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

His body thrilled at the thought. I know I am, Stacy corrected, staring after Darian, but is he?


“Hello?” Jennifer jabbed him in the ribs with a short slab of plywood. “Why am I the only one working here?”


Stacy slapped the stick away and reluctantly turned back to his ruler. “Shut up.”


At twenty after two, Darian clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. One by one students looked up from their rulers and handsaws to turn to the front of the room. “Clean up, guys.” Stacy swore the teacher barely looked around at the others before settling his gaze on him. “We’re not going over again today. How’s the woodwork coming?”


Chapter 48