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

With a tight smile at James, who grinned back in anticipation, Stacy turned his cap around backwards the way he always wore it when he pitched. Then he stepped away from the workbench, just enough to give him room to wind up.


He hadn’t done this in yearsbut it all came back, the twist of his body, the leg raising up in front of him, the arm going back behind his head. He aimed for the wall behind James, aimed high just in case he missed because he knew he was rusty and he didn’t want to knock the kid in the head. For a second he waited, holding his breath, while he centered himself. Then he pulled back tighter and let go.


Chapter 95