Dad and Pops are both standing in the doorway. I see their eyes move from the vibrator on the bed to the condoms in my hands and on the floor. Miles stands up, his jersey decorated with blue condoms. This is what happens when I’m left alone with boys.

“Whoa,” Claudia says, running into the room. “Is this what straight boys do? Is this, like, a mating call?”

“I don’t think so,” Lydia says, squinting. “I never did any of this with Ethan.”

“Who the hell is Ethan?” I ask, raising a brow. “You’re dating Ian.”

“I’ve had other boyfriends, Simone.”

“I just…” Pops’s voice trails off. He rubs his temples and looks at Dad. “Why didn’t we get a normal child? Everyone else has normal kids.”

“This is not sex,” I say, dropping the condoms. “I promise.”

“Definitely not sex,” Miles agrees. “We were, uh—”

“I don’t need to know,” Dad says, sighing. “I definitely don’t need to know. Just do me a favor and get ready, all right? And take off that sweatshirt for the ceremony.”

“Remember when you two said you were really proud of me?” I say, giving them a smile. “Remember when you said I’d win all the awards? Hold on to that pride.”

“Well, you didn’t have a condom in your hair then,” Dad says, crossing his arms. “But I guess I’m still proud.”

“You guys,” I say, feeling around in my hair. “Come on.”

Miles pulls a condom from the back of my head. I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing. The idea of using that specific condom makes me laugh.

“I’ve always been proud, Simone,” Dad says, gripping the doorknob in his hand. “And I’m always going to be.”

I smile at him. It’s not the first time that he’s said it, but maybe it’s the first time I’ve been just as proud of myself. I survived the play and the kid who outed me in front of everyone. I survived coming out to my best friends as bisexual. I can survive a lot more.

“So, you’re proud of me for buying condoms?”

Pops glares at me. “Don’t push it.”

Miles laughs into my shoulder.

“I love you all the time,” he whispers. “Especially when you buy condoms.”

I freeze, unable to hide my smile. He grips my hand, and I hold it closer to my heart.

“I’m changing my mind,” I say, leaning back into him. “I think that I love you in the super-dramatic way. If that’s okay.”

“It’s more than okay.” He kisses my neck. “Maybe later, I can show you how okay I am with it.”

“I think I’m gonna throw up,” Claudia says, rolling her eyes. “This is disgusting.”