tesao

I’m not too sorry for a chapter reprieve before the tissues come out. This was a fun one. Totally not surprised you got 1000 views on this; you have a talent for creating compelling stories that keep us hooked and make us fall in love with these characters as if they were real. Oh... we noticed the appearance of the Johnny Breeze crowd. That was the cameo to which several of us referred. I didn’t say more because I was trying to get my recurring fantasy of Johnny, JJ and me out of my head. 😈

It’s always a treat to see updates to this story, and this chapter is no exception. So there actually ARE decent people in Hunter’s family! To the extent that character has a genetic component, that helps explain Hunter - that, and his conscious choice to be the opposite of his thoroughly rotten parents. I’m glad you added that explanation. Poor Jonathan. I feel badly for him; I hope he finds someone. (I recall him being single in the last story.) The cameo appearance was an unexpected pleasure! Vic’s appearance feels like being reunited with an old friend. Just checked my tissue supply before the next chapter drops.

Freshpersons not being able to have a car on campus is pretty typical of many large universities.

I’d hoped against all rational expectations that her cancer would have humanized her. Well, hell! As for the paternal sperm donor, there aren’t enough pejorative words and phrases in all of Texas to adequately describe him. If there were a gruesome farm equipment accident in his future, c’est la vie. This part of the story is painful but necessary history, and the backdrop for the biggest hit of all. If other readers are like me, we’re bracing ourselves. I’m really looking forward to the details of Hunter finally finding happiness. Poor kid has had a rough start.

That was one hot chapter! Damn, to be that age again… Hunter is showing the stuff of which he is made, sacrificing a bit of his own peace of mind and happiness to take care of his bitter, vindictive, cruel, two-faced, undeserving mother. I’m still amazed that someone so decent and loving could possibly have come from those despicable, heartless carbon-based parental units. I suppose on a sliding scale of wretchedness, his mother is the more human of the two. Allegedly. I’m hoping that Hunter’s time spent caring for his mother will heal some damage and bring him some closure.

I LOVE this story and these characters, and I’m so happy to have you back! Both from a story and a life perspective, I’m glad you set up Hunter’s and Jaime’s arrangement early. Not only do we and Hunter get to be entertained sooner rather later, it will also give Hunter and Jaime a chance to talk about it in person once it happens. Given an impending six-year separation, it’s probably the only rational thing for them to do - though it would be hard for me emotionally, though not as hard as being apart for so long. Bless you for participating in the vaccine trial. You’re a brave man.

I’m happy to see the story continue, and I’m especially relieved that Praveen survived. There’s so much need for justice, and so many who must pay a steep price for their despicable actions. By the way, in the story synopsis, who is Travis? Is that the new pseudonym for Antonio, or have I missed something? 😏

I was halfway through the chapter when I accidentally saw the ending so I skimmed through to finish it. Profoundly disappointing. While that family was corrupt, morally bankrupt, heartless, superficial, and completely wrong for Praveen, he deserves a better ending. Santiago and Praveen should have ended up together. I truly hope this is not the actual end of the story, as it would be a shame to conclude it with such a gratuitously dark and tragic finish. Some karma and actual justice would be preferable. As for Praveen and Antonio, at the end of the day Antonio was an extraordinarily abusive spouse who, frankly, deserves someone as horrible as Bruce.

Even though it frustrates me at times, even though I think the mother and granny are blindly selfish for micromanaging and forcing arranged marriages on their children, and even though Praveen is a sweetly gorgeous but spineless idiot - and Antonio is an abusive spouse, I’m totally hooked on this story and get excited when I see updates! 😁 Fabulous chapter!

Of all the uteruses in all the towns in all the world, poor Hunter had to come from THAT caca-filled carbon-based maternal unit! I find it miraculous that someone as good, kind, and loving as Hunter could have ever been raised by such diabolically dystopian, dimwitted, demented, disgusting, damnable, dastardly, dark, deadbeat, decayed, deceptive, degenerate, dehumanizing, degrading allegedly human breeding stock. The Vegas are as saintly as Hunter’s family is sinister. Child abuse pisses me off like almost nothing else. Potent chapter!

Poor Santiago! 🤢

So do I. Of all the characters, I would have wanted to date Hayden ... and maybe Andy. Oh...and the spunky pool boy next door!

