Diesel brings up my bull riding days, and I get lost in conversation. When I turn to order another drink, I realize Maize never returned. It makes me think that bailing on people might just be her thing.

Chapter Three

MAIZE

“Hey, what’s goin’ on?” Rowan asks, coming into the bathroom where I’m hiding. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“That guy…” I inhale sharply, hardly believing it.

“Gavin? What about him?”

“That’s Gavin.”

She blinks. “Right, I just said that.”

“No, I mean, yes. That’s the Gavin I slept with a few weeks ago,” I reiterate.

“Wait…” She narrows her eyes. “The guy you bailed on the next morning?”

“Yes!”

Rowan quickly covers her mouth as if she’s trying to hold back laughter. “Oh my God, Maze!”

“Shut up!” I smack her arm. “This is humiliating!”

“This is freaking awesome.” She chuckles. “Did he recognize you?”

I sigh, rubbing my temples as a headache surfaces. “I don’t know. I recognized him right away. That’s why I quickly turned away.”

“Well, go out there and say hi!” She pushes me toward the door, but I dig my heels into the floor.

“Hell. No!” I frantically shake my head.

“Weren’t you just tellin’ your daddy you were almost twenty-five years old and old enough to move out?” She cocks her hip and places a hand on it. “This isn’t very mature.” She snickers.

I roll my eyes and shrug because I don’t care. I’m not going back out there. “I didn’t realize how much older than me he was. He looks older, right?” I ask nervously.

She nods, agreeing. “He definitely does. Probably ten years older?”

“Oh my God.” I drop my face into my hands. “I’m leaving through the back.”

“I don’t think so,” she states firmly.

“Fine, then I’m staying in here.”

“The bathroom?” She cocks a brow.

“Rowan, please! Help me,” I plead.

“Alright, fine. I’ll make sure the coast is clear.” She pats my shoulder.

Slowly, she opens the door and peeks around.

“Okay, you’re good,” Rowan says. She faces me and waves me out. I immediately rush toward the employee exit.

“Thank you!” I whisper-shout, feeling relief as soon as I step outside.

I hope Gavin doesn’t notice I ditched...again. I’m sure I’m a sight to see, scrambling out like I just robbed a bank. By the time I climb into my truck and head home, my palms are sweaty, and my heart is racing. Gavin working for Uncle Jackson means I’ll eventually have to see him again. The dread nearly consumes me, and I’m pissed I got myself into this predicament in the first place. One-night stands aren’t my thing, but I was convinced I’d never see him again because I thought he was only passing through town.