Page 11 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

Raine

“Mo looks so much like you.” I try to focus on the baby instead of Mack’s intense eyes.

“Yeah, he’s my twin.” He smiles as Mo looks up at him.

“Look at his smile. He loves you. Do you spend a lot of time with him?”

“As much as they’ll let me. I can’t get enough of him.” He kisses Mo’s head as he starts to tap him on the back. “Now, are you done trying to distract me?”

“What?” I say, giving him my best innocent look.

He shakes his head. “Raine, my daughter is the master of distraction. She has been since she was about three. She’s never fooled me once, so do you want to stop trying, and just tell me why you were talking all that nonsense about men not looking at you?”

I cross my arms and frown at him. “Were you listening at the door?”

“You already know I was. Start talking. You’re not leaving this room until you tell me why you’re thinking bullshit like that.” He points at the chair again—this time with the sternest look I’ve ever seen. “I’ve always given Millie great advice—including advice about men. Let’s have it.”

“From what Millie’s told me,” I say, sitting down, “the only men advice you gave her was not to start dating until she was thirty.”

“And I stand by that. Since she failed to follow it, now I’ll give it to you. No man’s worthy of you. Don’t be in a hurry.”

Mo lets out a healthy burp. “Good job, Mo-Mo,” Mack whispers. He’s the cutest grandpa. I can’t even imagine how sweet he was with Millie when she was a baby.

“How did Millie try to distract you when she was little?” I pull my legs up on the chair and rest my head on my knees.

Mack laughs as he lays Mo on the floor for a diaper change. “Every time she did something she wasn’t supposed to—before I even had a chance to say anything—she’d pet my head and say, ‘Daddy has pretty hair.’ There wasn’t much chance I was going to discipline her anyway, but when she did that, the chance was zero. She’s had my number since day one.”

“Yeah, Millie’s never had a problem getting any man to do what she wants him to do.”

“I doubt you have that problem either.” He looks up for a second and then back down as Mo starts kicking his feet. “I’ve seen the way these guys jump when you ask for anything.”

“Yeah, I’m cool professionally, but personally,” I say, pausing for a second, “I’m so awkward around guys. When they show interest in me, I fall apart.”

“So, tell them that.”

“Tell them that I’m awkward? That doesn’t seem to be a good way to attract a guy.”

“What I’m saying is be upfront with the guy—tell him when a man starts showing interest, you get nervous. Believe me, the guy’s nervous, too. It’ll make him feel at ease.”

“Or make him run in the other direction.”

“And if he does that, let him run. He’s not worth your time.” He picks up the newly diapered Mo and leans against the wall. “Any guy—I don’t care how confident he is—is nervous when he approaches a woman. No one wants to be rejected. So diffuse the situation. Tell him you like him, but you might be awkward for a while. That would be endearing to me, and to any guy who’s worthy of you. Be honest. It’ll help you lighten up a little bit.”

“That’s what Millie tells me, but I’m not like her. She’s always been so free and easy with guys.”

He looks up at me with his eyebrows raised. “Free and easy are not words I’d like to associate with my daughter.”

“No, not like that. I mean she’s so confident and carefree, and with the way she looks, she’s never had a problem attracting guys.”

“Raine, you’re beautiful, so don’t even come at me with that shit. No, wipe that pouty look off your face because it’s not up for debate. You’re a beautiful woman. If anyone made you feel like you weren’t, they need to be out of your life, and I’d also like their names and numbers, so I can speak with them privately.”

“So would you like to call my parents right now then?” I say, forcing out a laugh.

“I’ll gladly call them if they’ve made you feel for a second that you’re less than the amazing woman you are—”

“No, it’s not that. They’ve always been supportive.” I look at the ceiling. “It’s just that they’re so reserved about everything. You know? They’re so conservative. They always pushed me in that direction and I let them. I didn’t have one carefree second when I was growing up. I think I’m the only person alive who didn’t rebel against their parents as a teenager.”

“I rebelled against my mom from day one, and honestly, it wasn’t much better.” He hugs Mo tighter and starts rocking him. “How much has Millie told you about my mom?”

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