It’s not easy being a gay man in Utah, but it’s even more difficult when you’re young and overweight. Jay has never fit in with the general “club culture” and he knows he’d never be attractive enough to catch a one-night stand, much less a boyfriend. Losing himself in books and school alleviates his loneliness, and he doesn’t waste time dreaming about what he can’t have. Until he meets the new director of the GLBT Center on campus and promptly falls in love -- against all common sense and logic.<br><br>Hoping to catch a few glimpses of Stephen outside of the Center, Jay decides to start working out at the university gym. The plan turns out to be too successful as Stephen volunteers to be his workout buddy, then invites Jay out to lunch, and finally, kisses him. Jay wants Stephen more than anything, but he can’t bring himself to trust Stephen’s intentions. Not when he knows he’s disgusting and Stephen is so perfect ...

From Behind that Locked Door

He completed the task and moved on to loose papers by the time the priest arrived.


Whalen beamed. “Oh, wow. This is incredible.”


“It’s the least I could do.” After all, Father Whalen had been devoting much of his time to Cillian alone. His personal faith was seemingly more important than even holding church services, which Whalen still conducted but did so with less preparation. And Cillian hadn’t even attended one yet! Though he planned to rectify that in less than a week, when the next service would take place.


“God looks kindly on your giving nature.”


Whalen’s face grew just a tinge redder. He sat down at his desk, opened his Bible—which Cillian left untouched—and grabbed a legal pad of paper. “I think giving will be the focus of my sermon this week.”


Chapter 19