LeeSA

Theories of an overworked brain and I am glad they are not related 😂

Such an eloquent way to say that Brad is a gaslighting asshole. But I expect no less. 😃 and I appreciate it. I guess my take on the mask thing is a little different though cause I think Brad defelcted blame and hit below the belt so he didnt have to face his own demons so to speak or let his mask go at all. We need your mirrors cause he needs to look in it, at himself. I bet he is scared, when your alone the only person you have left to deal with is yourself.

Sooooo so true, just bloody speak.

Well I give it a crack but I did just finish a very long shift so forgive any errors. I could simply say that Brad is an ass but that doesnt explain much... take your pick of the popular terms .... narcassist, gas lighting, deflection, tranference but, transference is something in this instance they are both guilty of which happens where there is no honest communication past or present. Brad did not break any masks he actually held it in place by deflecting the issue back onto Lyn making it about him...phrases like you wouldnt understand or incomplete sentences are him avoiding the truth making it all about Lyn and the past to avoid his present problem, baiting a hook and dangling it enough to confuse Lyn and throw him off center. Gutless coward. We know he has balls but fuck me he has no back bone. A thought did occur to me as I read this chapter as it is Lyns POV, Brad commented on Lyns perfect image of him, acknowedging, the pedestal that Lyn put him on but he put Lyn on a pedestal too. When Lyn reacted or reacts in a way he doesnt or didnt like he kicked it out from under him. Asshat. It has been mentioned before there is a duality in Brad, the part that Lyns loved that is helpful supportive and caring and the other part of him that is manipulative self centered and callous. Does Brad understand who he is? Maybe he does or does he just not understand how to reconcile all of who he is and burst the image he wants people to see of him. There is also the image of himself that he has that comes from other people in this case Lyn who puts him on a pedestal with his consistent adoration. Who is Brad without that? Mind you Lyn should not have attempted that conversation until he was sure about the reasons he was doing it. He has two reasons, he is hurt and he doesnt want for anyone else to be hurt by Brads actions. In truth I am not exactly impressed with his efforts either, sad really that it took Brad 3 seconds to manipulate the conversation leaving Lyn reeling. He really should have decided which issue he was addressing and gone with that. He should have realised that the conversation he should have had, stemmed from his own hurt and would have naturally crossed into Brads cheating on Bella negating the need to bring both issues up seperately. These guys need a healthy dose of honest communication. The truth hurts and life is messy and they have all avoided that with such passion over the years it is astounding. Going back to a comment @Laura S. Fox herself made in the previous chapter, saying a intimate relationship could never happen between Brad and Lyn did spark a new theory for me. Theres a shock... I did fleetingly wonder if there is a familial link between Brad and Lyn. But maybe I have been at work for too long. 😂 Hope that at least makes some sense.

Where do I begin..... 🤬😂

I can see that, the not wanting Lyn to know, worried over his reaction. I still think that if Alex considered the potential effect that an outright offer would have made he would have also considered if Lyn found out later the money came from him and his potential reaction to that. I think Lyn would see that as deception. Lyn is not going to like it no matter who gave it too him. Im still going with someones guilt in a pay off situation which still leads me to Lyns birth father. Now that Lyns mother is gone so it the buffer between this man and Lyn. That being said I cant wait for my theories to be disproved or otherwise.

I would have thought that Alex, if he was going to give Lyn money he would just do it...in person, cover the cost of something substantial for him. The Chauffeur gives off a slimy enforcer type vibe as @Doha mentioned. He has helped Lyn in the past so why hide it now when it is most important? As for how Alex will take the new living arrangements .... all things indicating, not well, for any of them. As for poor Alex... he who hesitates...You see a difference in the past Alex and present Alex as though all of Brads acts of impulsive, ill planned and unsafe actions pushed him into not letting this present opportunity with Lyn go or letting Brad bulldoze his way through again. Alex knows how Brad behaved in the past and continues too behave in the present, his unknown variable was/is Lyn. @Laura S. Fox said lots of background on Brad, should be interesting.

