Page 45 of A Curvy Girl’s Hurricane Survival Guide

I’m still lost.

“He’s famous!” Patty says with a big smile, happy to add to the discussion.

“Famous?” What are they talking about? Is this some joke Sonny is playing with the kids?

Lucas types something into his phone and hands it to me. “He’s Lawson Jones, CEO of SonLaw Gaming. Gamer tag: TheLaw0ne. The creator of Silent Knights. You really didn’t know?”

I scroll through the search results, not believing my eyes.

There’s Sonny, on stage, presenting on morning shows, on podcasts, and even cooking with Bobby Flay. Headlines scream: “Meet the Man Revolutionizing Gaming,” “Silent Knights Creator Explains Sequel Plans,” “Forbes 30 Under 30: Lawson Jones,” “Looks, Brains, and Wealth — Millionaire Lawson Jones Has It All… And He’s Single.”

I am suddenly lightheaded. I grab a nearby chair and sink into it.

This is Sonny?

How could he not have told me? Why hadn’t I asked? “I… I didn’t know…” I say to Lucas, handing him his phone back.

“Yeah, obviously,” he responds, taking in my reaction.

I had spent the entire time insulting gamers—insulting his entire career—while he sat there and took it.

“Oh my God,” I whisper. “I said so many horrible things about video games. Why didn’t you say something?”

“You mean, why didn’t I tell you about the person you brought home? I didn’t think I had to…” Lucas is 100% right about that. “Besides, would it have changed anything? Would you have changed your stance on games just because he’s gotten super rich playing them for a living?”

“No,” I lie. “That’s a really good point; thanks for pointing that out.”

The truth is, of course, I would have! You don’t tell a brilliant, successful, insanely hot game developer his life’s work is a waste of time, especially not when he’s looking at you like you’re the most fascinating person in the room.

I bury my face in my hands. “I’m such an idiot.”

Lucas had gone back to his phone. “Dad went on a walk around the neighborhood. Sonny might have gone with him.”

“Do you know if he took his phone?”

Lucas shrugs.

I pull out my own phone to text Rey and notice a new message waiting

Trevor

I’ll be in Miami in a few hours. Text me where to meet you.

I stare at it, numb.

No “Are you okay?” No apology. Just assuming I’ll drop everything and run to him again.

I’ll deal with that later. For now, I am singularly focused on repairing what I broke last night. What did Crispi say in the text the day I arrived? I think he called me Hurricane Cayetana? He had been so right in that! I have probably made more of a mess than the storm, and I just hope that the cleanup effort isn’t coming too late.

SONNY

The weather is beautiful following the storm. The sun shines brightly, and the wet trees and grass glisten.

“I’ve heard of the calm before the storm, but there’s nothing about the beauty after the storm,” I say, taking in the clear blue skies.

“Yeah, it has something to do with pressure systems or something, but we are blessed with some nice weather following storms. Luckily, it doesn’t look like this one did too much damage. Some tree limbs to clear and some debris in the road, but nothing that can’t be fixed with some elbow grease. Keep an eye out for downed wires. That’s the real hidden danger.”

The world looks like it has a filter over it. It doesn’t look real. But then the real world comes crashing in: the power must’ve been restored to the cell towers, and my phone starts buzzing like crazy. I pull it out and frown at the volume of texts and emails coming through. This was going to take a while to dig out from.