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

Perched out of reach, the alien parasite let go of the wall and opened the spout on the gas can before pouring the liquid into the space between them. It reached beneath itself to where some of the petroleum had dripped down the tunnel wall and snapped its fingers together. A spark ignited the gas, and soon there was a wall of fire on top of the waste water.


“What do we do?” he asked Rapunzel. The fire wouldn’t last forever, but Whalen could easily escape while they waited for it to die down.


Rapunzel gave something like a laugh. “Monks go in space without suits. Fire is weak in comparison. Be ready. I’m going to drive him toward you.”


“Be careful,” he said. “It’s not worth your life.”


Rapunzel looked back at him. “You know it is.”


Chapter 91