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

“I don’t believe you.” It was rare that he could get under his friend’s skin, past his don’t fuck with meattitude—it was usually only Ange who could goad him. Some days his very presence seemed to piss Lamar off. But this bit with Price was just…well, priceless. It was obvious that Lamar still had a thing for the one-time PBHS quarterback—it was in the way he glared at the tv and absently picked at the buttons on the remote, studiously ignoring Stacy. “She’s knocked up, too.” Stacy watched Lamar closely. “This might be your chance. Maybe he needs a piece of ass on the side now that she can’t put out— “


Without warning Lamar launched the remote at him, effectively cutting him off. It hit the chair by Stacy’s thigh and fell to the floor. “Maybe you can shut the fuck up,” Lamar muttered. “Or maybe you didn’t hear me the first time? Just stuff it.”


Stacy kicked the remote away from him and it skittered under the coffee table. “What? You said you don’t like him anymore.”


Chapter 25