Laura S. Fox

Team 'telling Bella' + 1

Shame, shame, shame, what a shame - it's what I feel like commenting after reading your analysis, Maestro. Because yes, Brad does feel a lot of shame and guilt - there's a lot he doesn't want - or cannot - come with terms with. At the same time, what a shame that he's like this... for everyone involved, but most of all, for himself. We have parts of the two stories - and yeah, they are true. Lyn thought Brad forgot him long ago. Yet, after eight years, it's Brad reaching out. That's because of feelings that never died. I'll let you guys speculate if these feelings are in any way romantic, but I do know that when friends get estranged, regardless of the reasons why they grew apart, if they happen to meet again, there's always a bitter-sweetness to their new encounter that's nothing like what happens to people who were involved romantically. What Brad wants... matters. It matters greatly. And that's where the crux of the story lies. I like to believe that Brad's motives will carry enough weight to make readers remember the story because of them (and not only because Lyn and Alexander are hot together *author here being shameless about writing long erotic scenes). Oh... the emotional pressure... no truer words have ever been spoken, Maestro! Terrified is a very good word in the bigger context.

Absolute perfection! Chef's kiss!

That's such an amazing plot, lol!

Oh, so cute. And so true.

And here I am, sitting on the development I made for Bella's character, and eating popcorn while reading your comments... She, too, will surprise you, I can bet.

You're really touching some serious points here... There's a lot of deflection here on Brad's part - and while he does, indeed, show more of his true self in this chapter, he also continues to hides some important parts. So right about Brad putting Lyn on a pedestal, too. Lyn, in his continuous struggle to be perfect, might have just fooled Brad in the past. Alexander wasn't fooled. He may be in love with Lyn, but he never saw Lyn the way Brad did - keep all these thoughts, they will become mighty relevant later on. Lyn is left to struggle more. He doesn't give up on the idea of doing what he considers right, but there's no easy path ahead of him. Ha-ha - they're not brothers! Or relatives of any kind. You guys make me want to write a story that's so much like a telenovela/soap opera that'll flip all the tropes on their head (i.e. - I am your long forgotten brother)

I like to see that there are people on both teams - telling/not telling. Moral dilemmas - not easy to write, but so interesting to see what readers think. I believe both Brad and Alexander will justify themselves once they reveal their secrets.

Yet, he's not fully 'uncovered', so to speak... I still have surprises up my sleeve.

Oh, I'm really looking forward to your reactions when that happens...

Both questions will be answered

This is Brad lashing out at his finest... he wants to protect himself, and does it recklessly as he usually does. The incident will happen on screen, so you'll be able to judge it yourselves. Lyn feels protective of Luke... he tends to do that with the wrong people, doesn't he?

Chapter Forty-Six – [Memory, Senior Year, October] – Like Brothers The last months had been a whirlwind. Lyn didn’t know where to begin or where to end. The check sent by that man hadn’t ended up being sacrificed at midnight like the sacrilege it was. Instead, it lay at the bottom of Lyn’s school bag, among neatly arranged supplies like textbooks and pens. For some obscure reason, he couldn’t bring himself to throw it away. It was a lot of money. If he hit rock bottom, he might regret throw

Very well, then Lyn 'broke up' with everyone after that fateful last day/night of college, hence the distance between him and Brad's family.

I kinda see why people would think that now...

Not a 'casual client', no. (I'm just leaving breadcrumbs.)

Yeah, that guy isn't exactly Alexander's style... right?

Maestro, you are feeling something... but that's for later. By moving in with the Fosters, Lyn does set himself up for the emotional debt you're speaking of, but it also serves in different ways for his development. Brad does have a big heart and he's showing it here. That's why I like to believe that he's a more complex characters, with good traits and bad traits. At the same time, yes, Brad does need Lyn. There is something going on there that's more than friendship but can never be more. I will not comment on the 'shadows of Alexander' this time. The following chapters will add more fuel to the fire so to speak. But it's an interesting view - all duly noted

The person behind the check will make an appearance... I'll let the story speak for it, so you'll know if your guess was right Brad's and Lyn's relationship will evolve in a way - one I think that's more natural for them, although Lyn will still adhere to his usual, let's say, ideals.

That's the vibe, yes. And Brad really stepped up here. He was the one to convince his parents to take in Lyn.

Oh, no, that's not the movie, lol. I was thinking of Great Expectations, actually. And since Brad isn't big on reading, he better remembers movies. (As a child, that's what I got out of Great Expectations - a big wedding cake eaten by rats).

He's getting saved... and I believe he deserves it.

I understand...

I like to believe that the way the story will evolve from now on will surprise you quite a bit But yes, I agree - this is the part of Brad that Lyn feels strongly about.

Chapter Forty-Five – My Image of You Morning came too early. Lyn wanted to groan and complain, but Alexander had been clear enough: the moral dilemma in question was his and his alone. He’d have to figure it out, and preferably before the wedding came and went. There was no easy way to do this. Lyn stared at his phone, waiting for a sign. But Brad had no reason to call him, busy as he was with the wedding preparations. Well, not completely busy if he still had time to get together with