Topnotch

Another dynamic chapter. I totally get where Loren's coming from. Last chapter we see Jay fawning over how talented he is and that he can do everything and how sexy it is. When Loren puts all that talent to action and shows off for Jay, the in person reaction is quite different. Even if we take out the fact that he was rejected by his parents which has made him even more sensitive to any form of rejected, it had to hurt to come down from the mountain to find Jay's cold shoulder. I GET IT. I get why he shunned him. That sucks. I also get Jay. He was terrified when he saw Loren up there. It's dangerous. But Loren's not wrong. Jay's job is dangerous. It has to be a two-way street. Ok. They love each other and ugly things have been put out there, but there's a whole other part between love and ugly shit that is the meat of every relationship. We're there. We saw Loren's pain and Jay's regret. Jay didn't run, just like he said. He gave Loren a little, and I mean just a little space so he could process, never straying far, always letting him know he was there. That poor super bed must have felt smaller than ever. I'm glad to see it get resolved fairly fast. Part of me didn't think Loren should have cancelled the next climb (I'm a little stubborn also) but I think it showed a lot of maturity that he did. He's a bigger man than me.

This whole comment made me snort my coffee out. I love me the Watt brothers.

Yes. This whole scene had me rolling laughing. Corner-thrower lineblocker?!!! It was such a valiant effort on Loren's part. I couldn't stop smiling.

I do think that Jay of all people understands Loren's work. As a player, Jay is marketed himself. At this point I don't think Loren would do something without Jay's permission. Even in this chapter, he asked Jay's thoughts each step of the way. It was always a joint venture. I think Loren is very aware that what he does affects those around him. I imagine he is very conscientious when inviting someone to be a part of his world.

You did it again. You master. This really showcases how much Loren knows about Jay and what he needs. He knew Jay was nervous and/or overthinking sex and he came in and broke the tension even though roleplaying was outside his comfort zone. He did that for Jay, to make Jay smile. Of course the sex was...wow. Makes me feel better knowing they couldn't quite reach that 25. Going through his account together was even hotter, not because of the sex and because of what it meant for their relationship. He frowns. “And that makes me feel guilty because you’ve been good. No one else gets to see you like this. Me on the other hand…” he picks up his phone and thumbs through his account. “I feel like I should delete everything I’ve ever posted online.” I take the phone from him and set it down. “I don’t want you to do that. The past is an important part of everyone’s story. Just because you delete it doesn’t make it go away. You have eight-thousand memories there. You really want to erase all those?” “Kind of,” he says with a little fire in his eyes. “What’s the point of keeping them if you won’t look at them because they upset you? If I can’t share my past with you, then why share it with anyone?” I grab his phone and drag him to his room. I take my clothes off and tell him to do the same. In bed, I pull the blankets back and motion for him to join me. He watches suspiciously but crawls in anyway. Once we’re under the blankets, I hand him his phone. “Show me.” The corner of his lip curls. “And we have to be naked for this?” “Looking at half naked photos of you doing creative things is going to be a real turn on for me.” I run my hand down his body and cup his crotch. “It might help if I get to touch what other people can only see.” Loren spreads his legs as he pulls the app up. “Should we start from the beginning or go backwards?” This scene right here made the whole chapter. It shows a mutual insecurity. Loren being insecure that he's not good enough and Jay being insecure that Loren has this whole past that everyone knows about. They're finding a way to work through it together. Just wonderful. Well, the scene that makes the whole chapter is really them coming out as a couple. I think the caption Rebranded really sums it up. The fact you included a few of your readers in this, is the touch that makes you so wonderful. @imogene_arant: I told you @cynthiamd83!! I knew it when he went to the championship game. @84Mags: This is dope. topnotch: I did not see this coming but I couldn’t be happier!!!!! @Pickalane: Congrats!

Loren just gave himself to Jay in a big, big way. That’s kind of the best prize Jay coulD possibly get for winning the NFC. He will always remember this.

I wondered about this! I'm laughing now, which I needed after all the crying. I think it's hilariously ironic that you wrote they hadn't made the playoffs in like a million years and then they win the superbowl in real life. I don't know that anyone saw that coming. Maybe you were their good luck charm. I can only imagine your brother having a field day over the win. I'd have gloated if I was him.

