Josh, a lonely trapeze artist, thinks he’s cursed. It’s an old family superstition. He can’t have sex on a day he flies or he’ll fall. Maybe that’s why he’s never had a steady boyfriend, though sometimes he dreams of one. In his show, a strange melody plays in the background. It follows him and surfaces from time to time on the street. When Josh’s uncle hears about the music, he tells his nephew to bring the old ring, passed down from generations since the time of the curse. Steve is a realtor who always reaches his goals, in sales or otherwise, and he moonlights as a dancer in an all-male review on The Strip. All his friends his age are married, and his best friend’s wife Genie wants to see him hitched, too. He’s a little bit challenged in the relationship department, though. He has some growing up to do, or maybe it’s his problem in bed, where he’s somewhat one-sided. Steve and Josh meet one crazy night when Josh breaks all the rules used to protect him from the curse. After that, he runs. If it wasn’t for Genie’s matchmaking, Josh and Steve might never see each other again. Though not yet ready for a boyfriend, Josh does need a realtor. What a good way for he and Steve to get to know each other, while Josh works up the courage to tell Steve about the curse. Still unaware of Josh’s problem, Steve falls in love with him. When Steve finds out about the curse thing, it’s a big disappointment, but he wants Josh anyway. There’s no doubt Josh is worth the wait. Maybe the curse isn’t real after all. Can lonely Josh overcome his fear of it? Can horndog Steve handle a curse? Is the answer in the ancient ring?

The Curse of Flight

This Cruisre app used to be more fun before he’d found the man he wanted. It connected him with others like himself for friendship, dating, or hookup, well, mostly hookup. After all, who found Mr. Right overnight?


At Dan and Genie’s house, the selection changed. The guys were different from those he saw at home. The app showed profiles nearby. Dan had some interesting neighbors, but none of them were Josh.


Steve’s back slouched in the armchair, feet up on the coffee table. Genie let them do this in the den, but she drew the line at smoking. He needed a cigarette to get through these pictures. His habit would have to wait.


Dan stopped smoking all together when Genie asked. He’d do anything for her, even quit a ten-year addiction. This blew Steve’s mind. He couldn’t imagine ever giving it up.


It was Tuesday, time to check The Pariah again. He didn’t want to deal with the disappointment. Maybe he would try one more time. Josh never showed up at any of the bars.


Chapter 6