Ethan

To clarify -- the letters weren't from Jamie's father. There are two sets of letters -- the letters Ali wrote to Jamie, which were in Jamie's possession -- and the letters Jamie wrote to Ali, which were in Ali's possession. The letters in Ali's possession (the ones Jamie wrote) somehow make their way to Ali's friends -- we don't know how. The last letter Ali wrote -- he left in the lockbox in the shed. But we believe someone - maybe Jamie's father - took it out of the box and gave it to Ali's dad. Hope that makes sense.

First off --> ☺️. I did well in English, but I didn't care at all for creative writing (obviously, right?) and stuck with math and science. Yet to disappoint ... but clearly that door is still open 😏. I knew you were just joking. I've always enjoyed reading your comments. Thanks for the support, it means a lot 😁

What good has ever come from waiting? Well, many things actually, but you know what I mean! 🙂 The fact that you're already looking forward to the next chapter means I'm doing something right. Woot!

Technically, it's the third shortest chapter (the first two are also from this story). But way shorter than the ones from "Noah and Jordan". I actually just did the math cause, you know, I'm a nerd. On average, a "Noah and Jordan" chapter was 8,075 words. For this story, the average is 2,384 words. I know many will disagree with me, but I felt with my last story some chapters just got too long. I was trying to keep these under 4,000 because I feel that is more manageable - and I can post faster. Which is better - longer chapter, slower updates or shorter chapter, faster updates? Also, math is the best.

“It seems like people like to keep you waiting,” the hot bartender says as he leans forward in another perfectly tight t-shirt. I’m abstaining from sex after what happened two weeks ago, but who says I can’t still indulge in some eye candy. And damn, I’ll be high on sugar tonight. “What will it be? Water while we wait, or something else?” “I’ll take you up on that water,” I reply. I need to stay sharp tonight. I’m back at the bar where it all started. Why? I’m hoping to run into him, Ali, A

My goal has been to try to update at least every other day -- and so far I think I'm relatively on track. Next one should be up tomorrow afternoon 😁. If only being an adult and my job stopped getting in the way 🤪.

Some very good theories @Valkyrie @Wesley8890 @Bard Simpson @Marius. I'd like to respond, but I'd probably give something away and ruin what's to come, so I'll just let Chapter 8 speak for itself .... which @FanLit is coming soon 🙂

“James, or wait, should I call you Jamie now?” “James is fine,” I tell Will. I stopped using Jamie because of what happened with Ali, though my family still uses the nickname. I didn’t know how to tell them to stop, without explaining everything that happened. I know they’d never judge me, but I didn’t tell them because I thought they’d also think I’m an idiot. “Right, I love you and all, and you’re great at storytelling, but you’re killing me here! What happened!?” he asks eagerly as

The first story I ever wrote took 6 years! And I pissed off many people along the way. I started writing this story back in October-November, I believe, but waited to post until I was basically finished. Not repeating that mistake again!

@long1jo @Bft @FanLit @crystalline @mfa607 Jamie will tell us in the next chapter why they never met again ... and why he feels it was all a lie. Lots more to come! @crystalline I had a line about how Jamie has changed, but I think I may have cut it out during the edit. I'll have to go back and check. Also, I know the story is a bit slow - so I'm glad it is still keeping your interest. And @Bft I'll try. A random big work project came up last minute this week, so I've been a bit distracted. I hope it wraps soon, because it's going to get busy again real soon 😬

It's interesting you say that ... that was not my intent with this story at all! Last year I started to write another story which is really, really heavy and complicated. I thought it was too much - so I thought I'd right something light, and fun. Then the pandemic hit and I dropped the other story completely -- I don't think people need more heartache in their life. That's when I turned my attention to this story again. Honestly, it was supposed to be something silly like "How I Slept With A Guy Who Turned Out To Be My Future Boss" ... or something cliche or potentially awkward like that. And then I started writing that story ... and then one day I was like hmm ... say if I made this one tweak .. and then this tweak ... and next thing you know I came up with this! Clearly, I'm not good at 'light' and 'fun'. And seeing this comment ... Clearly I have a reputation! 😕 I don't love to torture, per se exactly ... (I'm just going to stop digging the hole I'm in now. Also, as they say in the Simpsons, "Dig Up Stupid!").

You're on the right track ... I genuinely mean that! I do hope you like it when it's all said and done.

For two weeks I continued to go to the shed, hoping, praying that there would be another letter. But there never was. I eventually just stopped going. Sometimes when I was near the park a part of me would say ‘go and check, maybe he left something’. I’d start to walk that way, but then another part would say, ‘don’t be an idiot’ and I would continue walking home. Everyone could tell I was upset. My parents and my friends knew I was off, but no one knew why. I never told anyone about the let

Ha! You know me so well. I take this as a compliment ... but maybe I shouldn't ... 🙃

Awe, thank you 😊 Hope you still feel that way when this one is done!

You should know by now from my previous story how much I like cliffhangers ... as an author, not a reader. As a reader they're so annoying! 🙃

I'm really sorry to hear that. Not knowing why is tough.

From the very beginning, ours was an unlikely friendship. Alistair Cameron Easton entered my life when I was seventeen years old. Our families lived in this small town, a suburb really, Cedar Creek. The picturesque town, just north of the big city, features rolling hills, dotted with mansions and Ferraris. It’s where the rich, who work in the city, live, play and flaunt their money. This is the image the town likes to project, a calm, peaceful oasis, just minutes away from the crowded, bust

😊 So glad to hear that! But I accidentally posted this chapter! I saved a draft last night - or so I thought - and went to bed. Was going to read it again in the morning and publish, but when I woke up I saw it was already up. Oops! Good thing I don't need to change anything. @Arran @mfa607 Now as to whether Ali/Cameron recognizes James/Jamie ... that is one of the main question that will drive the next bit of the story. But it appears people are leaning on the side of he does know. Interesting.

Possibly ... though what could have been so traumatic?

Thanks! Normally, I struggle coming up with a title, but in this case I had a title, which then led to the story. Lots more to come still. My way of trying to make sure readers come back for more 😄

I can’t breathe. I feel paralyzed. My attempt to project self-confidence, that ability to believe in myself, all of it is gone. In an instant, I’m that boy again. That weak, defenceless boy. “That shower felt great,” the half-naked liar says as he walks into my bedroom. But his smile fades when he looks at me. “You okay, James?” It was just supposed to be one drink. How did we end up here? How did I end up with him? Out of all the people in the world, I slept with him. Him. The one guy

I try to not give away any spoilers, but I can safely say it is not that. You will though be able to fill in the rest of that sentence after the next chapter! You may, or may not, though have multiple follow up questions.

Thank you. Glad you're enjoying it ... wasn't sure, engagement on the last two chapters has been on the low side. Perhaps everyone is waiting for the fallout 🤷‍♂️

@KayDeeMac You're really zipping through these chapters!