Brandon has a strange relationship with his family. I wonder why he wanted to take Diya to meet them. His father is strange and his poor mother,bless her heart, she tries. Then out of the blue come Tyler. I wonder why Brandon dislikes him so much. That was a lot of crazy packed in one afternoon. Just think Diya has yet to add her family and friends to the cuckoo pot. I got a turkey and cheese on a croissant with iced tea for this chapter. Next chapter, I'll have my blood pressure pills and a glass of water ready...next chapter please
Author's Response:
The whys of Brandon's relationship with his parents and brother will be revealed as the story progresses. Basiscally, he wanted Diya to meet his mother because they're both important to him. His father just happened to be there. Tyler's appearance was completely unexpected.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, VeMo! Update in the works. It might not be quite as crazy as you're anticipating, but it never hurts to keep the antihypertensives handy ; )
Reviewer: VeMo Anonymous [Report This]
Date: July 25 2015 06:36 am
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS STORY and your writing style!!!!
Author's Response:
Thanks sjrucker!!! So happy you're enjoying my little tale!
Reviewer: sjrucker Anonymous
[Report This]Date: July 23 2015 07:46 am
Love it. After reading love, god and ultimatums I quickly stared reading this. Love how both characters haven't rushed into anything yet and aare taking their time getting to know one another. Diya makes me laugh with her odd lines and Brandon...gosh I want a Brandon just like him for myself. Will be reading on and looking forward to more. Ta 😊
Author's Response:
Thanks Ta!!! So glad you're enjoying the story so far.
Reviewer: Loop Signed [Report This]Date: July 22 2015 01:38 am
That damned Tyler is no good. Bet he got that chick preggers. Please dont make us wait long to find out!!!
"Also, I love how my life was surmised right here:
Unmistakably black, occasionally uncouth, and always liable to say or do something slightly embarrassing" lol! Best synopsis ever!!!
Author's Response:
Lol! Thanks!!!
Reviewer: Anonymous Anonymous [Report This]Date: July 19 2015 09:04 pm
I love everything about this story! I love the angst while their relationship grows. Brandon is such a layered character with a dark past. That is always attractive. But that may also cause some issues. I like Diya too but she irks me because she sometimes comes off as immature. Like I know she wants to know all of Brandon's secrets but they have only been together for less than two months. And the last time I checked, NO ONE in her life knows about him. I know she has her reasons but she can't expect him to bare it all while she bares nothing. That isn't remotely fair.
I hope they make it. I feel like they have a long, hard journey ahead of them.
Author's Response:
Whether Brandon and Diya make it remains to be seen. But they definitely have a hard road ahead of them. As you've predicted, Brandon's past will create serious issues in their relationship.
Most of Diya's family doesn't know about Brandon (for reasons that will become increastingly clear), but she did tell her best friend Zeria and her sister, Chandi, about him in ch. 1 and 3 respectively. When is comes to Brandon, Diya's been pretty forthcoming about everything except her feelings, and she's still trying to work through those herself. Her family are the ones in the dark.
Knowing all Brandon's secrets isn't a thing for Diya. She was perfectly content calling off story time the first time he shut her down. Brandon insisting she pick another tattoo only to stonewall her again was where her the attitude came from (compounded by all the day's annoyances that proceded). She'd just blindly given him the trust he asked for with regards to Marisol only to find something else that, in her mind, he can't trust her with (hence the "reciprocity is for pussies" jab). Then, when she challenges him about story time and his "I will love you eventually" statement in the next chapter, he seems to make light of it. After realizing she's falling in love and he's not, but is still affected by his ex, she felt hurt by that. Her reaction wasn't the best, but was, in my mind, understandable. However, that is subject to interpretation.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, iamwhatiam! Glad you're enjoying the story so far.
Reviewer: iamwhatiam6904 Signed [Report This]Date: July 19 2015 04:09 pm
I'm guessing that Brandon's grandpappy Is the grand IDIOT of the kkk, and his father is next in line. I love his mother,I see where he get's his personality from. I'm also guessing his brother Tyler is the man his first love got with and had a baby with. I'm also guessing Brandon's pappy chose his brother Tyler's side. Pappy probably said bros before hoes are something stupid like that. Diya needs to slow her roll with Brandon, he's still have some kind of connection with his first love, and he's still harboring hurt feeling's for his brother who hurt him. I'm thinking maybe old Tyler tricked old girl into sleeping with him, and maybe he got her hooked on drugs and she OD'd killing herself and her unborn child. If this is so what a tragedy.
Author's Response:
You're spot on with at least one of your theories. I can't say which at the moment, but you'll soon find out.
