Page 20 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

Alex

As we pull into the private airfield to catch the chartered flight to the island, we see Manny, Caroline, and Cece leaning against their car. Caroline and Cece are wearing enormous straw sun hats, short, strapless sundresses, and sandals with towering heels. They’d look like twins if it weren’t for Caroline’s porn-star-sized fake boobs.

“Fuck,” I say, taking a deep breath and blowing it out forcefully.

“Told you,” Ant says, pulling his baseball cap over his eyes. “Why don’t you let her go? You can say I’m here to take your car back home.”

“I’m not taking her.” I park in the spot the furthest away from them. “You do what you want to do, but she’s not getting on that plane with me.”

When I get out of the car, Cece’s running across the tarmac toward me. Her sundress is simultaneously slipping further down her chest and rising further up her thighs with every stride she takes. You’d think seeing a woman almost naked would turn me on, but it’s making me feel nauseated.

“Alex! This trip’s going to be so much fun!” She closes in on me and tries to throw herself into my body.

“What’s up, Cece?” I say, holding out my arms to block her from reaching me. “I didn’t know you were coming on the trip. Whose guest are you?”

She pushes my chest and laughs. “Stop! Don’t try to be coy, Alex. You know I’m coming with you.”

Manny and Caroline make it over to us. Caroline looks right at me and smiles. “I’ll occupy most of her time, so you can meet women. Although she’s going to have to stay in your room. If you have sleepovers, maybe go back to the women’s rooms.”

Manny shrugs as I glare at him. “Shame to let a free trip go to waste.”

“I’m not letting it go to waste,” I say, motioning to Ant to get out of the car. He opens the door slowly. “Ant’s coming with me.”

“What?” Caroline spins around to look at him. He sinks back down in the seat. “Very funny, Alex.”

I walk over and pull Ant out of the car. “He’s coming with me. If Cece wants to go, she’ll have to find another seat.”

“You’re taking a gardener to St. John with you?” Caroline says, looking at Manny for backup. He looks at me, his eyes pleading.

“Nope. I’m taking my friend.” I grab our luggage out of the trunk and hand Ant his bag. “Wheels up in about thirty minutes. See you on the plane.”

“Alex! Do not get on that plane with him!” Caroline yells as I push Ant forward. “This is ridiculous. Manny, I’m not getting on the plane without Cece. Stop! Everyone stop!”

I hear the clicking of heels following us. I don’t turn around. An airport coordinator is checking people in at the base of the boarding stairs. “Names, please.”

“Alejandro Molina and my guest, Antonio Reyes.”

“Alex!” Caroline tugs at my arm. “Stop! You’re being ridiculous.”

The coordinator scans the list and looks up at me. “I have an Alex Molina plus guest.”

“Same person,” I say, handing her my ID. I motion for Ant to hand his to her.

Caroline grabs Ant’s ID and throws it on the tarmac. “This isn’t his guest. He’s trying to be funny. He’s bringing my sister,” she says, pointing back at Cece who has her hands over her face, sobbing loudly. I notice her peek between her fingers a few times to make sure we’re all watching.

Ant picks up his ID. I grab it and hand it back to the coordinator. “He’s my guest. Can we board?”

“Yep. All good.” The coordinator looks from me to Caroline. “Ma’am, we’re wheels up in less than thirty minutes. This is your last chance to board if you’re going.”

“Alex! Stop! I mean it,” Caroline screams as we start up the stairs.

“Well she’s definitely going to fire me,” Ant says as we start down the aisle to our seats.

I give Jack a fist bump as we pass him and his wife on the way back. “No worries, I’ll pay you double what I pay you now.”

“Naw, you don’t even have to do that,” Ant says, glancing out the window as we get to our seats. He cringes as we both watch Caroline throw her bag at Manny as he starts toward the plane. “I don’t want to work for her anymore. I’m tired of cleaning up her dog’s poop. That thing’s the size of a loaf of bread, but I swear it poops like a horse.”

“Fucking thing bit me the last time I was over there,” I say, looking up at the flight attendant as she lowers a tray of mimosas to us. I grab two. “Thank you, ma’am.”

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