Dodger

Thank you @Freerider

Yes. Not everyone would agree, but I see at a step forward rather than backwards or sideways. After his mistake with Stephanie it seems unlikely now he will ever be tempted by another girl. Nathan is less certain. There's always going to be a lot of electricity between them, They are sexually compatible, and feed of each other's personalities. It's going to be a big temptation for both boys, but a second attempt at a relationship may prove disastrous. The only person who can prevent this is Conner. It would nice if Robbie and Nathan could simply be friends, but take away the sexual undertones and flirting and there's not a lot else there. It's difficult to imagine them doing anything together without sex being involved one way or another. There are few rules in war and this is how Robbie sees struggle with Don. Your words sum it up perfectly. All he's doing is bringing Don's worst tendencies into the open. This is exactly how Robbie will see it. If Don has suddenly seen the error of his ways, and is truly ready to make a new start then he will stand up for his adopted son and it won't be a problem. They can all live happy ever after. But if he still harbors a hatred for Robbie's lifestyle, then it has to be better to confront him now while he has Jo on hand and Sue on his side, than allow it to go unchecked.

Robbie is allowing himself to be pulled in different directions at the moment by people who may not have his best interests at heart. He's easily tempted and led astray but no one forced him to go with Stephanie. He could have, and definitely should have said no to her advances. The Viagra was a convenient excuse. Nathan is a different matter altogether. It's unlikely that a second bite of the cherry will end any differently than the first, but there seems to be an attraction there for both boys that refuses to go away and it's not all physical. They work well together, but it's a volatile mix and guaranteed to end badly. Robbie is convinced he made a mistake by walking away from Nathan, so now he knows he's single again, it seems likely that he will attempt to get back with him at the first opportunity. I don't see common sense getting in his way any more than it has done in the past. If this happens then Conner, of course, will be the fall guy. He doesn't have any feelings for Robbie but a lot of expectation and probably deserves better. Who knows, maybe Robbie will spend so much time deliberating he'll blow his chances with both boys and leave Nathan with a clear run at Conner!

This is a good point. It's worth remembering that before Robbie entered the fray, Nathan was Don's long term enemy and the boy he feared was going to corrupt his family. Robbie hooking up with Nathan was Don's worst nightmare so he would have been relieved to see the end of their relationship.

Don wasn't lying when he gave his statement to the police although he may have embellished it a little with claims that Alex was shaken up. Alex wasn't scared of Robbie obviously but Don did witness Robbie punching Alex and he did pull them apart. Robbie was definitely the aggressor and Alex didn't fight back. Unfortunately this was all he witnessed, so Don has no reason to believe Robbie's story. Robbie wants to see Sue and Don divorce. According to Nicola, Don has made concessions to Sue who id desperate to avoid Jo intervening. Robbie has been doing everything he can to make Don lose his temper. While Don needs to keep his cool. Can Robbie push him over the edge without being openly aggressive or will Don outsmart him? Remember, with Jo waiting in the wings, if Don snaps. Robbie wins.

It's going to be difficult for Don to break away from this religion. When Don told the police that it was Robbie who attacked Alex, he was basically telling the truth. There was a reason why Robbie lost his temper, of course, and Don wasn't there to witness what happened after, but no one else was either.

They don't need to investigate Don. He's an influential figure in the town and a good friend of the chief of police. They have no reason to doubt his trustworthiness and won't want to rock the boat by asking too many questions. It's unlikely they will take the word of a troublesome, gay teenager over someone they've known and trusted for years like Don. They will be aware that Robbie is receiving counselling for depression and has threatened suicide. He's also run away from home and has recently been suspended from school for attacking a fellow student. The police know Alex is a tough guy from a rough background and they know his friends are mostly the same. Don doesn't need to do much to make Robbie look bad, he can pretty much tell the truth. Robbie did hit Alex and Don did pull them apart. When he was present Alex didn't retaliate. I think Robbie's lost this particular battle, but didn't want to see Alex prosecuted anyway, so it shouldn't be a problem, unless Alex, assuming he hasn't been murdered or abducted, turns up and decides to press charges.

That maybe just the break that Robbie needs.

