Pickalane

I'm not crying. You're crying. This was such an emotionally charged chapter. Poor Lars. My heart is broken for that guy. Can you imagine living with that guilt? He was in a jail all his own. Loren is right, he had decades to heal from such trauma while Lars is experiencing it all over. If you want to split hairs, I'd argue that Lars is experiencing a second traumatic event. The first one happened 23 years ago when Loren "left him" and now, he left Loren. But they're on their way to healing. And that's the important part. One thing that leaves me feeling unsettled...

Per my last comment, I feel like something is brewing under the surface. We're what? A year out from BN epilogue. SO I know 6 months is not enough. I will say 2+ years.

This chapter made me smile and laugh all the way to the end, but it also made me sad. Everything inside Jay wanted to take Carson and smother him into pieces, instead, he restrained himself. It hurt my heart to watch him hold back. And if this is his reaction to someone else's kid, what is he harboring inside his heart? Is he really okay with just being an uncle? I won't lie, I find this very concerning and devastating.

I think you're exactly right that Aidan needed someone who wasn't obsessed with the newest addition to help him come around. Loren pushed while letting Aidan think he was leading. Very smart. Loren is great with people, one of the best. He just has an effortless way. I think it boils down to his authenticity.

Welcome! I think you'll like it here. Lot's of great feedback that only enhances the story itself.

Technically Seamus didn't say that Loren was good enough for Jay, but he trust him to protect his unborn child because he views Loren as being more logic driven and not emotionally driven (like Jay, who did in fact fall in love with the surrogate). He sees how Loren has handled the court stuff and probably drama with fans (During Christmas Loren spent the whole evening sharing crazy tales) so he knows Loren can see past crazy people. As sweet as their convo was, there is still a distance there. But it's a start.

The thing about writing that always amazing me is how one short paragraph can paint an entire picture. I can picture a whole group of grown men strewn across bus benches, on the ground, and propped against the wall, all passed out from partying too hard. I also see the entire next day, standing at the courthouse with blood shot eyes hidden behind sunglasses, unbrushed hair, and a hatred for life.

Upon my second read, how has this quote not been discussed. Jay totally threw the road trip in Loren's face and it's absolutely hysterical. So well done you almost miss it.

But on a real level. Loren is really stepping up his game. I love this scene, right before it's taken over by the above quote Swooning so hard over here

🤣 brother banter *chefs kiss*

I feel you Loren!. Allergy nightmares are something I've struggled with for a long time. I've even tried to switch brands. They're no joke. Vivid AF. Anyway, I knew Jay would be okay but I just wasn't sure how. I'm glad it's worked out and it seems like Loren is handling it better than Jay. I think that's interesting and shows how much Loren has grown. Well. I for one stand in solidarity with Loren. He had no other choice but to move to Mexico. Am I the only one who saw his car going on two wheels as he peeled out of the driveway? Formula one racer. How absolutely embarrassing but hilarious. But then you gotta put Jay in the lions den with his parents. Dinner lays the groundwork for later in the story. Jay slowly pieces it together. I'm glad him and his brothers got to have a nice time together before such a heavy conversation. And again, him and his brothers are just perfect together. It's no wonder they're able to have a conversation. Though I am glad Loren is there. If he hadn't been there, I fear Jay would have dominated the conversation and told his brothers they were wrong. I laughed so much reading this, which was needed after the way you ended the last chapter. I'm still filled with dread knowing Loren wants to actively find Lars.

I would like to revisit this comment about a double post. I feel like this is as good of a time as any to get one.

Mrsgnomie to all the readers:

Damn it. When I read the chapter I was going to quote this, but @Mrsgnomie threw me for a loop and I felt scrambled when I commented. But the jacket scene was 👌🏼👌🏼 When she told us that Jay and the photographer go head to head, I expected something more physical. This, however, was so much better.

Cliffy aside. This was a phenomenal chapter. I would hate to lose focus of that. We start out with a hilarious scene. Jay is becoming more and more involved. It’s no wonder everyone loved Jay and Loe together. They are perfection. I think Loren could easily be a PR specialist. He knows exactly how to work the crowd. A special shout-out to those who got shoutouts. I laughed out loud at Jay talking about bathroom sex at the loft and Loe referencing Aidan’s bathroom being kinky. Good stuff.

No. We need your progress report on SS seaman now more than ever.

