CW Prince

Ok, stop twisting my insides all up and leaving me feeling raw, lol Mind verses the heart. Logically Matt may be able to give Nick what he wants. Attention, open affection, the capability of being himself in public, a protector (now that Dave is grounded), affection that is unhindered, and total acceptance in all aspects. We all know that Nick longs for this and, at the moment, cannot have that with Dave. He can have moments of total acceptance, protection and other stuff but not in the way that Nick yearns for in his life. Heart-felt wise Dave is giving Nick all the attention he is capable of giving at the moment, love, devotion in the moments they are together and Nick's heart belongs to Dave and Dave's to Nick. Relationships are all about compromise but where is that line drawn and at what point does it become too much? Love is great but one cannot live on love alone! The heart and mind must be at peace otherwise they wage war against each other and the relationship and even life becomes out of balance, stress ridden and we slowly become more and more unsettled. I am in full agreement with Nick on giving Dave some time. If you want something then you must invest time in it. Nurture it so it can develop into its full potential. I suppose the length of time someone is willing to wait is up to that individual. Suppose time will tell if Nick and Dave make it.

Dave just keeps surprising me at every turn. I hope he can keep up his steel like resolve and determination. One cannot blame Alan. He had no idea that Dave and Nick were together. I suppose the big question now is; will Alan get jealous and turn vindictive or will he turn to a friend (Matt) for support? Could be interesting should Alan seek out Matt...just sayin....sparks could fly like the 4th of July between those two, lol.

Boy you are putting these guys thru the wringer, that is for sure. Hope they have the mental fortitude to hold up to all this stress and turmoil.

I think Michael, Mr Dimples, is calling to set up another date for Sunday after the bar closes. Could also be to get the explanation that he never got at the bar. Another great chapter. Even if nothing romantic happens between Michael and Asher I still think that he is good for Asher!

Way to go, Dave. It's nap time for Papa, lol. Dave promised Nick that he was going to take care of him and that he did by knocking his father out cold. Another well done chapter.

If you will permit me an opportunity I'd like to address a few things. First I respect peoples opinion and their right to chose to read a story or not to read it. Some are very sensitive to certain matters and to read about them is just too painful, emotionally overwhelming or sickens them in such a way that they just cannot continue. Therefore some stories just are not acceptable or logical for them to read. I hope what I am about to say is taken in the right context and light for which it is meant. I'm not a cold or callous person. This chapter sent me thru a plethora of emotions. We as readers seem to always want a little drama, chaos, maybe a little heated passion and nearly always a sweet, sappy and heartfelt happy ending. In stories such as this one we want you, the author, to stay as true to real life as possible while feeding our inner desires for troubles to always end in a bowl of peaches and cream. For the awkward, quiet and sometime ostracized boy to always end up with the best boy for them. What we as readers sometimes fail to understand is that you, as an author, have to stay true to your vision, true to your artistic creativity. We further sometimes fail to realize that not all stories are going to feed into our own little notion of a nice, clean-cut and wholesome nut shell. Real life isn't always fair nor is it always easy. Sometimes bad and even horrendous things happen that make us sick and wonder what as happened to the moral fiber of humanity. Some stories are more true to life then others and will have some hauntingly grotesque imagery in it. It is life- the good and the bad. I commend you on staying with your artistic creativity and keeping the story as true to life as possible. Did I like what happened to Nick? HELL no! I will, however, not leave the story nor say a bad word about it being included in the story. It has been a well written and thoughtful story thus far. I will thank-you for not feeling the need to detail every action that Craig forced upon Nick as I believe that would have been over the top. That being said...someone get me a pan, a frying skillet and some grits. Preferably a cast iron skillet. Then I'm going to do me some Craig hunting. Then I can take Madea's advice from Family Reunion "Grits and Skillet" and play a little 'Grit Ball' with him.

I love this roller coaster ride you are taking us on with the story. Its good to know that Uzzy isn't really dead- just disembodied still. I wonder about the comment that was made by the man just before he took Uzzy. It concerned the 3 of them being as 1. In this chapter you had Pasha and Gabe glowing just like Pasha and Uzzy do. I can't help but wonder why the man would say that as it would seem he is helping but then turn around and torture, possibly to a point of death, Uzzy. Seems counter productive. Rather like 'okay, let me tell them a little of their destiny, help them gain some knowledge but then turn around and torture to death one of the 3 I am trying to help'. It makes no sense. There is a catch somewhere that I am overlooking. Sad to say that my suspicions lie within Gabe. Right now it is based upon the past dealings and his trick to get Pasha and Uzzy there. I'm still not 100% convened tho. Could what is happening to Uzzy be a catalyst the catapults Uzzy, Pasha and maybe even Gabe into a destiny that none of them realized? Points to ponder. You've made this quite interesting and addictive, Nephy

what a wanker...Alan sure isn't gaining any points in my book. I still wonder if his action are stemming from what other have hinted at,his desires for Dave, or if he really is that cruel and heartless? I don't believe it has anything to do with his home life as Dave would know about that and be a little more understanding. Matt supremely surprised me in this chapter. His reaction to Alan was notable and showed a lot of character. May be there is more to him then just walking, talking hormones, lol. My first impression of him was that he was a walking hard-on just looking for a quick score. (I'm referencing your description that he had slept thru most of the girls at the school after transferring.) Glad to see you expounding on his character and giving him some depth.

