NimirRaj

Oh boy, here we go. Regardless of the sexual stuff that happened it always sucks when a friend dumps you for a relationship and can’t balance the two as some people seem unable to multitask in that regard causing them to ignore friends whenever they start dating someone. Kinda makes Danny seem like a jerk in that regard considering he clearly just didn’t want Jake around. Now obviously he admitted it giving some reasonable reasons for the most part as it’s hard to blame him for needing some space to think considering his recent ahem activities, but I feel like there’s likely more to the story. I mean he started dating this girl extremely fast causing me to suspect based on the fact that he insists he’s not gay, despite his contrary actions, that he has some internalized homophobia. I think he’s clearly worried about admitting his attraction to guys so he’s dating this girl to prove to others as well as possibly himself that he’s 100% straight. Beyond feeling sorry for Jake it also makes me feel a little bit sorry for Britney as he’s likely just using her though who knows where this will go. Typically you assume that Danny & Jake will end up together in the end yet it would actually be more realistic as well as possibly healthier if they didn’t as there’s going to be a lot of drama I’m sure. Not saying I don’t love a romantic ending but I know some authors like twists so we’ll see.

I’m a little slow to reply as I read this yesterday but what is there to say? I mean with the title being band camp 😂 I kinda figured the inevitable climax so to speak but dang Danny is really forward for a “straight” boy. Definitely did not see him taking that particular route but now I’m even more worried about Jake in all this. I mean to Danny this might be experimentation but Jake having acknowledged he’s gay could receive some mixed signals especially considering how...eager Danny seems to be.

😂 Actually no considering all that’s happened so far as Jake has just gotten too emotionally involved in a moment of sexual exploration on Danny’s part or so I’m guessing by his jealousy. It’s not as if Danny has actually done anything to string Jake along so far. I am guessing of course partially based on the title, some inferences on Danny’s personality, and how easily Jake seems to have gotten emotionally involved sadly I expect that your title will become a fact. It’s depressing just imagining how this story is going to obviously go even if things work out for the best in the end.

This has all the makings of Danny being a user and breaking Jake’s heart.

It’s good to see Brad & JJ bond and I can’t wait to see how long this tentative truce will last. On the surface you’d expect Sabrina Granger to be the most likely one to do anything yet I trust Elizabeth Danfield as far as I could throw her so I wouldn’t be surprised if she makes a preemptive strike. Either way this truce is likely not worth the metaphorical paper it’s written on, though it’s good that at least on the surface it seems like you can trust Elizabeth to protect her grandchild & children even if she’s willing to destroy everything else in her path. Jake seems to care for Brad a lot so I see a bright future for them but with this family it’s hard to know what drama is waiting around the corner.

I’m referring to

Maybe, but I think I prefer my idea that he’s just a little stupid 😂

Great to see Jimmy is coming around but...why is he so stupid??? He sees Jack’s casts and asks what happened as if like oh maybe he fell in the hospital after getting hit by the van. 🤦🏻‍♂️ Jimmy Jimmy being hit by a van can kill you so of course assuming you survive it can often give a person a few broken & fractured bones buddy. Nice use of that IQ though you’re living up to the jock stereotype pretty well even if you supposedly suck at basketball.

I was starting to like Jack’s dad but he can be really hypocritical and overly critical sometimes not to mention that while I know it’s his wife he’s somewhat too supportive of her. He’s defending her by saying they need more time and not only does that sound like too much of a convenient way to explain her unmotherly behavior yet it also gives the impression that despite the outward appearance that he’s way more uncomfortable with Jack being gay than he’s letting on. Admittedly, Jack was letting his hormones take control when he already told Jeff it was a bad idea and I can understand his statement about showing his affection the same way as his parents not really hitting the right note as he’s now been seen kissing two different boys so it’s not exactly because he’s in love with either one from the viewpoint of a typical relationship anyway. It’s getting complicated as I think all 3 boys are starting to mix emotions with sexual attraction that could result in some drama as it seems like the desire for simply being friends with benefits is slowly being thrown out the window. It may have taken a possibly life costing moment yet it’s nice to see that Jimmy & Tyler were showing some true remorse for what happened yet I wonder if when things settle down with Jack being ok if they’ll still be as concerned about him as sadly once the adrenaline runs out they could go back to their homophobic selves.

I’m also shocked Jack’s dad didn’t say anything yet maybe despite his homophobic remarks he has suspicions Jack is gay and is trying to be supportive. Jack’s mom is a typical homophobic mom with the whole belief Tracy will corrupt her son which will make him a great target for when she discovers Jack is gay as she’ll surely blame Tracy. For most of this story it seems like Jimmy is a user and just isn’t that great of a friend outside of his homophobic comments & attitude so I think Jack would be better off without him, though I can understand why he’d be depressed at the idea of losing all of his “good” friends.

