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’d been praying since the beginning, asking the Lord to take this disease away. When Muhaimin claimed to be God, he asked it to cure him, too. But nothing changed. In fact, he got worse. Perhaps, with his husband and daughter praying to Allah, he’d get an extra boost. It couldn’t hurt, but he wouldn’t get his hopes up.


It was difficult not to think God had abandoned him.


Jack retrieved a couple towels and began helping him clean up the kitchen. Not long after, Henri reappeared, ready for a full, largely carefree day. Both Jack and Cillian walked her to a central area where kids of both species often hung out. There were a few there, mostly Monks. Their parents lay nearby, chatting in the clicking language. Henri ran up to the Monk children and quickly joined a board game they were playing. It involved shiny orbs of different sizes and seemed to be a cross between chess and checkers.


Chapter 39