Although his friend Eddie has decided to tell everyone he’s gay, David hasn’t reached a similar place of acceptance about his own sexuality. Afraid and uncertain, he crafts a to-do list that includes hanging out more with “real” men (bonus points if Eddie’s dad takes him fishing) and falling in love with a girl. His longtime friend Kick would be happy to take on the girlfriend role, but David finds he can’t respond to her overtures in a heartfelt way, despite having sex during a weekend together. In contrast, David’s hidden feelings for Sean, his track teammate, are complicated and irrepressible. And when Sean responds to David’s hints, the two find they are strongly attracted to each other. This open and honest account of a teenage boy’s coming out is marked by realistic adolescent romance and physicality. David and Sean’s relationship doesn’t outlast the semester, but by its end David has a better understanding of himself and a greater appreciation for the lasting friends in his life. (Age 15 and older)

David Dahlgren, a high-school senior, finds solace in running with the track team; he's a fast runner, and he enjoys the camaraderie. But team events become a source of tension when he develops a crush on one of his teammates, Sean. Scared to admit his feelings, David does everything he can to suppress them: he dates a girl, keeps his distance from his best friend who has become openly gay, and snaps a rubber band on his wrist every time he has "inappropriate" urges. Before long, Sean expresses the thoughts David has been trying to hide, and everything changes for the better. Or so it seems.

In this thoughtful yet searing coming-of-age novel, Lee Bantle offers a raw, honest, and incredibly compelling account of a teenager who learns to accept himself for who he is.