empty inside

"You make me act like myself," I whisper, reaching up to nervously twirl a piece of hair around my finger. He quietly waits for an explanation. I sigh before saying, "I've spent the past six years trying to be well-behaved little Southern belle, and to be honest, you piss me off enough that I forget that."
That makes him snort.
"Does any of that count if it's not real?"
"Your questions suck," I reply, sticking out my tongue when he chuckles. I pause before finally answering, "I don't know. Probably not. No one's ever cared if it's genuine or not, though."
"I care," he tells me quietly.
"I know, Gunner. That's why I don't like you."
He laughs deeply, the tenor of it sending a shiver up my spine.
"You like me just fine, princess," he teases, confidence dripping from every syllable.
•
Madison Gype knows she's broken. She floats through life without emotion, making sure she does what she's supposed to, says the right thing, keeps her head down - until she meets Gunner Trent. He's crass and outspoken. There's no doubt he rubs her the wrong way, reminding her just how unpredictable real life can be. Together, they learn there's a fine line between love and hate. Madison just needs to figure out what side she lands on.