Crazy Stupid Bromance

Forgiveness means recognizing that you are a different person because of the pain but realizing that so are they because of the pain they caused. I think it’s deciding that the new people you are are better people and that together you’re worth something.

Women aren’t rehab centers for emotionally stunted man-babies who think the key to a serious relationship is to just wait for the right woman to come along. You have to be ready to be uncomfortable, to stretch yourself, to be vulnerable.

What would you say is your pet peeve about poorly crafted romance novels? That would be when two adult characters avoid having a grown-up conversation that could change the course of the story.”“You know what I love most about the books? I love how they can make us cheer for pretty much any character if we understand why they’re doing something. We’ll let them get away with pretty much anything–including pushing away the woman they desperately want–if they have a strong motivation. The why behind their actions.

There is no more universal story than of two people working through their shit to overcome huge obstacles and find their way to happiness,” Malcolm said. “But every journey is different, every obstacle unique. And it’s in that unique journey that we find lessons for our own lives.

It’s how they get to that happily ever after that matters and makes these books so special and instructive.

The so-called friend zone is nothing but a social construct designed to give a man an excuse to justify why a woman might not want to have sex with him. It’s a bullshit lie, and we all know that.

My mom . . . she told me once that the hardest part about being a parent is that you never know when it’s going to be the last time you do something for your child. The last time you will wash their hair. Fix their lunch for school. Help them tie their shoes. It’s true as a child, too, though. When you watch your parent die. No one tells you this, warns you. That you need to hang on to every detail because it could be the last time you go to a movie together or go shopping together.

One of the most insidious ways that toxic masculinity destroys men is that it strips us of the ability to express our emotions and to connect, not just with women, but with other men. Because real men don’t do that, right?

People screw up. A lot. The key to a lasting relationship is the ability to forgive over and over again.

But there’s a big fucking difference between what society teaches us what a real man does and what a good man does. And good men are willing to do the hard, emotional labor on themselves to be strong partners to the people we love.

The so-called friend zone is nothing but a social construct designed to give a man an excuse to justify why a woman might not want to have sex with him.

I would never hurt you like that, Lexa, because I love you more than I could ever hate him

The point is to break the fucking cycle. Women aren't rehab centers for emotionally stunted man-babies who think the key to a serious relationship is to just wait for the right woman to come along. You have to be ready to be uncomfortable, to stretch yourself, to be vulnerable.... One of the most insidious ways that toxic masculinity destroys men is that it strips us (men) of the ability to express our emotions and to connect, not just with women, but with other men. Because "real men" don't do that, right?

Even with a dozen credible accusations against him, his most rabid fans still refused to believe that their precious hero would do anything wrong. The women must have been lying. They were just disgruntled former employees or spurned lovers.

It’s a romance. I would assume they end up together and live happily ever after.” Malcolm nodded. “Exactly. All romances end that way. Even though readers know the minute they pick up romances how they’re going to end, they still read them loyally. Why do you suppose that is?”“The sex?”Colton slapped the table again. “No. Wrong answer.”“It’s the journey, “ Malcolm said. “It’s how they get to that happily ever after that matters and makes these books so special and instructive.

I don’t think I know what forgiveness actually is. I thought I did. I thought it meant being at peace and never feeling anger. But I . . . I think maybe that’s not really forgiveness. I think I’ve just been avoiding feeling anything bad for a long time. And it’s not the same thing, is it?”Forgiveness means recognizing that you are a different person because of the pain but realizing that so are they because of the pain they caused. I think it’s deciding that the new people you are are better people and that together you’re worth something.

No. The point is to allow ourselves to be vulnerable in front of the women we love.

And I just kept rubbing her hand and saying it was okay. She could go. I’d be okay. I’d be just fine when she was gone. But I’m not fine.

Then take my fucking kidney, you asshole. Because if you don’t, you’ll die. And I’ll be left to stand in front of another goddamned gravestone, and if you think I’m angry now, just fucking wait until you die.” “Which is exactly why I can’t go through with this. I want you to be part of my life of your own free will and because you want to be. But if you do this now, you’ll always wonder if I’m a father to you out of a sense of obligation or gratitude, and not simply because I want you there.” He tilted her chin up with his finger. “And I do want you there. I want you to be my daughter.

The best love affairs start as friendships.

We share a bloodline, Candi. That doesn’t make us family. It just makes us related.

After my dad died, I got to a point where I thought I would punch the next person who tried to tell me how sorry they were.” “Or ask if there is anything they can do.” “Everything happens for a reason . . .” She groaned. “They’re here for you.” “You’re so strong.” “As if there is any alternative but to just keep getting up every day and going about your life.