Page 148 of Steps

“Why not?” he whispers, absorbing me like the airhe depended on.

Resting my head against his chest, I bask in thewarmth of his embrace and run my hands up and down his firm back. “I reallymissed you, Varen. It hurt so bad I thought I’d die from heartbreak.”

He breathes deeply as he tightens his grip on me.“I felt the same way, baby. That’s why I got the pills again. I just wanted tostop hurting. I’m sorry for disappointing you.”

“I’m not disappointed. I’m here, aren’t I?”

“Hmm. You are.”

A minute or two passes before he loosens his holdand eases away. He has a bothered look in his eyes.

“Okay?” I ask, touching his arm.

“Yeah.” He manages a smile. “You shower first. I’mgoing to take out the trash and clean up this place.”

“K.”

Grabbing underwear and body wash from my dufflebag, I head into the bathroom to shower.

Afterward, while I’m getting dressed, my phonerings, and my stomach tenses when I see who’s calling.

“Your mom?” Varen asks from the kitchen, a mixtureof sympathy and guilt on his face.

“Yeah.” I chew at the corner of my bottom lip. Shestarts calling again right after. “I have to talk to her eventually.”

He nods. “You do.”

“Hello,” I answer after a long breath.

“Why are you doing this, Latoya? You told me youwould end it. You promised!”

“I love him, Mom,” I blurt, staring across toVaren as I slither down to the edge of the bed. “And I’m not sorry about that.”

“Toya—”

“No, please listen,” I implore, wanting to becompletely honest. “I’ve made so many sacrifices for you in the past to keepyou happy. This is the one thing I can’t give up for you. Please let me havethis love.”

The line goes quiet, with only her heavybreathing. “You’re so naïve. This is going to be disastrous for you.”

“Mom…”

“You’ll come back when he breaks your heart, andhe will. Then you’ll see how foolish you are.” She ends the call on that note.

Tears rush down my face. I move the phone from myear and place it on the bed.

Varen walks over, lifts me to my feet, andencloses me in his loving embrace. He kisses the side of my head. “I’m sorry.”

I close my eyes and relax my body, feeling aweight lift from my shoulders. “It’s okay. I choose you. I’ll fight for thislove.”

36

Kenya spills her water in surprise. “You didwhat?”

“I moved in with—”

“Yeah, I heard you the first time, Toya, I justcan’t believe it.” She sets the bottle on the table. “How’s your mom and Danieltaking it?”

“Daniel hasn’t called or showed up at Varen’sapartment. But my mom was pretty upset.”

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