Dodger

Thank you @wenmale64. Not too many alligators in Canada, but plenty of other dangerous animals. Perhaps he could bump into a particularly nasty bear. Fortunately, bear attacks are extremely rare in Ontario, but this year there has been a spate of fatal attacks out west involving grizzlies. Interestingly, I remember a news report a few years ago about a resident of Cobourg who discovered a cougar in his backyard. (I didn't think there were any in Ontario). Prior to that there were an unusually high number of pets reported missing in the area, which makes sense. Dogs, of course, are an easy target and make a good meal for a cougar, but they tend to stay away from humans, particularly someone big and loud like Don.

Hello @Connor Lee. Thank you for reading. The story was written in UK English, although Robbie's vocabulary gradually changes to include more North American words as he settles into his new environment. Cloths, however, is a misspelling. Unfortunately, you will probably find quite a few similar cases along with some blatant errors in punctuation. The early chapters are unedited and even I find them difficult to read, but if you decide to continue, then you should notice a gradual improvement in both areas. The story has been a learning curve for me and after posting the final chapter, I intend to edit the whole thing from the beginning.

As an openly gay student with an English accent, a flamboyant boyfriend, and a near-death experience under my belt, I was used to people taking an interest in me. Everyone seemed to know my name, and I was often recognised even outside of the school by complete strangers, but I was never popular in the same way as Nicola. Instead, most students seemed wary of me, and I found it difficult to make new friends, especially with boys. They were uncomfortable whenever I got too close. Perhaps the

Don is smart enough to know he wouldn't be able to get away with stealing Robbie's inheritance, even if he could figure out a way of doing it without the bank knowing, which is unlikely. As the trustee, Don should be advising Robbie and keeping him informed of his investments-which he hasn't been doing-and there are certain things he can do to try to increase the value of the fund, but he doesn't have direct access to any money. For example, he can authorize the bank to sell certain assets but the proceeds will always remain in the trust for when Robbie turns eighteen. Don has no access to them.

Absolutely he is. He doesn't like the fact that Robbie is financially secure and doesn't rely on him for support, because it takes away his control. Don uses money to influence everybody around him including his family. They enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and he's happy to pick up the tab, on the condition that he's in charge, and everyone abides by his rules. The more indebted to him they become the greater his control, and the more secure his position as head of the house. Buying a boat will be a good investment for him, even if it's only moored in the harbour. He's not interested in sailing, he's buying a status symbol. The more he can give his kids the less likely they are to turn against him. Up until now, Robbie has been the exception to this rule, but in Don's world everyone has a price, so maybe he believes that even he can be bought.

Don is a no good so and so, and I wouldn't put it past him to use Robbie's money if he could, although I don't think it would be for personal gain. Don is apparently doing okay, and may not need Robbie's money to buy the boat, but even if he did, it would be difficult for him to take money from the trust fund. The trustee is not allowed to withdraw cash or transfer assets from the fund to himself. This is against the law and the bank wouldn't allow it. Robbie knows this so he has never felt the need to discuss his finances with Don, but he should pay more attention.

The threesome idea was a big thing for Robbie at the time and it played a big part in their original break up. After realizing he still wanted to be with Nathan, Robbie regretted not being more receptive to the idea, but he was right to make a stand. It would have been a disaster to agree to something like that just to keep Nathan happy, when Robbie was clearly uncomfortable with the idea. It's good that Nathan now seems to recognize this especially if he's looking for a long term relationship with commitments. I think we all know that's what Robbie wants. He's been tempted by Alex, confused by Fran, and perhaps used by Stephanie, but I think Sue's assessment of him is wrong. He's not a guy who would be comfortable with a lot of different partners and I don't think he will have too much trouble staying loyal to the boy he loves. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide is a good analogy of Don. He's a master of the 'good cop bad cop' routine, sucking Robbie in by saying things he knows will cut straight to the heart and then almost in the next breath, switching back to the ruthless person we know. He's used these tactics in the past, but thanks to Jo, Robbie is more aware of his games and not so easy to intimidate. She's done a good job preparing Robbie for every scenario and instilling the confidence he will need to stand up to Don. We will see her work come to fruition in the next couple of chapters.

