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

Their shadows met on the wall. Steve exhaled long and deep behind him. “Could be. Maybe it’s not a big deal, whatever it is.” Steve’s voice was softer than the breath on his neck.


This gave Josh’s rambling mind some pause. Steve seemed to understand more than he’d expected. Still, it took a minute to find the courage to face him. “You left something out you ought to know.”


Steve folded his arms across his chest and grimaced. “I did? Okay. Here it comes. Let me have it.”


Josh’s eyes sunk to Steve’s feet. “You’re patient and considerate.”


Steve’s arms unfolded and fell to his sides. “I am? Why do you say that?”


“Because you’re here, not under the best of circumstances, and I know from that night.” Josh glanced at the bulge again, bigger now. Panic. The door beckoned him. “This place is nice, but the yard’s so overgrown. It’s too much maintenance. I’d hate to see the water bill. Desert landscaping’s better.”


Chapter 25