Page 21 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

“Nice,” Ant says as I hand him one. He holds up the champagne flute and admires it. “They serve OJ in fancy glasses on this plane.”

“It’s a mimosa, dumbass. Champagne and OJ.”

“I’ve never had champagne.” He clinks my glass and downs it in one gulp. “Cool.”

Manny walks onto the plane. I think for a second that he’s alone, but then Caroline bursts through the door. She whips off her sunhat and focuses her eyes on me. I glance out the window just in time to see Cece’s head disappearing into Manny’s car.

Caroline walks slowly down the aisle. She switches her glare from me to Ant when she gets to our row.

“You’re fired,” she says, shoving the back of his seat, “and so is your mother.”

Ant nods. “Sounds good.”

“And neither of you,” she says, pointing between us as she continues down the aisle, “should ever talk to me again.”

“Nice, asshole,” Manny whispers to me. “Not only do I have to deal with that attitude for the entire trip, but Cece now has the keys to my Aston. I know she’ll drive it the entire weekend. She’s going to smoke in it and she’ll probably try to park it at her trash apartment. I’ll be lucky if I get it back at all.”

“Are you really worried about your car when your wife just fired Ant? Not to mention firing Rosa—who’s been like a mom to you.”

“I’m trying to keep the peace,” Manny whispers. “I’ll pay you on the side or something, Ant, and Rosa, too.”

“We’re good, brother,” Ant says. “We both have so much business right now. Sophie introduced us to a lot of her clients.”

“Manny!” Caroline screams from the back of the plane.

He closes his eyes. “This trip is going to be from hell.”

“Still not too late to kick her off,” I say, pointing to the front of the plane. “They haven’t closed the door yet.”

“Don’t tempt me,” Manny says as he continues to his seat. “Yes, honey. I’m coming. No need to yell.”

Ant grabs another mimosa off the tray as the attendant passes us. “So do you need me to stay close when we get there or can I take out on my own? Maybe explore the island a little.”

“Do what you want, but when you’re doing thisexploring, make sure you wrap it up. If you come back home with some kind of dick disease, Rosa will probably kill me.”

“No probably about it,” he says, chugging his drink. “She’d straight-up murder both of us.”

“You’re supposed to sip a mimosa. It’s not a tequila shot.”

“Oh, damn, do they have tequila on the plane?” he says, waving his hand at the attendant. “I’d like to do some shots.”

“Put on the brakes, Ant,” I say, grabbing his arm and lowering it. “This isn’t spring break. Stay sober-ish at least until we get to the resort, then you can drink as much as you want.”

“I’ll probably hit some townie bars when I get there. I’m not going to be able to afford the drinks at the resort.”

“I’m certain I shouldn’t tell you this,” I say, sighing, “but Seb’s paying for everything the entire weekend—drinks, food, whatever.”

Ant sits up straight in his seat. “What? Seriously? This might be the best weekend of my life. Are we sharing a room?”

“If I had to share a room with you, you wouldn’t be on this trip. You have your own.”

“I love this weekend so much already—my own place, free everything,” he says, glancing around the plane. “You got your eyes on any of these women?”

“All of the women on this plane are taken, so eyes to yourself.”

“All good,” he says. “I’ll find someone when we get there. Are you hooking up with Allie while we’re down there? She talks about you non-stop when she’s at Seb and Sophie’s house.”

I rub my hands over my face. I’m beginning to regret asking a twenty-one-year-old to come with me on the trip. “You’re as bad as your mom. Don’t share information between the households. It’s going to get you fired.”

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