Page 45 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

“Yeah, sorry, man,” he says, pulling a pitcher out of the mini-refrigerator. “These parties are boring. I entertain myself by guessing who’s trying to hook up and what the odds are that it will happen.”

“Oh, yeah. What odds are you giving me with her?”

He shakes his head as he starts pouring the piña colada. “Low, man. I mean you’re a professional baseball player and you’re a good-looking dude and all, but I overheard her talking to some guy earlier. I only understood every other word of what she was saying. I think she’s crazy smart.”

“Bruh, give your boy some credit. I’m smart.”

“Yeah, you’re not Raine smart, though,” Butch sidles up to the bar from behind me.

“Why are you everywhere?” I say, turning to him. “Seriously, man, are you duplicating? Are there two of you now wandering around trying to make my life more difficult?”

“Naw, man. I’m an original. No duplicates.” He grabs another beer. “And I’m not trying to make your life more difficult. Just being real. Raine’s a genius.”

“See?” the bartender says. “I was right. Low odds, man. Good luck, though. I’m rooting for you. She’s cute and I think she’s got some nice assets underneath that dress. I just got a peek—”

“That’s plenty,” I say as I throw my arm against Butch’s chest. “Really. Stop—before this man kills you.”

He takes a step back when he looks at Butch’s face. He hands me Raine’s drink and then looks down quickly.

“Any advice before I head over there?” I say, turning to Butch.

“She’s a tough nut to crack,” he says, taking a long pull off his beer. “She’s a weird mix of confident and awkward. She freezes up if she thinks a guy’s into her. Maybe just buddy up for now.”

“We’re only here for a long weekend and I’m not looking for any more buddies.”

“Huh. Well, you don’t seem like a complete asshole, so I think I can help you out. Raine and I have a bet and she hates to lose more than anything in the world.”

“What’s the bet?”

“She has to put herself out there with one guy and I have to keep my count under six women.” He looks at me and smiles. “And I get to choose her guy.”

“I don’t want her interested in me because she wants to win a bet. And I definitely don’t want to know what ‘put herself out there’ means.”

“It means she has to try,” he laughs. “If I choose you for the bet, at least she’ll put in some effort instead of freaking out and running in the other direction.”

“Hmm,” I say, nodding, “how about I let you know if I need the extra help?”

“All right, brother,” he says, patting me on the back. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get started on finding my six women.”

I turn back to Raine. She’s pulled her legs under her dress and is resting her head on her knees, looking out at the ocean. I head over there.

“Hey,” I say as I get closer to her.

She jerks her head up and starts coughing as she spits out a little of her drink.

“You okay?” I reach down and give her a light pat on the back. “You’ve got to watch those frozen drinks. Sometimes you get an ice chunk.”

“I’m good,” she says, coughing again. “You just made me jump. I thought I was hidden over here.”

“You are, pretty much, but I thought you could use another drink. Of course, that’s before I knew they were a choking hazard for you. Who are you hiding from?”

“Sophie and Maisie,” she says, peering around the edge of the chair back toward the party. “They never stop.”

“Never,” I say, handing her the drink. “And if you’re hiding from them, can I hide with you?”

She laughs and pats the chair. “Yes, but hurry up and sit down. If they see us together, it’s only going to encourage them.”

“Then let’s make sure to keep our heads low,” I say, dropping down into the chair. “Hey, sorry about this afternoon. That was awkward. I went out with Allie a few times. That’s it. I don’t want to go out with her again. I’m not into her at all.”

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