Danners

I can’t believe I’m defending Hank but I’m with you. While I don’t and won’t excuse his behavior, Hank is as much a victim here as Chase is. We caught Chase near rock bottom and have had the luxury of watching him rise, but Hank has been on a sharp downward spiral since that night. He also hasn’t received the support Chase has. In fact, his involvement with Kevin is indicative of how badly he’s doing and I consider it a setback as well as a mistake. Hank is stuck being reactive. He reacted to that night. He reacted to being alone for five hours. He reacted to finding an ill and depressed Chase at Charles’ condo. He reacted to Chase moving out as ordered. He reacted to seeing Chase with Dawson. He reacted to Chase calling him out for his poor behavior. He hasn’t done anything for himself (that we know of). Not only is he mentally and emotionally stuck reliving what he imagined happened after he left Chase and Lips McGrabAss at the bar, he’s also stuck in wounded animal mode. I mean, can you really blame a sick dog for snapping at a hand reaching out to help it? Chase got help. Hank needs help. I’d love for Chase to help Hank. (Since their relationship predates chapter one, for some reason that makes me feel like they didn’t get a fair shot. That’s on me.) But it doesn’t have to be Chase — it could be Charles or Stacy or the garbage man for that matter. Anyone is better than Kevin, since he enables and encourages Hank to run away and avoid his problems. By the time he comes to terms with everything that’s happened to him since his mom’s affair, let’s hope happiness is waiting for him and he’s ready to accept it, whatever form it takes.

That’s why I said it was a matter of perspective. They are both victims of their circumstances — guilty of making mistakes and missing opportunities. The learning curve from here is pretty steep and Chase is ahead of Hank, but I can see them getting past everything. I truly and wholeheartedly hope they can, and together.

Exactly! Hank, I feel, was waiting for the other shoe to drop — cyclically. Having subconsciously become addicted to being needed by Chase, and due to his mother’s actions in the past, I suspect Hank proposed prematurely. He also overlooked certain considerations because of his own skewed view of relationships. Case in point: According to Hank, six months should’ve been enough time for Chase to get over Christine’s death. Since he hated his own mother and blamed her for his father’s death, it didn’t occur to him what Chase might think about having a wedding his mom couldn’t be a part of. Had he asked, Chase could’ve given it some thought and wouldn’t have reacted how he did. It’s a matter of perspective and Gary’s gonna play both sides until all is revealed in later chapters. Mean ole author.

You know what I’d like to see? Chase confronting Hank’s mom. Lord knows Hank won’t, but someone should make her aware of the lasting damage she caused to her son. I mean, she basically helped mold Hank’s views on what makes and breaks a [successful] relationship. I’d even go so far as to say she sabotaged Hank’s ability to have a healthy relationship — with anyone, including himself.

He says his and Chase’s relationship is over but his actions speak otherwise. Operating under that theory, I kind of want Hank to fool around with Kevin (up to third base, let’s say) so that he has a tangible reason (in his mind) to feel guilt. Let Hank walk a mile in Chase’s shoes and feel the need to apologize. The only difference would be that Chase was drunk when he made his mistakes and a sober Hank was just desperate to move on and/or forget Chase. One could say Hank is drunk with grief but that excuse if flimsy at best. Whatever Gary comes up with, I pray he gives those two a chance to talk it out. They need to come to some sort of understanding before either can move on, whether that’s together (I hope!) or individually.

As loathe as I am to cut Hank any amount of slack, he was in shock. We caught our first glimpse of Hank’s instinct in situations he isn’t in control of, which is to retreat. Chase brought that up last chapter and it stands true. Hank waits for others to react. That way he can compose the appropriate response for them, not necessarily himself. So, having fled at first, he returned to the club and encountered another setback in Chase and the guy being gone. He assumed they left together, remember: looking for Chase at other clubs would’ve confirmed that misconception. Rather than call Chase — hell, I would’ve blown his phone up — Hank went to his safe space and waited. The problem with that being the sceneries his imagination fed him. Hank didn’t know what else to do. Literally, he felt he had no other option but to wait for Chase to come home. It’s always been about Chase, and Hank was — IS — lost without him.

