FanLit

And poor Ruby post awards show, lol!! “You guys never came in—oh god!” Ruby screams and jumps back“ Her reaction and the guy’s teasing was a fun counterpoint to Loe’s getthefuckoutI’mhookingup attitude. Woe is anyone to stand in the way of relieving a dry spell, Lord Blueballs had to get off the throne, lol!! I’ll also take this opportunity to express how much I like that J&L both fuck and make love…. I think a couple should be capable of both.

It’s one of the best ways to communicate. 😊

First of all…. CONGRATULATIONS to LOREN & CO❣️❣️ 🎉🎁🎂🎈🍾🥂Their lifetime achievement award is well deserved. Jay’s accompaniment to the awards show pleased & tickled me; They both showed their maturity in keeping their disagreement between them & not broadcast to the whole world-it also let Jay know this issue wasn’t insurmountable, as Loren wouldn’t want Jay by his side if they were done. If Loren remembers this about Jay in their future disagreements, they should be short lived: “I don’t think you’re broken but, there is a part of you that was broken. I’m very protective of that part. It might be healed or scabbed over or whatever, but I still want to cradle it in my arms and protect it. It doesn’t mean I view you as less of a person or flawed in any way. I don’t think any of those things. I’m completely obsessed and taken by you. I’m lucky at the chance to orbit around you, let alone beside you.” Loren shows his continued growth through his assisted response as well: “And, I should apologize to you. Even though I was genuinely pissed off by what you said and how you made me feel, I realize I put too much pressure on you to always be perfect. I can’t be the only one between us that gets to screw up.” Brava to the indication that Jay sought therapeutic assistance: “I have a feeling that Dr. Tompkins is behind whatever he’s about to say, just like she’s behind some of what I said.“ 👏 👏 Communicate. Communicate. Communicate. It’s as much a commitment as love; A lot of times we just need to learn the right tools to do so, as love language can differ. Implementing those tools is how Loren was able to state his feelings about where he is & his hopes for the future, as well as his concerns about Jay’s high handed approach. For all the strides made in this chapter, when I saw the holiday plans Jay made with Seamus, I thought: “Rut Roh”!! 😳🫣 Me thinks Jay’s change of plans will definitely put a wrinkle in his & Loren’s reconciliation.

Perfectly said, although I’m an “invested” reader, no pitchforks or torches here, lol.

There was so much to unpack in this chapter, I couldn’t get to it all in one comment, I’d probably still be writing, lol.

Loren’s valid rebuttal was stated in “Stratego” when he told Jay the holidays were triggering for him. Jay’s childhood was the polar opposite of Loren’s, his foundation colors his perspective to the point that he feels his suggestion would be a help; It’s a subconscious belief Jay has that comes from a loving place because it’s clear he loves Loren deeply. Both knew this would be a hurdle they’d have to get over, as referenced in “A History Lesson”: “We both know this is a big deal, and that’s okay. It’s part of life. So, let's deal with it together.” “I don’t even know what that fucking looks like.” “Good news, neither do I. I know it doesn’t look like us sweeping it under the rug, though. Maybe it looks like therapy?” I toss my head back and groan. “I’ve already done that. Lots” “That’s good, but I was thinking we could go together. I’m not really sure how to navigate this kind of trauma and I don’t want to mess up. This is the kind of thing that could easily become too big for us. So, let’s get out in front of it.” Fuck. Jay is kind of perfect. Never missing a thing.” Looks like it’s time for that joint therapy appointment.

This was mentioned when Loren told Jay about his past, so no spoilers, lol.

I loved Loren’s recognition that his past should be normalized and not weaponized. “This particular subject hasn’t gotten a lot of air time since it happened all those years ago. Being abandoned by my family isn’t something I enjoy re-hashing and my friends have always been nervous of saying the wrong thing. So, it’s mostly stayed at bay. I wish it hadn’t. I wish we normalized it. It’s a part of all our lives. You can’t change the past, but you can talk about it.” His therapist is amazingly awesome.

