What were the benefits? Nova naked beneath me was an obvious one. We’d be a family, a proper one, and that held more sway with me than I’d thought it would. As much as it burned to think, Rigby was right too; the chances of me having a successful relationship as is were slim to none. I was too cold. Too abrasive. Too scared. I could probably fake my way through it for a while, but what examples did I have for a healthy, successful relationship?

None.

On paper, the risks outweighed the benefits. But when River looked at Nova, I found myself holding my breath for her answer. “I want to try, but I’m not committing to anything. If it happens naturally, I’ll leave myself open to the idea. But I won’t cause issues between you guys, and I won’t risk Huey’s happiness, now or in the future.”

Rigby grinned at her, that shiny, happy smile that made girls throw their panties at him. “That's all I ask, Fireball.” He looked over at River, and I followed his gaze.

River looked pensive, which I understood. Sometimes, he was impetuous and didn’t think shit through, but he knew as well as I did that this had the potential to blow up in our faces if we thought with our dicks and not our heads.

But even knowing that, he nodded. “We’ll see where it goes.”

All eyes turned to me. The risks still outweighed the benefits. Even so, I found myself looking at Nova, her eyes wide and her lips slightly parted. “I’m in.”

We were already on this path. For better or worse, we’d have to see where it led.

Chapter Twenty-Three

NOVA

Despite the intensity of the decision last night, or perhaps because of it, we’d all gone quietly off to bed. River and Rigby had their first away games over the next few days, and would be gone for five days.

When I woke up the following morning at seven to give Huey his bottle, I went downstairs to catch them before they left for the airport. They were eating a breakfast filled with fruit and protein, while Devan was downing coffee like it was his very life force.