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

“How long are you going to keep us here?” asked Jack.


At first, the suited man didn’t answer, but when he saw Henri, he sighed. “We’ll be interviewing you. Once we’re satisfied that you’re not contagious, we’ll release you.” With that, he left.


The family found some nondescript garb lying on one of the beds and quickly put it on. They were basically pajamas: made of cotton and featuring draw-string waistbands. But it was better than wearing an oversized gown. After changing, Jack and Henri took seats on the lower bunk.


“I wish I could call my parents,” Jack said after a while. “They don’t know we’re back on Earth.”


Cillian reached across their daughter and kissed Jack on the cheek. “We’ll be out soon. It sounds like they’re just being really cautious.”


In a whisper, “They don’t know about your hallucinations. What if they find out?”


Chapter 70