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

Turning back to Darian’s original question, Stacy muttered, “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll get an apartment. I got money, I just got paid.”


“You can’t just walk into an apartment complex and walk out with a place to stay,” Darian told him. At Stacy’s surprised look, he shook his head. “It’s not like a hotel, Stacy. You have to fill out an application and put some money down, then wait while they run a background check on you…it takes about a week if you’re lucky.”


“Besides,” Darian continued, “it’s Saturday. Rental offices will be closed.”


Exasperated, Stacy threw himself back against the seat. “Well fuck,” he muttered. The waitress approached their table, the tray with their food balanced precariously on one hand, and he glared at her as she set down their plates. “I’m out of ideas, then. What do you suggest?”


Chapter 91