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 knock came from around front. Josh had to answer. It wouldn’t be easy. He stood and hesitated, robe in hand and wrapped it around himself. Best not to wait, Steve might leave. There was something that needed to be said. Why postpone the inevitable. A clean break was best for quick healing. The tough grass crunched underfoot as he ran inside.


Steve was in the peephole. Josh’s hand flinched at the knob. He turned it, and the door opened. Steve stood with a white bag in front of him and a blank expression, like he was lost and didn’t know where he was.


Steve stepped inside. “Did you eat?”


Steve lifted his phone from under the sack. “I want you to listen to something.” He tapped a voicemail message.


It was Chris, dated yesterday, the time of the party. “Hi buddy. I know you won’t fuck me anymore, but how about lunch?”


Josh’s nose and upper lip got scrunchy. Apparently, Steve expected this silly message to make him feel better. It didn’t work.


Chapter 71