Diya probably does need to step back and regroup. But with the way she feels about Brandon and interference from others, she might not ever have the chance. More on that in coming up. Thanks Jacqua!
Reviewer: jacqua43 Signed [Report This]Date: July 19 2015 02:49 pm
You are a real story teller Joelle Jax. Thank you for the constent updates 😍😍😍😍😍
Great chapter... As always
Author's Response:
Thanks Siobhan!!!
Reviewer: siobhan Signed [Report This]Date: July 19 2015 07:02 am
Wow, Brandon has so many skeletons. So there is an issue with grandpa and the brother?!! Geesh. Love this story it's really getting juicy!!
Author's Response:
And it's only gonna get juicier. Thanks Michmom!
Reviewer: Michmom2 Signed
[Report This]Date: July 19 2015 06:01 am
Hmmm. Was Tyler the one who impregnated his ex-girlfriend ? That's what initially popped in my mind after reading this chapter. If so, d@@@@@mmmnnn!!! Bad enough losing his girl, but his blood too? Messed up in so many ways. Hope to get some confirmation in the next one. Update soon!
Author's Response:
I can't promise a solid confirmation in the next chapter, but all will eventually be revealed. Thanks Musicluva!
Reviewer: Musicluva Signed [Report This]Date: July 19 2015 04:11 am
Tyler was just introduced and I hate him already. Don't like his dad much either, but his mother is lovely. Why do I have the feeling that Tyler sleep with his old girlfriend and is the real reason she had an abortion? Diya is really working my nerve, I want to to talk to Brandon and introduce him to her family. Team Brandon!!
Author's Response:
You have that feeling because it's starting to look that way. I'm afraid Diya will continue to work your nerves because she hasn't worked through her own emotions well enough to discuss them with Brandon. And as far as her telling the De la Roys about him, she has her reasons for waiting, none of which will be changing any time soon. Thanks Pam!
Reviewer: pmgayles Signed [Report This]Date: July 19 2015 02:17 am
Every time I see an update, I get way too happy.
Author's Response:
That makes me way too happy : D Thanks GreenRoots!
Reviewer: GreenRoots Signed [Report This]Date: July 19 2015 02:03 am
Oh Tyler, you don't stand a chance with Di, you little shit.
I can not wait to see what's the dealio. It looks pretty bad.
Author's Response:
Tyler sure the hell doesn't.
As bad as it looks, I think you'll find it's worse. Thanks BellaChica!
Reviewer: BellaChica Signed [Report This]Date: July 19 2015 01:39 am
Wow I am hooked. I have a feeling that Tyler is the guy that impregnated Brandens girls and even though it broke Brandens heart he wouldn't have met Diya if not for that. I wonder what is up with Brandens gramps I wonder if his absence has anything to do with Diya's race, hmm hope not anyway I lol loved it and looking forward to the next update
Author's Response:
Thanks Zoleka! So glad you're enjoying the story. Details on what's up with Gramps and Tyler will be revealed in future chapters. Stay tuned...
Reviewer: Zoleka Anonymous [Report This]Date: July 18 2015 09:34 pm
Wow, sooooo amazing with the storytelling skills Ms Jax! Diya is in love with Brandon, so her response to his confession, though seeming irrational, makes sense. Someone before her stomped his heart, so is he willing to give it to Diya, now? I think Diya is one to help mend his heart; she adores Brandon, and I bet he has no idea how much...the fun is in finding out...I think Grandpa may be deranged in some way? Brandon seemed adamant Diya not meet him...and I wonder that Tyler is the "other guy" for whom Brandon's love fell pregnant...I think Brandon's mom likes Diya...maybe she sees that Diya is good for Brandon...to me Diya and Brandon match, strangely enough...ths story has me hooked...you rock!
Author's Response:
Great insight, Jahchannah. Diya is new to love and the level of heartache Brandon has experienced. Both frighten and intimidate her and leave her wondering the very same thing you are: Is he willing to give his heart to her, or does a part of it still belong to the girl from the tattoo? Answers to that question, what's the deal with Grandpa Warner, and what exactly were Tyler's past dirty deeds are coming up in future chapters. I can say that you're right about why Katherine likes Diya. She knows that Diya makes Brandon happy, and his happiness is all that matters to her.
Thanks for the wonderful review, for reading, and for reviewing! I really do appreciate it.
Reviewer: jahchannah Signed [Report This]Date: July 18 2015 07:32 pm
I love these two with all my .....ok most of my heart....you know who I am saving a special place for....but that's another story lol. I am working hard for you and your words and updates keep me motivated!!!
