‘Honestly? Mum was more than enough. I guess I never knew any different.’

‘I was too young to really remember much about my dad. But he definitely left a hole. I still miss him. And that’s what I’m saying. Maybe it’s better to be stuck here because, whatever happens, we won’t lose anyone we care about.’

‘You’re not gonna lose anyone, Kellen.’

‘But what if I am?’ he says, his voice cracking. ‘Look.’

He hands me his phone. There’s a new message.

I see the words It’s not you, it’s me and don’t need to read anything more.

‘Rhys?’ I say.

Kellen doesn’t say anything, just nods, barely holding back his tears.

‘This isn’t the first time this has happened, is it?’

‘I just thought if I could stay out of his way, not give him any reason to leave.’

‘That’s why you wanted to avoid everyone today? You thought you were going to do something that would make him want to break up with you?’

‘The whole proposal thing? He said I embarrassed him in front of everyone. I know it was cringe, but I didn’t think it was reason enough for him to leave me …’

‘And yesterday? After you got your crowns? You looked so happy.’

‘We were,’ he says. ‘But then he ended it when the night was over. While you were out by the lake. Said I was suffocating him. Not giving him enough space.’

‘So that’s what this is? Giving him space? But what about this morning? When I walked in on you guys, you seemed to be, um … enjoying each other’s company?’

‘He’s been pressuring me into, you know, doing it. I just thought if I could keep him happy …’

‘Oh,’ I say. That part doesn’t sit right with me. How dare Rhys make him feel that way? But I can’t go on the attack; he’s not ready to hear that yet. ‘You know you should never feel you have to –’

‘I know,’ Kellen says. ‘I was honestly glad you walked in on us. It gave me a reason to stop. It’s not that I don’t wanna have sex with him, I’m just …’

‘Not ready yet?’

‘I don’t know,’ he says. ‘I think it’s more than that. I saw this TikTok about guys who don’t like to top or bottom. Guys who just prefer to do other stuff. It’s called being a side.’

‘And you think you might feel that way?’