“That’s what you really want?” His gaze burns into mine, and I swallow hard.

“Yes. Stop bothering me. It’s time you moved on.” I take a step back so I don’t do something stupid, like kiss him.

Gavin retreats, brushing his hand over his scruffy jawline. “Alright, Maize Bishop. Have it your way.” He sucks in a deep breath, then walks away.

I fight the urge to look at him over my shoulder and quickly slide behind the wheel, holding back tears. Even though this is what I told him I wanted, it nearly destroys me. But I have no right to be sad about it.

Once I get home, I take a long shower and let my thoughts wander. The only thing that’ll numb the pain is alcohol, and I plan to imbibe once I’m dressed.

“Hey,” I say, popping my head into Kenzie’s room.

“I’ve got The Longest Ride on standby.” She snickers, knowing damn well the premise revolves around a bull rider and a sappy love story.

“Hard pass.” Walking in, I hold up the bottle of whiskey I found in Dad’s liquor cabinet. “I’ve got the good stuff.”

Kenzie pats the space next to her and gives me a sympathetic expression as I sit on her bed.

“Don’t give me that look,” I scold, opening the bottle. “And we’re not watching anything from Nicholas Sparks.”

She laughs and flips through Netflix before landing on Scary Movie 4. It’s so ridiculous and stupid, and it’s just what I need.

After twenty minutes of watching Anna Faris be a doofus while passing the whiskey back and forth, I finally speak. “Gavin was waiting for me by my truck after work.”

“What’d he say?”

“He wanted to know why I was ignoring him. Instead, I told him what happened between us was a mistake and to move on.”

“Maize!” she squeals. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“I’m being smart, Kenzie!” I defend.

“No, you’re pushing him away before he can do that to you.”

“Duh.” I take another long sip.

“But you’re not even giving him a chance. He could stay. You don’t even know what he’s going to do yet.”

“No, but he’s considering it, which means it’s only a matter of time before he does leave. And at that point, I could be stupidly in love with him or some shit, and it’d be a hundred times worse. It’s better that I break it off now before anything more can happen,” I tell her matter-of-factly. “I have to be the rational one. Though I don’t want to hurt him, it’s better than getting in too deep where the pain is unbearable.”

“How’d he react to that?”

“I’d say less than pleasant.”

She snorts, shaking her head as I tell her his exact words.