Page 121 of Steps

“K.”

I follow them inside and into a game room wherethe guys are competing at a pool table. There’s a wad of cash waiting at theside for the winner.

Varen grabs another beer before taking the poolstick and getting right to it.

Drinking my beer slowly, I stand aside and watchthem play. The brunette from the first time Varen brought me to Finn’s housegestures for me to come over.

Thinking nothing of it, I inch closer. She puffson her blunt before speaking. “Hey, I’m Kelly.”

“Latoya.” I shake her outstretched hand.

Her dark and drowsy eyes narrow on my face,studying me perhaps. Or maybe she’s just high.

“So, Varen’s pretty serious about you, huh. You’rethe first girl we’ve seen him with more than once.”

Geez.

I twirl my beer, going awkward, but still tell herboldly, “Yeah, we’re serious about each other.”

“Hm.” Her thin red lips coil into a sneaky smile.She lifts the blunt to me. “Go on, try it. It’s harmless.”

Roars erupt behind me. Peering over my shoulder, Isee Finn and Varen celebrating. Guess they won the game.

“Want your own?” Kelly offers, drawing back myattention.

“No, I’m all set. Thanks.”

She jeers. “Fuck. How Varen has any interest inyou is fucking mind-boggling. He’s an adventure, and you’re...” She regards mefrom head to toe.

“One in a million,” Varen finishes suddenly,draping his arm around my shoulder.

He glares at Kelly. She smirks and turns away tothe group standing nearby.

Something snaps in my head then: the morning Varensnuck out of my bed and came back with a hickey on his neck. Was it her?

“Is she your ex?” I ask him.

Varen sucks his teeth and tows me outside to thedeck again. He takes the rest of my beer, setting it on the railing. “No more.”

“So you can drink but I can’t?” I ask, rolling myeyes.

He furrows as he observes me. “Yeah, definitely nomore. I can already see the bit you’ve had affecting you.”

I lift my chin confidently. “I’m fine.”

“Sure.” He chortles. “Whatever you say.”

The brunette comes to mind again. “Is that who youwere with the morning you left my bed? Is she your first?”

He draws air through his teeth. “Yes, and no.Toya, you better not be getting jealous over that shit. I’m with you now.”

“I’m not jealous, just curious.” I hug myself as agentle, cool breeze swooshes around us.

Varen hauls me into his chest and locks his armsaround my waist. “I don’t want to pressure you but fuck it. Move in with me.Every time I see you, it hurts knowing I have to let you go and hide ourrelationship as if you don’t mean the world to me.”

“Varen.” I interlace my fingers at his neck.“We’ve talked about this.”

“Is it because we’re so young? You think you’regoing to get over me the minute you start college? Are you holding backsomewhat?”

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