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

Jack waited until the door closed to ask the obvious. “Cillian, what’s going on?”


“Father Whalen, he—he came onto me. After the service.”


“I don’t know if I accidentally led him on or what, but he acted like I was his personal salvation.”


“You’re shaking,” Jack pointed out. “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how you must feel. What did you do?”


Jack hugged him tightly. He kissed the side of Cillian’s head. “You’re brave. I don’t know what I would have done.”


Cillian let himself be held by Jack. He felt his warmth. Slowly, he calmed down. The trembling subsided. “God, I spent so much time with him, and I never saw this coming. I really thought he just wanted to help me.”


“You never know what people are thinking.”


“No, of course not. It’s not your fault. At all.”


Chapter 22