I don’t get guys like Jimmy who are so afraid or angry at a gay guy being remotely near them as if it’ll turn them gay. It’s none of his business yet he’s obsessed with spreading the news to anyone that’ll listen. Has to be hard on Jack not only knowing his best friend is a homophobe but so are his other friends not to mention even his own parents. On some level while you might not want to lose a friend you can accept that yet your family is what really hits you hard. At this point if Jack does come out or is more likely outed it seems like he’ll have very little support though maybe his older sister will come give him the support he needs if it gets rough at home for him.

Jack’s a little dense as he seems worried about Tracy thinking he’s a pervert rather than recognizing him as being gay, unless some internalized homophobia has him equating being gay to being a pervert. It’s sad if the latter is the case.

I feel like Robbie is wearing rose tinted glasses where Nathan is concerned but at the same time Connor seems like a major pain so can definitely understand why he’d miss the past. I mean, he’s more sex crazed than Robbie which is saying something and can’t seem to take no for an answer which would really tick me off. I could completely see this night ending with Nathan’s dream threesome “if” Connor wasn’t the jealous, possessive type yet I have doubts he’d be up for that, though I don’t blame him for not liking Nathan’s blatant flirting as well as the obvious attraction Robbie has towards him as I doubt it’s well hidden. Still, you never know considering how sex focused he is though I feel it’s more likely that if anything happens between Robbie & Nathan it’ll be because Robbie cheats though it’s great he seems to be resisting that urge. Alex showing up as a drug dealer isn’t that surprising as we all knew his plans to go to his cousin’s in Florida(I think that was where he lived 🤷🏻‍♂️) wasn’t gonna happen but I’d have asked about his brother if I were Robbie as I’m way more concerned about him than Alex.

Ah, I may be using the term incorrectly. I guess a more accurate word would be unhealthy though the definition can mean emotionally damaging rather than just physical as well as characterized by insecurity, self-centeredness, dominance, and control some of which fit his relationship with Nathan though considering he prefers a dominating partner I guess that isn’t a downside for Robbie. 🤷🏻‍♂️ When I hear the word toxic I tend to think damaging in general, poisonous(worsens over time and ruins everything around it), negative, etc. which is more my own definition I guess than the official one 😂

Nathan gave off vibes that indicated he might cheat(or perhaps did cheat) by continuously flirting with other guys and tried to talk Robbie into a threesome making it seem like a Robbie wasn’t enough for him, Robbie while being attracted to him was somewhat embarrassed by his femininity causing him to be annoyed & disatisifed with that part of Nathan which is definitely something that hasn’t changed as well as what in-part led to their breakup, Nathan was extremely vain and somewhat self-centered, etc. Nathan just hasn’t changed at all so it seems like they’d just end up being miserable if they got back together and even if they can have no strings attached sex it’ll ruin Robbie’s relationship with Conner which while far from perfect has potential.

I can see Conner being a little overbearing & annoying yet I really don’t like where things are headed when it comes to Nathan. The relationship with Nathan was toxic in the past and I don’t see it being better going forward especially when he “seems” to be shamelessly tempting Robbie into cheating. If he’s willing to mess up someone else’s relationship for his own pleasure then he’s not someone you should want to be with. Still, I see why Robbie can’t forget about him. If Robbie would just talk to Conner things might improve on that front and even if it doesn’t he should move onto someone else rather than go backwards. The possibility of Sue having an affair seems a little too easy to guess making me assume that’s actually unlikely as the obvious answer is seldom the right one.

I’m glad to see Artie getting his priorities straight so to speak and finally telling his sperm donor how he feels about the nonsense he spouts.

This was a really sweet chapter. Part of me wants to scream because Randy won’t come out to his mom and the other part of me completely understands. I’ve come out to people I was 100% sure would be accepting yet I was still extremely nervous. Fear isn’t always rational so while I expect she suspects if not knows as well as seems like she’d be ok with it I can understand his fear. Hopefully he’ll be able to come out to her soon as keeping this a secret is tearing him up inside.

