At 16, Stacy Evans dropped out of high school in the hopes of moving on with his life. But four years later, he's stuck in an abusive relationship with Lamar, a "friend with benefits," and works long hours at a dead-end job just to get by.<br><br>Then his mother enrolls him in a program to earn his GED. There he meets Darian, a woodshop teacher who is everything Stacy's friends are not -- smart, successful ... and who seems to take a personal interest in helping Stacy turn his life around. The two develop a rapport that keeps Stacy after school just to spend extra time with him. In intimate moments alone, they grow closer than just student and teacher.<br><br>On the right track for once, Stacy has a chance to choose between his troublesome past and a promising future with Darian. But his jealous friends won't let him go so easily.

Stepping Up to the Plate

A very groggyLamar answered the phone just as Stacy was about to hang up and try Ange’s cell. Should’ve called Ange first,he thought. Without preamble he told Lamar, “Come get me.”


Lamar balked. “Stace, now? Do you know—”


“It’s my birthday.” Was that a footstep he heard down the hall? His momma’s door was still shut, but was she out of bed already? “I ain’t going to school today, Lamar, and if you don’t want to drive out here to pick me up then I’ll call Ange.”


“Shit, boy,” Lamar grumbled, but Stacy knew him well enough to know it was only an act. There was an unspoken rivalry between the two friends, and all Stacy had to do to spur Lamar into action was threaten to ask Ange instead. Before he even got the words out, Lamar would be giving in. “Now hold up. I never said I wouldn’t…” Fifteen minutes later tires spun in the gravel drive and Stacy pulled the front door shut behind him quietly before falling into the passenger seat of Lamar’s ‘86 Firebird Trans Am.


Chapter 4