It is rather interesting how individuals deal with traumatic situations. Some reign everything in and bite the bullet. Suppressing their own emotions, mental thoughts and instead just take charge and do what needs to be done. Others break completely and fall apart. Unable to process what is going on or what needs to be done. They become catatonic almost- comatose but mobile. While yet others have a short 'freak out' followed but a gambit of emotions running so hot and strong that they find it hard, if not impossible, to control them. I think the later of these is where you have put Nick. It is never easy to walk into a room and find your mum dead or dying. Natural causes or otherwise. There are stage that most go thru when faced and dealing with these situations. Shock, bewilderment, anger, self blame, outrage, resentment...all those and more are emotions everyone goes thru to some degree or another. I'm not sure I really 'felt' all that Nick was going thru. You kept to the realism of how people reacted but with the emotions you had Nick expressing I felt they may have been a little flat. I'm not saying that he should be a drama boy about it all but I did feel like it was trying to build up to that but just lost steam. That being said I do want to say that I am enjoying the story and your writing style. Its a great story. I'm ready for more

Q, I'm really glad you decided to write these short excerpts from the lives of those we got to hear about and got a short glimpse of in 2nd Shot. In a way it is helping to give 2nd Shot even more depth and allowing us, or at least me, the feeling of being able to connect on a much deeper level with the story. Whether that was the intent or not I am not sure but regardless it is a result Thank-ya Sir.

So the big, gorgeous hunk of a man, Michael, does have a soft side. I'm liking this slow emerging of Michael's softer side. It was also nice to see a bit more into Ash's life as well. Do I hear a vacation coming up? Will Michael decide to help make Ash's sister's, now his, dream come true? That would be something beyond wonderful.

Wow, an incredible story so far. A nice leisurely pace. Not too fast and not too slow. Fast enough to capture and maintain our attention without making us feel like a whirlwind of tumbleweeds just blew by us. Slow enough to allow us the pleasure of the complexity and vastness of what the characters are feeling, thinking and the inner turmoil and struggles nestled within their persons. I'm not liking this Liz. She seems like a bimbo! I imagine we will be hearing so much more out of her tho. She seems like the type that is going to be a nemesis for the boys. A boil on the butt of humanity. Let's hope that Dave doesn't cave in, walk away from Nick to go back with her to keep his secret.

Guess we are about to find out just how polar opposite love and hate can be and realizing that at times it can be so opposite that they meet on the wrap around. Great story so far. Enjoying the read. Thanks for sharing.

Love to hate and hate to love. Quite the quandary. All one needs to do tho is look close to see that there is a very fine line between the two emotions. Either way the person is always on your mind, lol.

Nightmare or Vision? Could Andy's dream be representative of what the future holds. Not literally but metaphorically? How is it that Joey knew that JT's father as behind it all. I understand people that have gone thru like circumstances can recognize behaviors but the way it was put almost makes Joey seem psychic or other worldly. Seeing that JT was not able, or so I believe, to complete what his father requested; will he be allowed back home? Could this be a turning point where JT becomes one of their greatest allies? Will this prove to be JT's downfall with his family? Will his father win and eventually get JT to do worse to the boys? I know I referred to JT as 'sinister' in a previous comment but I am quite intrigued by him. Hoping to learn more about him and see how his character navigates thru this story.

Camping...sounds like fun. Just not sure that it is the best of ideas right now. This JT character seems a bit more sinister then how Andy is portraying him (in his thoughts). You're killing me with just giving little morsels of information here and there. Just enough to get the mouth watering and then nothing more. The convo that took place in the living room was some what understandable given all that has transpired. However, the Judges reaction, stipulations and guidelines lends the idea that there is so much more to it then the teens comprehend. That fact is reinforced by the look in his eyes, the tone of his voice and the pleading to just accept and not question. As far as you have indicated, thus far, Sam has been honest, up front and forthright when it comes to dealing with his son. This only compounds my thinking that there is much more depth to his request then what he will or is able to say. So many juicy, tantalizing tidbits bits of information given so far thru the story. Looking forward to finding the answer to them all with the following chapters!