“I have to admit, this one was a bit of a challenge to hammer it smooth, but it turned into a dumpster fire.” there, I fixed it for you.

All of this

Jay calls himself kinky but can't handle a little bit of role playing? 🤣🤣

I kind of wonder if Jay will be all that surprised when he finds out he's favorited. I have a feeling he'll feel stupid for not seeing it after all these years, but I do think he will be receptive. We know Jay isn't dumb, maybe a little naïve about certain things. He loves his brothers and would do anything for them, that much is apparent. This chapter was all sorts of feel goods. I think it was sweet that Loren sent them so many gifts. I can imagine Loren prioritizing house shopping and trips to the post office when he should be doing a million other things. He's sooooo in love with Jay. Which is why I wasn't the least bit nervous when Jay was panicking and flying back home. He was more worried for Loren's safety than anything else. But I do think a little jealous is okay. It keeps us on our toes. I also enjoyed his brothers calling dibs on all his stuff. Such a sibling thing to do.

uhhhhhhhhhhhh. Am I the only one seeing this? Jay is Lars. Derek and Taylor is Loren. Not to the same degree but the similarities are uncanny. I need to think about this chapter because there is A LOT happening, simmer above and below the surface. Loren was nervous about being accepted but at the same time, stands up for those who weren't being accepted. He was not going to let Jay's parents put him on a pedestal while the ladies were pushed to the side. I think it's so respectable how he handled all that. I worry how Jay will react when he realizes his favoritism. Mostly, I would like to watch the Jay and Loren sex tape. Strictly professionally. To judge if their boring sex is porn worthy.

I can't help but think that while Loren was left behind, Lars may have been taken away. He was ripped from his brother, his friends, his school, his life, and everything he knew in the middle of the night. For all intents and purposes, he was kidnapped from his life. So, what the hell happened? Something big if Lars hasn't reached out. Speculation of course, but something is off.

If I second the motion on these questions, will the answer come quicker?

I will not comment on the fact that this chapter, which has no apparent drama, is also a petri dish of future drama. I will comment on other things instead. 1) I think Seamus gave Loren the minivan as a joke or maybe as a test. If he did, it blew up wonderfully in his face because everything about the minivan was perfectly done. Makes you wonder if Loren actually liked the minivan or if it was just to prove himself to Seamus. I'm not sure. Did he need to get matching Beanies with Aido? No. Would it irritate Seamus? Probably. Or make Seamus respect him? Hmm, it's a definite option. In that case, who's playing who? Is Seamus playing Loren or is Loren playing Seamus? It's hard to tell who the real mastermind is. We could have to professionals going head to head. 2A) Aido living his perfect life, assed out on the living room floor while everyone else enjoys themselves. I can't help but think that Loren brought all the gifts because he's not going to let anyone have a bad Christmas. Not a single person that he cares about will ever go through what he went through as a child. I suspect that Aidan and the future tater tot will never know a bad Christmas. Not if Loren has anything to do with it. 2B) I doubt Loren would have said no to Aidan sleeping with them because it's Christmas. 3) Everything about the pee scene 👌👌👌 4) I was glad to see Sven. I respect him for coming to Jay. I don't get the feeling he will tell the world and cause drama. He respect Loren, maybe is still in love with him, which would explain why he didn't go straight to him. I don't think we ever gave Sven enough credit. I hope we see more of him. 5) Loren isn't the best at verbalizing his feelings but he is a man of action. He's not a fan of football but he loves Jay enough to partner with the team, bring strangers to a game he doesn't love, and does backflips with the mascot at the SuperBowl. This is huge. Loren's quote about Jay hugging quarterbacks was hilarious. Having Jay pull him around the field while he gave interviews was just so damn wholesome. 6) Lars. Okay. This is so hard but I don't think Lars has bad intentions. It's difficult to know what the hell is going on here but personally, if Lars knew his parents abandoned Loren, he would have reached out to him years ago. From what Loren says, they were best friends. Inseparable. There has to be so much more to this story and I am not looking forward to it. I think Mr & Mrs Terrible Parents ruined two lives the night they left Loren. Loren has opened himself to Jay's friends, who are like famliy, and it's turned out good. I think it's a great transition for him accepting Jay's actual family. Maybe he won't be so overwhelmed by his perfect family. Heck, maybe Jay is right after all and it does heal him a little. He deserves to step into a home and be wrapped up in unconditional love. We know he already has that, but I think Jay's family could bridge a gap.