Crossroads/Borrowed Lives—2026-03-07 (Patreon)

FREE for everyone.

Some posts and sections of some posts are reserved for Supporters.

AGI Stories content almost always appears on Patreon first, in advance of all other platforms. You get it first!

Help AGI-Stories grow… If you’re enjoying the stories, please tell others. Word of mouth referrals and your endorsements are the best way for things here to grow!

Chapter 30: PANCAKE HUG by Emma Knox

Addison had the last show at work in the theater last night, so the plan was for today being an easy breakfast—just pancakes and microwave sausage and microwave bacon.

Me and Noah are in my apartment doing pancakes. Well, he was at the sink washing up a bowl and I was at the stove. We turned around at the same time and ended up hugging.

‘Course Hannah looked up from her coffee just in time to say, “Awww… That’s just too cute.”

I don’t think Noah was embarrassed, but I blushed a little bit. It’s not like we PDA all the time or anything. And it wasn’t expected at all.

Well, anyway, today ought to be a nice, relaxed day. I got some studying to do, but Noah has a shift from 3 to 11, so we’re going to hang out this morning with everyone else.

Shay… I mean Mara’s friends, Chloe and Caleb, are coming over later, too. I met them last week, and they are real nice. “Mara” really seems to like being around everyone.

Now, if I were to stop and think about it, I’d have been lonely living in her big West Village house all by myself. No wonder she wanted to move in here.

Well, that’s about all for this post. Thanks for reading it.

Chapter 31: AWKWARDLY HONEST by Mara Voss

Being at the Ryder family compound—referred to by the security team as the bunker—isn’t terrible. I didn’t realize how tiring riding a motorcycle every day had become, so the rest is welcome.

To say that there are separate house and grounds security teams isn’t precise. They all seem to cycle through perimeter walks and gate checks. Everyone in the compound does a little housekeeping, too.

For the entertaining dining room area, there’s a large kitchen that also gets used to prepare meals for the security teams. It’s relatively informal, but they told us that most everyone converges for dinner around 5:00 p.m.

Yesterday, Evan and I worked out how to fit in. In other words, how to not be in the way.

Today, that looks like sitting by the pool waiting for five o’clock to show up.

We’d been relaxing for a few minutes when Evan said, “Would you be up to an awkwardly honest conversation?”

“I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”

“It’s good, I think. I was thinking last night about our situation.”

I shook my head. “Still not sounding good. What’s the take-away at the end of your thinking?”

“Not pretending to be dating might be a good thing.”

I braced myself for whatever he was about to say. “Convince me.”

The rest of this chapter is exclusive to Patreon.

“So, this will be awkward.”

“As you said.” I could feel my emotions stirring in about ten different directions.

“On February 15, we rode out of New York City pretending to be Shay and Devon. Pretending to be dating. Let’s call it three weeks ago.”

“I’m aware.”

“Since then, we’ve been affectionate with each other. First… acting. Then routine. But let’s be honest…”

He hesitated so I spoke. “Awkwardly honest. We like it. We like the affection.”

He picked up the thought. “Kissing… holding hands. I like how your head feels on my shoulder. I like how your hair smells.”

I stifled a little laugh. “Almond oil shampoo, for the win, then.”

He paused, and I could tell he was getting to the “but” part of his idea. I just waited, scared to be honest.

Finally, he went on. “I think we let the physical affection pull our feelings for each other along. I think our feelings grew from the touches. I think acting like we like each other caused us to like each other.”

“And you think that’s bad?”

“Not necessarily,” Evan replied. “But now we have the chance to see if we like each other just because we like each other. We get to touch each other’s thoughts, beliefs, ideas, and see how the feelings respond to that. What do you think?”

“Wow. Deep…”

“And? But?” He glanced at me as if he were trying to read my expression.

I didn’t want to leave him guessing. “Look, I’ll be awkwardly honest, too. After the first kiss, I figured we were in this for the long haul. In for a penny, in for a pound as they say. So, for the first few days, I guess I looked at it like a game of sorts. But you’re right, the feelings came along quickly.”

“Exactly,” he said.