Ok, note to self...with this new tidbit bit of information I don't think I want to listen to my gut feeling anymore, lol. I'll pass the feeling off as 'growing pains'. I don't believe I'm going to like Joey's custodians. I'll reserve calling them parents or Mom and Dad as those titles come with responsibilities that, at the moment, don't seem that they are fulfilling very well. I'll reserve any further comment until I know about the situation. Loving the story so far. Kudos to you and your team!!

Hmmm, pondering here why Joey had to run home so quickly???? I'm getting a gut feeling that him and his family may have voluntarily moved to get away from some bad ju-ju that was surrounding Joey and to try and protect him. Some preachers can be very strict but I'm not sensing that Joey's father is being strict just because he can be or he is naturally strict. I'm sensing more of a protective vibe going on here. I have no proof of that as we know nothing of the families past. It's just a feeling really. Really wondering about Timmy as well. Could it be jealousy or could it be the fact that he has figured Andy out and he is trying to be protective? Trying to prevent Andy from getting hurt and having Andy's secret become the gossip of the town?? Timmy seems like a pretty observant person so maybe he has figured Andy out. Should be interesting if we ever find that answer out.

Appalachians....Eastern Kentucky...never been there but talked to several people that have either visited or lived in those parts before....they say it is some beautiful country. 'nough about geography tho, lol. I'm thinking Mr Blonde Goldie Locks may become a new 'shower' fantasy for Andy, lol. I'm believing he'll be a person of particular interest, in the story plot, as well. As for Timmy; well if you look at his reaction and the timing, it'll clue you in on what may be going thru his noggin. He frowned when Andy was hugged by Miss Bubbly personality yet smiled when Andy showed him attention by knocking fists. If he was jealous because he thought Andy was encroaching on 'his' girl then he wouldn't have smiled until she showed him attention or at least his face would have remained neutral when him and Andy bumped fists. It didn't! His face blossomed out into a wide and cheeky smile when Andy showed him that attention. I'm inclined to believe Andy's first thought that our small town Mr Timmy is crushing on him. Sorry to pick this up late in the game. I noticed it early on but was in the middle of another read. Figured I'd let you get a good start on the story so I could sit back and just enjoy as many chapters in a row as I could. Enjoying the easy flow of your writing. On to the next installment.

I first read the 1 chapter version and was left wanting more. I was excited when I came across this extended version. Now I'm saddened as it seems to have ended just when it was really getting good. Can we expect any more from this story? I'm hoping we can

Hmmm, some food for thought in this chapter. Seeing this new side of Michael makes me wonder if he didn't already have a few things planned out on how to get Asher to notice and go out to dinner with him. I don't see Michael as being too spontaneous but I do see, with this new side, him being a planner and taking the time to get what he wants..be that business or Asher.

I'm trying to figure this Keith character out. It's kind of a morbid curiosity, I guess. I don't care for him but his mind and the 'why' of it all is fascinating me. I also find Bran's attraction, if I can loosely use that word, to Keith seems a bit unnatural. I get the pull of one creator on another but this seems quite a bit larger then just that natural draw. In regards to Leia; well, let me see, there are so many things that I think might be going on but not enough to actually be confident enough to really know. I'm leaning towards the fact that Leia isn't really physically alive but has been some how preserved. That or she is still alive but no longer residing on the plane of existence where Bran is living.

I would imagine Brandon and Jordan are rather confused at the moment. Brandon confused over his previous venture into the unknown (for him) with Keith. Learning all this new stuff that Jordan is telling him. The death of Leah. Jordan seems to be struggling with his heart, thoughts and desires. I may be reading more into it but Jordan also seems hesitant as if maybe he is hiding something or hiding from himself. Was his dearly departed best friend more then what he advised Bran he was to him? Couple all that with the bond that forms between Creator and Enabler and I'm sure both of their heads are swimming. Enjoying the story so far. Looking forward to reading more!

Wow, there was so much self pity in this chapter. Thomas and Jacob both did a number on themselves with their self destructive 'woe is me'. Kyle outburst kind of came out of nowhere. Surprised me a bit. Glad to see that Bill is deciding that the bottle is not for him and that he recognizes his responsibility. It's a sure sign of a strong individual. Hope he can maintain his resolve. I told ya I wasn't going anywhere. Thanks for the new chapter!

I've been in Asher's shoes. The proverbial straight guy showing his gratitude for taking care of his drunk arse. Being all suave and debonair while sending mixed signals. Curses to Michael, lol. Let's hope that Michael isn't one of those 'I'm straight buy I'll flirt with you and make you think you have a chance' kind of guys. Asher deserves better!