When Jay does something, he does it well….including fucking up, lol. Here’s the thing about being “perfect”: no matter how humble you may be about the label, after a while, you start to believe the hype, even if it’s eversoslightly. Jay is a good man, a great man, even….good/great men are human….humans make mistakes; Jay made a mistake….a big one. The assumption Jay made on why Loren needs to meet his family goes back to the “double standard” Jay has of apparently Loren’s whole life. Loren did not just survive the abandonment of his bio relatives, he took the steps to heal himself and THRIVE in spite of it; In this chapter Loren reflects he wouldn’t be who he is if his sperm and egg donor had raised him….he could have been bitter, closeted & self hating with those people….he might have been dead. He wound up with a chosen family that loves and accepts him unconditionally. ”Asking me to meet your parents because you think I’m not a complete person is…something I need to talk to my therapist about. Hell, maybe you need a session, too. So, you know, use this time to figure this shit out, okay? Figure it out. I’m begging you.” ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ All of that, Jay, ALL of that. Loren knows himself, his strengths and his weaknesses and deserves just as much praise as Jay for being in this relationship and what he brings to it; Loren, I LOVE that you know your self worth. ❤️ I was going to say the playing field is even now but “puppet master” has some catching up to do. “I’ve spent a lot of years building myself up. You were the first person I was weak for. That’s what you do when you love someone, right? You let go of the pride, be vulnerable, all that shit? I didn’t want to do it. It was hard, uncomfortable, and honestly, pretty fucking embarrassing. There was even a little shame there. Shame for crying in front of you, not once, but twice. “My parents didn’t see the best in me and now it feels like you don’t either. I’m good but I’ll be better if I have your family? What the fuck is that? Like, fuck the family that’s been here for me? That’s some real shit, Jay. Some real fucked up shit.” This passage I liked the most also shows that this issue, more than any other they’ve encountered, can be a deal breaker; I have faith that Jay won’t let it, that he will embrace this valuable opportunity for his own growth. That apology better be GOOD.

Loren should teach a course at a business school, his marketing skills & business acumen are excellent.

Jay’s payback with the water request was THE BEST!!!! LMAO!!!!

I loved how the “Influencer of the Year” nomination and then talking Loren through his breakdown highlighted each one’s role.

As much as I have (and still continue to admire) Jay, big praise must go to Loren as well. While Jay has brought Loren to each relationship milestone, it is Loren who chooses to rise to each challenge- this is part and parcel of him becoming a victor of his childhood, not a victim; The only arena Loren hadn’t mastered was a romantic relationship….Jay was worth the effort for him. Loren’s continually rewarded by Jay’s absolute love and acceptance of him; Loren’s flashback was understood & forgiven before he uttered one syllable of apology. There is also not enough praise that can be given to Loren’s “posse”; They genuinely have his back & give a damn about Loren the person, not Loren the brand….that they would drop everything for him at a moment’s notice is a gift, one Loren deserves. Both Jay & Loren are blessed in the friendship department. This chapter was a whole big LOVE; I can’t specify one thing about the bond between Aiden & Loren that isn’t touching and amazing….except maybe that no one expected it to be as profound as it is (it was Jay who wanted to love up on Aido Potato, after all, lol). This exchange, I liked: “Isaac scoffs. “You can share this bit of your life with millions of people, it doesn’t diminish Jay’s importance. He’s content because he’s part of your life, not part of your life because he’s content. There is a big difference.” These lines moved from making me laugh out loud to screaming in hilarity: “Faster than premature ejaculation, Aidan reaches under the sofa, grabs the iPad and runs to me.” “I feel like I’m part of the King's court and my sole purpose is to make the guy with a big complex and a small penis feel good about himself when really I just want to correct him because he’s absolutely terrible at the game.”

In rereading this heartwarming chapter, I just had to highlight more lines that grabbed at me: ”He holds my face with both hands and leans in really close. “Foowd?” (I LOVE baby speak ❤️) Aidan thinks Loren’s game is hilarious and laughs harder and harder the more he chases after his new one-sided best friend. ( How many people are one sided best friends and don’t even know it? ) “I’m trying to be patient, letting him wander a little, carefully coaxing him into the building. Loren has other plans. He picks Aidan up and carries him into the building under his arm like a football. “We don’t have time for this,” he tells Aidan. “Jay has lots planned. Let's get a move on it.” (Like every kid whisperer, Loren can easily convey to kids what others try to coax them into ❤️) “Lowen. I uppy pweeze?” “How about Jay uppy please?” Aidan shakes his head and giggles. “You!” “No,” he points at me. “Jay uppy.” He wraps himself around Loren’s leg. “Pweeze Lowen?” 😍😍😍😍 “Not happening,” he tells me, seeing the look in my eyes. I slide my hand down his thigh. “He’s only here for two more nights…” “Yeah, and then I’m leaving so you and your pulsating ovaries can calm down for a few days. I may even get a vasectomy. Just to be safe.” Another commenter mentioned the pulsating ovaries line & made me wish I mentioned it in my original comment, LOL!! This line of a wary boyfriend trying to avoid his broody partner is TRULY hysterical!! “A moment later a sleepy faced toddler peeks around the corner of the walk-in shower. “Good morning, Spuddy.” He rubs his eyes and frowns. “Lowen?” His voice is adorably gravely and thick from sleep. I laugh. “He’s gone. He’ll be back soon, though and we’ll all have breakfast together. Okay?” Aidan’s lip quivers as he leaves the shower.” This cemented fact of Aiden’s affection for Loren was just, so….so….💞 This chapter keeps on giving. 🎁

