Wayne Gray

There was a one-ton elephant in room, wasn't there? Grant was too far gone to moderate himself, and everyone else got to see that on display. Sober Grant would have been horrified at his drunken behavior. Let's see how far along that Denial Cycle Grant is when tomorrow comes. Thanks, Tom!

I know there's nothing I can say or do to help ... but I wish that there was. I'm thinking of you guys. xo

It's not the noticing - it's the need to prove you've noticed. 😛 I'm kidding. I enjoy your brand of commenting. Most of the time. LOL

*Pantomimes innocence* Me? Evil? *giggles and rubs hands together* I grew up with a mom who did this. We were her runners, returning things when we couldn't afford stuff. It's horrible to be in that position. Grant is really just trying to help. If he announced that he was the one who helped her, that'd be one thing ... but he didn't. He just did it, got the little plug of feel good chemicals, then left. Hehehe ... I'm glad you find the story hard to resist. That's a good thing. Don't worry, you only have to wait until Sunday for the next chapter!

Thank you, KayDeeMac! Things do seem to be heating up a bit, eh? Troy is lusting after Grant, while Grant is awkward and flustered around Troy (sometimes). You've got the next chapter ahead of you. Why don't you go see if you're right? 😄

I know that I really enjoy reading and replying to comments. Well ... most of them. 😛 I like the beating around the bush comment. Maybe they already have caved, and you don't know it yet? You know ... you could just end that suspense. Go ahead ... read them. They're there, waiting for you. Maybe they have all the answers you seek! Hehehe ... We'll have to see if and/or when Troy finds out about the journal how that goes. Perhaps you're right ... "Ye haw!"

LOL. Wow. 😄

Late for work? Well that was horrible of me! 🙂 Yes ... they are a bit matchmakery aren't they? But they're good to and for Troy, not to mention welcoming to Grant. And you're likely right about that headache! Thanks for the comment, Parker.

It qualifies as a slow burn already for me. We're ten chapters in, and we just got to a drunken snuggle. But, hey ... that makes it more special when those barriers come down. Regardless of what's to come, you can guess that confusion will make an appearance. 🙂

Thanks, Danners. 🙂 Grant and Troy are beginning to realize that they have "something" in one another. It's undefined right now for them both, but they feel it. The restroom ... hehe ... yes. He had to piss, and he had to think about why he was upset. He didn't get far in his state, but he had just determined to be "normal," then threw something of a fit of jealousy immediately upon stepping back into the living room when he thought Troy was interested in some other guy. What will Grant and Troy look like in the morning? Well ... you'll have to wait until Sunday before that is revealed. But you and Ben are right - the truth is in the wine. 😉

Hehehe ... You're just waiting for that shoe to drop, eh? Not this chapter. But, I don't want to disappoint you, so ... 😉

Thanks, tim. 🙂 They are a family. They've chosen one another to be a part of their tribe, and hold each other dear. Thanksgiving here is a big deal for many. It was the biggest holiday for me growing up, as that's when our whole family came together. I miss that. It's nice to write them ... this little group. I wish I had them in my life, but telling their story will have to do.

I liked a few moments in the last two scenes. Grant having obvious issues with the thought of Troy dating someone, then snuggling Troy out in front of everyone and just not caring (thank you, wine!). Then in bed ... Troy is trying to be good, gentlemanly, and give Grant his space ... only to be snuggled hard by a drunken, lovey Grant. Yeah, I like that scene too. 🙂 Thanks for the comments!

You're pretty much right. I wish you hadn't used Lord of the Flies as the example (I despise that book so much), but it doesn't change the meat of your observations. Georgette is unvarnished truth, even when it may not be welcome. But ... she accepts even uncomfortable truths in those she values. Natalie is indeed emotion, and reminds her friends that they're loved at every chance. Brian is protectiveness, and piggybacks on Natalie's contribution - everybody will be loved. Aaron is ... he has a really big heart. He loves fiercely, both his friends and Georgette. And ... yeah. Aaron is a sexy, naturally smooth, gregarious redhead. 😛

Great comment, thank you. I'm glad it made you smile. Ah, Georgette. She is fun, and that "voice of reason" as she describes herself that seems to appear in most group of friends. She's also terrible with secrets. 😛

Haha ... Yeah. I guess that's right. And Troy didn't seem to have any complaints concerning said flag.

It's totally okay to have an opinion on the friends. Think about this for a second ... what if you really could "delete" unwanted qualities in people? What if you could completely remove from someone the propensity to "meddle" in yours and the life of others? Who would they become? Would they still be someone you liked, even after you could predict every interaction you'd have with them? Yeah, that's the extreme view of a "perfect" friend. Brian and Grant are not perfect. These are, as you see them, flaws. Just as in the real world, we have to decide if those flaws are acceptable or not. Do they come from a good place? Maybe. It doesn't mean you have to like those characters at all. I'm totally okay if you don't like Brian or Grant for their approaches to life. This is, simply, who they are, and not everyone will like them. I do appreciate your comments and the time you spent on them. 🙂

Aw, thank you for the fantastic comment! I'm thrilled that the story spoke to you in such a way, and that you'd take the time to let me know. I sincerely appreciate that. You're very welcome. Have a wonderful day.

At this point in the story, Troy has become the "steady" one between our pair of guys. Grant is floundering a bit. It's true that Grant's issues are internal, but that doesn't mean they're not real. Troy knows himself, comfortable with who he is, while Grant struggles. Drunk, with his defenses down, Grant shows that he desires at the very least physical contact and closeness with Troy. The roles have reversed, or at a minimum they've equalized. Grant needs Troy. The question is: what will the guys do when they're sober and able to actually think about what they're both doing?

Well, let him wake and sober up a bit first. 🙂 There's a lot going on for Grant. I mean, really. He's navigating all of these new interactions with Troy's friends, while feeling his way with Troy. Throw on top of that his own emotions, desires, and insecurities to deal with and you've got a mess. He's a hot mess. lol Thanks for commenting. Let's see where we end up on Sunday. 🙂

Hehehe. Thanks for commenting, molly. you've mentioned that you find a kindred spirit in Natalie. That's cool. She's a wonderful character, and someone who is a steady, loving presence to those around her. Finding things in common with her is a good thing. 🙂

I'm glad you found all of the things you shouldn't say about the story, droughtquake. 😛 But, I'm happier that you're enjoying it - no matter the reasons. Thanks.

Ah, I'm glad. It makes me happy to know that people enjoy the work, so thank you for commenting. Comments, ratings on stories, and story reviews really encourage authors, so if you see stories you particularly like let that author know. It may not feel important to you, but they're more likely to produce additional stories if you do. Thanks for commenting!

Thanksgiving went well, eh? The friends all got to reconnect, meet Grant, and watch Grant drunkenly lay claim to Troy (that’s what happened, regardless of Grant’s intentions). Then they plan a holiday for Grant while he’s passed out. Cut to bedtime and things are quite a bit more snuggly than Troy had anticipated. Where will we go from here? We’ll find out on Sunday. Thanks for commenting and reading!

22 November 2018, Thursday 9:46 a.m. (Thanksgiving Day - US) "Brian! Where's the tablecloth? The good one?" Natalie dug through the linen closet in their hallway, a frown creasing her otherwise smooth brow. He came walking in from their laundry room, the tablecloth over his arm. "I told you I was going to wash it." His bass voice growled, but he smiled at her. "Relax, Nat." "Thank God." Natalie grabbed the tablecloth. "I am relaxed." She turned to go back into the living room, an