Interesting.... more questions less answers. A check from a "stranger" a stranger that knows that his mum is dead and of Lyns existence and what she did for a living... My guess, and of course I have several possibilities... but Im going with his birth father. I am hoping that Alex will talk Lyn into keeping the money he will need it going forward. Kinda thinking that Brad will tell Alex about it if Lyn doesnt. I think it would bug the shit out of Lyn not being able to confirm who the stranger is and why they did this. Given Brads personality it is understandable that he and his parents offered Lyn a place to stay without addressing the elephant in the room. I feel like Brad did give Lyn an opportunity to say it out loud that he was in fact in need of the money, but now it is all just too much for Lyn. Would Brad have considered what living in the same house would would actually mean though or the consequences given their complex relationship, noooo. But they are not familiar with any of this situation. So that should be interesting.

It is his own mess but at the end of the day, in his own way Brad is scared mostly of himself. Of course I also think there is the elements of cowardice and manipulative behaviour that make it hard to see he really does care. He keeps messing up and continued to do so for 8 years culminating in an upcoming wedding. If we get there.

I am not surprised that Lyn is in such a state deciding what to do. He was an advocate is an advocate personality. That shows through in his relationships. He cares/loves despite the flaws people have be it is mother Brad or Alex. I think if Lyn lies about whats going on he will loose part of himself. Its hard not to put my own need for truth no matter the outcome to the side, have to say. For Lyns sake he needs to be true to himself and it is vital that that happens in the present cause i dont think it did in the past. Who knows maybe Brad will admit it himself, he has been careless numerous times. As for Alex personally id say bugger the wedding and just hide myself away with him. When he is alone with Lyn he is becoming more secure in sharing feelings. Despite not actually acknowledging the love they share out loud yet its in his every move but so is his fear which makes him vulnerable.

Well said all of it. I still struggle with Brad, have known a few Brads which colours my own perception of his behaviour but as I was reading through what you wrote it made me think that as humans or Brad in this case, we seek in others what we need in ourselves? He needed the stability of Lyn, his consistency his support and emotional compass. My question would then be why he has not developed these necessary traits? He certainly doesnt seem to have developed this as he grew older? I didnt think of it until I read what you said, its almost like he hides because he has NO IDEA who he is. If you dont know who you are you cant give yourself to anyone. He does love Lyn but maybe he doesnt loveor know himself?

I have to agree ot is a sad chapter and Lyn has lost the instability of his parent for whatever she was good or bad she was present. They do unite and it feels intentional based on a foundation consistency. I have wondered who is now to come out of the woodwork. Death does that, brings people previously in the shadows to the forefront. And while my theories run wild in my head I do think Lyns controlled nature will overtake him as he grapples with the financial changes that come when a parent dies. Lyn will be hurting and that hurt will be built upon. He had an idea of what love should have been and made the best of it because he was too young to change it. Now, your right, it will colour the way he sees things and his running almost becomes inevitable. More often than not when someone dies as humans we forgive the bad and remeber the good. But the bad Lyn may forgive he will carry forever. What ever is coming he is going to run away from as that is easier than truly dealing with it and potentially loosing both Brad and Alex. Its better to maintain his version of untarnished memory and feelings than to loose a love twice more. At least in the memories he has love..I hope that makes some sense. As for Lyn potentially not being the bridge between Alex and Brad anymore ..... I wonder if that that will or may be a bit purposeful on Lyns part?

I think that the story itself reinforces the idea that "friendship" means something different for everyone based on their own feelings about the other person. As much as Im not a fan of Brad and some of his behaviour I believe he cares about Lyn deeply. As Alex said he has heart. Misguided at times but heart none the less. Brad isnt malcious just struggles with his own feelings and is careless Not one person will be the same with every person they interact with so why one person likes another will always vary.

Love this and agree 100%. It is sad that some of the comments have made you feel that way. @Laura S. Fox said it herself. DNF. Enough said. I admire anyone who can even attempt to write much less pull together a captivating story.