While I’m not the author, I would say “yes” to your assessment.

And this was a great comeback to Loren’s comment last chapter: ”With one arm, I lamely mimic a puppeteer making his puppets dance. “As long as you know how things rank between us.” He makes a noise and rolls his eyes at my lame joke, then runs his fingers through my hair. I can feel his thoughts. ‘Yeah, Loren. I’m the puppet…” 😂😂

This comment rocks. “ The little spud is like a gateway drug, leading to healing and closure!“ ⬆️ Bestest line ❤️

Your comments are always swoon worthy. ”

The bed was totally boss!!

Seamus and Loren are more alike than they realize-it’s no coincidence that Aiden gravitates to the two of them almost to the exclusion of anyone else; I also believe given both Seamus & Loren’s backgrounds that their reaction to each other is completely natural….it is a testament of the love that Jay has for each that he understands both perspectives & spoon fed information accordingly. Jay is right in that Loren would be a perfect dad….it is Loren’s right to want or refuse that choice and another example of Jay’s love for Loren that he accepts wherever he stands: ”He scoffs. He doesn’t believe me. He has some notion that the perfect family looks like a dad who coaches sports and a mom who brings snacks. He’s convinced I want the perfect family. He just doesn’t realize that he’s my perfect family. Kids or no kids. I don’t care.” The exchange that made me LOL: “You’re not leaving, are you?” “Why not? This ain’t my thing. This is your thing.” I look at him with big blue eyes. He glares. I pout. He rolls his eyes at my persuasion and throws his hands in the air. I grin to myself. Dance puppet, dance. This exchange got two snaps up: ”Once we’re comfortable in bed, moments before sleep takes us, I lean over. “If you want to get pissed at me for not telling you that Aidan was coming to stay with me for a week, then don’t sneak off and go rock climbing the second I leave the country. Communication is a two-way street and you reap what you sow.” Aido Potato 👶🥔 sure knows how to pick ‘em, lol; I don’t think he’ll make mashed potatoes of Loren but he’s definitely mushier. (All the Aiden-speak & his cute little actions in this chapter were priceless)

@Mrsgnomie the evolution of Jay & Loren’s relationship in this story and how much of the upper hand Jay had in bringing out the “best life” in Loe is a revelation- At the risk of incurring your “wrath” and bringing up “Boss Nanny”: I had the impression Jay was panting over Loren like a lovesick puppy and was pulling out all the stops to impress “Loe”.

Rant away. This was well said and has been a concern of mine as well….I trust Mrsgnomie to address this in some way & we see how it’s dealt with.

Yeah, what you said, lol.

They fit. They work. They are perfect together. With all that Jay knows of Loren’s past, I don’t think he truly understands how much he means to Loren: “Perfect timing now that Jay is getting ready to start his season. He won’t have time to babysit me anymore because he’ll be worrying about himself. And I’ll be worrying about him, too. He’s been quick to act like me getting hurt is the end of the world. Well, news flash, him getting hurt would be the end of mine.” (The underlined were the words that moved me in this chapter.) The words that made me LOL: “Why are you smirking?” I smile and stretch out beside him, covering him with my body. “Because I played you like a fiddle.” Jay runs his fingers around my sling, over my bicep, and chuckles. Then he lifts my chin and looks at me with so much affection. “You are a master fiddliest.” With one arm, I lamely mimic a puppeteer making his puppets dance. “As long as you know how things rank between us.” He makes a noise and rolls his eyes at my lame joke, then runs his fingers through my hair. I can feel his thoughts. ‘Yeah, Loren. I’m the puppet…” Loren indeed does know how things rank between them….Fiddle Dee Dee my ass, Loren, lol.

Somebody did, lol. My sister & I cried like we knew him, lol. (we were 11 & 9). I HATED Katherine Wentworth because of that.