Page 73 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

When we get down to the beach, we find Sophie’s dad sitting on one of the chairs down there—looking out at the flamingo. He looks up and laughs. “I’m keeping an eye on them, Seb. I won’t let them drift out to sea.”

“Thanks, Bob,” Seb says, patting him on the back. “Guys, you remember Sophie’s dad, Bob. This is Alex and Stone.”

As I shake his hand, he stares at me a little too long. “So, Alex, I saw you walk in with Raine. I’ve known her since she was a week old. She’s like a daughter to me.”

“Yes, sir,” I say, backing up and sitting in the chair furthest away from him, “she’s a very nice person.”

“She is at that,” he says, nodding, his eyes still fixed on me. “Her parents are some of our best friends. Seb met them the last time he was in town. Good people, right, Seb?”

“Yep,” Seb says. “They seemed like it.”

“They are,” Bob says. “They look after our kids. We look after theirs. Do I need to go on?”

“No, sir,” I say quickly. “I—”

“They said y’all were down here,” Butch says as he rounds the corner onto the beach. I’m about to thank God for his arrival when he opens his mouth again. “Where are the ladies? Seb, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without a good chunk of Sophie’s ass in your hands.”

Seb groans as he rubs his forehead and nods toward Bob. “Butch, this is Sophie’s dad, Bob Banks.”

Butch lets out a low whistle. “Well, sir, I think I probably owe you an apology for what I just said.”

Bob stands up. “My grandma told me only to apologize if you’re wrong. And you’re not wrong about where Seb’s hands spend most of their time.”

Seb covers his face. “Then I probably owe you an apology, Bob,” he mutters.

“I doubt that apology comes with any regret or intent to be better in the future, so save it,” Bob says, shaking his head. “Now if you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I’ll leave you before the boy talk gets too uncomfortable for me. Nice to meet you, Butch.”

“My pleasure, sir.” Butch steps out of his way and watches him until he clears the corner. He pats Seb on the shoulder. “Damn, I stepped into that one. Sorry, Seb. And no one answered my question. Where are the ladies?”

“Flamingo.” I hand him a beer as I nod out to the ocean. “You catch any fish?”

“Butch caught the biggest fucking tuna I’ve ever seen,” Roman says as he makes his way down to us. “Didn’t even take him that long to haul it in. I think the damn thing gave up the second he got a good look at Butch’s face.”

“I do like a good surrender,” Butch says, pointing out to the flamingo. “Seb, the tide’s coming in. They’re not going anywhere.”

“What?” Seb turns his head around to look at Butch.

“You haven’t taken your eyes off that flamingo since I walked down here,” Butch laughs. “I’m telling you, the tide’s coming in. Stop worrying about them.”

“I don’t know,” Seb says. “They keep getting further away.”

“He’s a fucking Navy SEAL,” Stone says. “He knows more about tides than you do. And I’m sure Butch has done a few at-sea rescues, so if they’re attacked by pirates or something, he can save them.”

Seb looks over at Butch. “Why don’t we go out and grab them now so I can relax a little?”

Butch squints his eyes. “Seb, do you think pirates are going to hijack that flamingo?”

“Stranger things have happened.” Seb looks back at the ocean as we hear a peal of laughter explode again from the flamingo.

“Not many, brother.” Butch looks at me for backup. I roll my eyes and shrug. He lets out a long breath. “Good Lord, Seb, you’re more of a control freak than I am and I didn’t think that was possible. If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll swim out there and tie them to your boat.”

“Oh, that’s not my boat,” Seb says, pointing to a small yacht that’s anchored a couple of hundred feet off the shore.

“Whose is it?” Butch says.

“I don’t know,” Seb says. “It’s been sitting there since we arrived.”

“You seen anybody on it?” Butch looks out at the boat.

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