Krista

It isn't healthy to start making New Years resolutions before Christmas, you know. Bad for digestion or something, I'm sure. No need to turn over a new leaf when we all know you'll get bored and flip it right back over.

Yes we might have had a wee little discussion about the possibility of who does what... I wish I could say that even happens or not. I'm only one chapter ahead of you all now.. well two if you count the chapter I've been pushing back for the new writing. It doesn't happen in the 'next' chapter, that I can safely say. Who knows after that. I don't. Not until the words are on the paper.

I also bully Wildone, so maybe I am the bully. But it is with love.. and the thing you both have in common is that you deserve it, because you pick at me. So maybe Jaxton is secretly wanting Joel all to himself. 😮 And I'm a lady, if any of those shenanigans were going on, it wasn't happening where I was. And I did party. I just didn't do that at parties.

I look forward to it. You put so much on your plate though. I can't even begin to wonder what that feels like. I complain when I'm attempting to write a prompt/anthology and I'm working on a main writing project. Some of you are just over achievers or into punishing yourselves.

Should I be worried? Maybe? At least a little prepared...

I can tell that he’s feeling a bit closer to Joel as we progress because he’s doing more to make him apart of things, and genuinely wants him around or at least that’s what I’m getting from him. The fact that both he and Colt are doing this just makes me happy. One thing I like about Joel is he’s willing to stand up for himself. He didn’t do so in chapter one on that bridge and I get why, but he bounced back. Jaxton had it coming, and while Joel was pushing for a fight he held the line and refrained from throwing that first punch. I probably would have (and have done) what he did which was push Jaxton into fighting, if he wanted it that bad by god let’s scrap. One interesting thing though is Jaxton totally didn’t. He caved so fast, does he have a dirty little secret because I may have smelled some latent homosexuality in his freeze because he was looking kinda scared there so either he’s a wimp inside or he has something to share with the group. 😂 Anyway that’s my jumbled ramble for this. Go team DaJo! I am so lost... I ran out of time when I started responding. I can't remember where I left off.. Gavin was the least helpful/most helpful person during that whole scene. He didn't try to stop Joel, letting it play out. But he did threaten everyone who maybe thought about giving Jaxton a hand... but then afterwards when Davin is trying to calm Joel down, he crashes in and tells him he's dumb, but has big balls, and is the most manly thing he's ever seen. So you know, helpful. Maybe it defused the situation some too, for bonus points. I really liked writing that scene though, to give instant relief to the tension that I knew I was going to build right back up between Davin/Joel. And yeah, Men change when they want to convince their women to have sex with them. I've seen it. I get that look from my husband and while he's with his friends, and then he breaks from his little fun group to start cleaning, looking after me, and asking me if I need anything... and I'm like.. "Oh yeah, you don't know it yet, but you're not doing filthy things to me later..." But the man tries. The twins instantly included Joel. Joel wasn't ready for it. So there was a distance. There was definitely a distance with Colt, from Colt. It is nice to see them bonding, especially without the girls hovering over their heads. I guess that's why I don't butt in to those conversations and during those times my husband has his friends over. I like watching him be different than Dad and Husband in those moments. I will draw the line when power tools and tinkering starts up though... we do not live in good ambulance route zones, so.

There will be a fallout from this party that carries over for a few days... until something more sparkly draws attention. Joel is probably hoping someone other than him gets caught out in some kind of small town scandal by now.

What he thinks he is after the beer hits. what he really is when he's sober.

Joel didn't have any bullies at Tempton. His whole fear was people finding out about him and their minds changings about who he is. Thinking they would. Then his parents proved him right. His fear followed him to Fletcher, but now Jaxton threw that word out there. I don't think Jaxton thinks Joel is gay or not, it's just a go to word. But yeah, it triggered Joel. He's sort of living his fear out, with that. Jaxton got off easy, if beers 4 - 6 had hit him, I don't know that he would've. Although I say his hurting pride still trumps any black eyes. I don't think he would have reacted with anger if he was at Tempton and treated like this... it would look like a totally different story, I'm thinking. He did take out his lingering frustration on Davin, who I think was just there trying to talk some sense into someone that wasn't open to hearing any... and maybe his word choices weren't the best, but he's young... and young people don't always word things the best, even if it is wise and sound advice.

