Page 75 of Raine Out (Grand Slam 2)

Raine

“Brace yourself!” I yell as I see Butch’s eyes pop over the side of the flamingo.

Sophie and Maisie scream as he pushes the side up and acts like he’s going to dump us in the water.

“It’s just Butch,” I say, whacking the top of his head. “Put us down. Now.”

The flamingo eases back into the water as Butch drapes his arms over the side. “Ladies,” he says, grinning.

“Butch, I don’t know you very well,” Maisie says, pushing his forehead, “but I swear to God, I’ll kill you if you lose our drinks in the ocean.”

She holds up the thermos that’s holding our mai tai backup stash.

“Yes, ma’am,” he says. “Save the liquor at all costs. I respect that energy.”

Maisie lets out a long sigh. “Thank God I didn’t know you when I was a teenager because that accent would have made me jump into bed with you in a hot second.”

“Never too late, darling,” Butch says, winking at her.

“Stop!” I say, swatting his hand. “You’re not allowed to deepen your drawl when you’re talking to my friends—especially my married friends. And no winking ever—to anyone. I feel like that should go without saying.”

He winks and blows me a kiss.

“Behave!” I say, trying to pry him off the side of the flamingo. “And leave. This is a female-only zone. We’re deep into girl talk.”

“Believe me, I want no part of your girl talk. I just need to borrow you for a second.” Butch squeezes my arm. “And I wouldn’t be out here at all if Seb weren’t such a control freak. He’s worried y’all are going to drift out to sea and he’s never going to see Sophie again.”

“What?” Sophie lifts her head and looks back toward the beach. “We’re fine, but he’s so cute, right?”

“Just adorable.” Butch squeals and shakes his shoulders.

“Stop,” I say, laughing. “And you don’t need my help to haul us back in.”

“I’m not swimming you back in. I’m tying you to that boat, so you stay with its anchor.”

“Or maybe we could just chill on the boat,” I say. “I’m not sure how much longer this thing’s going to stay afloat.”

“It’s not Seb’s boat.” Butch squeezes my arm again—harder this time. “He doesn’t know who it belongs to and it’s been anchored there since they arrived. He hasn’t seen anyone on it.”

“Huh.” I sit up straight. “You probably need my help.”

“I do at that,” he says, locking his eyes with mine.

“I’ll be right back,” I say. “Don’t drink all of the mai tais.”

“No promises,” Maisie says as I roll over the side of the flamingo into the water.

Butch grabs my arm. “Can you make it over to the boat by yourself?”

“I think so.”

“Here, get on my back,” Butch says as he pulls me over to him.

My mind flashes back to last night when Alex had me on his back.

“What? No!” I say, trying to pull away from him.

“You’re not a good swimmer, Raine. Get on my back and I’ll swim us over there.”

---