Kyle

Trouble.

That's all I am to people in this town. They're always waiting for me to mess up to prove them right. But I'm happy to keep to myself and mind my own business to survive my senior year at Wyachet High.

Then, one rainy Monday morning, I meet the dirty blond in glasses. A confusing first encounter turns awkward, but it's short-lived since James Warner has a way of setting me at ease.

Mr. Warner, I should say.

My teacher.

A fumbling nerd with a tendency to slip Milton and Shakespeare into conversation, he's a peculiar mix of charm, wit, vulnerability, and protectiveness.

Curiosity leads to intrigue, which leads to...I don't even know anymore. Not a day in class goes by where I don't catch myself admiring the way he fills out one of his tight button-downs, hoping I'll catch his gaze at just the right moment and wondering if he bites his lip after a bad joke just to drive me out of my goddamn mind.

I've never been like this over a guy...and he's never been into guys, at all.

What am I doing crushing on my straight teacher? And why is it that, the more time we spend together, the more I feel like something between us is changing?

No, it isn't possible, and even if it were, he has too much to lose.

It's trouble with a capital T. We could never cross that line.

We won't. We can't. We shouldn't.

But if only we could....

Note: The backstories for the characters include mentions of past trauma that might act as triggers for some. The main characters featured in this stand-alone novel are 18 and older.