Such a great chapter! The lead-up to Hunter and Jaime declaring and physically expressing their feelings was both touching and very hot. Sweet innocence. Sadly, their families are a study in contrasts; Jaime’s family is as loving as Hunter’s is hateful. Pity that it never occurred to those selfish, narcissistic merde containers that their own poor choices created the life they hate. Blaming Hunter is a despicable example of transference. PS I loved re-reading Book 3. I cried as much this time as I did the first. Hayden was a powerfully endearing character.

Ethan, At the end of the day, a story belongs to its writer, not its readers. I can understand that you find some comments frustrating and even demeaning, but viewed another way, they reflect two things: (1) we were heavily emotionally invested in the story and its characters and reacted to the abrupt ending accordingly, which is a tribute to you as a writer and, (2) our dark, uncertain times (pandemic, etc.) cause us to increasingly turn to literature for refuge. Our hunger for escape leaves us craving perhaps artificially tidy, comforting, neat, happy endings. To illustrate the point, I doubt that the musical Oklahoma would have been half as popular had it not debuted in the middle of World War II. I loved the story, and it’s your talent as a storyteller that left us wanting more.

Austin is definitely the best (only?) place in Texas. I’ve always enjoyed my trips there. Love the vibe, the laid-back energy, and the “scenery”.

I hate sounding smarmy. Really hate it. But...do you have a deep creative well in your backyard from which you can just draw at your whim? The way you paint and develop characters is unreal. I’m not only already totally engrossed in this new story and loving seeing the beginnings of Hunter and Jaime, but I’m enjoying re-reading Book 3, as well... just because. I’ll stop now before I’m avergonzado.

My prior comment was deleted, I have no idea why, and I’m not happy with whomever was responsible. Bottom line: I loved this story and look forward to more.

Praveen needs to find someone who will love him, not abuse him. Even if Antonio were to completely change his attitude, he has already verbally and physically assaulted him numerous times. Antonio doesn’t belong in Praveen’s bed, he belongs in jail.

Praveen needs to grow a pair, and that stupid family needs an emergency injection of intelligence.

Emilia must be the most clueless, inept, psychologically unsophisticated, inattentive, vacant-minded, blind mother-in-law in existence! How can she not perceive the tension and animosity between her bad-seed son and poor Praveen?

I just discovered this story tonight, binge read to catch up, and now I’m hooked! This is not the usual formulaic gay romance story one often finds online. It’s not only well done, but it illustrates the truth of one of my favorite adages: “Assumptions are the mother of all fuck-ups”. I agree with those who insist Jamie needs to calm down, read the damn letter carefully, and listen to Ali. Their connection has lasted all this time. He owes it to both of them to honestly and rationally examine why.

OK, i’m compelled to officially retire the pejorative sobriquet “momzilla”! She acquitted herself admirably when it counted. Rafe is a keeper, even if he weren’t sizzling hot. It’s heartening to see their lives come together after so many years of confusion and mental torment, and with moms support! I am really looking forward to the on-air coming out, but will be sad to see this story end - as I am with all your stories. However, I am excited to return to Austin and to the Cape.

You raise good points. Moreover, “crippling _____ bills“ is often an excuse offered by those caught embezzling funds, robbing family members, engaging in extortion, etc. It’s indefensible.

Loved it! The best line I have read recently: “Oh, hell-the-fuck-no! We are not having our make-up kiss in the middle of fucking Queens! Even I have standards.” 😂😂 Naomi disgusts me. Yeah, medical bills, but WTF? NDAs usually come drafted with pretty sharp legal teeth for violating them, and I hope they bite her where it hurts. Beverly is certainly a piece of work, and ripe for firing. The nerve! She’s worse than momzilla, who suddenly sounds reasonable and caring. As for Perez...um, I mean Peter…I hope Grey is able to finish off the bastard’s career during the upcoming newscast sign off. Then there is sweet, caring, thoughtful, smart (not to mention HOT) Rafe who anticipated Grey’s arrival nightmare and knew what he needed even before Grey did. I hope that is a sign of things to come for those two. 💕

Holy scheisse! Um, if I ask nicely, can I have Rafe’s cell number before Grey gets back to NY? 😂 So, Grey and Lucas aren’t going to be a thing. I shouldn’t be surprised, though I admit I am. (A special friendship makes more sense from a storyline perspective.) I guess I got carried away in Grey’s hot self-discovery with Alpine boy. Now I’m dying to see what happens between Grey and Rafe, not to mention the upcoming kvetch session with momzilla. Great chapter!