On the surface, Mike Harrison has it made. He's the star of the football team; the beautiful honor student, Mary Bryant is his best friend and his girlfriend.

Underneath, his life is darker. His mother is dead; his father is distant. Essentially, Mike raises himself, doing the housework and working part time for his father, and spending much of his free time alone, listening to baseball and rock 'n roll.

To further complicate his life, along comes transfer student, Tony Duvardo, the handsome star quarterback, threatening Mike's standing on the football field, and competing for Mary's affection.

Raging hormones and another transfer student, Norma West, send his life into a downward spiral leading to murder and tragedy.

Is the father really his father. Who is Sophie Reese? What's her connection to his parents? Who does he know that is capable of murder?

His quest for answers and redemption lead him from rural Scioto County, Ohio to the West Coast and Debbie Blanco, a lonely military wife with issues of her own.