Sixteen year old Jacob Smithson has quite a temper. He’s picked on by other kids because he likes boys, and recent fighting has kicked him out of public school. As a last resort, his parents have placed him in the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Boarding School for Boys.<br><br>It’s at his first mass at St. Thomas where he sees Avery Dendritch, a senior who serves as altar boy during the service. When they meet, the attraction between them is hard to deny. The two become fast friends, and as the school year progresses, their friendship deepens into something more. For the first time, Jacob has found a place where he belongs ... and someone with whom he’s falling in love.<br><br>But the other students gossip about their growing relationship, and while Avery can ignore them, Jacob cannot. As the rumors and slurs start up again, can he curb his temper, or will his penchant for fighting get him expelled from St. Thomas, as well?

Without Sin

Avery eases an arm beneath Jacob’s head. He holds out his hand, closed into a tight fist. “I want to give you something.” He’s watching Jacob intently.


“What is it?” Jacob takes Avery’s hand in both of his and tries to pry open the fingers, but Avery clenches his hand tighter. “Let me see.”


“You have to promise me something first,” Avery tells him.


He waits. Jacob looks up at him and nods. “Anything.” Jacob’s nervous all over again, as if this is their first time together. He didn’t have to get Jacob anything. Jacob wants to know what it is. “I don’t have anything for you—”


“That’s okay.” Avery kisses Jacob’s forehead. Jacob leans back and manages to plant a quick kiss on the underside of Avery’s chin before he pulls away. “Promise me you won’t wear it here.”


“Here?” Jacob doesn’t understand. “Wear what?”


“I don’t want you wearing it at school.” Avery sighs. “Someone might say something.”


Chapter 40