Author's Response:
Lol! I haven't forgotten about your Joschka. I'll work my way back to him eventually. In the meantime, I'm exited to see what you've been working on. I'll be here, waiting patiently...sort of. Thanks Artamiss Caine!!!
Reviewer: Artamiss Caine Signed [Report This]Date: July 18 2015 05:48 pm
Tyler - BACK YOU DEMON! BACK!!
wow! after seen the way Brandon reacted and hearing Tyler's words (“Surely you’re not scared I’ll take her from you.”) i'm going to be super paranoid and say that Tyler had something to do with Brandon's ex - don't say the baby was Tyler's...??!?!
sorry. i'm overthinking things, lool! one thing though - it was interesting to read how Tyler's face changed when Brandon drove off. i wonder what that was about? also the mood when Di wondered if Grandma Pa Warner was going to join them - that was interesting!
a great update filled with interesting treats - thank you, JJ!
p.s. saw this gif and thought of Camille, hahaha!
Author's Response:
Lol. That damn Camilla. The answers to all your questions and curiosities will eventually be revealed. All I'll say now is that your paranoia is valid. Thanks Yuukiyanagi.
Reviewer: Yuukiyanagi Signed [Report This]Date: July 18 2015 05:26 pm
Waouw, what a powerful chapter. That was great !!! It insane how talented you are. All you stories are pure gold.
Brandon has his flaws, his dark side, i like that, i've a thing for tortured souls. I can totally understand Diya, the man she love has tell her there was a woman who he was so in love, that the tried to commit a suicide because of her. So i can totally understand her anger and jalousy. She knows it's out of place and irrational, but she just feels it, humans tend to be irrationals sometimes. And it's better she said nothing at the time, she needs to handle the information, but i trust her she will, she is intelligent and she loves him et care for him to much. After all he is her mister perfect isn't he ??? Anyway i can't wait for the next chapter. Terrific job, as always...
by the way, you've removed your first story here. Are you going to publish ???
Author's Response:
Thanks for sharing your insight, Siobhan, and for the awesome review!!! I wholeheartedly agree. You can control what you say and do, but you can't help what you feel. This--love, dating interracially, Brandon's traumatic past--is all new to Diya. I think it would have been unrealistic to have her feel or react any way but how she did, especially after the day she had. This is a lot for her, and there's even more to come.
I was planning to publish Resignation, but decided against it. The revised plan is to edit and repost it and the sequel.
Thanks again, Siobhan!
Reviewer: siobhan Signed [Report This]Date: July 18 2015 08:16 am
😍😍😍😍 That's all I have to say. I just read all the chapters, and couldn't do anything but laugh. Keep it coming! I love how their relationship isn't instantly built on sex. I'll be here... Waiting patiently and stuff.
Author's Response:
Lol. Thanks LA!!!
Reviewer: LA Anonymous [Report This]Date: July 17 2015 08:13 am
I'm deathly afraid of cats and yes I think that Camilla is the spawn of Satan. Di better sleep with one eye open because I don't think a locked door would keep her out if she really wanted to get in that room.
I'm kinda disappointed in Di.
Author's Response:
Lol. Camilla definitely bears watching.
I don't know if it'll affect you're level of disappointment in Diya, but next chapter you'll get a little more insight into the whys of her reaction.
Thanks BellaChica!
Reviewer: BellaChica Signed [Report This]Date: July 16 2015 05:54 am
the battle between Diya and Camille rages on - so freeeekin funny! those scenes are up there with Brandon and Diya. so glad (and proud) that Brandon opened up about the tattoo's past and that he was okay with dealing with Marisol (i'm with jaqua43 - get a dog, some milk and cookies or a vibrator, hahaha! stop calling MY MAN!!) - not happy with Diya though.
first she nags about the tattoo. gets upsets when Brandon doesn't want to talk about it only to get jealous/upset/guilty over a past ex and then pretend that she's sleeping...??!
i get that she was afraid that Brandon would see through her - i guess i wished she had given him a hug or something. instead she seemed a little bratty, lol!
hopefully after a little sleep and breakfast Diya's brain is going to work better and she will come up with a way to handle it...before asking the question - what happened to the baby?
dun dun dunn...!!
thanks for the long update - much appreciated! look forward to next instllment!
Author's Response:
Brandon opening up to Diya was definitely a good thing for both of them, even if she didn't know how to handle it. I can see why you're not thrilled with her right now, but I can also see her POV.
