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

“It’s not your fault,” Darian replied, his voice just as hushed. “I’m not…angry with you, Stacy. I want you to know that. If anything, I should never have mentioned Dean but I thought maybe you’d like to see that you’re not the only kid who ever screwed around in high school.”


The word cut through Stacy like a knife, kid—was that what Darian thought of him? After all the playful flirting, the glances, the innuendos? “I’m twenty years old,” he growled, suddenly defensive. “I’m not a child.”


Darian murmured, “I know.” Stacy looked up sharply and saw those chocolate eyes fixed on him again, an unreadable expression behind their gaze. “I was your age when my brother died.”


Stacy scowled at the desk in front of him. “You make me sound so damn young.”


Chapter 51