Page 63 of Steps

“Wow, sorry I’m such a screw-up, Dad,” Varenhisses, getting up from the table.

Daniel grunts in a hushed tone, “You sit backdown, young man.”

Huffing, Varen looks at me before storming out ofthe restaurant. Diners peer around, curious.

I spring to my feet. Daniel and Alison look at mewith confusion.

“What are you doing?” Mom asks, crinkling her eyesto slits.

Grabbing my clutch from the table, I hurry offwithout a word. Varen is just getting into his car. I run over and slide in thepassenger side.

He looks at me and sighs, then wipes his face withthe palm of his hand. “At least you’re wearing shoes this time.”

“Varen, maybe you should go back and talk to him.”

“Forget it, Toya. You heard him, he’s sick of myshit.”

I sigh. “He didn’t say that. I feel like you twojust don’t talk, and that’s why there’s—”

Varen slams his fist against the steering wheel,making me clamp my lips. “Will you stop trying to fix everything.” He startsthe car.

“Where are you going?” I blurt, heart racing.

“To a party. I need a real drink.” He looks soupset when he turns to me. “You shouldn’t come.”

Ignoring him, I buckle my seatbelt. “I’m notleaving you.”

He sucks his teeth. “I don’t need a babysitter,Toya.”

I remain firm in the seat, stubborn. “If you’regoing to a party then I’m going, too.”

“Fuck it,” he grunts, speeding off from therestaurant.

“Hey, man!” Finn greets, jerking Varen’s shoulderplayfully.Gosh. He’s at every damn party. “Thought you were going tohang out the other night, but you didn’t show.”

“Yeah, I’ve been busy.” He flicks to me briefly.

Finn smiles wider when he glimpses me, gliding overmy dress and bare legs. “Ooh, hot mama. Hey, Toya, it’s been a while.”

Varen smacks his chest. “It’s Latoya, and she’s—”

“Yeah, yeah. I know.” Finn drinks his beer. “Oh,Pete’s around. You know he has the best stuff, man.”

I touch Varen’s arm and mutter close to his ear,“Please don’t.”

He snorts when he turns to face me. “I told you, Idon’t like clingy girls.” He accepts a beer from Finn and walks with him downthe passage.

Why’s he mean to me again?

Sulking, I cross my arms and remain near the entrance,eyeing the crowd while listening to the Hip Hop mix. Sauntering down thepassage, I scan the many faces for him or even Finn. I spot them in whatappears to be an office with a few girls and guys smoking.

Varen hands Pete cash and accepts the tiny bluepills in return. He takes a freshly lit blunt from Finn.

I step closer and say to him, “We should go.” Thentry to tow him away from his bad influencers.

“Knock it off, Toya,” he grumbles. “Just relax.”

Pete screws up his face at me and twists to talkto a chocolate-toned girl with curves I wish I had.

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