blair’s gaze. “This isn’t yours to carry, baby.”

She nods, but the worry doesn’t completely leave her face.

“I have to get back,” she says reluctantly. “Principal Derek is expecting me, and I promised Aspen I’d be there for afternoon crafts.”

I carefully tuck a piece of hair behind her ear, trying not to get grease on her.

My girl.

Blair has known us for less than two months, and she’s already rearranging her day to keep a promise to my daughter.

When Aspen’s own mother has spent three years breaking hers.

* * *

I watch Blair pull out of the lot before reaching for my phone.

Thirty fucking thousand dollars.

Courtney didn’t come back to Hartwell with money problems she conveniently forgot to mention.

And if she thinks she’s going to drag my family into whatever mess she’s gotten herself into, she’s got another fucking thing coming.

I call my dad.

“Son,” he answers. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Blair told me Courtney asked you for money,” I say, getting straight to the point.

Dad gives a dry laugh. “Can’t say I haven’t been expecting this call.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I demand, tightening my grip around the phone. “And why the fuck does Logan know?”