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

A reply was in order. “Well, we all have our talents. The set has nets built in to blend with the scenery, but not full coverage. I did fall once and landed on one. It stung like hell. The audience didn’t notice too much. I sprung up on the netting and did a bow, like it was normal. My worst fear is I’ll fall on a dancer. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”


“You won’t fall. We won’t let that happen.” Steve’s hand covered his on the tabletop. “You know, I saw you perform a couple years ago. Dan gave me tickets. I remember it. You were amazing. I wish I’d known you then. It would have been that much more fantastic, not that it wasn’t anyway.”


Josh’s hand stiffened under Steve’s. “This is nice, but I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. There’s something we need to talk about, and I’m not ready yet.”


“It’s alright.” Steve pulled away his hand. The food came.


He sensed Steve’s disappointment, or maybe it was his own. The meatloaf smelled good.


Chapter 27