Cane23

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! 😁

Oh, some relaxation finally! Well, after interrogation time, Graham should proceed to frisking time!

I've read many stories but this the first one that literary every chapter left me in tears!

Absolutely agree! There is something strange about Jonah's father. He is so much different from his brother. It doesn't look like religious fundamentalism is the main reason for his homophobia. I mean, religious person doesn't go to bar with 6 years old in the car... Could it be that his homophobia and dissatisfaction with his own life are symptoms of one deeply unhappy, closeted case?

I did it again, did I? F*ck!!!

The best description of Max ever!!! 😁 I love Roman's POV. He is such an interesting character. Big Latino badass who doesn't afraid of bullies, but bacteria might be an issue! And of course I'm NOT going to skip smut chapter!!!

Does Caleb know how much power he has over Nolan?! Suppose this sexual agreement between Ryan and Nolan makes Ryan a substitute for Caleb, in return Ryan satisfies his own lust and sexual appetites. "Pushing me away on purpose" says Caleb to Nolan. Of course, neither wants to admit their incestual feelings. But is it possible to avoid issue anymore? Is Ryan going to accept to be pushed away once father and son cross the lines or he is going to find his place in this bizarre relationship? I have to agree with @austinbiguy, we could be totally wrong with our predictions... There is one thing @CasualWanderer82 has taught me - never to attach to his characters before everything is resolved. Unlike the legal system, with Casual's characters - everyone is guilty until proven innocent!

I think both Victor and William are 'part of the fruit basket', Victor is only hiding in his closet with fictional girlfriend, keeping his real crush William on short leash. The real question you ask here @Summerabbacat is why is William part of it? Is it some sort of 'old friendship between two rich families'...? Anyway, seems that William is releasing from chains...ha, symbolically putting chains on another boy! 😉

‘Sometimes, the love we cherish the most is the same love that hurts us the deepest. That pain, that heartbreak, it shapes you—changes you—until one day, you hardly recognize yourself. Jeremy and I felt that. We lived through it. But true love… true love has the power to heal. It leads to forgiveness, and that forgiveness doesn’t just mend broken hearts—it transforms them. It teaches you that love isn’t about perfection or possession. It’s about understanding, acceptance, and selflessness. It’s a love that doesn’t hurt, a love that completes not just your heart but your soul.’ .... ‘Love isn’t just about who or what we love—it’s also about finding ourselves. Because every journey into love is also a journey into the deepest parts of our own hearts, where we discover who we truly are.’ With this beautiful Ode to love, @vanalas completes Book 2 of this magnificent story! Once again, he takes us on exciting road of love and hate, through the deepness of betrayal, deception, lie and crime... to the final victory of good and love! Don't miss the final journey of Carter and Jeremy in discovering dark secrets of past, evil plots to destroy their love and fight for their own HEA!

Carter is such a badass! Well, enough is enough...I suppose! Carter & Jeremy, Jeff & Eric, Leonardo & Sheila... great end to a great story! Bravo @vanalas! 👏

It's difficult to compare traumas but seems that Miach has suffered the most. In that sense, the optimistic ending of this chapter, the hope you bring @empath has touched my heart deeply! Beautiful chapter!

Brian's role in Neil's future is yet to be discovered! There are two significant moments in this chapter. First, very important and positive is Neil's open conversation to his uncle. The other one is Lucas's plan for Nail. Whatever it might be, it sounds as something very, very bad. The question is how far are other boys ready to go with this?

Michael is ready to make a move toward relationship with David, but his past is drawing him back. Opening to Mama Loretta is good start as after remorse, comes confession... If there is something he has learnt from his past and if there is something he shouldn't do - he shouldn't enter any relationship with David with keeping secrets.

Amazing chapter!!! Ludo is little less of 'Zen monk' and Jackie is little less of bitch. They are humans after all! So, what looked like hell coming back at the beginning of the chapter, ended as normality slowly coming back into their lives!

Amazing chapter @Paladin! I really thought there is some cheating melodrama behind Stingray Heads story! This is so much serious!

I think there are clues and signs all over the chapter. Since the Noah's outburst at the door and boys' reaction to that, all the comments, and 'small' events (18 y.o. boy rather intimately cuddling with his father (!?!?), 'fighting' for the front seat in the car ...) ... leaded to 💥 The evening was just a long-time postponed culmination. Anyway, I'm sure you'll give us some origins in your famous flashbacks! 😁

Amazing start of a new story @CasualWanderer82! Wild, hot, intriguing, kinky... As always in your stories, you give us riddles challenging our mind! You are playing Man Up game with your readers! 😉 Two boys in desperate fight for their (step)father's attention. And more than attention, they are in fight for his love, his body... Ryan is missing a father figure. He things he is strong enough to challenge Nate while making Caleb, who wants his father all for himself, jealous. So, Nate starts a game. But what is the goal of the game? Is it a punishment or a lesson? What starts as a gentle hug, ends up in a raw, merciless sex. Is Nate's domination, Ryan's submission and Caleb's humiliation going to Man them up or is it going to break them in thousand pieces?

How on earth did Carter hit Dexter so hard that he became cyborg?! 🤪 It's time for Carter to end this monster who killed half of his family!

Two very powerful and rich men. Men that influence lives of many. One is a member of wealthy aristocracy; the other one is the Godfather of the mafia. Both men, with all the money and connections they have, must save their own grandchildren from their own family and ask a refuge from strangers! Money and influence cannot by all, obviously!

There's some immatureness with Blair and Calvin. As much as I respect their parents' decision to support their gay son, still, I think that funeral in rural North Carolina was nether the place nor the time to make such a statement what Calvin did. Not because he should hide who he is but because it is easy to be hero for few hours and then leave to the safety of New York. What about those who stayed? Calvin didn't think about safety of his family, possible bulling and judgment of the neighbors... Unfortunately, it was his uncle who turned out to be the biggest bigot (although, I have a feeling there is something more behind this separation).