Krista

Happy Birthday!

Thanks for reading! Thank you! I hoped it did, sometimes with a lengthy chapter like that.. or an.. "out of the norm" sort of chapter, it can really stress a person out on whether or not it flows and then flows with the rest of the story. So I'm glad you liked the chapter!

Thanks for reading - I must say this - when I read this review I felt completely touched by it. So I really want to thank you for that Graeme. I guess the "sorry" at the end of the chapter wasn't necessarily because of the length, but the length and the writing process I went through to get it there. This chapter drained me, it drained me writing, reading, and working on editing/beta-ing with the Canadian Wonder. So I didn't see it as being legitimately on par with the rest of the story. So I just wanted to thank you, for resetting my confidence with this review.

Happy Birthday!

Wednesday, I had to keep telling myself that it was only Wednesday. That Friday after school I’ll be rushing to meet Tony and the swim team to go to our first meet. Toby’s party seemed so far away now that we were all focused on school shit. The girls had cheerleading, they will be getting into their own competitions soon. Toby and Derek were busy every Friday night until December, Cindy was still keeping Luke locked away, and I had swimming. Swimming was completely different now too. Not on

Happy Birthday Matt!

That's how I get you, every time, Steve. I make where whatever you do you can't wriggle out of punishments. Not my fault you keep falling for it.

Well, I started a story around the first of the year last year and it still isn't finished. So I plan to finish that one to be sure. After that, I'll likely start a new story, but at a leisurely pace. I need to work on not being completely burned out with the whole putting words to paper thing. I do have a couple of Anthologies started that never made it to the deadline that I could also work up and complete. As far as that goes, I guess my resolution is to finish what I start.

Thanks for the 29 + Carrying 2 Birthday wishes everyone! Clochettte, cute little ballerina banner. Thanks! LBO: I do like cats! I miss having a little fur ball curled up in my lap, but the cats tend to not like loud screams and grabby little hands, so I've held off on adopting any. Maybe one of these days since the kids are getting older and we'll find a nice tolerant cat. Cole: Message received, lol! I've been writing. Slow and steady, this chapter has given me a bit of a fit, but I think that is all in my head and doesn't really have anything to do with the actual characters or plot I have lined out.. lol. Valkyrie: Thanks for the cake! It is pretty. At first I thought they were NERD candies, which I used to like, but haven't had in forever then realized the frosting was a bit too large to be nerd candies.. lol. All in all, I had a nice birthday: The husband remembered, got the kids all rounded up and on the birthday mission, and etc. Although it always so cold here during my birthday, maybe one day we'll all head out and find some sunny island beach somewhere to celebrate.

Happy Birthday!

Thanks for reading! Although I think it would be.. easier, in theory to tell Heather and Ally - the outcome could be far worse I think. Friends don't always think the same way, so I have to agree with you and being apprehensive for Jackson and Luke telling them. It couldn't definitely not solve anything and make a mess of things. Cindy is Cindy. I wonder if she'll change? Hmm... The Swimming takes center stage next part. If I ever find free time to get it to paper.. lol.. bah busy. I'm glad you're liking the story so far though!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

Thanks for reading! Secrets do seem to come back and bite us... especially if too many people are trying to keep them. There are more secrets left to be uncovered though with some surprising characters! I'm glad you're liking the friends and Jackson's growth from the beginning parts. They truly like/love one another even if they are sometimes up to no good. lol. Cindy, Luke, and Henry are a bit more central in the story during this part.. I think Luke does a bit of growing up himself.. as much as Cindy may not like it.

Thanks for reading! Drama is what is pushing the story forward right now, I agree.. and soo much of it. Poor guys can't get a real break to themselves.. Hopefully that will change soon!

Thanks for reading! Jackson's mother putting things together... hmm... hmmm. I'll try to remain innocent on that front and we'll see what happens in the coming parts. I'm glad you like the connection between Luke and Jackson, sometimes I just don't see the connection as being all that special or strong... so that particular feedback is nice for me as I move ahead. So thanks!

Thanks for reading! Aww, something special? I hope to get into their relationship more very soon. So hopefully it stays that way.

