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

He watched Josh, who no doubt more for diversion than thirst, lifted the glass to his lips. The moment Josh drank, Steve readied his gravelly voice. Just as Josh swallowed and the Adam’s apple bobbed, Steve spoke. “Limber, lean, and tight.”


Josh choked, as if those words entered his ear and redirected the beer down his windpipe. It must have gone up his nose, because it sprayed all over his plate and almost to Steve’s plate next to it. Josh hacked.


“Don’t worry.” Steve slapped Josh’s back.


Genie got up from across the table and joined them. Josh stood and bent over from coughing. When Steve got up, Genie pushed him aside. She put her arm around Josh. “Come with me.” She led him toward the kitchen.


Steve followed them until Genie glared at him. “No. You sit down. I’ll take care of this. I’m a nurse.” She grabbed Josh’s hand and pulled him out of the room. He coughed all the way.


Chapter 47