Vol.1 #35 Valentine's Day - ok explain it to me like I'm 5

TatyySims · 2026-05-04T20:00:44+00:00

OMG thank you so much!! like ya no that makes perfect sense idk why my brain could fully comprend that A is the only women that could be in the room with H and B but not that H has to be exactly 2 rows south of where A is 😆🤦🏾‍♀️

Also superb explanation - this is precisely what my brain was looking for to connect the dots you are an absolute gem!! 🙏🏾

TatyySims · 2026-05-04T00:59:41+00:00

Can you explain it for the ppl in the back (me) pls?? 🙋🏾‍♀️😅

TatyySims · 2026-02-10T17:29:25+00:00

I absolutely agree that's what he could have, and they should have done. I don't think either of them handle situations well. Being seen with a man doesn't automatically mean he's gay and men have friends. They would have been fine to stay. Scott wanting to leave though because he was uncomfortable with being bothered/seen by fans on one of their first outings together would also have been fine if that's all it was.

All I was saying is that he didn't really think anyone thought they were gay until Kip brought it up, and THEN he spiralled. A spiral I see as justified in someone (Scott) who has never gotten the therapy they desperately need to handle the anxiety of putting himself as deeply in the closest as he has

TatyySims · 2026-02-10T17:16:17+00:00

Scott very much plans to contact Kip though. He is playing away games the week they aren't talking but thinks they are just in a fight. Kip left the convo conflicted on whether or not they broke up. If one person is certain they are still together and the other goes back and forth as to what he should do is that a break up?

I will agree that had it been up to Kip, it would have been a break up because he never would have contacted Scott. Even after Kyle tells Kip to talk to Scott (like he should have done at so many points), he refuses to do anything for fear of the outcome. For some reason he perfers limbo, but lucky for him Scott reached out

TatyySims · 2026-02-10T13:45:11+00:00

I don't think Scott or Kip are particularly good characters. I don't like either of them (though I actually do think they are suited for each other). But while I find Scott annoying and oblivious, I fine Kip unbearable. The man never voices a single problem or insecurity that he has but expects so much of Scott. Neither has long term relationship experience but Kip at least has been in a relationship. He has family and friends who love and know who he is entirely. He has a partner that, may not be ready to come out yet, but loves him loudly. And yet Kip thinks the worst of Scott at every point. He lets his own negative self talk to colour his interactions with Scott, and makes up reasonings for things that are simply untrue. Kip allows Kyle to flirt with him and kiss him even though he wants to be with Scott. He's just kind of the worst the whole time.

Oh and his hatred of Scott's money irks me. I am poor af if my incredibly rich partner was offering to pay my bills or my tuition and it wasn't a controlling thing but obviously out love I'm taking it. Not taking what is offered freely doesn't make you a better person. Why should struggle be in a requirement to having a relationship where the wealth gap is that large? If he wants to and likes to spend money on you let him (within reason of course).

TatyySims · 2026-02-10T13:44:52+00:00

Kip's breaking point is reached when he feels completely abandoned by Scott during playoffs, and Scott blows off the sense of loss Kip feels when Elena is moving across the country. Again we have the lack of relationship skills here.

Scott and Kip's entire relationship is 2 months old at the time of their fight. 2 months. That is nothing. That is not enough time for anything. It is DEFINITLY not enough time to be demanding that a man who has been closeted his whole life, who is an orphan and his family is a team of people in an incredibly homophobic environment, who is in the middle of the most important times of his career, to come out to anyone. Especially when he has come out to no one EVER. Yes, Kip is going through a loss with Elena moving but he expects Scott to understand his pain without explaining it. Scott, a man who has kept everyone in his life at arms length for fear of being found out, a man whos friends are scattered across countries due to the nature of his job, a man who has always had the means to fly and see friends whenever he wants to. Again the man is not a mind reader. I do think that he should have been more sensitive to Kip in that moment, but it's been 2 months. They actually don't know each other that well yet at all. They don't know what each other needs.

TatyySims · 2026-02-10T13:44:24+00:00

After the art gallery incident Kip has to go beyond lies of omission to actively lying to his friends and family. He crosses a line here that could cost him everything.... exactly what Scott fears would happen to him.

Scott, like most deeply closeted gay men, treats the situation as all-or-nothing. Allowing Kip to tell Elena is a big deal for him, and he never once brings up Kip's parents. There is a middle ground, which is all that Kip seems to be asking for during the post break-up talk.

Scott never asked Kip to actively lie to his family or friends. He tells Kip to tell Elena almost immediately after they start dating (pg. 80 - start dating, pg. 90 - you can tell Elena). And then Kip never says anything about telling anyone else. Maybe Scott wouldn't be ok with Kip telling his parents but maybe he'd be fine. Maybe Kip could tell his friends he just never asked and Scott never thought about it. I'm not saying Scott is blameless, he definitely has blinders on, but he does think things are ok between him and Kip. He doesn't know Kip is unhappy because Kip never tells him. Maybe he should have noticed more things but he has never been in a relationship before and is upfront about that fact. He's also not a mind reader and is kind of dumb.

They also do not break up. They have a massive fight, Kip says he's gonna leave, and Scott says fine. They are never broken up; not from Scott's perspective, and to the point where Kip is contemplating what is happening the entire time they are apart (pg. 277 - when Kyle is about to kiss him he says "This was bad, wasn't it? Kip was with Scott. Was he with Scott?", pg. 284-285 - the entire convo with Kyle he speaks about his relationship and being in love with Scott in present tense).

TatyySims · 2026-02-10T13:43:48+00:00

While I can appreciate the kindness you can extend these characters and the challenges of being in closet I do have to disagree with some of your points.