Could be very therapeutic for him. Like those cats that get squirted with water every time they even look at the Christmas trees. Catch the family out and the tree forgotten, shredding that bitch has to feel good to them.

Yeah, all four of them hit the beer hard and fast at these parties. Almost as if it is something they think they should be doing... and they haven't realized they can have a great time with these things and only have a respectable two or so all night. Maybe more fun.

I can't give you the whole mile. It wouldn't be good for our friendship.

I hope not. 😮 I don't think Joel's brain would be able to comprehend that horrific thought.

Or a place of comfort for Davin or Joel. Honestly though, I think men tend to overlook such things and find a way.

Write them a prescription. That might be the only way these two understand.

Do I remember this promise? No, no I don't. Do I think you're going to keep it? Also no.

Colt took the joke easily enough. It probably surprised him that Joel even made it. Then to have it completely overshadowed by Sierra's comment. He had a lot going on, shivering, wet, naked, and being semi-flirted with and fantasized about. Standing on creek rocks are also uncomfortable. The poor guy. Hmm. I think Joel might be done partying with the Fletcher crowd. It's not gone well for him. Unless he can let go of a lot of that anger and reactivity he has. It was peer pressure that landed them all in this mess. Peer pressure is rough, it's not something so easily overcome sometimes.

Whilst you tell Davin to drop the wet-cat self-destructing Joel for Colt. You're difficult to keep up with.

Aww. Those soft brown eyes Roy has.

I feel he's softened a bit. I think he's safely made up his mind about his future. Now he just has to get over the hurdle of telling his parents... he told Joel to tell them. Knowing they'd support him. But he hasn't told them of his plans yet. I've already read him... despite writing him. As overall just independent and a little self-serving, but we're all guilty of being self-serving. A little quiet and brooding at times. But never a full blown jerk/asshole.

Celia told him not to bust his knuckles. He behaved. I think absolute embarrassment, public as it was hurt Jaxton worse than busting his face up for him. Which I think Joel could have easily done. And in that position with Davin, he would be bottoming, wouldn't he? There's a lot of male on male straddling going on with this story... but no sex. I apologize for that. I guess. There's only two gay guys in this story. *whistles* Well four if you count Jeremiah and Lance... but they're just there at Lunch and then are sent back into the void.

I don't know, Joel would likely be too distracted by his anger to notice if something hard came between them or not. but no, Jaxton is securely straight... we don't care about him. lol He can keep his cheerleader girlfriend. A lot of us fall back into self-loathing habits from time to time... at least you picturing a naked Colt, despite your better judgement of his character is a decent spot to exist in, if you are in a self-loathing mindset.

I think they were all a little concerned the football team would retaliate and they just not have the physical man-power between all three of them to stop whatever happened. Not without a lot of physical evidence that Celia would see coming a mile away. But yeah, he was willing to care for Joel and take him to safety. Colt has always shown that sort of responsibility, even when he didn't particularly like Joel.

Never saw a party's "epic" rating dependent on how many BJs were given. We know there was at least one... Davin and Joel walked by at least one tent that had a guy getting a little something that night. Jaxton might have been too drunk to comprehend Joel there. But, maybe he wasn't and he'll realize that Joel done him a favor by not busting up his face for him. He might remember what he said during all that. I wouldn't say they made up though. Joel was being a total alpha asshole to him the whole time. You don't manhandle someone, tell them they're nothing better than anyone else, not throw a punch, and then help them to their feet... That was a series of unfortunate events for Jaxton, I'd imagine. I did not tolerate bullying around me. I always tried to shut it down. I think it is one of the more disgusting traits a person can have. You guys are really making me feel sorry for Davin this chapter. Well I mean, I think that was my intent with the writing, but the comments about Colt and now Joel's relationship with him has cemented that to a whole level more than I expected. The poor thing. The whole reason Colt's butt is even in this chapter is because of you, and you throw it away! How dare you.