I get an email notification that you posted a new chapter. I drop everything at work and start reading. That was my mistake, I own that. I'm not an emotional guy but this got me. I did not see it coming but it EXPLAINS EVERYTHING. I understand Loren so much better. If I read back through, which I will, I know everything will make more sense. They took his damn twin brother. If that isn't a life long validation for not feeling good enough, then I don't know what is. Abandonment? Check. He's been waiting for Jay to leave him. With everything he's gone through I'm impressed. IS he totally fucked up? Nah. There's residual trauma, but I was glad to hear he's been in therapy when so many don't. He's taken his trauma and built an empire. Part of me wonders if it's to stick it to his parents. To show them he doesn't need them. Do they have social media? Are they watching him? How about his brother? Why haven't they reconnected? I to noticed the brother wasn't mentioned in the aftermath. So many questions. One other thing I saw that really struck out to me is... He runs his finger down my arm and then pinches the cuff and checks it out. It is, in fact, one of the concept designs. My favorite piece of the bunch. Jay never misses a thing. I laugh. Like I said, Jay doesn’t miss a thing. Fuck. Jay is kind of perfect. Never missing a thing. This is a re-accruing theme I've seen in previous chapter but I'm glad that Loren see's it. He needs to see that Jay see's him, see's the things that matter to him. If I was Jay, and I wish I was, I'd celebrate everything Loren has accomplished. He is so much more than his parents leftovers.

I don’t care if you consider yourself a power bottom or not, no one would survive being Clydesdale donged 4x a day for any extended period of time lol

I agree. I really like seeing Loe at work. It's a very appealing side to him and helps us see part of Jay's attraction.

No, not Donkey Kong It's on like Clydesdale Dong. Stay with the theme @manhandle

This was a lovely chapter. I was nervous when Loren wasn't answering or returning his calls. I wonder if seeing Sven with Jay helped knock some sense in to him. Part of me thinks that didn't really matter. Loren is definitely falling for Jay and it's obvious he's trying to break old patterns. You can see him unfold a little as they start talking. He goes from balled up and unapproachable to a little smile to humping Jay. The evolution of Loren. I do hope we find out what his hold back is soon. I'd hate to see communication be the thing the ruins them. I don't want to say "I told you so", but I knew that Jay didn't fall for that Stratego BS! He knew! He was playing Loren so hard. Don't take your eyes off Jay for one second. He's a mastermind. Loved loved loved how Loren is slowly introducing them to the world. I agree with @84Mags, I'm inclined to believe his hesitation to go to games is more about privacy than not supporting Jay. Thanks to Boss Nanny, know he goes so the Championship game. If I remember correctly, there is a bit of tension between them. I guess we will find out (next chapter?) Also, this gem: Once we catch our breath, I reach out like I’m trying to grab something out of the air. Loren watches in post orgasm subdued confusion. “What are you doing?” “My virtue,” I say. “It’s getting away.” Jay isn't so immune to Loren after all...

Get his shit together? What? His potential childhood trauma? lol “sorry man, I can see you got shit on in your past, call me when you’ve figure it out.” I think Loren has done TONS to meet a Jay half way…if not more than half way, TBH. Jay is amazing but Loren is the one who is doing most of the work as far as making changes. I have a lot of respect for Loren. He’s sweet and charming in his own way. Kind of rough around the edges. Love isn’t always there because things are easy. Love is there because it can see past all the BS. Jay saw something early on. Loren sees it now.

This chapter is packed. I like the beginning when we have a glimpse into Loren’s world. I follow a lot of people on social media and I feel like he’s spot on as an influencer. Jay was bummed he couldn’t be there for Loren at the WH but think that moment needs to be him and his friends. This is something they’ve created together, it’s a special moment for them to come together. But I think it’s sweet that Jay was able to help him with the shipping of clearance items. I will never be able to look at Stratego the same again. I think I have a game somewhere in my game closet, I am now determined to find it and make my husband play with me. I have a very big soft spot for Loren. It’s obvious he wants so much but he does not know how to get it… even though Jay is literally standing there like a servant with everything Loren desires on a platter. The jealousy does not surprise me at all, it was bound to happen. Loren has never truly liked anyone the way he likes Jay, it’s natural to feel afraid of losing it, especially when there is potential trauma in his past that predispositioned him to this kind of insecurity. Thank you for the long chapter, it was totally worth it.

