Page 84 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

“Oh, hey,” I say, extending my hand to her. She doesn’t take it. “I’m Raine Laghari.”

“Yes,” she says, glaring at me as she walks away. “My husband told me all about you.”

“Does she have to be here?” Jeff says, flipping his hand dismissively at me.

“Yes, she does.” Alex grabs the note out of my hand. “Did you leave this note for Seb?”

Jeff reads it and drops it on the table like it burned his fingers. He jerks his head up and looks back and forth between us. “I did not! I did not leave this note for Seb. What the hell is this? It’s not from me!”

I sit down across from him and grab the note. “Did you find their marriage license?”

He looks up at Alex once more and then locks his eyes with mine. “I did. They were married July 16 in Michigan—over All Star break—just like you said. I told Seb I knew. I’m not happy that he didn’t make Sophie sign a prenup, but that’s done. Seb and I are solid.”

I look up at Alex. “He didn’t send the note. Let’s get out of here.”

“Alex, may I have a second alone with you?” Jeff says, still glaring at me.

“No.”

“It’s fine.” I touch Alex’s arm. “I need to talk to Butch for a second anyway.”

Alex squeezes my hand before I walk over to Butch’s table. Butch has his eyes fixed on me. Ava has disappeared.

“Everything okay?” Butch says as I slide into the chair next to him and hand him the note.

“The mystery woman left it for Seb.”

He laughs as he reads it. “This is getting downright stupid. Seriously. Not only aren’t we dealing with a master criminal, I’m not sure we’re even dealing with an adult. I’m guessing the agent didn’t leave it.”

“No,” I say, sighing. “We had to check, but he already knows they’re married. And he’s stupid, but not this kind of stupid.”

“Who do you think it is?” Butch says, handing the note back to me. “Savannah? Ricky?”

“I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t really care.” I grab his beer and take a long drink. “I just want Seb and Sophie to get through the weekend without knowing about it.”

“You want me to round up all the wedding guests and question them?”

“So much,” I say, smiling. “And please do it exactly like you do for a group of enemy combatants. Feel free to punish anyone and everyone who doesn’t obey you.”

“Punish, huh?” Ava says as she sits on the other side of Butch and grabs his arm. “I’m not sure that I’m totally into that, but I guess we can try.”

“Wow,” I say, looking at Butch. “Look at that. I think you’ve found your perfect woman.”

“Ava, this is Raine.”

“I remember,” she says. “We met last night. You’re the one who’s hanging out with Alex, right?”

“Uh,” I say, looking over to him. He’s still talking to Jeff. “Yeah. I guess.”

“No need to be embarrassed,” she says, smiling. “Alex is great. Just don’t get in too deep there. He’s not known for commitment.”

“Noted,” I say, standing up. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

Butch grabs my arm as I start to walk away. “You good?”

“I’m fine,” I say, trying to pull my arm away.

“Raine,” he says, tugging me back over to him. “I asked you a question. Give me a real answer or we’re going to talk privately.”

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