Shay Rogers has avoided going back home to Alabama because he fears running into his high school lover, Dwayne Sayles. Because of Shay’s reputation as an All-American straight stud, he tried to keep his love for Dwayne secret. Shay’s fear of his friends and family finding out about him ultimately led to his breaking up with Dwayne. However, when the invitation to his fifteen year high school reunion arrives, Shay’s friend convinces him to go, with her as his fictitious girlfriend. Within moments of meeting again, the long-dormant feelings between Shay and Dwayne are rekindled, but so are Shay’s fears. Is Shay finally ready to embrace the chance of happiness by living openly with Dwayne, or will his need to hide the truth about himself win out yet again?

Class of '03

Shay sighed, and ran a hand through Dwayne’s thick, curly, blond hair and rubbed his knuckles against the scruffy beard on Dwayne’s cheek. “Me, too. But I don’t see how. We can’t take a chance on getting caught. We don’t have an excuse for being together at school anymore.”


“I don’t mean making out at school or nothing. I mean just hanging out. You know, going for a Coke, catching a movie—that kind of stuff. Two guys who are friends can be seen hanging out together, can’t they? I hang with Jimmy a lot and you’re with—what’s his name—Stewart and that other guy?”


“Yeah, him. Nobody thinks anything of that.”


“Yeah, but they’re jocks like me. And you and Jimmy are…well…part of the drama group. Our two groups, well, we just don’t mix much. Jocks don’t think too much of drama geeks. They gave me a rough time when I was in the play.”


Chapter 9