Cane23

My first thought has been - how great master of writing you are @Ronyx! How you colored the Lucas's character since beginning of the story, giving us picture that he is not 'just' another bully, making us search for 'something behind'. And here it is - Lucas is victim of domestic violence and rape. In his inability to defend himself from stronger predator, he fixated all the gay people as danger to the world and Neil, as only gay boy he knows (although never actually confirmed) is the main target of his 'holy crusade'. Lucas must be saved from the hell in order to cut the chain of violence and suffer. As for the other boys, it is proved that they were fooling around as many other horny teenagers...but I still think they are pussies! Three or four of them cannot step up for their friend...sorry boys, what's your excuse? Ok, at least they started talking about it! Finally - father. I think Neil just had an impulsive reaction. Too much is happening. They are going to be ok.

Business development is amazing, Michael and David are great partners. But this postponed their personal relationship and, also important, it postponed making amends with Sarah and children. Years are passing by...I hope it is not going to be too late. Only thing that might justify prolonging that moment is Michael's wish to show up as successful, independent and completely changed man.

Birdwatching!

My mother's also 70 this summer. My son is 18 in May! 🙂

What if James has new boyfriend? 🤔

I don't remember last time I was reading and rereading a chapter with such focus and attention on every word! Actually, this had been quite eye-opening chapter for me. Nate is outraged by Jenna's neglect of her own son! His action was not planned in advance (as I've commented in previous chapter); it was his instinct to comfort the boy. To quote @CasualWanderer82: Nate gave the boy the most precious of gifts: to finally know what it was like to be yerned, to be desired, and to experience the pure, unadulterated bliss of a shared orgasm. One whose memory he tucked away into the deepest recesses of his heart. Where he guarded it, immaculately preserved, as the single, most beautiful moment of his life. He went even further - he married Jenna to give Ryan a home: "Don't worry. I'll take care of it," Nate said, like it was a promise carved in stone. "You're not going anywhere." I've been trying to find my own words to describe relationship between Ryan and Nate, but this is so strong: It was a purge. They were crawling into each other's souls and ripping out each other's pain. And then, there is Caleb, a 3rd member of this triangle of complex emotions and relations. Every one of them has his own needs of love and passion, but I'm not sure that in a present moment they are still aware that they can get it all without excluding someone. Caleb is seen as most precious being by both Nate and Ryan. We have in the same scene Ryan fascination with Caleb's appearance and Nate, almost worshiping his son in embrace. Just a thought that speaks thousand words: Ryan didn't mean to, but his twisted brain couldn't help but wonder, as he swallowed every drop of Nate's thick load, that only a nectar this glorious could have allowed a creature like Caleb to come into this world. I'm wandering - is Caleb their Pawn...or Prince actually? As forests were Pawn's purgatory, is cabin and 'Man Up' game Caleb's purgatory. In previous chapter, we've seen Caleb's transformation. @CasualWanderer82said 'Caleb is not fighter - he is lover'. While two 'fighters' are going to feed off each other's rage. Each other's despair. Each other's longing for some form of release from the pain they both harbored, lover should be able to give them all the love of the world. Seems that Nate is accepting it; is Ryan be able to accept it, will he open up and stop trying desperately to hide his vulnerability. Something Ryan knew how to do. After all, he had done it all his life. Wow @CasualWanderer82...these stories of yours!!!

This is such a teenage mess! And I don't think only about throwing up! Jonah, willingly or not, has become the protagonist of his own reality...in a form of huge teenage drama! Oh, it is going to be interesting...

They've been driving from England to Germany?! Well, that's a challenge with two boys...altogether with channel crossing! Ha, this must sound ridiculous to our American friends but difference between long and short distance in Europe is completely differently viewed in Europe than over the Atlantic!

Beautiful chapter with many symbols... Roger has finally broken the chains. Listening Eddie's tape has brought some closure and new watch is new, family, bond between Roger and Thomas. First, I've been thinking - why the same watch? Isn't it better to have completely new one?! But then, it become clear to me - Roger cannot forget the past, but he can accept it and move on.

A huge step for Michael. Buying café shop, with multiple development plans, partnership with David, conversation with Andre... But the biggest change is change in Michael himself. Offering a fair deal to Roger and Janice, accepting that forgiveness is not going to come easily, determination to make amends with Sarah and children... Michael is really a different man!

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark Joshua's family!

Well, it could be the case but, eventually, Owen is part of it. No excuse. Or maybe, if Lucas really took Owen's phone and sent a message, it's moment for Owen to put limits and man up... If he is able to grow some bal*s at all! I'm not sure how far his father lives. I was surprised he is in contact with his children. Anyway, he might not be in closet, but he is very 'discreet' about his sexuality and relationships. But I agree that some distance would be helpful in this moment.

Distance from Lucas will not make Neil's 'friends' become men, instead of pussies! They might not be forced in bullying but, some crucial change - no way. Let's not forget Ned's mother's comments... With message sending, Owen has definitely become the character I detest the most! After this, whatever regret he might have, is irrelevant. Any eventual apologize in the future should be welcomed with F.ck You!!! There are things friends do not do...hell, there are things that even former friends do not do! God, I hate traitors!!!

