"Ohhh, real smooth," Asher said, laughing quietly as he turned back just in time to catch the tail end of that little display. He boarded a bit more gracefully, tossing the rope aside once he was on. "Maybe we should have brought you a set of water wings, just in case," he teased with an easy smile.

"Uh, you can go inside, if you want. It's gonna take a few minutes to get us out on open water. And there's something for you on the table." Technically, it was an entire plate of somethings. Cupcakes, just like Ray would have won if their pool game had turned out differently that day. Also on the table was a note, directing Ray to the small refrigerator where he could find the buttermilk to go with them, and informing him that he'd feel sort of put out if he really did wind up calling him Nero at any point that night.