"So," I say, slapping the book against my palm, "is this toilet reading or bedtime reading?" Daniel, a brazen, well-liked high school senior, has pursued his English teacher, Mr. Stewart, since the year began. When the two begin an affair, Daniel's misplaced desire for attention and love finds him the victim of a violent narcissist whose startling insistence on obedience and allegiance escalates by the day. As Daniel struggles to free himself from the harrowing, emotionally and physically abusive relationship, his only solace is Jesse, a laid-back, sexually questioning drug dealer, who captures Daniel's hesitant heart after a series of passionate encounters. Mr. Stewart uses his position of power-as well as blackmail-to drive the two boys apart, and Daniel's choices will determine the fate of all three of their lives.