Page 12 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

“Enough,” I say, looking down.

“Yeah, she wasn’t a very nice person,” he says. “Look, she tried to make me feel bad about myself every day of my life. She blamed me for her situation. She hated that she got pregnant when she was a teenager. She never let me forget it. She was always picking at me, making me feel like I wasn’t good enough.”

“Picking at you about what?” I sit up straight. Suddenly, I’m feeling very protective of him.

“Everything,” he says, rubbing his eyes. “She tried to make me feel bad about every part of myself—from the way I acted to the way I looked.”

“The way you looked? How? You’re so hot—”

I throw my hands over my mouth. His eyes start twinkling as he tries to suppress a laugh.

“Oh my God,” I mumble through my fingers. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

“All good,” he says, smiling. “You’re just making an old man feel good about himself.”

“Ugh,” I groan. “Stop it. You’re always so perfect. Be an asshole for once.”

“Stop making me out to be someone I’m not. You know damn well I’m not perfect,” he says. “Raine, you’re my favorite friend of Millie’s by far and that’s partially because you’re so confident. This is the first time I’m seeing any insecurity from you and it’s bullshit. Knock it off.”

I pull my legs tighter to my chest. “How’d you get so confident? I mean growing up with your mom.”

“I’m confident now, but I wasn’t always. I was a sensitive kid. My mom did a number on me, but thankfully, I had enough good people around me that I survived her. It was actually her best friend who encouraged me to go into the navy. She knew it would help build my confidence.”

“And it obviously did.”

“Professionally, for sure, but I didn’t really find myself—my real self—until Millie was born. Being her dad was the thing that finally balanced me.”

“What do you mean ‘balanced’ you?”

“I’m like you. With the way my mom was, I was serious, conservative, guarded. I didn’t want to make any mistakes and disappoint anyone else in my life.” He pauses for a second and shakes his head. “And that serious demeanor transferred well into my military life. But then Millie came along—this sweet, innocent little girl. She reminded me of the person I was deep down. I was determined to give her everything my mom never gave me. I always encouraged her to be herself, and when she was growing up that was a carefree, sunny, butterfly-chasing girl. Just watching her enjoy life brought out my real personality—the gentle side.”

“I love how you are with her,” I say, smiling wistfully at him. “You have the best relationship.”

“Yeah, we do, but my point is that I didn’t have that with my mom, and I survived it. It’s never too late to find yourself—the person you want to be, not the person your parents want you to be.”

“And what if I don’t know who that person is?”

“You do—down deep somewhere you know. You’ve just been hiding her for so long that you can’t see her right now, but you know. I agree with what Millie told you. Go down to the island and let loose a little. Be exactly who you want to be.” He holds his hand up as I start to talk. “I’d like to clarify. I agree with most of what she said. Maybe pass on the baseball players and find a nice, respectful man instead.”

“Did you stand at the door and listen to our entire conversation?”

“SEAL training plus Dad training. I’m always lurking around corners,” he says, laughing. “Now go outside and get a head start on your vacation. Be free and enjoy yourself. I’m going to try to get the little man to sleep.”

When I get to the door, I turn around and look at him. He’s rocking Mo and singing softly to him.

“You forget something?” he says, smiling as he looks up at me.

“Has Millie ever told you what I’m known for at work?”

“I don’t think so,” he says, rubbing his beard. “Tell me.”

“I’m always right.” I lean against the door frame. “Partially because I was born with incredible intuition, but also because I’m a great analyst. When I get the right information, I don’t miss. I always make the right call. Do you believe me?”

He nods. “Absolutely. I would never doubt your analysis for a second.”

“Good,” I say, locking my eyes with his. “Then believe me when I say you’re perfect. I knew it the second I met you, and all the intelligence I’ve gathered since then has confirmed it.”

“Raine—”

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