Page 54 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” I say, stepping in front of Sophie. “Allie, we’re down here for her wedding. Back off.”

“Fuck you, Alex. Don’t talk to me again.” Allie starts to walk away, but turns back around and points at Sophie. “That goes for you, too.”

“This isn’t Sophie’s fault,” I say to her back as she runs toward a group of women.

“No, Alex. Stop,” Sophie says, tugging on my hand. “It’s fine. I’m kind of growing out of that friendship anyway. Really. I’m not even sure why I invited a lot of these people down here. They’re just adding stress and drama, as usual.”

“I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have to deal with that on your wedding weekend.”

She shrugs. “When Seb and I started dating, he told me how fast he had to tighten his circle when he became famous. I’m kind of there right now. I’m not famous, of course, but I still have the overwhelming urge to start shedding everyone except the people who bring me positive energy.”

“Yeah, I went through that a few years ago. It’s not easy. In fact, it sucks, but when you get rid of negative people, you start to feel better almost instantly.”

“That’s what Seb keeps telling me,” she says, nodding over my shoulder. I turn around to see Allie and a few other women staring at us. “He told me not to invite any of them, but I felt like I had to for some reason. I won’t invite them to the next thing. I think it’s time to start cutting.”

“You want me to kick them out? I worked as a bouncer for a minute in college. The bar owner fired me because he said I was too nice, but I’m willing to give it another try.”

“No, you’re good,” she says, laughing. “I’m about done with this party anyway. I’m going to find Seb and see if he wants to head back to our place. You’re coming over tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah, like around noon?”

“Yep, my brothers are barbecuing. Just a small group—the people we really wanted to invite to our wedding.”

“Looking forward to it.”

“Hey, will you make sure Raine has a ride over? I think Butch is going out fishing with Roman.”

“Yeah, I’ve got her—”

“I bet you do,” she says, her eyes starting to fill up again. “This might be my most successful set-up yet.”

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