Page 64 of Steps

Finn smokes while observing us.

“You said you’d try,” I remind Varen. “Better waysto deal, remember?”

He turns to me at last, annoyed with my tugging onhis arm. “Christ, it’s a party. Just enjoy yourself like last time.”

I ignore him and motion to his pocket. “Pleasedon’t take those. You promised.”

“Hey, what’s up with you two?” Finn asks, face morphingwith suspicion. “Thought she was your stepsister?”

“What’s it to you?” Varen snaps, turning back tohim.

Finn curses. “Chill, man. I’m just saying, you twoact kind of weird.” His brows shoot up. “Wait, are you fucking yourstepsister?” He chuckles. “Oh, shit. She is hot, man. Mind if I tap that, too?”

“Shut the fuck up!” Varen shoves him against thewall, eyes blared and red as he grips Finn’s shirt collar. “You stay the hellaway from her!”

Finn looks shocked. “What the fuck, man!”

“Varen,stop.” I grab his arm. But he’s toostrong.

Pete comes over and yanks him off their friend.“Cool it, V. What’s gotten into you?”

“Yeah, what’s your fucking problem, man? I thoughtwe were friends.”

Varen roughly combs over his hair, grabs my arm,and storms off while pulling me along. He lets go when we step out of thehouse.

“Varen,” I huff, chasing him to his car. Why doesit feel as if my heart’s been running after him since the night we met?

“Why do you keep pushing?” he snaps, facing me.

I slow my pace but still walk up to him. “I justwant you to talk to me. I’m right here. You don’t need alcohol or drugs. Youcan pour the hurt out on me. Just let it go.”

A tear escapes and streams down his face; the firsttime I’ve seen him cry.

Edging closer, Varen grips my body and rests hishead on my shoulder. “I miss her so much. She was the person I could talk to.She listened. I just want the pain to go away, but it’s hard. I don’t know howto make it stop, Toya.”

I massage his back and kiss the side of his head.“You don’t have to do it alone, Varen, I’m here.”

He eases back, eyes flaccid with sorrow. “Why doyou care so fucking much?”

“Because I like you a lot.” I smile at him. “Iwant you to be happy.”

“You...” He kisses me hard, caressing my body asour tongues collide. I could stand there and keep kissing him all night.

“Toya?” a familiar voice calls out.

We break apart instantly. I look across and gulp,realizing it is, in fact, August Caldwell. He’s standing outside the house withhis friends. They go ahead of him.

August goes to parties. That’s surprising.

Confusion blankets his face. “Varen’s yourboyfriend?”

Panic soars in me. “August, please don’t sayanything.”

“I won’t,” he assures, passing a look from me toVaren. He staggers back, ruffles his sandy-blonde hair, and continues into thehouse.

“Shit.” I swivel to Varen. “Think he’ll tell?”

“He won’t. He keeps his word.”

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