J.M. Snyder

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

Darian wasn’t so stingy with his touch—he clapped an arm around Stacy’s shoulders and guided him across the lot to the sliding doors of the bookstore. “You’ll see.”


Inside, Stacy trailed behind Darian as they moved through the aisles. The store was emptying out, half the lights already dimmed to encourage customers to leave, and Stacy was just about to suggest maybe they come back later when Darian found what he wanted. He squatted down as he ran a thumb along the spines of the books in front of him. “What are you looking for?” Stacy crossed his arms and leaned against Darian’s back, his chin propped on his friend’s shoulder.


“Here we go.” Darian pulled out a book and held it out for Stacy to see.


He laughed at the title. TheGED for Dummies. “I thought you said I wasn’t stupid.”


“You’re not,” Darian agreed. He flipped through the book, then put it back in favor of another one. TheGED Workbook.“But a little help wouldn’t hurt.”


Chapter 105