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

It was early night, but the streets were still busy. Lots of military trucks and media vehicles. And thankfully, a few taxis. They piled into a van and told the driver to take them out of Chicago in any direction.


“I’m leaving, too,” said the man. “Anybody with half a brain is packing up. Did you see what happened on the news? All those poor people.”


“That’s why we’re going,” came from Henri. “So the monster can’t get us.”


Cillian kissed the top of her head. “We’re just trying to be safe.”


“I hear you. You’ll be my last fare. I’m not going to work in a city where bulletproof naked people are killing everyone.”


The van sped through traffic, weaving between cars and barely stopping for red lights. They went northwest, though the quieter neighborhoods. Cillian spotted rainbow flags in one. He hadn’t seen any in years, not since before he was arrested. He wanted to get out and warn the people, but their taxi driver had no plans to stop.


Chapter 79