Page 9 of Steps

When Varen said he was taking me home, I didn’tthink he meanthishome.

Screwing up my face in confusion, I turn and ask,“Why did you bring me here?”

Varen parks outside his dad’s garage and shuts offthe car. “Well, this is your home now, princess. Your mom brought over yourstuff while you were in school today.”

“She did what?” I yelp, eyes wide like a deer inheadlights.

He chuckles at me. “Come on. I’ll show you yournew room,sis.”

Varen gets out of the car. I hurry out and followhim inside the house.

We amble downstairs to the lower level, feet noisyon the black marble tile as we saunter past the family room and library withfloor-to-ceiling bookshelves before coming to a stop in the passage. Varenstops at the first bedroom.

I step inside, mouth opening in surprise. Thisroom is twice the size of my last. Three people could easily sleep on the largebed. Damn. This is lit. My purple curtains are at the window. My books are onthe modern white desk. Jewelry, hair tools, and body creams are on thecontemporary-style white dresser. My clothes are in the walk-in closet, alongwith my shoes.

So this is what she meant by having lots to dotoday.

“She didn’t even discuss it with me,” I mutter,feeling as if I’m being dragged into her mess yet again.

“Sucks, huh?” Varen says at my back. “Dad doesn’ttalk to me about anything either. He’s more open with Alison. Well, she’s hisfavorite.”

His raspy voice has a bit of hurt in it.Naturally, I want to make a sad person feel better.

Turning to him, I say, “I’m sure your dad lovesyou both equally.”

I grimace at his derisive laugh. “You’re sweet.But you don’t know anything. You’ll see for yourself in time. That’s if thisrelationship lasts.”

Curious, I wrinkle my brows. “Has your dad beenengaged before? I mean, since your mom?”

Varen stares off into space. “He’s dated one ortwo but never got engaged to any.”

“I see.”

Looking at me again, he says, “Your mom never toldus about your dad. Is he in your life?”

I feel somewhat embarrassed. Like thestereotypical black kid who doesn’t know her father.

“Um, he’s not. My mom doesn’t talk about him, andI never ask.”

His blue eyes soften with sympathy. “Do you everthink about finding him?”

Forward guy.

More times than I could count. I used to wish thathe’d burst into our apartment and save me from my mom’s bad choices.

“Sorry,” Varen says. “Sensitive topic, huh.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s fine. Yeah, sometimes Ido. But then I’d remind myself that he didn’t want to be in my life.”

He nods, understanding. When he sticks his hand inhis pocket, his eyes flick away from me. I’m sure it’s because he feels thepills. It seems talking to me had distracted him.

“I’ll let you get settled in,” he says, turning toleave.

“I’m hungry,” I blurt. “I’m not comfortable goingthrough your kitchen.”

If I can divert him, maybe I could keep him fromtaking those drugs.

Varen looks back at me, lingers on my face amoment, then says, “Come on.”

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