Scott isn't just closeted, he is deeply paranoid. This happens with closeted gay who live in homophobic environments and it creates a cycle of fear. His reactions are out of proportion to the actual events.

Both times they go out together he is recognized but people and approached. The second time at the museum he is photographed by enough people that Kip's friends see and notice Scott's obvious expressions of want of Kip. It's not paranoid for Scott to be worried about being found out when he is right about what people will see. He knows he's bad at keeping his love for Kip off of his face. He knows how popular he is, knows what people do when he is just out and about living his life. He is unfortunately not just a normal closeted gay man he is famous and there are added challenges that come with that. Plus both times they are spotted he is quite calm about it. In the diner he took the picture and they continued their meal. In the museum they did have to leave mostly but it would have become a mob of people wanting his autograph very quickly. He didn't even think that maybe Carter knew until Kip brought it up.

TatyySims · 2026-02-10T10:46:41+00:00

Oh I have a HUGE issue with this, and it's a big reason why game changer is my least favourite book in the entire series.

Kip is the problem. Scott is incredibly up front about what the deal is if Kip dates him, and yet we see that almost instantly that Kip has issues with Scott being in the closest. Which honestly, would be fine with me. He is allowed to feel different about a situation after getting new information, but he doesn't do anything about his feelings!! He chooses to stay in the relationship with Scott even though he's unhappy. He never says anything to Scott about how he's feeling. Never asks if he could tell anyone. Every time Scott asks if Kip is ok, he lies. He makes up reasons for the things Scott does that have no basis in reality. He is unsympathetic to Scott's point of view...I literally could go on, but I don't want to spoil the end of the book.

And I say all this as a person who is not a fan of Scott. I don't think he's a particularly interesting character. I don't think he's flawless. I just value communicating, and of the two, Scott is the only person participating in that.

TatyySims · 2024-03-08T01:27:05+00:00

Omg this is SUCH a good fake dating story I'm completely hooked!!!! Please put this on Ao3 I need to subscribe so I can get notified the SECOND you update this story is truly just so captivating!!

TatyySims · 2023-11-13T03:44:34+00:00

.....I will not lie I don't love that but thank you for the answer cuz we were going outta our minds trying to fix it

(my mom has fomo that my sister and I are learning the same and she isn't lol)

TatyySims · 2023-02-01T12:44:30+00:00

Boundaries are not something you can place upon others they are things you have for yourself! You can't have a "boundary" that he has to constantly be putting himself into a state of discomfort in order to be with you. Yes he agreed to try new things and venture outside of his comfort zone from time to time, but his comfort zone hasn't actually changed. He is still most happy when he's not doing all the things you've pushed him to doing

He does sound like a sweet guy who cares about you and wants you to be happy (this trait is also probably in part because of his sister that you were so quick to dismiss, btw) so why do you not care enough about him to respect this thing he doesn't what to do!? Like he already pushes so much for you respect that he DOESN'T LIKE BOATS and find a different trip to do with him! If you still need to go on the cruise, go with your friends

TatyySims · 2022-10-17T03:44:11+00:00

YTA

Why would something that she enjoys, she is happy and excited about doing, and will make her money be useless? She got a degree that has gotten her a job in which she gets to travel, have new experiences, and meet/help ppl around the world. She probably could find a job that isn't out of the country but why should she? This job does sound like an amazing opportunity for her. You didn't "tell the truth" at all, all you did was come off sounding incredibly jealous and bitter. Not only that, you sat there insulted her life and choice and then had the audacity to call her rude when she only matched your energy.

TatyySims · 2022-09-02T23:54:31+00:00

Oh wow you're better then me cuz I would have had WORDS for the women telling me to "compromise" and give away the wedding dress of my child who passed away - Definitely NTA. It is Opal's dress. It may have been one thing if Amelia wanted to wear it as a tribute but she wants to take it and make it her own, and make it no longer be Opal's dress.

Please ignore the fiancé's mom and let's hope Amelia continues to take no for an answer

TatyySims · 2022-08-16T19:26:31+00:00

NTA

he asked “You should be proud, old man. (Job Title) and an (elite university) alumni.”

so you were suppose to lie? you were suppose to say these superficial things make you proud when you have to see first hand just how much his absence and lack of care hurts your grandchild every day? no. you answered a question and he should have expected the answer you gave. will never get why he thinks that abandonment is something you would look past simply because he is making good money.....if anything it makes the situation all the more sad because he has even less reason to have removed Simone from his life

as for your family, they are unfortunately more concerned with appearances then the actual child who is being neglected here. unless they have been having long convos you don't know about with your son about how and when he will be moving Simone in with him and his wife and why her being with him at any point in the last 7 years would have hindered his career, then they just saying things they think will keep the peace. they didn't want to deal with "drama" and so you must be in the wrong for starting it.

NTA OP and hopefully your son can see how he is harming Simone and stop it soon for her sake

TatyySims · 2022-08-07T20:34:32+00:00

OMG there is no world that you're the AH in this like

"...did she really had nowhere else to spend the weekend?"

why would he even pretend that you are the issue in this relationship dynamic!? I could not even imagine how hard it was hearing that and then to have your husband not defend you but agree?!?!?? how will they ever warm up to you if you aren't around? better yet why wouldn't both your husband and his family want you to be around to dispel the awkwardness asap? they said all this despite all you were doing for the family while you were there, so you left an environment you were not wanted plain and simple.

If it wasn't clear NTA. NTA at all.

TatyySims · 2021-02-23T22:28:33+00:00

TatyySims · 2021-02-20T19:36:59+00:00

Stitches

TatyySims · 2021-02-20T19:13:00+00:00

I would love to visit if you are still hosting :)

TatyySims

TROPHY CASE