Nicky never went to bed until well past midnight. Rod made sure of this, so that he could have the few hours in between to calm himself down, to maintain his breathing, to prevent himself from hyperventilating.

It was painful, being in love. Rod knew why so many people hated love, and why more people than not were divorced. He could barely go a night without curling up into a ball to prevent himself from being torn apart.

It was painful being in love. It was even more painful being in love with someone who would never love him back.