I have different theory... Grandmother might die from heart attack because of stress, and Lucas becomes an orphan faced with fostering system! 🤔

Ralph has become one of my favorite @Robert Hugill's characters. Amazing growth from the first chapter till the end. I'll miss these guys, and I'll enjoy seeing them in other stories of the series!

Book 2 of Parborough Chronicles series brings the story of Ralph, divorced web design company owner, with twin daughters - a guy we met briefly in Book 1. We are watching a deeply closeted Ralph with very conservative and bigoted parents, making his personal growth, accepting his own sexuality, finding love, becoming familiar with his own body and public nudity... Written in unique @Robert Hugill's style, this story is once again teleporting us to charming English town, we meet interesting characters and enjoy their encounters and dialogs. This story can be read without reading the Book 1 first, but it is such a pity not to read all Robert's stories at GA!

Oh, what a good Samaritan! He wants to fuck them bad, to take good out of them! 🤣

A world peace?!

I might be completely wrong (as I said, you are never certain with @CasualWanderer82), after reading all the chapters and many comments... Nate is very dangerous, cunning man. A true predator! All of this, (the Men Up game) was planned a long time ago. Everything, including alcohol and joint performance. Even the time is not coincidence. Caleb is 18, old enough by law to make his own decisions. How old is Ryan - he's 19. He's sexual affair with Nate started one year ago - the time Ryan got age of consent. But I don't think Nate did it out of consideration toward the boys...no, he wanted to protect himself in front of the law. Everything is consensual, right? And if we add something that @tmanac excellently pointed - 'Nate foresaw the undeniable connection between Ryan and Caleb' - voila, the plan for Man Up action is here! What Nate didn't plan, blinded by his own lust and feelings, is the power Caleb has over him! Especially now, when all the brakes are down. What will the Caleb do with all that power? He could destroy them all. So, I agree with you @Danners - "Who's the weak one here"? Oh, Ryan. according to most of the comments, the most unpopular character. In my opinion, he is the only victim here. I don't think he is innocent in this 'plot' but he is (complicated, damaged...) kid. Caleb is a kid. Who is the only adult here - papa himself. I didn't like Ryan's sarcastic and malicious comments but, is it really who he is, or it is his form of self-defense, or maybe even the roll he plays in this farce? So, daddy will get the subject of his wet dreams, Caleb...well, he got a rather brutal awakening, but he will get the man of his dreams...which leaves - Ryan. Broken, abandoned, crying on the bed in fetus position. If Ryan does something terrible out of jealousy or desperation (kill them all, burn the house...) it is not going to be act of an evil but broken boy.

Great chapter, if I can only make one suggestion... Make a clear distinction between two POVs. It is a bit confusing who is talking to whom? Nevertheless, it is good that Michael has finally found courage to tell David his life story. He couldn't know it, but it is the best thing he could do. David is amazing friend and advisor. The only thing I don't absolutely agree with him is about Michael's running to New York. Yes, Michael needs to confront his past and make amends, but to do that, he first had to move out from toxic parents, change the surrounding, gather his own thoughts...and of course, find good friends as David to support him.

So, it's here - flashback! 😉 This flashback is more confirmation than revelation of Nate's behavior. His anger, possessiveness and rage go far back in the past. Caleb was 8, he was just a boy! I'm wondering about Caleb's mother - did she die or left them? Did her inexistence have any influence of Caleb and Nate's mind settings? The same way Ryan father's inexistence influenced Ryan's life... Back to the cabin - do we see the table-turning? "He's playing a game", says Nate. Indeed, it is no more Ryan and Caleb fighting for Nate's affection...it is Nate and Ryan's clash for Caleb! Anyway, the same question arises after every new chapter - is this game going to heal them or kill them?

With Book 1.5 @JJ Quinn concludes amazing story of Ben and Sam. Set on a wedding day, story is not just romantic event - it is moment to change POV and enable readers to see the past, inner feelings and better understand the motives and actions of other characters - Ben, Max, Tara, Roman... Written in wonderful stile, with beautiful monologs and dialogs - this story is at the same tame epilogue of one love story (Ban & Sam) and prologue to the other, Roman & Max, who will be the main protagonists in Book 2. It is recommended to read the Book 1 first, as this story is logical conclusion to it.

Oh girl, your moto is Go big or go home! No wonder you are exhausted - this is very extensive chapter, with, not only smut, but amazing game of words and minds! Most of the chapter is taming a beast only, at the end, it was tamer who run away from circus. Roman has his own issues but, I'm amazed how magnificently you've wrote this chapter as one big cliff before the Book 2! 😉 And then you said you need break... naughty girl! Nevertheless, I loved every sentence you've put in this chapter. Roman - having erection and thinking about expensive suit...or tie (btw, I like the symbolic leaving of Aramani tie with message) ...or cleanness of the bathroom! 😂 Or worrying about knees in bathroom! Max singing a song in bathroom (btw, I had to look for the song on YT) ... The sex with putting tie around Roman's neck and jumping in his lap is soooo hot!!! Really, really amazing chapter! Finally, Ben on honeymoon, but still taking care of family, taking over the guard duty from Sam and leaving him to enjoy and relax. Although he still doesn't want to admit to himself, he really cares about Max. And not only because Max is Sam's bff, but because Max is someone you, simply, cannot hate (closeted good guy). 😉 Seems it's Ben's moment to return favor to Max and play a Cupid this time!

His 7" is quite enough to do the job! 😁