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

Just as he started to get up from the table and leave, a heavy hand fell to his shoulder. Darian’s. Leaning over Stacy he asked, “How many students have already signed up?”


“Sixteen.” Her voice was bright again, happy to be the bearer of bad news. “They want to keep the classes relatively small and most everyone else has already registered—”


“Then why don’t we just squeeze him in?” Darian suggested. His fingers tightened around Stacy’s shoulder, his hand burning through the thin fabric of Stacy’s shirt to warm his skin.


Stacy held his breath as Jodi grimaced. “I don’t know, Mr. Drucker. They said no more than fifteen to a class and you’re already over—”


With a disarming laugh, Darian said, “Exactly. One more wouldn’t hurt.”


But Jodi wasn’t convinced. “I’ve heard he’s bit of a troublemaker,” she admitted, glancing at Stacy warily.


“He’s sitting right in front of you,” Stacy spat. “Don’t act like I don’t know you’re talking about me.”


Chapter 20