“We started a relationship, of sorts, and it got pretty hot and heavy over six months. But we both knew that if River or Alana had called, I would have dropped her immediately to go and help them. She knew she was third, or maybe fourth on my list of priorities. I kept her at arm's length, so when I found her in the supply closet with one of the junior accountants, I wasn’t really surprised. I didn’t really feel anything.” He’d been plowing her over a box of toilet paper, which had amused me at the time. “She cried and begged and said it was a mistake, and when that didn’t work, she accused me of being a sociopath. Completely shut down, unable to love, no grasp on my emotions. Maybe she was right—”

“She wasn’t right. You love River and Rigby. You loved Alana. You love Huey. You care about them and their happiness. You aren’t a sociopath.”

I knew that. My therapist had done all the testing. She’d confirmed what I knew already; I was a damaged kid who turned into a fucked up adult, but I wasn’t unfeeling. I’d shut down my emotions so I didn’t end up like my father. Feeling nothing was better than hurting the people around me.

I shrugged. “It didn’t really matter what she said. She was angry and hurt. I quit my job and moved in with River. We work better together, we always have. His protective instincts helped smooth my distant personality, and my cool head kept him from blowing his career in a barroom brawl. Rigby eventually wormed his way into my affections, because it’s impossible not to love that fucker.”

Nova threw back her head and laughed. “He’s certainly something.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah. Anyway, he brought the emotions, and he healed more than a therapist could. He gave us unconditional love. That floppy-haired bastard is a gift we don’t deserve.”

I’d told his mom that when I met her. She’d adopted us much the same way her son had. I wasn’t looking forward to the day we had to tell her we were all fucking the same girl.

Nova was silent, her eyes distant, digesting my horror story of a life. If only she knew…

“So you’ve never done this before? You know, shared a girl?”

“In bed? Yes, we have. Well, River and I have. Is that what you meant, Nova? Are you wondering what it would be like to be pressed between Rigby and River and me?”

She sucked in a breath so deep, it whistled between her lips. “Yes,” she whispered, and I groaned.

Fuck. I had plans to take this slow. But slow wasn’t going to be possible.