I boat can have two captain, one drives and makes decisions while the other wears the hat. Jay is definitely wrapped around Loren’s finger but I don’t get the vibe that Loren is running the ship. @Mrsgnomie Settle the debate? 😏

Umm. I don’t think Loren will be the only one with blue balls here. Dayum. This is the best chapter yet. I loved that Loren was helping Jay with the video at the beginning of the chapter. I imagine there’s a ton of people who would kill for Loren’s attention. It really shows that Loren is confident when he’s in his element. I was disappointed that Loren sent Jay a text showing what he does for work but I can see why he did that. All that insecurity couldn’t handle Jays disappointment. I feel that. I don’t want Jay disappointed in me either. I’m glad Jay called him out on it, gently. There wasn’t a need to beat him into the ground about it, he’s a baby in that way, slowly learning the ropes. When Jay says he has to get the shapes to fit together (Loren being a triangle to his perfect circle) I love it. He’s not trying to change Loren to fit his ideals, he’s trying to find a way to make them work together and rethinking everything he thought he wanted. Much respect for this. Kind of psycho that Loren broke into Jays house but it also shows you how much he was bothered by 24hrs if silence and how far he was going to confront the matter. He might suck at words but he wasn’t going to let Jay ignore this. Me thinks Loren secretly enjoys Jay’s snail pace. He’s being romanced. @mrsgnomie you’re amazing! We’re lucky to get twice a week posting and yet it’s not even enough.

Ok. I already said I’m in love with Jay. He seems to really have his shit together. We don’t have a lot of information on Loren but the bits we’ve gotten lead me to believe that he’s worked hard and built something of an empire (that could be exaggerating). He went to the bar once a month-ish? For a year and never noticed Jay? Why? That makes me think that when he’s out, he’s focused. He’s with his friends. He’s not paying attention to other people around him. That’s respectable. It could also be because he’s in a bar which is a straight guy magnet so he wasn’t interested in what it had to offer especially when he has easy picking because of his job. To live so publicly, there needs to be some element of confidence and I think Loren has it in spades. BUT what Jay is offering are not the things that Loren is used to (superficial relationships and one night romps. If Sven is any indication then it’s not even over night, simply a wham bam). So, what has happened to Loren that he is gun shy about something deep? Previously Jay asked Loren about his family and Loren completely sidelined it. He answered without answering. I could be reading too much into it, but im curious about his family. Maybe trams? I’m not sure. I think Loren is going to have the character arch in this story and I can’t wait to see it.

I’ve been waiting to see what @84Mags and @drsawzall say before commenting but drsawzall is taking their sweet time. Not much more to be said, per usual. I think I’m in love with Jay but feel undeserving of him so I can understand where Loren might struggle. I loathe the day you bring Jays flaws to light. I will not handle it well. My big gay heart is big gay in love. if Loren hurts him…

I can’t keep up with half these comments. I feel like we’re reading different stories. I almost look forward to @84Mags and @drsawzall comments/insights as much as I do the story itself.

I love Mondays!!! really great chapter. I do not feel like I can add anything that hasn’t already been said. Jay seems like such a solid person and I don’t think his reactions will vary greatly. Loren on the other hand, There is sooo much to unpack for him. I have a feeling it will be more than we can even imagine. thank you again. Cannot wait until Thursday

I think others have truly nailed this chapter. Jay is, wow. Why do I have a feeling that upcoming chapters will look something like Jay leading a bucking bronco around a paddock, trying to convince him that his new home is not so bad? “You get apples and sugar cubes! See? it’s okay here, no need to freak out. Deep breathes. Woah there.” I like reading comments because I often find insight that helps me reign things in. At first, I just saw Loren as immature. But then I read what @84Mags said and I think she’s on to something with Loren’s reaction. He’s not as immature as he is a fish out of water. He doesn’t know how to react to someone who is possibly looking for something more than a roll in the hay. That’s not something that’s easy to come to terms with so I’m interested in seeing how it plays out. I would love a double post but if we only get one double post for the story then I’d like to wait. I have a feeling there will be some doozy chapter coming up and we’ll be begging for more .

I’m detail, I hope. Can you imagine? It would be a riot lol

The taste of these two chapters has me drooling for more. The pacing is spot on as usual. The way you tell your stories, without giving too much away is such a draw. Is it Thursday yet?

“Why not?” he counters. “Apparently the only way to get your attention is to invite your friends over because here you are.” “That’s incredibly—” “Cute?” he finishes. “Do you find me completely adorable now?” I laugh and run my fingers through my hair. He’s ridiculous. “I was going to say bold, but it’s kind of cute, too. I suppose.” He does a fist bump and a little victory dance in his chair. He’s shameless. And yes, completely adorable. ⬆️ This is why Loren does this ⬇️ “You’re going to google him, aren’t you?” “Nah.” “Yeah you are,” he teases. A few minutes later I turn to Isaac and smile. “Is that M-E-Y-E-R? or M-E-I-E-R?” I ask. Isaac laughs at my idiocy. “You’re not going to Google him my ass.”

Wow this is a great chapter. there is so much at play. the council is clearly hiding stuff and i just don't know who to believe and who not to believe