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

Because they’re running late, he forgets about the ring on his finger. He’s kept it on all weekend long. He doesn’t even feel it anymore. Out in the hall Jacob thinks everyone’s staring at them. He hears low laughter, the word queercoughed discreetly behind them. But when he turns around, no one meets his angry gaze. What the hell do these fuckers know, anyway? Nothing. Nothing at all. Avery’s hand brushes against his almost accidentally when they walk. It’s all he needs to keep in check. He won’t lose his temper. He won’t let them get to him. He won’t.


In mass, he notices the ring. He curses beneath his breath. He’s glad Mike’s not beside him. He hates to hear Jacob cuss. Especially in the church, of all places. But he thinks God’s heard worse than damn it to hell.


He slips the ring off his finger and into his pocket. He doesn’t think anyone has noticed. He glances around, just to be sure.


Chapter 53