Page 143 of Steps

“Can I go out?” I ask Mom when they’re sitting inthe living room after dinner.

Daniel scowls when she looks at him. They’re bothiffy. “Well, where are you going? Who are you going to see?” she asks with astraight face.

“No one. Just want to drive by the park and checkif there’s live music.” I pick at the fabric of my dress. It’s the black floralone, Varen’s favorite. Not sure why I’ve made an effort when I only want tohand him the envelope. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.

Mom lingers on me a moment before sighing. “Allright. Don’t stay out too late, and be careful.”

“I will. Thank you.”

Daniel crinkles his eyes, questions inside. But hedoesn’t say anything. Just resumes watching TV with Mom.

I step back into the entrance, pick up her carkeys, and go outside to Mom’s car. Backing down the driveway, I call Alison asI turn onto the street. She isn’t coming home this weekend.

“Hey, what’s up?” she asks.

“Where would he be tonight if not at Finn’s?” Iblurt.

Alison groans into the phone. “You’re going to seeVaren? I told you, Toya. You can’t help him.”

“Please just tell me all the places where youthink he’ll be tonight.”

Silence fills the line a few seconds. “Fine. Notat Finn’s. His parents are finally home. Probably at Pete’s in Rosedale. I’vehad to pick him up one too many times. I’ll text you the address.”

“Thanks, Ali.”

“Just keep in mind you might not like what yousee.”

I crease my forehead. “I’ve been to a party withhim before. I know what goes on.”

“I mean with the girls. He, um…” She hesitates.“Look, he brought a few friends with him the last time we went bowling, and hemade out with one of the girls in the parking lot.”

Hearing that hurts like hell. It feels as ifsomeone has jabbed an icepick in my heart.

“Toya?”

I swallow the tightness in my throat and clear myhead. “It’s fine. We broke up. He can do whatever he wants.”

“Still…” she drawls.

“Just send that address. I’ll call again if he’snot there.” I hang up and wait for her text.

It takes me a few minutes to find the raised ranchhouse in the suburban area. Parking across the street, I notice there arepeople on the lawn. Loud music bangs from the inside. Damn. Neighbors areprobably going to call the police soon.

Keeping my shit together, I tighten my grip on theclutch and tread over to the walkway. I continue past the guys making flirtycomments and trying to get my attention.

I enter the house and peer around for Varen. Myheart thrashes with anticipation. I haven’t seen him since that awful day atthe hospital three weeks ago, and I almost fear his reaction.

Someone throws their arm around my shoulder.Boisterous laughter fills my ear. “Latoya!”

“Finn.”Of course, he’s here.But thatmeans so is Varen.“Where is he?”

He drinks his beer, then shakes his head. “Youdon’t wanna see Varen. Besides, didn’t you two break up?”

“He told you?” I mutter, easing off his arm.

“Yeah.” He chuckles. “I had to ask; he was stickinghis tongue down some bitch’s throat last week.”

The way he watches for my reaction makes it clearhe said that to get a rise out of me. It’s probably true based on what Alisontold me.

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