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

“At the gym. I go before the show.”


“Well, thanks for the coffee, Josh.” Mike got up from his chair. “It was nice meeting you, Steve.”


“I’ll walk out with you.” Josh got up.


Steve stood beside him and put a hand on Josh’s shoulder. “Want some company at the gym? Mind if I watch?”


Josh smiled awkwardly. “Not today. I need to keep my focus. Maybe Tuesday if you behave.” 24


After the show on Friday, Josh didn’t work out. He always took a break that day. When Steve called him and wanted to get together, he said no this time, because he needed rest. Steve’s unspoken disappointment somehow came across the connection, maybe in the pause between the words or in the timber of his voice, but he said he understood. Josh agreed to meet him the next day for a late dinner on Saturday night.


Chapter 42