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

“Oh, look at this.” She pointed to a picture, a younger Josh on a sailboat. “Is that in Canada?”


Steve and Bruce came back with mugs and plates.


“Sit there.” She pointed to the spot next to Mike.


Bruce obeyed, and Steve returned to the bike.


“I’m Genie, and this is my husband, Dan, old friends of Steve. This is Mike, Josh’s neighbor.”


His eyes caught her attention. They lingered on Mike for a moment before darting away. Mike didn’t seem to notice. He was busy looking at the next page in the album, some dunes by the shore and a deserted beach.


Bruce spilled his beer on the coffee table and jumped up. “I’ll get a towel.”


When he left for the kitchen, she leaned toward Mike with a coy expression. “Are you married?”


“Me?” Mike asked. “No.” He shook his head.


The puzzlement on Mike’s face didn’t discourage her. “I think you should chat with him. Steve’s been so worried.”


Chapter 68