They deserve the happiness they had together, only without the emotional baggage they were both unknowingly carrying around. If they were good before — we don’t know for sure but it seems like they were — they could be great once they learn to cope with their issues and to share the ones they can’t. A relationship of equals.

So true. It doesn’t seem like Hank has the tools at his disposal (I could take a potshot at Kevin but I won’t) that Chase does — family, friends like Dawson and Stacy, and Dr. Chorney. He cocooned instead of reaching out because, I think, he never developed the coping mechanisms Chase did. He took it upon himself to always, always be the pillar of strength, so when his relationship collapsed, he was completely unprepared for the aftermath. Hell, as was mentioned, just sitting alone in their apartment for five hours did a number on Hank.

Not as quick as Kevin. He saw a single Hank and took off like the roadrunner, complete with a silhouette of dust hanging in the air behind him. Tee hee hee.

While a relationship between Chase and Dawson could be okay, one between Hank and Kevin isn’t healthy. Whether or not it progressed “naturally,” Kevin allowed himself to pursue a man whose relationship ended only two weeks prior and that says something about his state of mind. Hank, along the same lines, is in such a vulnerable and volatile place and should honestly focus on himself, not falling into Kevin’s waiting arms. Anything built on such a fragile foundation as Kevin’s and Hank’s is doomed to failure and, in fact, will most likely do more damage than good. As reconciliation goes, one between Hank and Chase could happen. It’ll be tough and, like you said, largely hinges on how intimately involved Hank is/was with Kevin, as well as Hank’s willingness to change. Chase, I think, could help his ex-boyfriend cross those bridges because he has dealt with many of the same feelings himself. He’s already cutting through some of the tangled misconceptions Hank fell under after their relationship disintegrated — you know, forcing him to confront issues with himself and his past. If they do find their way back to each other, it’d be a good idea to begin anew rather than pick up from where they left off. Neither is the same man as he was. That way they’ll get to know who they are without the yolk of maternal tragedies over their shoulders.

Might I suggest a job in demolitions as part of his cover identity? Y’know, because of how comfortable he is being a home wrecker and all.

To say I couldn’t get enough of this story is an understatement. I guffawed. I worried. I trembled with rage. More importantly, I kept wanting more. Theirs is a tumultuous journey. For Andrew Thompson and Aubrey Miller, the spark between them fuels not only a passion for each other but also self-discovery and reflection. Surrounded by colorful characters and driven by reactions that stay true to their natures, they are beautifully flawed individuals and that makes them all the more compelling to follow. The dialogue, as mentioned by other reviews, is well-written and captivating. There were no punches pulled and none needed, really, because what the author left unspoken was just as important to the story as what he laid out on the page. That, in itself, is the hallmark of a talented writer. Electricity will shock you at times, and there are several knee jerk reactions along the way, but the story moves seamlessly from chapter to chapter. You couldn’t ask for a better read.

What a fitting end to such a riveting story, Moz. I adore the happy irony of the electricity between Aubrey and Andrew leaving them so grounded in and with one another. Their life together won’t be storybook perfect, much like their beginning, but with them it’s almost as if any arguments or misgivings bring them closer together. They fulfill one another and it couldn’t be better. Nice touch with Eli Warren. He finally found the inspiration he’d been chasing after so many years, and the fact that Aubrey and Andrew had a hand in it makes it all the more touching. Yet again you’ve proven what a powerful, driving force they are as a couple. Or, perhaps, it was Nelson’s journey and his father’s change of heart that did the trick. Either way, Pride is one writer richer despite Katbox’s removal. Last but not least, I’m quite glad Tom’s future was never mentioned. He didn’t deserve a resolution. For all his arrogance and pride, he was merely a placeholder in Aubrey’s life — in any partner’s life, I imagine. Same with Drew. Joel, on the other hand, earned his happiness. Again, superb job with this one, Moz. As sad as it is to see it end, to know this is only the beginning for the Thompson-Miller household leaves this reader brimming with joy.

I dunno. Compared to Chase, he seems to be coming up short. 😜

I’ll stop once he’s out of the picture. Until then I’ve got a rifle and it’s time to snipe.

In other words, he’d sHank him?

Is what he said after Kevin pulled Hank’s hand into his lap.

