Page 151 of Small Town, Big Storm

Even the campsites down at Cedar Hollow Beach are fully booked.

I have the feeling this is going to be the best Home Ice Classic ever.

“I’d be smiling too if I just hooked a man who’s my meal ticket.”

I still, frowning, and turn to face Paige.She’s sneering at me—as is typical—so I ignore her, continue on my path.

“Don’t be like that,” she says.

“I’m not being like anything,” I tell her.“I need to get to the planning meeting.”

“Yeah, well,Ineed to land a hockey player with a fat wallet too.”She smirks.“So hook a sister up.I don’t even care if he’s hot like Storm, so long as he’ll pay.”

I just shake my head at her.

At least she’s honest?

But no way in hell am I letting any of Storm’s teammates or friends get within a mile of this woman.

“You’ve lost your mind.”

“No, I haven’t.”She lifts one slender shoulder.“These men are used to relationships being transactional.They pony up the cash.You provide the blowjobs.”

My stomach twists.

Because I think of the hundred-dollar bill that keeps finding its way back into my pocket or my purse, my wallet, even once my shoe.

And feel sick.

Storm has bought dinner and groceries more often than not.He’s worked most every night beside me at Sully’s—when he’s not working with Rain on the house or hanging with Holly.He paid for Holly’s skating lessons and her hockey equipment and every time we went to Molly’s or Scoops or The Shack.

God, I didn’t even offer.

Does Storm think I’m like Paige?

Does he think he has to do that to make up for the years he wasn’t here?

My throat grows tight.

I need to do better,bebetter.

Even if it’s Paige who reminded me of that fact.

“We’re late,” I mutter.“We need to get to the meeting.”

“How long until you give up Sully’s?”she calls as I continue walking.“Transactional or not, I can’t imagine your hockey player will like you working till three or four in the morning when he’s on the road.”

My heart convulses.

Because Stormwon’tlike it.

He doesn’t like it now, keeps fussing over how little sleep I get on the regular.

Hell, he’s gotten up and let me rest more often than not since that first night he slept in my bed, getting Holly ready, taking her to camp.

What happens when he’s on the road or hell, even playing in Harrisburg?

The drive isn’t that long, but it’s not short either.