Page 7 of Steps

He has a blunt in his hand. Dark eyes zero in onme. “Who’s the babe?”

“My new stepsister,” Varen replies casually.Slanting, he introduces, “This is Finn. That’s Toya.”

“Hey, Toya.”

I wave and tell him, “Latoya, actually.”Not just anybody can shorten my name.

Gaze not leaving me, Finn pinches his browstogether. “Didn’t know you had a stepsister.” Winking at me, he says, “Wannahang?”

“She’s permanently off limits,” Varen declares asif I’m his property. He shoves his friend’s shoulder lightly before steppinginto the living room.

I stay close behind, nervous about thesurrounding. The room is hazy from the blend of cigarettes and marijuana. Twogirls are chilling on the rug smoking with a guy that has a cross tattoo at hisright ear. Another girl with bleached pink hair is gyrating slowly with anAsian boy to the groovy beat of Travis Scott’sAntidote.I like thatsong, actually.

The brunette on the floor passes a blunt to Varen.He smokes a bit and offers it to me.

“No, thanks. I’m all set.” I blink away and foldmy arms. Is this a house for teen drug abusers?

Varen snorts and rakes a hand through hisdisheveled hair. “Such a goody-goody. Let me guess, you don’t drink either.”

“Rarely, if ever.” I pick at my jeans. Some of theshitty guys my mom dated drank and did hard drugs. Those were the ones whowanted to sleep with me at fourteen and up until I turned sixteen.

The girls laugh at something the boy lying next tothem says. But I don’t hear the joke.

“Woo!” Finn raves as he moseys into the livingroom and turns up the trippy dance music once the song changes. He hauls theblonde from the rug, and they dance and laugh together.Everyone seemshigh.

Varen sinks down on the leather sofa, stillsmoking. I sit beside him.

“They haven’t been together long enough,” he says,turning to me. “They met and got engaged in less than a year. Isn’t thatcrazy?”

“Yeah.” I chuckle short and mumble under mybreath, “Doubt it’ll work.”

God, his gaze is piercing. He can unravel anyonewith just one look. How many panties have dropped from those eyes alone?

Ugh. Not something I should think about.

Varen puffs and blows it at my face. I spin myhead and avoid inhaling the smoke.

He smirks. “Come on.” He gets up, gives the bluntback to the brunette on the floor, and reaches his hand to me.

I slip my tiny fingers inside his warm, callousedpalm. I’m surprised by the roughness. I imagined rich boys only had soft hands.

Varen pulls me to my feet, leading me from theliving room and down the passage.

We enter an airy bedroom with a view of the water.Varen plops down on the bed while I linger in the doorway, heart racing,nervous.

He crumples his forehead as he looks at me. “Don’tjust stand there, Toya, come in and shut the door.”

I step inside and close the door, but remain nextto it. “Whose house is this?”

“It’s Finn’s. His parents travel a lot so, we hangout here mostly.” His features and tone turn playful. “Want to lie down?”

A knot forms in my throat. I cough a little beforetelling him, “No, I’m fine.”

“Why not? I’m not going to bite you.”

“It’s...” I shift from one leg to the other. “It’sinappropriate.”

Varen lifts a brow. “It’s cool. I just want tohang out with you.” He eases up on his elbows, curiosity on his face. “Are youa virgin?”

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