And where is Timothy? Does he accept bribes?

Yes, quit making sense. Make a page for the next chapter and post that instead.

Charles, Christine, Chase and Cindy Leeman. Poor girl got left out of the CH Club. Nostalgia is often bittersweet but still worthwhile, and the house you grew up in always seems to have that effect of you. I can still remember minute details about mine, memories that evoke the aroma of lilacs, aged wood, and the metallic tang of sun baked metal screens on a summer day. I’m glad the Leemans were able to reminisce, even if it picked at the scabs of old — or, in Chase’s case, somewhat recent — wounds. They say you aren’t supposed to make big decisions — buying or selling a home, donating belongings, splurging on a huge trip — until at least six months to a year has passed after losing a loved one. Charles must’ve been out of his mind with grief. From the sound of it, he was pretty inconsolable and in a rush to get away (under Christine’s orders). Don’t think I didn’t notice Cindy’s reaction to the Dawson/Marshall comparison. They dated off and on, sounds like, and remained good friends, which makes me wonder what Cindy is more concerned about: that Chase hasn’t said much about Dawson prior to this or that he’s (to her eyes) implying they’re friends with benefits. She doesn’t know what all went on the day before, after all, and I get the impression she hasn’t given up on Hank and Chase ending up together. (I fear for Hank’s physical safety when Cindy finds out about the cottage trip.) Speaking of Dawson . . . the man told it like it is — from our mouths to Chase’s ear. Look at him clueing in on Hank’s odd behavior. I’m glad he can be a sounding board for Chase to bounce ideas off of and kind of steer him onward. My only concern is him enabling Chase’s drinking. Other than tequila, booze is a downer and that isn’t good for someone with depression, nor is it a healthy coping mechanism — one that helped put Chase in this situation in the first place. (Moral of the story: if you’re depressed, reach for the tequila! Kidding.) Dawson made a good point about Hank seeming to want to see Chase’s reaction. It made me consider an approach Chase hasn’t taken yet and one that Hank’s recent actions suggest he subconsciously might want: tell Kevin to back the fuck off his man. I want it to happen, I really do, but with Chase convinced Kevin “won,” I won’t get my hopes up. (Maybe after a few beers with Dawson!) This was a welcome interlude, Gary. As raw as Chase is after his latest confrontation with Hank, he needed this bonding time with his family and they needed to re-establish their relationship so they can draw strength from one another. It’s the silver lining to this Hank business.

Heh! I had a friend like that, only it was his secret he couldn’t resist telling. I’d swear myself to secrecy and, five minutes later, find myself being asked about it by someone else he told. At one point, we were sipping cocktails at the bar. He told me something embarrassing and made me promise to keep it to myself. Ten seconds later, he turned to the friend on the other side of him and asked, “Do you want to know a secret?” I may have done a spit take with my whiskey. As for Georgette, I guess it isn’t really her inability to keep secrets that bugs me, it’s her lack of tact. She knew something happened between Troy and Grant and that Troy asked them to consider Grant’s feelings, to not say anything until he and Grant figured things out. That wasn’t a secret, it was the truth. Hopefully, after this, she has the good grace to apologize or at the very least recognize she should.

The perfect peace offering: wiring Georgette’s jaw closed. She’d be a lot less troublesome if she had to flush her verbal diarrhea down on to a whiteboard. Easier to ignore too.

Agreed on all counts. I empathize with Grant’s anger though. The group, for all their good intentions, took the choice to come out away from him. They didn’t mean to, and they didn’t actually say anything; the timing was just bad. So soon after getting Troy to reluctantly keep their relationship a secret and then hearing from Troy that they already figured it out, Grant must’ve felt completely humiliated. I’d have left too. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, with Brian showing up, Grant won’t get the time he needs to process this information. Or stew. I’m glad it’s Brian and not Troy. Although Troy must feel terrible, especially after their declarations of love, he’s the wrong person to confront/comfort Grant this time. Brian can approach the situation from a brotherly, protective standpoint, with just enough tough love to keep Grant from waffling but supportive enough to assuage any fears he may have. He wants Troy to be happy, after all, and a huge part of that will be through helping Grant over these hurtles.

When is the next one coming out? We have needs, Moz! Needs!