The Trade — Elaine White

Competitive swimmer, Rockford Owens is told he has one chance to pass English Lit, before his failure puts his sports scholarship at risk. With limited time â€" due to studying, swimming and his social life - finding a tutor is harder than it seems. Until he turns to the last resort: Liam Monroe. Out-and-proud, and his only gay friend, Liam is flirty but never pushy with his very obvious feelings for Rock. But when Rock turns to Liam for help, he has a price for his time and tutoring skills: Rock must challenge his preconceptions, to see past Liam's sexuality. And Rock figures it's not asking too much. Their secret friendship and a long hidden need to be loved makes Rock begin to question everything. At risk to his current friendships, his sports scholarship and even his academic career, Rock must try to use their limited study time to figure out where they stand with each other. Can they be friends, out in the open, or is their friendship the start of a much deeper trade...of one heart for another?