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

As the car glided to a stop in front of him, the streetlight clicked on, throwing the shadows back. The passenger side window slid down and Ange leered up at him, Lamar behind him leaning on the steering wheel, grinning. “Hey kid,” Ange purred, his soft voice like a hand curving into tender places. He winked at Stacy, dispelling the tumult of emotions warring in his heart. “Want some candy?”


Despite everything—or maybe because of it—Stacy laughed.


Chapter 7