Anna K by Jenny Lee

Author:Jenny Lee [Lee, Jenny]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781250236432
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Published: 2020-03-02T18:30:00+00:00

XVIII

Dustin was surprised when Steven had texted that he should bring his brother over for their tutoring session. He had tried to reschedule their session for the following day since he had plans to spend the afternoon with his brother, but Steven said it was imperative that he see Dustin today, so he and Nicholas came over.

When Nicholas walked into Steven’s apartment, he whistled at the fancy digs, which embarrassed Dustin, even though Steven didn’t seem to notice. Steven suggested that Nicholas play his PS4 while they did their schoolwork, directing him to a shipment of advance copies of new games that wouldn’t come out until next year. Steven’s dad was tight with one of the head honchos at Sony’s gaming division, so these boxes would arrive every few months with the latest video games.

Just another perk of the superrich, Dustin thought to himself, whereas his brother Nicholas had to comment out loud about it: “No shade, but you one-percenters got some sick-ass perks.”

Steven nodded and agreed. “Hells yeah we do.” (Comments like this should have made Steven an asshole, yet somehow they came across as charming, which Dustin found to be both disturbing and fascinating.)

Once Nicholas was settled into the living room playing Fortnite, Steven motioned for Dustin to follow him instead of going to their usual workplace in the dining room. Dustin walked down the hallway behind his friend, and Steven led the way into his bedroom and closed the door. Dustin had never been in Steven’s bedroom before, and as he entered, he understood why Steven hadn’t even clapped back over his brother’s lack of filter … because it was true. Everything in the lavish, professionally decorated bedroom was top of the line. Dustin felt like a character in a Hollywood movie. Steven turned on the massive flat-screen TV that hung on his wall and commanded Siri to play Lost Boyz’ “Lifestyles of the Rich and Shameless.”

“Sorry for being so mysterious, bro,” Steven said. “But I really need to talk to you and only you.”

“Sure thing,” Dustin replied, suddenly growing anxious that somehow he had done something wrong.

“I wanted to talk the other day, but I couldn’t because of Lolly.” (Lolly had been there for their entire homework session two days earlier.)

Dustin was now more nervous, saying a silent prayer that Steven wouldn’t mention the very name that he had been avoiding like the plague.

“Stop with the face, dude, this isn’t about Kimmie,” Steven said.

And there it was: the DJ in Dustin’s chest made the vinyl of his heart skip a beat.

“I’ve been trying to forget the whole thing, really. But I can’t. It’s impossible. I have to tell someone, and you’re the only one I trust with this secret.…” Steven was pacing back and forth on the high-end shag carpet in front of the TV as the opening strains of “Renee” bumped out of the special-edition Bose surround-sound speakers.

“Steven, just say it. You’ll feel better.”

“You can’t tell anyone. Not a soul. Cone of silence, but you gotta swear first.

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