Dodger

An excellent chapter. Tanner is perhaps beginning to understand what it's like to be struggle financially and learning more about his boyfriend at the same time.

It certainly wasn't a very nice thing to say. It's clear that Don doesn't see this as being over, which is worrying for Robbie. Those words were obviously intended to unsettle him, the night before he goes back to school. He's about to face his first day as a gay teenager in high school. Don knew he would be nervous and vulnerable. Thanks @Wesley8890

I suppose it dosen't help having to share a bed with someone he has always had the hots for. Especially when he knows that Alex would be a willing participant in any naughty activities and they've done it before. It's temptation that is bordering on torture for Robbie at the moment but as you point out this is still the boy who practically raped him not that long ago. He is playing with fire and for Robbie that is part of the appeal. He's attracted by the element of danger and unpredictability of Alex and likes to be under his control. Maybe he needs someone like this to make him feel secure. Ironically, Alex actually offers Robbie the least security of them all when you think about it but this goes way beyond Robbie's thinking at the moment. As for hapless Sue. Well, she seems to get it wrong more times than she gets it right and her rules have been consistently inconsistent from the very beginning. Even Robbie can see this but it's not doing him any favours. Lecturing him about how to behave in school but expecting him to share a bed with Alex and help him in the bath is perhaps a little odd. Alex however, does need help (getting changed and in and out of the bath) and I suppose if they were both straight then it wouldn't be a problem. Robbie, a friend of the same age and sex would be the obvious choice. Alex could probably have washed himself okay and as for the other thing, even Robbie knows this is a trick but that's not to say he won't fall for it!

Monday was Labour Day—the national holiday for workers in Canada and the US—but for millions of school kids across the continent, it usually signalled the end of the summer break. I wasn’t looking forward to returning to school, but with less than a day to go before being thrown to the lions, I was anxious to get it over with and back into some kind of routine. It had been a long and difficult summer spent mostly at home. Now, it felt as if I was starting over again, and in some ways, I was

First of all. Well done @NimirRaj That was a lot of reading you did there. I have to thank you for some fantastic comments along the way. I've really enjoyed reading them and getting some valuable feedback on the story. The 100th chapter will be posted on Friday if you're getting withdrawal symptoms.

Yeah. No way is Tom straight!

It definitely looks suspicious. No wonder Robbie's a little paranoid. He needs to find the right time to confront Nathan / Alex about this. It could be perfectly innocent.

Thanks for this information and link @NimirRaj. These are indeed strange laws and I'm not sure how many people are aware of them. They need to be changed but I'm not sure how they are going to be able to wipe out past convictions without leaving themselves open to massive claims for compensation. I suppose it depends on how many were prosecuted. I know in the UK it was decriminalized in 1967 but prior to then, acts of gross indecency, as they were labeled, carried a custodial sentence or chemical castration.

Some very good points here. Nathan made the decision to distance himself a little from Daniel because he could see how their friendship was damaging his friend and causing problems with his dad. He didn't do this because he preferred Ginny's company. Nathan thinks a lot of Daniel but he realised that he wasn't going to win against the bigots. Daniel may realise in time that what Nathan did was very admirable.

Hold onto your hat we're not finished yet.😁

Alex is a very dangerous character but this is what Robbie finds so appealing, although he won't admit it.

Walter definitely saved his skin.

I agree, the laws don't make a lot of sense. I had to do the same research, even though I live here I still wasn't aware of the laws regarding anal sex and I don't suppose many people are. It would be interesting to find out if anyone has been prosecuted for this in recent years. Don and Sue, of course, are only interested in their own rules.

It's a very confusing time for Daniel who has been hurt by this discovery and by the fact that they were trying to hide it from him. It was a mistake. Robbie should have told him ages ago. Daniel is not homophobic and should get over this in time, providing Robbie and Nathan are sensible and don't try to distance themselves from him. Thanks for another well-thought out comment.

Robbie should probably have been concerned about Jimmy especially as you point out, Nicola promised not to out him. Maybe Robbie expected her to tell her boyfriend but nothing has been said. We'll see how this pans out and if Robbie is right not to be concerned.

It's difficult for Robbie being stuck indoors during the summer break when everyone else is outside enjoying themselves. It's essential for his recovery though that he gets the rest he needs. He's lucky not to have permanent brain damage or worse. You're right he has always had a temper issue and this isn't directly down to his injury.

Nathan has been there for Robbie throughout his injury. The love and loyalty he has shown will be rewarded.

He's an all or nothing kind of guy, our Robbie. 😁

As you point out, it's difficult to see Nathan cheating on Robbie but flirting isn't nice especially as he is convinced Rory is gay.

Robbie has to smarten up at some stage, maybe this time he will come to his senses or maybe not!

It's probable that accepting help from Alex will have consequences that Robbie is keen to avoid. We'll see. 😁

Yeah, Nathan was in control from the very start. Robbie didn't stand a chance. Lucky for him they both had the same objectives.

We shall soon see who's holding all the cards and who's playing who.

Robbie needs to be wary of Alex who is a bit of a dark horse but there's a fascination there that won't go away.

With more time on his hands maybe Robbie should join the drama group. He can act alright but he's not always too convincing. 🤩