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 took it from her. “It’s Dwayne’s diploma. Remember I told you I knocked him down at graduation? Well, he dropped this. I never got it back to him. I figured on the off chance I’d see him I could give it to him…or drop it off at his mother’s house.”


“I thought you were hoping he wouldn’t be here.”


“Well…yeah. But I thought…just in case. I’ve really felt guilty about not returning it.”


Melissa gave him a knowing look. “I see.”


Later at dinner, Shay made good on his pledge to let the family know that he and Melissa had no immediate plans to tie the knot. This clearly disappointed Shay’s mother and grandmother and brought another strong rebuke from his brother after the meal was finished. “What the hell, bro? She’s perfect. Y’all don’t want one like that to get away.”


However, Shay stood his ground, and in the end, big brother Jeremy backed off. But Shay couldn’t help but think his concocting this charade might have pushed him even further back into the closet.


Chapter 16