“Really. The people who have more tend to think they can get away with more. After all, they have the talent or the money or the nice things. Why shouldn’t they get to do what they want? They also expect you to give more because you have less. After a while, feeling like you have to compensate for just being yourself will wear you down.”

Zack frowned. He didn’t think that sounded like John and him, but it was too early to tell. John usually liked to give up power when they role-played, but those were just fantasies.

“Thanks, Mr. Alvarez,” he said. “You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

“Mind you, don’t overthink it. If you’ve got a good thing going with this boy, let it happen. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Zack smiled. “Okay, Dad.”

Mr. Alvarez swatted him on the shoulder. “I don’t remember adopting a little gay white boy.”

Zack laughed heartily. “And yet at some point you did.”

The two worked on Marilyn for a bit—or rather, Mr. Alvarez worked while Zack “supervised”—until Ziggy loudly indicated that it was time for Zack to feed him. Zack thanked Mr. Alvarez again and then headed back to his apartment. He fed Ziggy, changed out of his date clothes, which he’d worn home from John’s house even though there were some questionable stains on his jeans, and got ready for work.

He arrived at Murmur Inc. just as the sun was setting. Alexa was outside waiting for him. She handed him a cigarette and a lighter as soon as he walked up.

“Welcome back,” she said simply.

“Thanks,” Zack replied. He lit his cigarette and leaned on the wall next to her. He shivered as a cool breeze ruffled his hair.

“So, how was your date?”

Zack grinned. “Long.”

“I guessed that much when I didn’t hear from you.”

Zack’s grin widened. “I didn’t get home until a few hours ago.” His stomach warmed at the thought.

“You two been banging this whole time?”

Zack rolled his eyes and took a drag on his cigarette. “I wouldn’t put it like that.”

“Oh, pardon me,” Alexa said with feigned solicitation. “Should I refer to it as ‘making love’?”

“God, no.” Zack wrinkled his nose. “I just think John and I are a little more serious than ‘banging’ at this stage.”

“Wow. I never thought I’d see the day. I owe Kira twenty bucks.”

“It’s not like I’m gonna marry the guy. I just wouldn’t classify him the same way I would my other hookups.”

“So, what would you classify him as?” Alexa asked. She inched closer, smiling from piercing to piercing. “Boyfriend material?”

Zack flushed. “Maybe.”