84Mags

Lots to unpack in this chapter, but my mind is on Penn and Nash. They are both so adorably unaware of their mutual attraction! They keep finding ways to orbit around each other. Glad it is a slow and steady build or it just wouldn’t ring true. L😍VED the hot cops Halloween outfit idea and the sneakin’ peaks while dressing!!! My hope is that Cam and Penn are working through the end of their relationship. It’s not just the spreading her wings comment, but Cam’s made a past sexual comment to Nash (threesome) and seems to be drinking a lot. Perhaps Penn and Cam are working on ending the marriage and remaining friendly, hence the smiles, talking and touching at family gatherings. I do worry that might not be the case. Nash and Penn would never betray Cam the way Lee did. ...I am not sure about Cam, though.

I read the chapter at midnight, woke up and read it again this morning! I wondered the same thing... and Penn tripping, twice, thinking about a lap dance! 😍🥰🤞🥰😍

I think this is my favorite chapter so far. Nash is remembering how to trust himself again, and thereby trust others. Any of the lingering shame disappears as his friends learn what happen, treat him with respect and stand beside him. It also took internal strength to quit his beloved job. I’m so relieved he cares enough about his own wellbeing to do so. That and seeing an attorney are important steps. Because they express themselves so differently, I hadn’t realized how alike Paul (MARRIED to a woman?!!) and Lee are until now. Both are so arrogant in their belief Lee will keep their relationship secret, both so callous of those they said vows to, both so righteous in their anger, both so certain of the support of those they work for. I guess the committee proved part of that right by not immediately taking action. The family must have been stunned, but that is no excuse and only shows Paul’s behavior is part of a larger family dynamic. (His poor wife! 😞) Both Wayne and Mr. Chambers responded exactly like persons of character would. Nash will be ok because he surrounds himself with good people. Every interaction between Penn and Nash is adorable 😍 and makes me smile.

One other thing kind of niggles at me. I worry that Lee is an attorney but it hasn’t yet occurred to Nash that he should seek legal advice. Especially since he plans a trip abroad prior to ending the marriage. But then there is Mr. Chambers, Lee’s boss, who so obviously values Nash’s opinion. Maybe he will be part of the hero squad along with Wayne and the Knott’s bro’s.

While the last chapter so obviously riled me up, this one had a soothing balm effect. Nash’s pain, uncertainty, embarrassment, and also his growing sense of self was a hard, but beautiful read. He’s processing what happened and allowing himself to grieve. He sure has Lee in a much better perspective! It was gratifying to see Nash realizing how selfish Lee is; his lack of taking responsibility and flashes of anger at being reminded of what he clearly finds a minor transgression. If a two year affair is so little to Lee, I have to wonder what else he is capable of hiding. Nash’s raw worries over divorcing Lee were so humanizing. People oftentimes stay in relationship they no longer want just because they lose too much outside the marriage. And Penn...dear sweet Penn! Once the truth spilled out, he didn’t pull any punches and laid out exactly what he thought. He broke down each one of Lee’s concerns and offered to be there every step of the way. Sounds like he recently has gone through a reassessment and made changes in his life. 🙂 So, the comment about Penn not liking Lee even when they were kids. Wonder if he liked Nash even back then... but Nash was with Lee, and then married Lee... Also, clearly Lee was a shit even back in the day. The Knott’s bro’s are my heroes. It was a relief to learn they DIDN’T know Lee was cheating and hide that from Nash, and a bigger relief to know they would literally kidnap and fight for the friendship. I hope Nash begins to recognize his own self worth with the help of this family.

I hope the Knotts brothers stay united in their friendship for Nash (aka the bosom circle 😏) and I love that Wayne is a solid figure already saying he will go to the committee on Nash’s behalf. Think it is gonna get a bit ugly before it gets better.

That pit in my stomach from the last chapter turned into a heart palpitating sized boulder. Nash is definitely being too gullible. He’s placing his trust in a conniving man who lied with ease FOR TWO YEARS. It’s hard to think reasonably and process how to move forward when you have been victimized. Nash is able to logically recognize he is being manipulated, but doesn’t seem emotionally there yet. They set up a marriage where Nash bends to Lee’s wants. Christ on a cracker, the jerk even forced lunch when Nash just wanted to get the talk done. I’m rooting for Wayne to continue with his calm, rational, and compassionate friendship to help Nash through this. Nash needs someone to help him sort out the details so he can grieve the loss of the marriage he thought he had. I am intrigued Lee said Paul was ‘blackmailing’ him. As Nash pointed out, not a usual alibi. I’m guessing there is more muck to that relationship.

Yes!!!! Everything you said. Everything.

I’m not sure why, but I have this pit in my stomach that Lee isn’t as perfect as Nash believes he is and that it has something to do with Paul. At first I thought the slow burn you cautioned readers about had to do with Nash and Penn. While there is something clicking between the two, Nash is fully committed and very much in love with Lee. A few red flags have been the sex scenes (Nash not fulfilling his own needs of either bottoming or having more than one orgasm), Lee not attending the race, and Lee not helping to build that giant dome thing. Wonder of the complicated thing the brothers commented on had something to do with insider information on Lee rather than knowing that Penn has feelings for Nash.