J. Tomas

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

Mike takes a deep breath, then lets it out slowly. “I told her no.”


He sits back and turns to face Avery. He looks scared, like he’s not used to defying his mother. But he also looks thrilled that he did, surprised he had it in him. “He’s the coolest guy I know, Avery. I know we’re not, like, best friends, but at least he talks to me, you know? As long as we share a room, at least we have something in common.”


Avery grins. “You like him, eh?” He laughs at the blush that colors Mike’s cheeks.


“Oh, God,” Mike says, rolling his eyes. “Not like that.You can’t think—”


“I’m teasing,” Avery assures him. “If I didthink that, I’d have to hurt you. He’s my boyfriend.”


Mike turns a deeper shade of red. “I so don’t need to hear this,” he mutters.


Chapter 70