Bless Lyn he still thinks the intimate joking with Aex is just that, a joke. He says what he feels in the moment then justifies it as temporary... he feels safe and happy in the bubble they have created. He can feel their connection emotionally. He still calls Alex a demon but it is almost like it has taken on a pet name feel that committed couples use. The interactions with Brads parents are interesting, the level of recent knowledge, and no mention of the ex wife. Im not sure what to make of that, maybe the ex wife is known to the family? As for Luke well immature brat comes to mind. He certainly seems to have resentment towards Lyn and Bella I suspect for similar reasons. As for wanting Lyn to know and whether Brad knows he sent the text, I dont think Brad has any idea. Luke is a child which is different from Brads self distructive nature. If as @Seraph28 suggested Brad is attempting to sabotage his own wedding he truly is an idiot and a coward. The situation feels a little familiar, Brad is intentionally deceptive towards Bella. I think part of Lyns anger comes more from the fact that he has already been on the receiving end of Brads carelessness and deception in the past and that is very clear now. He was in the dark, yes partly by his own choice, but in part cause Brad was and still is hiding. Lyn described the way Alex said love as round and rolling off his tongue and nice to hear because he felt validated in the feelings he cant repress anymore. He also described his feelings for Brad as a sharp square brittle box. Fragile and painful the opposite of how he feels when he is with Alex but that is the only time he felt something he thought was love. I want Lyn to tell Bella she deserves to know if she doesnt already. Lyn has made choices with half bits of information or truths as they all have but I think he is almost done with the hiding. On a human level The truth good and bad, if kept hidden with always create the downfalls. Bella deserves to have a choice. Brad needs to man up and Luke needs to grow up.

Have to agree I find it hard to remove my own reactions from how I would behave in similar circumstances. Personally I would not have ruminated on anything. Brad and Luke would already know my response before the blow job even finished. I certainly would not have let it continue, but I AM not Lyn.... well mostly nothing like him, much. 😁

I agree that Luke is definately manipulative but his manipulations are most definately juvenille. Brat like. I want to be the centre of attention. I dont care about peoples feelings. Childish but perhaps he has never had to grow up. If the reason Brad is getting blow jobs from his brother in law to be as a way to not have to marry Bella I will add coward to my opinion of him as well. Would it surprise me no.

One down 50 theories to go 🤣

Its easy to become invested in the HEA. It would be interesting to clearer POV from the other two not just Lyns interpretation of their behaviour.

I am not sure I am trying moreso to rule it out. Unless @Laura S. Foxsays no, I cant rule it out. Though I suppose if I was patient and stopped trying to anticipate the story it would be easier. Its how my head works. Run through every scenario and evaluate potential outcomes, oh god I read like a Risk Matrix 🤣

Fair points. Lyn has not found Alex in an important lie yet and may not. I guess as I consider where each chapter takes us, i am trying to work out what is big enough to push them apart. Kissing was what I was thinking about. Say if Lyn found them kissing or hugging with the implication on a kiss in Lyns eyes.

When Lyn asks if Alex gets off on humiliating him I dont think it has anything to do with Alex per say just that Lyn feels it is a humiliating position to have accepted his help. More frequently past and present time lines Lyn is asking himself questions that deep down he knows the answers too, he just refuses to look or follow his gut. Fear is a very powerful feeling. And ohh god back to Brad beating his chest saying "mine" .... before he takes off for greener pastures or more willing pastures take your pick. Not saying Alex did any better his use of "our" and "we" are subtle enough to remind Brad he is on the outer. I am not sure if the whole picture will come out at the end of school in this argument, how can it? I think Lyn is gonna run, what ever information or whatever happens he is gonna run. Just my opinion, he is scared of being himself for his two best friends.... partly because he hides from himself but always hides from others even if he is taking baby steps into who he is. On some level he understand Alexs behaviour and Brads but be refuses to open pandoras box of emotion. They all needed an extra 8 years to get to where they are in the present time line and they all seem to be recreating or reimmersing themselves in the mirrors @Cane23 points out of the previous scenarios with some very notable developments indicative of some growth. Removing masks one by one, so I feel like their college fall out is going to create more questions. Just me thinking of course. Interesting thought? Anyone think there was/is a possibility that Alex and Brad experiemented in college behind Lyns back? They were not fond of each other then, and in the present it seems little has changed, but when your that age sex is just sex or it can be? And they both want Lyn neither being able to have him exclusively. I want to rule it out but cant so am interested in everyones opinions

Your right this scene highlighted the fact that Lyn was experimenting with the boys. There was no emotion it was purely educational exploration. But that is Lyn all over. He grew up being shown emotions were unimportant and an unnecessary burden. He is finally starting to see how thecflaws in his upbringing have impacted his future relationships. That is why that mirror moment was so important. He needs to see himself befire he can see anyone else and Alex knows that.

I like that, emotional undressing. Revealing the truths that have elluded them. I am more hopeful now of Lyn taking more permanent steps forward.