I find it hilarious that Conner seems to pretty much assume Robbie is a virgin or at least inexperienced. Of course with how open minded his family is I’m starting to speculate that Conner actually has more experience than Robbie as he’s likely had more opportunities. I mean he seems to be obsessed with getting Robbie into bed implying he’s a bit of a sex maniac but considering his only release lately has been Skyping with his ex then I can sorta see how he’d be a little frustrated for the real thing. I can understand why Robbie would feel uncomfortable in this environment as it’s the opposite of what he’s used to. He’s used to being judged for being gay while being a little low key about it and yet now he’s almost clapped on the back for it by a large group of people he just met so it’s understandably a shock to the system. I’m not sure if Conner is the one for Robbie though the main doubts I had was this idea I think most of us likely incorrectly had which had Conner being some inexperienced country boy. I just felt Robbie would find him less interesting by comparison to Nathan & Alex...though clearly I was wrong as he’s got an unexpected wild side. I know a lot of people are rooting for Tom yet unless a time jump occurs where one of them moves closer to the other, as I can’t imagine that happening anytime soon if ever, I just don’t see that being realistic. Tom is currently living in another country and I don’t think Robbie would be content with a long distance relationship if that possibility ever occurred. Robbie has some adjusting to do with this whole new environment he’s been exposed to and I can’t wait to see how things go from here.

I’m not surprised that Don lied about being a witness while incriminating/discrediting Robbie but I didn’t expect them to talk to him before taking to Robbie. Of course there’s always a chance he actually was secretly present in the house or had some surveillance in place making it a fact he did see the encounter despite his description of it being false...which is horrible if he saw the rape without intervening though I wouldn’t be remotely surprised. Obviously Don having put on a good facade/mask around town means they’d be more likely to believe his testimony over Robbie not to mention that while I doubt they seriously believe Robbie could secretly kill two individuals without anyone knowing his attitude while understandable didn’t help. Reynolds seemed like a good guy so hopefully things will work out though I’m worried about how the home situation is going to go down considering what Don now knows along with the anger Robbie has to be feeling towards him. Things are not looking up.

Poor Artie is a little naive and obviously it is due to being hopeful about getting Ezra back in his life. Not coming from a similar situation I can’t really grasp it completely as while I understand Artie wanting Ezra in his life I can’t exactly imagine myself being so... gullible if I were in his shoes. Ezra was clearly surprised by the sudden comment indicating that Dizzy is Artie’s boyfriend and likely isn’t very thrilled at the idea so that doesn’t bode well for their next bonding experience. He’s trying to drill back into Artie’s head all those narrow minded teachings he grew up with including bigotry & homophobia. Causing Artie to reflect on those teachings will only ruin the happiness Artie has found if he allows this poison to take root. I hope he realizes the truth quickly as Ezra’s conniving manipulations could end up causing Artie to have relationship issues with Dizzy, Adam, and Mason.

Wow, Stephanie being the one to walk in on him was I’m sure not a factor anyone was expecting. What happened to Nicola’s boyfriend? I’m left wondering if he ditched her or what’s going on exactly though I’m not surprised giving everything that Nicola decided to get a tad over-relaxed. Eh I sorta get what Robbie meant but when you indicate the sex was bad to the point you’d be better off masturbating while also saying you feel guilty about cheating on your boyfriend yet finish it up by saying you don’t regret it I’m kinda confused lol. In the end my translation is that he’s happy it clarified his sexuality once and for all as well as helped him get off, despite the sex being terrible, as masturbating on its own wasn’t sufficient for due to the viagra... though the fact he apparently started to harden again shortly afterward indicates to me that Stephanie didn’t help him get all of the viagra out of his system so that’d negate that positive reasoning quick in my opinion. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Overall, if I were in his shoes I’d definitely have to regret it a little. Oh and poor Robbie is naive if he thinks Nicola won’t eventually find out as Stephanie doesn’t seem very capable of keeping a secret.

Ugh, I don’t know what to think about the Connor situation. He seemed to say it wasn’t what Robbie thought then he quickly contradicted himself essentially admitting to what was going on so this seemingly isn’t a case where we can hope Robbie misread the situation. Keyword being seemingly as the conversation wasn’t exactly explicit though the evidence does point to Robbie being correct. I get that guys have needs and that Robbie hasn’t exactly been much of a boyfriend so far though if Connor considers them boyfriends then sexual Skyping with someone else seems wrong to me. Watch porn sure but masturbating with your ex, who you’re not even completely over, by webcam while dating someone seems like an action you can’t justify regardless of how horny you might be. Still, I expect to be surprised by his explanation and reasoning later. I was expecting Robbie to get caught walking around the house nude but instead he’s caught masturbating while watching Nathan’s homemade porn. 🤦🏻‍♂️ It seems unlikely that it’s anyone other than Amy and yet @Dodger loves throwing twists at us plus in a above post he says “Amy is the logical answer” so it’s not impossible that someone came home early as maybe the answer isn’t the logical one. Honestly, I’d be happy if it was almost anyone other than Amy as while being caught is going to be very embarrassing regardless obviously the potential Amy sex talk or explanation as to what’s going on is going to be tough on Robbie not to mention that Don wouldn’t be remotely happy if Amy told her parents what she walked in on. I mean Sue would be upset as well but Don’s reaction would be much more explosive. It could be a major twist and be Nathan who might know where a spare key is hidden which would result in serious drama as Connor could have a reasonable explanation for what we assume was going on... plus I especially don’t like the idea of them hooking up which would likely happen. 🤷🏻‍♂️ 😬 😱 I just thought of someone else it could be but I hope I’m very very wrong as he’s the person Robbie would least want to see in his current situation. 😔 Bad luck follows this kid.

