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

In short, his birthday had been amazing…what he could recall. The rest must’ve been all right, if he still felt it. Carefully he got out of bed and stripped. As his clothing fell to the floor his mind cleared, the stench of pot and booze gone with his shirt and pants. He rummaged through his closet and dressed in cleaner clothes, wondering what would be said on Monday about him skipping school. Another two days in detention loomed like a promise, but it had been worth it. Someday, when baseball was over and he said the hell with classes and shit? Everynight would be like the one before, everynight would be amazing. He’d make sure of it.


Chapter 6