Page 40 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

“Hey, Alex, you seen Raine?” Butch walks up from behind me. I jump when I hear her name.

“Hey, uh, no. I thought you were picking her up at her room.” I look around the patio again to see if I can find her.

“Yeah, when I got there, Sophie and Maisie were in her room. They told me they were having a girl chat and that I had to leave—like I wanted to stay for that anyway.”

“Butch, this is Roman Garcia and his husband, Michael. They own the resort,” I say. “This is Butch Harrison, he’s—”

“Raine’s guest,” Roman says, shaking Butch’s hand. “Sophie was so excited you two were coming to the wedding. Welcome.”

“Appreciate it,” Butch says. “This is quite a place you have here. I’ve never stayed anywhere close to this nice.”

“Well you’re welcome back any time,” Roman says.

“Any time,” Michael echoes as he scans Butch’s body slowly.

“My brothers and I are going deep-sea-fishing tomorrow if you want to join us,” Roman says to Butch. “I’ve never met a Southerner who doesn’t like to fish.”

“And you still haven’t,” Butch says, laughing. “My damn accent gives me away every time.”

“Yeah, you’ve got quite the drawl,” Roman says. “Alabama?”

“The hell you say.” Butch throws his hand over his chest. “This is pure Georgia, right here.”

“Well, Georgia, we’d love to have you along. I caught a monster barracuda the last time we were out. Damn thing fought me for more than an hour.”

“I’d love to go out with you,” Butch says, rubbing his hands together. “Let me check with Raine to make sure she’s covered tomorrow.”

“I’ll keep an eye on her.”

“I bet you will,” Butch says, spinning his head to me. He looks back at Roman and Michael. “I think Alex has a little crush on Raine.”

“Wait, I thought you were dating Raine,” Michael says, pointing at Butch.

“That’s none of our business, honey. It was nice to meet you, Butch,” Roman says, pulling Michael away. “We’re leaving at eight tomorrow morning if you want to join us. Meet us at the front desk.”

“Roger that,” Butch says. He turns back to me. “Do you have a thing for Raine or not?”

“Look, man, if you two are dating or thinking about dating or thinking about thinking about dating, I’ll steer way clear of her.”

He rubs his hand over his beard. “We’re not dating and we’ll never date. She’s like a little sister to me.”

“Then yeah, I think she’s interesting—way more interesting than anyone I’ve been around recently.”

“Even that little redhead who was wrapped around you like a boa constrictor about a half-hour ago.”

I straighten up quickly. “I’m not with her—at all.”

“Does she know that?” he says, his eyebrows raising almost to his hairline.

“I’ve told her.”

He holds up his hand. “Look man, I’m not telling you how to do your thing. In fact, I don’t care at all, but if you’re looking at Raine as another notch on the bedpost, you need to keep looking. She’s way too good for all that and I’ll kill any man who hurts her.”

“I—”

“Nope,” he says holding up his hand again. “I’m not her dad, and you and I aren’t friends. Do what you want, but if you come at her, it better be with pure intentions. I won’t warn you again. Are we clear?”

“Crystal.”

“Now, what’s the redhead’s name? If you aren’t into her, I can distract her for you.”

“Allie,” I say, “but I’d steer clear. She’s a little crazy.”

“Aww, brother,” he says, chucking my shoulder as he walks away, “I like them a little crazy—at least for one night.”

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