Very true and this is something I have been anxious to point out in the past. Robbie has got it wrong plenty of times. Everything and everybody is how he perceives them at the time and not necessarily how things really are. He tends to exaggerate quite a bit too and a bit of a drama queen. I agree that this story is being narrated by Robbie who is far from impartial in all of this though thankfully we have other characters who give insight into Don’s character/personality so I assume we have a fairly accurate view of him though the keyword is assume. For example, I want to consider Jo as an impartial party who can give us information about Don’s true self though most of her information regarding Don is provided by Robbie and is colored by his bias so it’s hard to know how accurate her interpretations are regarding his character. The main sources of reliable information in this story are Don’s own kids especially Nicola as she’s old enough to see the truth and has expressed it often enough in the past to give a fairly accurate view of her father even if she’s seemingly backtracked into a state of denial with her desire to keep her family together rather than see her parents divorce not that her desire for her parents to stay together isn’t understandable. The ending of this chapter really threw me for a loop as while I don’t doubt Robbie has potentially exaggerated some I still obviously feel Don’s attitude was completely fake yet I didn’t think he’d be that good of an actor. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I mean even Robbie is seemingly thrown and doesn’t know how to respond per se. Don is presenting himself as a reasonable person who will likely be readily accepted back by everyone except Robbie. Amy is too young to grasp the situation, Nicola has clearly accepted him back though towards the end she did seem to interpret some of his statements as false while silently supporting Robbie, Sue has always been a pushover when it comes to Don, and the only one I’m not certain of is Daniel as I assume he’ll easily accept Don’s “change of heart” yet his reaction could surprise us all. I feel disappointed in Nicola’s response as to how it’s different for Robbie as it’s true it’s different as his biological dad wasn’t around, his mom is deceased, Don has never treated him like a son, Sue runs hot & cold as her treatment of Robbie seems to change constantly mostly due to Don’s influence, Daniel has treated Robbie fairly well most of the time yet they haven’t exactly seemed to have had any bonding time that makes them seem close, Nicola originally treated Robbie horribly only to recently start treating him like a brother, etc. My meaning is Robbie, except for Amy, isn’t often treated like a member of their family beyond his original status of nephew/cousin, if even that, so he of course wouldn’t mind the idea of Don & Sue divorcing as he would only benefit from it. Of course this could be one of those times we are only hearing what Robbie is assuming she meant and it may not be the whole truth. Still, I can definitely understand Robbie being hurt by her words regardless of her meaning.

Long winded alert: I agree with all your points as I don’t necessarily fail to empathize with Zach though the football situation isn’t the main thing that has me often feeling negative towards him. I feel for him as it is obvious he is extremely passionate about football and is worried that his being outed would ruin his football career which is a distinct possibility. I can’t say I necessarily understand his passion for the sport meaning he’s willing to exclude chances of happiness in every other aspect of his life yet just because I can’t fully comprehend it doesn’t mean I don’t feel for him. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Yes, the romantic part of me wishes he’d choose being out and with Will over a sports career yet that’s a minor thing in the whole scheme of things. What bothers me is a combo of him, as pointed out in this chapter, pretending to not understand how he is regarding the sport as he sometimes speaks as though Will is more important though his actions don’t match. He runs hot & cold regarding his feelings for Will not mention his easy willingness to ignore him when it’s not convenient for him would make me feel frustrated if I were in Will’s shoes. The whole assistant coach thing really disturbed me when it occurred and immediately afterward he seemed to cut Will out of his life not that he seemed to want him around often prior to that either. Of course I know part of that in the past was Zach being worried about being outed in case someone was suspicious when Will was around, though that situation made it look like he was just seeing Will as an outlet for sex as he was seemingly easily replaced by someone logistically closer as well as easier to explain away in terms of the possibility of being outed. Friends with benefits is one thing but to me their friendship is barely what I would even call friendship making it seem like Zach is a bit of a user causing me to somewhat doubt the word love applies to their relationship.