Page 107 of Steps

Daniel hisses. “My son has a lot of issues,Latoya. He bottled up the pain from losing his mother and used drugs to feelbetter. I’m sorry to say this, but now I’ve realized why he seems changed. It’sbecause he’s usingyouas another way to escape his problems. He’s doneit before. He always loses interest and falls right back into those habits.”

His harsh tone and words prick my heart. Tearsfall even more. “No. You’re wrong.”

“Listen to us, Toya,” Mom implores, steppingcloser to Daniel. “What you’re feeling isn’t love.”

I turn my head slowly. “Yes, it is. I know Varenloves me, and I’m not another escape. He’s working on his problems. You knowthat. He told you about the meetings.”

Daniel softens his tone as he speaks again. “I’vetried getting him help before. It sticks for a while then he gives up.”

“Not this time,” I grunt through clenched teeth.“He won’t give up. You’re his father, you should believe in him.”

“Look, I love my son, but I don’t want him to ruinyour life. Regardless, you two can’t be together. It’s inappropriate.”

Mom reaches for my hand. “It’ll only hurt for alittle while, then you’ll wake up and realize you made a mistake. The way Idid.”

“What?” Her words feel like a stab in the chest.“You mean thinking you were in love at my age, only for my father to get youpregnant and leave you? Are you saying having me was a mistake?”

Astonished, she widens her chestnut eyes and dropsmy hand. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

“Do I?” The hurt locker has opened, and I can’tstop myself. “You used to tell me I held you back in life. That you couldn’t doa lot of things because of me.”

All the light drains from her face. She quicklylooks at her husband.

Daniel crinkles his forehead as he stares at her.“Lisa...”

“I didn’t mean it then.” She swallows hard andturns to me. “You know I was only upset at the time.”

“You did mean it, Mom.” My pitch rises. “You nevercared enough about me. You didn’t care if your boyfriends flirted or tried tosleep with me because I was a fucking mistake!”

“Stop it!” She slaps me across the face.

“Lisa!” Daniel yells, surprised that she’d hit me.

My hand trembles as I touch my cheek. I glare ather then storm off downstairs to my room, locking the door. I collapse onto thebed and bury my face in the pillow.

The house is quiet and feels showered with tensionas I go upstairs the following morning. I skipped dinner the night before, andno one had bothered with me either.

Alison heads out the front door just as I turn togo into the kitchen. She doesn’t say a word to me before leaving. I guess she’soff to her summer internship with that law firm. Good for her.

I amble over to the pantry to grab frosted flakes.My phone buzzes in my shorts pocket while pouring milk into the bowl. My heartflutters when I see the text from Varen. He’s starting his new job today aswell.

Morningpretty girl.

I’llfind a place soon, so hang in there.

Ilove you.

A sad feeling rises in my stomach as I think aboutthe tight leash Daniel and my mom now have on me. I text him back.

Loveyou too.

Goodluck on your first day.

I’mmissing you already.

Theywon’t let me leave unless it’s with one of them.

Plus,Daniel is taking me to work with him.

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