Page 155 of Small Town, Big Storm

Storm

“What arewe going to do when the season starts?”Poppy asks as she sorts receipts behind the register.

Her tone is even, but there’s a trace of something in her expression.

Worry?

“About what, Poppyseed?”I ask, setting the mop aside and moving over to the bar.

I want to see her eyes.

But she keeps them on the receipts.

“I just…I’ve never dated a professional hockey player before.”She nibbles at her bottom lip.“But I do know that you won’t be able to play and keep mopping floors.”

“Actually,” I say, “for home games, by the time I do media, cool down, and drive back to town, I’ll probably make it just in time to put my mopping skills to use.”

Her lips twitch, those green eyes dancing as they come to mine.

“Though, I hope we can find a way for you guys to come to some of the games,” I tell her softly.“It’d be nice to have my family in the stands.”

Her face gentles.“I’d like that too.”

Then she goes back to sorting through the receipts.

But I don’t do back to mopping, not just yet.

Something’s bothering her.

“And the away games?”she asks.

“I’m not sure I understand, baby.”

A shake of her head.“It doesn’t matter,” she says brusquely.“I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”She gathers up the cash and disappears into Sully’s office.

I wait for her to come back, meeting her at the mouth of the hall.“Talk to me, baby.”

“Ignore me,” she mutters.“I’m being stupid.”

“Did something happen today?”

“No.”But she sighs before I can call her on her bullshit.“Yes.”Another sigh.“Paige said something that bothered me.”

“Who’s Paige?”

For some reason, that has Poppy smiling, the tension bleeding out of her.“Paige is…well,Paige.She’s beautiful and successful and smart and…a bully who apparently wants to hitch herself to a hockey player too.And she made it clear she’s not picky about looks, just the size of her wallet.”Her nose wrinkles and she pulls out the much-abused hundred-dollar bill we keep passing back and forth, pressing it into my hand.“I don’t need your money, Storm.”

My chest convulses, hurt rippling through me.“Baby?—”

“I survived on my own for a long time.I’m capable of taking care of Holly.”

“I know.”

She exhales.“But I’ve let you carry the financial burden since you showed up in town and I need you to understand that I know that’s not fair and I’ll do better.”

My brows drag together and I find that my patience has finally given way.“What the fuck are you talking about, Pop?”

“I’ll make sure to pull my weight from now on,” she says.“We can split groceries or take turns and I’ll buy dinner?—”