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

Stacy reminded him, “Your dad said no.” James did another somersault, this time tumbling to the floor amid childish giggles, and Stacy tugged on the back of his shirt to make him stand up. “Come on, James. It’s getting late.”


“Are you sleepy already?” James wanted to know. “I’m not even tired yet.”


Stacy thought that was a stupid question to ask, but he shrugged his backpack into a more comfortable position on his shoulder. “Which room’s mine?”


James raced back into the hall, bounced off the railing by the stairs, then hit the door on the other side of his bedroom door. “Bathroom,” he said as he slapped the door. The one beside it he christened, “Closet.” Then finally, at the end of the hallway, he reached the last door. Looking back at Stacy, he tapped the door. “You.”


Chapter 99