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

Slowly, it seemed that Henri began feeling better about her body.


On another front, he didn’t see Whalen at all for ten days. When he did, it was from afar on the growing floor. The former priest continued to have lunch with some other humans. Cillian was just there for a walk. Whalen noticed him instantly, his head popping up as though he’d heard Cillian coming.


With his stroll disrupted, Cillian just stood there, staring at the man. He knew Whalen wouldn’t do anything in front of witnesses, but he couldn’t just leave, either. Cillian had been wracking his brain, trying to figure out how and why Whalen thought he could heal him. Part of him wondered if Whalen could really help him, somehow.


It was this thought that froze him in place. But a member of the group noticed Whalen’s line of sight and took it upon herself to address the situation. “Can we help you?” asked the woman, who Cillian recognized as a low-level scientist.


Chapter 58