His temper has got him into trouble in the past, but Nicola may have hit the nail on the head when she accused him of trying to goad her father into an argument. Robbie knows perfectly well that if he swears at the minister they will put pressure on Don to discipline him. Robbie is good at being a victim and that's when he has the most power. If he can draw Don into an argument and make him lose his temper then Sue will be forced to take Robbie's side again and Don could be packing his suitcase. Pushing the minister was a reaction to him trying to get in, but the language afterwards was a deliberate and smart move by Robbie, because it will put Don in a very difficult position where he cannot win.

The police certainly seem to have their own agenda here and they don't seem to be that interested in the truth. They will believe everything Don tells them because he's a good friend of the chief, a successful local businessman, and on the board of governors at the school. He's respected in the town, whereas Robbie is just a troubled, gay teenager, with suicidal tendencies.

They are small town cops who don't normally have a lot to do other than patrol the beach and hand out traffic fines. Their boss, the chief is also a good friend of Don. Nicola was able to handle the church people a lot better than Robbie.

Neat little story. An unusual take on a common theme which I wouldn't normally read, but enjoyed. I'm glad I ate lunch before reading it though.

Thanks for sharing this with everyone. I'm sure we're all enlightened by your opinion. Whoever you are, needless to say, no one missed you!

Fear not my friend. The ending is in sight and although I cannot promise it will be to everyone's satisfaction, it won't be a disappointment either. I've always said the ending will remain the same as it was in the original draft. There are a couple of surprises but it can only end one way.

Okay. I'll start by addressing this issue. I usually put a lot of effort into research and this story has required quite a bit. The head injury, adoption process, special counselling, and child protection laws all required plenty of homework. However, as @wenmale64 rightly points out, on this occasion I overlooked the detail concerning the rules the police have to follow, particularly when questioning minors. These comments had me scampering for information, which confirmed, as expected, that the Canadian regulations were pretty much identical to those in the United States. It's very unlikely that the officers concerned would not have realised this or been allowed to proceed by Mr Andrews, so I decided to re-write the section making some minor changes. It has now been updated, with the help of some very good Turkish coffee, and you will need to re-read or you can just take my word for it. Those who didn't read it before midnight EST won't know what I'm talking about, and don't need to worry about it. However, it proves the importance of research, and underlines the difficulties of posting on the fly, or working without a net. Hope it makes a little more sense now.

After ignoring several loud knocks on my bedroom door, I covered my head with the duvet and braced myself for the inevitable invasion. It wasn’t long before the door flew open, and a purposeful Nicola marched in. “It’s time to get up, lover boy!” “Go away!” “It’s ten after ten.” I groaned but made no effort to stir. With Don and Sue not expected home until late afternoon and my body still aching from my earlier exertions with Stephanie, I saw no need to venture from my comfy litt

Hey Gary. I guess it's icy where you are too. Horrible weather. Winter's started too early this year. Hello @Albert1434 hope you're good.

Thank you, @Arran. I am currently re-working this story, but this has taken a bit longer than expected. I hope to begin posting again before the end of this year. There will be a few changes, mostly to the supporting characters but Tyrone remains a dick.

Another great chapter. So much going on. Every time Joe opens his mouth I fear he's going to reveal more about his brother. He has to learn to think before he speaks.

Wow, that was pretty intense, especially the paparazzi scene outside the hotel. It was very well-written, but I wasn't aware that a model could create so much media attention or have such a huge fan base. That kind of 'Beatlemania' type hysteria is usually reserved for pop-stars at the height of their stardom or no bands during their very short shelf-life. It adds to the chaotic atmosphere surrounding Gavin though and I'm hooked on the story.

That would be interesting but unlikely. As usual, I can't rule anything out.

I also believe Clint set up the hotel room. Jane is interesting but I'm not sure if I would like a female bodyguard.

Great chapter. I like your writing style; I know it's not easy to write in the present tense. I'm not sure if this is your usual style, but it works so well with this story. Josh, Joe, Taylor, and Mr Castiglione are all interesting characters, and I enjoyed the dialogue between the twins.

Robbie wouldn't quite see it the same way, but you definitely have a valid point. Not with Nicola though that would be too sick. I couldn't imagine Don dancing on a table without it collapsing under him. Perhaps that will be his fate.

That depends on Robbie. However judging by his descriptions, I think it's safe to assume that wherever he ends up, it won't be in the arms of a woman.