CincyKris

While for most people, flowers and an apology are a nice statement, for Colin it is a very big step. I hope he has a conversation with Owain afterwards, not just sex. He needs a gay friend to talk to, it will help normalize being gay. His complete isolation from other gay people has done him no favors. I know I mentioned allowing Jimmie and co. to be disrespectful last chapter, but I'm with @Cane23, it was not OK! At the very least, he needs to put a stop to their banter.

Brian and Gordon may be new at full time parenting, but they are doing a great job! I think they are hitting the sweet spot for the amount of attention they are giving Toby. Too little (like Noah), and they might feel unimportant. Too much, and they feel smothered.

WooHoo we have first contact! The boys enjoyed lighthearted fun until Colin's employees showed up. I know that good employees are hard to find, but the least Colin could have done is asked his workers to cut out all the homophobic banter. It's not only pushing him to the very back of his closet, it's disrespectful to the client. I know that it's going to take some effort from Owain to get Colin comfortable, but I'm looking forward to a time when Colin grows some balls to go with that fine ass!

I'm rereading and you brought forth feelings and memories yet again! My first time at my favorite Thai restaurant, the owner recognized a newbie and asked what my favorite ingredient was, I told her mushrooms. She said she would bring me a special, only a little spicy. I asked her white people spicy or Thai people spicy, she cracked up, punched my arm and said "you funny white lady, I surprise you". Best Thai food I'd ever had! I actually cried when Kayala and her husband retired. This also reminded me of a dear friend from college, now gone from cancer, who struggled with his orientation. Thanks for the good memories on my day off!

My most fervent wish is that sometime soon Jubal will not be able to think the following ever again: The urge to touch the man’s face was as strong as any he’d ever had, but he didn’t have that right.

I don't get bad vibes from Russ, but I could be wrong. He just seems to be a rich guy who is used to having his offers accepted. Would he react with vengeance if he were rejected? I doubt it, a smart businessman would just move on to the next conquest, hopefully that will be the case here. One of the reasons I'm guessing this To be the case, is the way he responded to the request regarding Toby. Rather than use the possible loss of business as a veiled threat, he offered positive reinforcement. Manipulative yes, but when aren't rich businessman manipulative?

Maybe they were shifter squirrels

It’s lucky for them your thanksgiving was last month! I haven’t seen any for a week or so, I think they’re getting paranoid!

Its pretty obvious that Owain is going to have to make the first move. Hopefully Owain will shock Colin out of the holding pattern his life has become.

I don't trust Frank. He is whispering in a lot of ears and Calhoun and Martina are taking his words to be fact, but are they? I'm still bothered by his presence at the refuge after hours. As for the revelation by Burke that Chase had been found crying on the water tower catwalk, I remind you of Micco's last words to Chase until recently: “Don’t—I need to—” I fell back on my prepared speech, practiced and perfected for hours in front of my bathroom mirror. “Chase, I’ll never think of you… that way. I couldn’t. You’re my best friend. My brother. You’ll always be my brother. Nothing more. Nothing else.” I still think that in his panic, Micco's lie destroyed 16 year old Chase just as much as 16 year old Micco. Two years after Chase's breakdown, Micco had his own breakdown in the same place.

I'm going back and forth between two guesses: Huntington figured out the "chain of evidence" regarding the twins and torched the ranch as retribution and a warning. Or There is a mole here, as there was in Montana. Regardless, there are serious security issues in our Texas pack.

This was a great "feel-good" chapter. I like Drew and Evie more every time we visit with them. I think they are a good influence for Toby, and allow Brian and Gordon to have a safe and fun outlet for Toby and perhaps some extra alone time for themselves. I have nothing against Denise, she is loving and accepting, but her traditional household isn't very fun for a teenage boy with a passion for the outdoors. I am still looking forward to the grandparents meeting, even if Brian is not!

This is a fantastic page turner, made all the more amazing since it's the first novel by @kbois. You will not regret reading this romance between two appealing and well-written leads and some wonderful side characters.

I just finished a 2-day binge reread of this wonderful first story by @kbois! This was so good! I remember not particularly caring for Cassie the first time through, I'm not sure why, probably some issue with an overbearing co-worker at the time. Who can remember pre-covid? I loved her this time around, and now post-Krew, I see her in the interactions between @kbois and @Mrsgnomie, and lots of other Krew members! I'm going to reread Jarren's story next.

Adidas and Puma also have Nazi connections, I didn't know about Hugo Boss.

Owain's life is progressing along at a steady, if somewhat leisurely pace. Which I think is a good thing. He had experienced a lot of change, this gives him some time to get settled before any new big decisions get made. He also has time to get to know Colin, I'm happy there is attraction on both sides.

I fear that Martin and Emma did not survive the explosion and ensuing fire. But did either of the Simisants live? If Rimzi is our ghost "leafy man", did Akeeri survive? Will we get to meet him?

Ares sounds like a fun place to work! I'm not sure whether I should be concerned about this Russ Kahn. I'm hoping for harmless fun, rather than trouble for our boys. If you cause trouble between Gordon and Brian, we will be full of "wrath"!

Thank you for this chapter. It not only gave us important info, but you perfectly relayed the desperation that Jubal is feeling. His whole life is laying in that bed. We also get a better feel for Reid, he is no longer just a spurned ex, he is a good man and a good friend. I think that Reid is finally realizing just how much Jubal cares for his friend.

I have a feeling that Colin's dad was a browbeaten husband who just went along with his wife to make life easier, then escaped to his shed. Unfortunately, this trained mum to accept this as being the norm, and she sees no reason to change. Miles is "the favorite", can do no wrong in mum's eyes. He is most definitely selfish. That being said, Colin knows all this, but still puts up with it. Hopefully his Thursday meeting with Owain will start a chain of events that will put more bone in his backbone. And perhaps some other types of bones will present themselves!

If Akeeri were still around, he would have simply had a conversation with Mildred, just as he had with Martin. I'm guessing that the leafy man is a ghost of Rimzi. I am going to assume the house being burned to the ground with no trace of anything but the foundation was the work of a Simisant. I'm looking forward to the trip to town tomorrow.

I forgot to mention this part: “Guests after hours are expressly forbidden, Frank. You know that.” “Yeah,” he drawls, “but I figured, better do it now, right?” That’s a damn strange thing to say. “Why is that?” “Oh. Ah.” Just what does Frank know???? Is the refuge in danger of closing?

I found myself reading too fast, I couldn't help it, this chapter crackles with electric tension! What was Whisper so desperately trying to get? What were Frank and his rich bimbo doing there? Who or what is lurking in the dark? The hurricane shelter looms oppressive at the end. Not to mention the actual hurricane looming.

The settling in is turning out quite well. Toby is enjoying being a teenager, rather than the little adult Deirdre expected him to be. She seemed to strive for a "no maintenance" son, they do not exist. The meeting between grandparents at the science fair will be interesting.

This was a very satisfying end-story of Randy's journey towards a fulfilling, loving family, albeit unconventional family. I foresee great things ahead for Randy, Skyler, and Trevor.