Page 40 of Steps

“Cool. We’ll talk soon, Latoya.”

“See you,” I tell him before he turns away.

He smiles at me and goes to say goodbye to Daniel andmy mom, leaving with his parents after waving to me once more.

Mom comes over shortly. She narrows her eyes. “Areyou all right? Varen said you were sitting in the movie room by yourself. Thatyou were upset.”

“Yeah, I had a moment.” I’m about to walk away,but she touches my arm.

“You know, you can talk to me about it.”

I sigh. “You never made me feel like I could tellyou anything while growing up. It’s a little difficult for me to do that now.”

She sucks her teeth. “Fine. Be that way.” A smileappears soon after. “August seems to like you. Dan says the Caldwells are agreat family. Both the father and mother are doctors. Think how life-changingit’d be if you landed that kid.”

My shoulders sag. “Really, Mom? Money isn’teverything.”

She shrugs. “I’m joking, Toya. God.”

“How are you ladies doing?” Daniel asks, coming upto us.

“Good.” Mom grins at him as he cloaks his armaround her waist. “We were just saying how kind all of your friends are. Augustand Toya seem to have hit it off.”

“Barely,” I mumble, hugging myself at the suddenchills. The taste of Varen lingers in my mouth. I want morenow.

Daniel smiles at me. “He’s a good kid. He’s older,though.”Only by a year.He is good, though.

“Oh, it’s not too bad,” Mom quips. “August doesn’tseem to mind, either.”

Right. They’re talking about August, not Varen.

“Anyway, let’s go back and entertain our guests.”She tows his head closer and whispers into his ear. They share a giggle.

Thinking about Varen again, I look away and searchfor him. Gawd. I can even hear his groans while he fondles me.

“Ahem. Where’s Varen?” I ask.

Shameless.

Daniel twists to me. “He took off. I bet he wentto some stupid party to get wasted again. The damn kid doesn’t listen. It’seven worse now cause he’s eighteen.”

I loosen my arms, worried. “Should I go look forhim?”

Please say yes. I really don’t mind.

He frowns and shakes his head. “No, Toya. I toldyou, don’t get caught up. Varen needs to help himself.”

They amble away to rejoin their guests.

Alison and her boyfriend find me after speakingwith Mom and Daniel. She’s wearing flats now.

“Want to get out of here?” she asks. “We could gofor a stroll and get ice-cream?”

“Um, you don’t mind having a third-wheel?” I joke.

Gabe chimes in, “I’m actually heading home. It’lljust be you two.”

“Oh. Sure, I guess.”

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