“Now, I knew the feelings were going too fast for our short time together. But I figured there wasn’t any harm. Sure… physically we were a couple of weeks ahead, but I figured the weeks would pass and we’d catch up eventually. We didn’t do anything you wouldn’t see at the mall. I figured we’d grow closer emotionally over time. Or we’d not, and we’d go back to just acting.”

Evan smiled. “Okay, I can see the logic there. Now… I guess we pause the physical side and see if the rest catches up.”

“Not sure I like it, but yeah… we sort of have to while we’re here.”

Evan nodded but didn’t reply. At that moment, it took all my willpower and discipline not to lean over and kiss his cheek. He was right there being amazing!

Finally, he said something else. “Can I ask you one more thing about all this?”

“Sure…”

“Are you hoping that our thinking about each other catches up to our feelings?”

My willpower was taxed to the limit, but I controlled myself. “Yes, I am.”

Chapter 32: READING THE ROOM by Conner Wiltshire

Saturday afternoon, and things at Crossroads are relaxed and easy. The day started with pancakes, sausage, and bacon and a lot of laughs.

Just before lunch, Chloe and Caleb Hastings came over and hung out with Shay and Devon through lunch and several games of backgammon. Jacob got home from work, and Caleb and he are now at the table talking.

Devon and Shay decided they wanted to watch something on TV, so they dropped back into the apartment. Chloe joined Olivia and me to watch the end of the original Spider-Man movie.

Not too long ago, Merritt and Hannah circulated the room and Merritt said, “We’re taking orders for subs. Want in?”

“Definitely,” Chloe replied.

“I’m in,” Olivia said. “Let me go get some cash.”

So, now we’re all sitting here having an early lunch. Part of my training for the Ryder Family Protective Services was hours and hours of situational awareness courses. Some of that is leeching into my thoughts as I sit here.

By the time the sandwiches arrived, Liza had migrated to the Jacob-Caleb technology discussion. They have something up on the back TV from the Discovery Channel about satellites. I also couldn’t help but notice that Jacob bought Liza’s sandwich.

I heard him say, “You can catch me next time,” as he gave Hannah some cash.

I cannot help but notice that Merritt is pretty much numb to the fact that Chloe and Liza are extremely happy to have his attention. He’s kind to everyone. They are new on the scene, so they are sorting out what his behaviors mean.

I want to add that Merritt’s the kind of guy I’d hang out with even if we didn’t live in the same place. He’s smart, but doesn’t flaunt it. And he asks good questions. Olivia agrees with me about him.

Kent and I are about the same age. We had a similar childhood, so we get along great, too. He and Izzy spend most of their time together, but now and then, we sit around and watch a ballgame or the news. He’s a thinker and fixer guy. Solid.

So I guess I’d conclude by saying I’m feeling pretty good about my assignment to live here. Literally zero complaints.

Be your best you!

Become a Patreon Member (Click Here)

Message from AGI-Stories…

Support AGI with:• one-time contribution through TipTopJar.• one-time contribution through Throne.• Patreon Membership.

The Storylines are the heart of AGI-Stories, and they are found in the Collections section of the site

All characters in this story are fictional characters, their images generated with AI for AGI Stories. They do not represent any real person, nor is their appearance based on any real human.

Thank-You Message to Paying Supporters:

It is my belief that most of you who help with the costs are doing so because you want to support the production process and show your encouragement. I am honored and greatly moved.

I know that I share a LOT of content FREE TO ALL. I'd imagine that you understand why. The stories about giving back and helping seem like they shouldn't be exclusive. Certain plot moments need to be understood by anyone trying to to follow the stories.

With that in mind, I always consider you, the paid members, when deciding how to share content.

My hope is that reserving a few pictures and small sections of the post for you is a modest indication of gratitude!

Thank you very much for your help underwriting the cost of producing AGI Stories content. You can be sure that your paid membership is valued greatly! At the time of this post (not counting hardware or internet connectivity fees) AGI Stories racks up expenses of just over $100 per month. Every supporter is helping!

Again, thank you very, very much.

~AGI Original Stories & AI Images