It's Don's job to look after Robbie's inheritance.

There will be no place for Robbie to hide on a thirty-foot sailboat, but Don won't be able to sail it alone.

You're right, this is naïve of Nicola. She knows her dad better than that. Don sexist? Of course he is. Unless it directly benefits him, he wouldn't want a woman to steer his boat. He'll want to keep the women in the galley, but I'll be surprised if they agree to set foot on the boat at all.

Or knowing Conner's tastes, it could be the other way around.

Don has been nice to Robbie since he found out about Stephanie. He's manipulative and wants to push Robbie into accepting some kind of role as a father. Perhaps he believes this will somehow change his sexuality or maybe he really does believe that Robbie is just confused and has been led astray. It's likely a combination of these, but whatever his reasons, Robbie needs to be wary.

Thank you @Gary L My Spanish is non-existent, so I had to look it up.

It was late when Nathan woke me, but his thick drapes blocked all but a few random rays of sunlight from entering his room, keeping it in relative darkness. I was lying on my back, partially covered by a sheet with my head at the bottom of his bed. I vaguely remembered why as I rubbed my eyes and peered at the naked boy beside me. Nathan was on his tummy, facing the other way and gently nibbling on my testicles. When he saw me watching, he stopped, looked up, and smiled through a mop of black ha

Thank you @mg777 for your uplifting comment. I understand how frustrating it can be for the readers with long wait times between updates, but it's never done on purpose. If I didn't have to go to work every day then I would have an extra 40 hours a week to work on this story, and it would have been finished years ago. It's not possible to please everyone, and the comment you're referring to is a good example, but I take it with a pinch of salt. Thankfully, I am more than compensated by the number of positive and encouraging comments like yours that keep me focused.

Probably a lot of truth in this comment @IsrafilWe know that Don sees Robbie as the catalyst for everything he believes is going wrong in his family. He also resents Robbie's financial independence. Don's uses money and rewards to secure the loyalty of his family rather than love and respect, but it doesn't work with a kid who is potentially better off than he is. These are good reasons for him to want to throw a spanner into the works and Stephanie pregnancy has presented the perfect opportunity. Whatever Don thinks of Robbie, he obviously believes he has enough decency in him to want to do the right thing and we know this is true. Perhaps Don sees this as a weakness that he can exploit.

Thank you @wenmale64, I'm sure Stephanie and her family will soon realize what Don is trying to do. I agree, the child is most important.

Maybe not at the Palm Springs Motel, but I'm sure Don has had his share of encounters. Thanks for reading and commenting @Dewilmnative

Hey @Jon Jon, sorry you weren't enthralled by the latest installment, but I still appreciate you reading the story.

Stephanie is the kind of person who drive me crazy, although she probably feels like she's being pulled in different directions. Ironically, the only person who hasn't been telling her what to do is Robbie. Probably because he's been a little shell-shocked by the whole thing and he doesn't really know what to do anyway. He was content to let Sue deal with it and this would have been a better option I'm sure. Maybe Stephanie should learn how to use a telephone, although it wouldn't be as much fun.

He believes he's doing the right thing, of course, but things will be settled.

I'm not sure if Don would have been quite so blatant, but he certainly would have let them know that if that was her intention then Robbie was okay with it. It's likely that Stephanie and her family had already made this decision. The whole episode has been a gift to Don that he would never have expected and he's making good use of it. So far, he's managed to frustrate Jo, and given her nothing to work with.

Don can only see things one way and will never compromise. He believes he's helping Robbie.

Well, not this comment. Whatever he's up to, we know it's not going to benefit Robbie in any way. Money and power influence Don more than anything else. Oops, I mentioned his name. Maybe you're right, after all.

I think that's guaranteed. He's been pushing his luck for too long.