“so there's really no reason why she can't spend more time with you.

It's not like she needs to do anything else for the rest of the year to pad her applications.”

“That's beside the point." I waved her off.

“She's made clear from the beginning she doesn't want to date me. Show up when convenient for her, get a coupla nice orgasms, and go on her merry way: THAT'S what she specifically asked for. The idea of keeping the BTC ‘in balance’ wasn't total bullshit, for me OR her. The BTC is too important to both of us, and regardless of how we may or may not feel about each other, NOTHING is going to change. I'm the BTC's boyfriend because I love ALL of you, collectively, and I'm NOT gonna do anything to fuck that up. Alright?"

Alice sighed and shrugged.

“Alright.”

Just then, the sound of a key jiggling in the front door made my heart start racing. Both Alice and I sat up straight and Looked over in that direction, even though the door itself was out of sight from our current vantage points. A few moments later, the door opened and closed in rapid succession, and excited footsteps came echoing down the hall.

But to my surprise, Belle and Mari turned the corner and came in. I sighed, shook my head, and muttered, "I never shoulda given you that key back."

Belle pouted. But Mari was already chirping enthusiastically, “Okay, we figured it out! I mean, we think we figured it out and we just need

Matty's confirmation."

Alice looked up at them and drawled, “He's not gonna wanna talk any more about this."

“Well we already know Matty won't tell us anything," Belle commented nonchalantly. "But he can't stop us from speculating in front of him while we watch the way his expressions give him away."

I groaned and covered my face with both hands.

“Speculate on THIS expression," I muttered.

Alice gestured towards me and explained, “He fell in love with Sam, told her, and she freaked out.”

“We KNEW it!" Mari exclaimed and she turned to give Belle a high five.

“We're total love detectives."

Belle giggled.

“But he's probably all terrified I'm gonna go crazy stalker and murder Sam in her sleep if I find out or something, right?"

I groaned and rubbed my forehead a little harder.

Belle laughed. "C'mon, Matty. Didn't I TELL you I'd be thrilled for you to date her so I wouldn't have to worry about some greedy bitch at

Berkeley taking you away from me?"

“Doesn't matter," I insisted.

“Sam and I are NOT gonna start dating. No way, no how. The BTC means too much to both of us."

“But why not?" Belle Looked confused.