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

Safely behind the tinted bus windows, Stacy studied the familiar streets, on the lookout for Lamar’s car. He found it parked in the lot at the body shop, thank God. As it disappeared behind him, he let out a sigh that trickled off into a bubbly laugh. One change-over at Walnut Mall and twenty minutes later, he hurried down Ange’s block to the side door of his friend’s garage. His heavy knock rattled the door in its frame, and he shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans to keep them still. Nervous energy coursed through him, spiraling through his chest to pool at the hardness at his crotch. He soneeded this.


When the door finally opened, Ange stared at him for a full minute before a slow smile spread across his face. He wore a dingy tank top and black sweats that hung low on his narrow hips. Stacy didn’t think he’d ever seen his friend look sexier and he wanted him, here, now, in the doorway if he had to. At Ange’s smile, Stacy grinned in response.


Chapter 109