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

On the third day, the door is already open when Avery gets there. He hurries down the hall, his heart in his throat. All he can think is one of those boys said something else and there was another fight. No,he prays. Oh, God, no.


Inside the room, the nun sits behind her desk. She looks up as Avery enters. “Where…?”


“Monsignor’s office,” the nun tells him.


The nun looks at him for a moment, then nods. Before she can say another word, Avery runs out of the room and down the hall. At the monsignor’s closed door, he stops. A moment later, he begins to pace. He’d give anything to hear what’s going on in that office right now. Please let him stay here,he prays. Please don’t let me lose him. Please.


When the monsignor’s door finally opens, Avery rises to his feet. Jacob comes out scowling. He sees Avery but doesn’t smile. “Well?” Avery ignores the other two boys and the nun who follows them out.


Chapter 71