Thanks for reading! I still have a bit to cover. I don't know if this part will be as big as the 20 chapter first part! But for now, I'm not going anywhere else any time soon. lol.

Hey, thanks for reading! I want to develop the swimming side of him just a little bit more before I start focusing on Luke and Jackson as a couple in more detail and allow swimming and school to become a bit of a backdrop instead of the central elements.. it will be a bit of work. Hopefully it will still be fun to read.. lol. Cindy... Cindy... Cindy... what can I say about her? She will definitely have a lot of reactions to Luke in this second part.. lol. Henry will of course have his hands full as well. Feel sorry for him, for sure. haha

Thanks for reading! Luke will grow a lot in this part. Part one was about Jackson's growth for the most part.. from surly and indifferent - to caring and thinking outside of his own self.. Some bad and good things happened with that growth. Some bad and good things will happen with Luke as he grows in this second part. I think old Jackson would have hit a glass ceiling with his swimming. Not because of Rick, but without the growth Tony wouldn't have been an option for him.. they would have just butted heads.. So maybe Tony's plans for him will get him some higher level of success if they both remain patient with one another.

Thanks for reading! I missed the surly Jackson myself. The one that nearly gave Principal Welker fits in the first few chapters. That Jackson was fun to write for a bit, but he needed to grow up. He is not infallible. Ally is still up in the air for a reason. I think it is natural for Jackson to be apprehensive with his ex-girlfriend knowing. Maybe not for the reason people think.. Luke and Jackson would have a lot to lose if telling her ended up being a bad idea, Ally has shown to be somewhat of an unreliable friend.. mind you, Jackson didn't make it easy for her either.. lol.

Heyyy thanks for reading! It would seem easier for everyone to know. I can get why Jackson and Luke don't want to tell Ally. Heather is just a hazard for her loyalty to Ally, she would tell her. Ally though, if she took it the wrong way could spill it to Cindy, both being involved in the same church. For now, Ally is just getting back into the swing of things with Jackson... sooo.. I think Luke's apprehension with not telling her right off is a good one.. no telling how she will respond to that sort of news.. lol. Although.. I already have plans for it anyhow. Cindy's controlling of Luke is pretty strong right now too. Poor guy. As for the Townsons, the back and forth has been a bit of a pain. I hope to develop the "swimming" characters a bit more to add a bit of depth to that recurring part of the story. Aiden and Matt are the ones that stand out the most because of their budding rivalry with Jackson. I want to get Charlie and Draeden more involved though. And Paul.. err whatever his name is does make an appearance soon too!

“You gotta tell them, dude,” Toby said as he tossed me the football. I turned and quickly threw it to Derek. I hated that a football felt a little bit foreign in my hands, but I had never been into the sport. I could manage a little better with basketball though. “No I don’t,” I said, shaking my head. “Shut up about it, people are going to start showing up soon.” “Jack, tell them already!” Toby hissed barely catching the ball that Derek threw. Derek seemed completely amused by the situ

The thing with past exes, you know them. Obviously you have a connection to them whether you want to admit to that or not. There is hardly ever a clean break where one or both partners are completely over the relationship, sex, what ever. So, for me - if my husband was to cheat, I'd almost rather it be with someone he doesn't have a past connection or past relationship with. I'm very, not sure how to word this, classic? In my dating, relationships, marriage... I want there to be definitive lines, but I want those lines to fall naturally and not be set by me and interpreted just by me, and adhered to just because I made them. I want the guy to be on the same natural page that I am on. Some people say, it isn't cheating until you're at the, "I love you," declaration. If you're sure enough in your own mind to say, "I love you," only then it is time to stop any side relationships and focus just on the one person. I disagree. I feel that once you establish that a relationship is there then ex-lovers, wandering eyes, dating apps, etc, have to stop. They have to stop and stay stopped. I made the mistake once of trying to hold on to two people at the same time and I broke someone's heart and I'm glad they found someone else. I just know to stay well away from him for the sake of my sanity and my relationship with my husband. Also, communication is key. If there are blurred lines between you, they need to become clear. They don't need to become clear by you getting.. "back at him" for being with an ex-lover... to get rid of the jealousy either. I do know that isn't a steady and easy bit of ground to walk on.