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

Another step, this one up onto the sidewalk, and Stacy thought maybe the scrape diminished somewhat. Less noticeable, really. A third step closer to his apartment and the mark completely disappeared. Maybe Lamar wouldn’t see it right away, not until he waxed again. He wouldn’t think Stacy did it and besides, he’d have no proof.


Fingering the keys in his pocket, Stacy turned away from the car and hurried up the stairs to his apartment. He imagined his mind clearing with each step, erasing the morning and the new teacher, leaving Darian behind. By the time he reached the landing he was almost convinced that he hadn’t just come from the high school or he’d missed going over to Ange’s, and that it wasn’t his key that scraped Lamar’s car.


Chapter 24