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

“You must wear it. Doesn’t it fit?”


“Good luck will come to you.” The old man held Josh’s hand and examined the ring.


Josh pulled away. “Why do I have to wear it now all of a sudden? I never wore it before.”


“I thought you said it was a warning.” Josh rested his forehead on his hand. “What kind of luck is that?”


“Better than none. The ring will protect you.”


Josh’s hand absentmindedly grasped the hair at his temple and twisted. “I wonder what it says. There’s a linguist at the university. I looked him up and sent an email.”


He knew what the old man was thinking. “Don’t worry. I didn’t mention the curse. The professor told me to send him pictures of the inscription. So, I did. He couldn’t read the writing but thought he knew who might, someone who would be interested to see it.”


His uncle hacked. “Don’t take it off again.”


Chapter 21