Jack Grady left small town Arkansas behind to start a new life in the big city of Washington, DC, and he's encouraged when he meets Evan Roderick. Though the attraction is instant, Jack has to leave without getting Evan's number. Imagine Jack's surprise when on his first day as a private school's orchestra teacher, he finds that Evan is a teacher there too.

After a few awkward encounters, they decide not to pursue more—despite their mutual attraction—and a protested school production of Rent only feeds Jack's fear of homophobia. He faces a host of challenges: the demands of his new job, coming to terms with his sexuality and coming out to his family, and supporting his emotionally fragile sister will all vie with his growing love for Evan as Jack tries to decide what kind of life he wants to live.