Krista

Yes, I remember you giving me grief about his decisions this chapter. I see that I won that argument too. Undefeated. Because I don't and will always refuse to count all the times you've won. We also discussed me being afraid of Joel seemingly going from timid/scared to full on angry and deranged. Not too many people will tackle a guy, straddle him, then pat his face and tell him that, "you can't break me..." and not come across as someone in control of their marbles, I'm thinking. So I'm glad that we were both proven kind of wrong, and that Joel does read like he's growing to learn how to stand up for, value, and take care of himself. When I think that wasn't the case before the fallout in chapter one. He seemed to guided by fear that he was okay with missing out on things. Now he's looking more ahead, instead of over his shoulder. Sigh.. hand holding isn't hot. It's rather chaste. Maybe they would consider it, for more privacy if it didn't feel like a shrine for a family that no longer exists. Joel is too scared to touch anything. Although, he doesn't need to be touching anything to touch Davin. Loopholes exist.

You change your skin more than you probably change your underwear at this rate. I take no credit for whatever this is, either. I cannot be held responsible. So whatever this is, is your own doing. So you can undo it, surely. Especially if that means you blessing us with your off-topic greatness.

This whole series of events has caused "Dancing on my Own," to be stuck in my head. I'm blaming all of you. Although it is depressingly catchy.

When you get bored and turn the leaf back over, after giving it a firm pat, I'll be waiting. This can't last forever...

Would be an odd turn of events... but if he's leaking preemies all over himself, he might be too eager for Joel.

Sorry you're saddened by my lack of remembering conversations. But that's mostly because I do not know which way is up most of the time. I'm starting to question which characters of mine are supposed to do dirty things to one another... amongst other things.

It would be catastrophic for all involved, yes. They need to not do that...

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 have a feeling Brad will receive a watermelon for Christmas to go along with the credit card debt that the purchasing of said watermelons created.

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.