Diya had just come off of telling a hard truth and dealing with the consequences, and giving Brandon the trust he asked for, only to be stonewalled when it came to another tattoo with no explanation as to why. Her response, albeit unnecessarily snarky, wasn't to nag him (at least not my version of nagging), but to suggest they not talk about the tattoo or any of the others. She got in her feelings about the lack of reciprocity--him wanting her to trust him with Marisol but being unable to trust her with the truth--and then didn't now how to get out of them.
Sleep might help her to be a little more judicious in her deliver, but there are other things at work that will ensure she'll live in her feelings. More on that next chapter.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Yuukiyanagi!
Reviewer: Yuukiyanagi Signed [Report This]Date: July 15 2015 07:40 am
Wow...such a great chapter. I'm glad Diya got Brandon to open up about his tattoos and life. Madison needs to back off. Dust needs to tell her family about Brandon...soon. That damn cat is funny as hell!! Can't wait until they have sex, because all this foreplay is driving me crazy!!! Brandon sounds so hot!!!
Author's Response:
I don't know how soon there'll be sex with Diya trying to hold out her two months, but you know it's coming. Marisol backing off and Diya telling her parents about Brandon aren't very likely to happen anytime in the near future, but you never know. Thanks Michmom!
Reviewer: Michmom2 Signed [Report This]Date: July 15 2015 03:23 am
That took a dark turn. Maybe she should let the storytime go. I can't help wondering what happened to the girl and the baby. I wonder if the girl knew he tried to kill himself because she crushed him. Good thing his mom was there for him. She helped him get through a dark time. Okay changing the subject, what's up with Marisol? I hope she doesn't become a problem. Although I know she will because she's use to him having one night stands, not an exclusive girlfirend. Maybe that's why she didn't call back unless she had Raj call him. What was up with that phone call anyway? So Brandon and his friends have a hard time with love. Brandon and his ex girlfriend, Raj and his wife, Marisol and her husband....they seem to fall in the dumps and can't get out.
Author's Response:
Brandon, Rafe, and Marisol have definitely had some bad luck in the love department. But Brandon's ordeal is a bit more complicated than theirs. There's a lot more to the break-up/suicide story than was discussed in this chapter. All will eventually be revealed, including the fate of mom and baby.
As far as what's up with Marisol, it's like you said: She and Brandon are longtime friends and she's used to him being single. She calls him at 3 a.m. with the same ease as that the average person calls a friend at 3 p.m. because of the schedule he keeps. She didn't call back because Brandon didn't answer, and she was not the reason Rafe called. That was strictly business.
Thanks for commenting, VeMo!
Reviewer: VeMo Anonymous [Report This]Date: July 15 2015 12:34 am
You know it's funny when they say "be careful what you wish for; you might just get it"...seems truer words have never been spoken when it comes to Diya. Poor Brandon; who knew the depth of pain behind the story of that tattoo!
I love it that they are so into each other, but I can see their various camps pulling them from either end and the foundation that they build will have to withstand all manner of obstacles, from Brandon's fan club led by Marisol and the evil she-cat to Diya's over-the-top, interfering family headed by dear ole daddy:)
This is building up to be another thoroughly entertaining tale and I am strapping myself in for another incredible ride, as you never disappoint:)
Author's Response:
Yeah, poor Diya got a bit more than she was bargaining for. This may be the end of story time after all.
Your visions for their future are spot on. The only question is can they withstand the inevitable storms, internal and external?
So glad to have you along for this ride, Amiefuzzy! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Reviewer: Amiefuzzy Signed [Report This]Date: July 14 2015 07:08 pm
Brilliant! I didn't expect Brandon's story to be so full of pain...Diya didn't either, I'm guessing...be careful what you ask as you might not like what you receive...I liked Brandon's response to Diya's answer about Marisol...she knows Brandon, which is most important...she has to trust him...and he has to trust her too when she says not telling her family about their relationship is not about not wanting a future with him...this relationship will challenge them both...let's see if they're up for it...excellent work as always...you so make me root for this couple!
Author's Response:
I think Diya has definitely learned that whole "be careful what you ask for" lesson, though I can't say I blame her for being curious. And I agree that both have to learn to trust each other. With his romantic history and her lack thereof, that will prove an uphill battle. Thanks Jahchannah!
Reviewer: jahchannah Signed [Report This]Date: July 14 2015 06:52 pm
Wow! That was pretty intense! I wasn't expecting anything like that, (which I love). I feel for Brandon. I'm glad he opened up about it though. Hopefully his relationship with 'Di' will help heal that old wound. Great update.
Author's Response:
Hopefully. Thanks Musicluva!
Reviewer: Musicluva Signed [Report This]Date: July 14 2015 06:03 pm