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

“Sparkling water if you have it. Thank you.” Josh sat next to him.


Genie left the room with an odd expression on her face.


Josh’s posture slumped, unusual for him. Steve gave him a quick rub on the neck and enjoyed it more than Josh did from the look on Josh’s face before he sat up straight and bristled. Josh’s hand brushed Steve’s fingers away.


Dan brought in a tray of ribs from the grill. “Hi guys.” He put the tray on the table and sat down across from Steve. “Hungry?”


Genie came back with two beer mugs, one for Dan and one for Steve. She made another trip and returned with water glasses for herself and Josh. Covers came off bowls on the table. Steve helped himself to everything, coleslaw, baked beans, collard greens in bacon, corn bread, and roasted sweet potatoes with butter.


Chapter 46