His whole life Carter?s fought to hold it together: To help Mom run their store. To be there for his special-needs sister, Sara, and be the perfect boyfriend Mel wants. To dominate on the basketball court - the only place he ever feels free. And to carry Mom up the stairs when she?s too smashed to make it on her own. It isn't like she has a problem. Mom loves them. If she doesn't drink every day, she's not really an alcoholic, right? Wrong.

Then Kira Dawson, a girl with a bipolar wardrobe and rotating hairstyles comes to town. Somehow, she sees the truths he hides from the world. "You have skeletons, too, Carter Shaw. Don?t think I don?t know it." For the first time, he wants someone to see his inner scars - to really know him. When his mom finally goes too far, will Carter be able to man up, even if it means turning his back on her and stepping out from behind the facade he?s fought so hard to keep in place?