Boyfriend — The

“Someone has to be.”

“For what it’s worth,” he said without turning around, “I would have woken up excited every day.”

And that, he decided, was enough.

Alex smiled, and was surprised to find it didn’t hurt. “Good. I’m glad.”

“So that’s it?” Alex asked.

“Talk to me,” Alex said one evening, sitting on the edge of Sam’s couch. The rain drummed against the glass, steady and insistent.

“Try.”

Sam was quiet for a long moment. Then he said, “I don’t know how.”

“I’m seeing someone new,” Sam blurted, then winced. “Sorry, that’s—I didn’t mean to just—” The Boyfriend