Page 8 of The Game We Played

I’m not going to use my dad’s connections to get me a job. Not if I can help it. I didn’t ask him to get me the job at theGazetteand I’m not asking now. I will make it on my own.

“Alaia,” Mom scolds. “Your dad is a well-known photojournalist. He can help you level up your career. It’s silly to refuse his help.”

Silly? I scowl. It’s not silly to want to make it on your own. To not want to be known for being Dan Jackson’s daughter. To not want to be dubbed the nepo baby who couldn’t get a job without daddy’s help.

Dad wraps an arm around Mom’s shoulders. “It’s her choice, Sally.”

I bite my tongue before I scowl. My choice? Really? The same way, it was my choice to work for theSmuggler’s Gazette?

“What’s for lunch?” Beth and Anne ask.

“I’ll fire up the grill,” Dad says and leaves. But not before he smacks Mom on the lips.

“I need to finish up the potato salad,” Mom mutters before returning to the kitchen.

“Good. They’re gone,” Beth says.

“Let’s discuss strategy,” Anne adds.

“Strategy for what?”

They roll their eyes. “It’s summer.”

“I’m aware.” SinceMermaid Karaokeseason has begun. Outside of the summer, the island doesn’t get enough tourists for karaoke. Thank the pirates. There are only so many times I canhelp a woman reattach seashells to her boobs before I decide burning the bar down is best for humanity.

“Time to discuss strategy.”

I blow out a breath and pray for patience. My sisters often have conversations with each other without speaking. I’m not part of their whole twin mind game thing. I have no idea what they’re talking about most of the time.

“Strategy for what?”

“How to steal Plank.”

My eyes widen. “You want to steal Plank?”

Each town on the island has a live mascot. Smuggler’s Rest, where I live, has an adorable otter named Viking. Rogue’s Landing has a marshmallow addicted raccoon named Rogue. And Pirate’s Perch, the smallest of the towns, has a foul-mouthed parrot named Plank.

In addition to each town having a live mascot, it’s tradition for smugglers to steal the mascots in the summer. It’s not an easy task since the location of the mascots is kept secret.

“Plank hasn’t been stolen in years.”

Plank is the most difficult to steal since he can shout as loud as a smuggler to the world about how he’s being kidnapped.

“Do you know where he is?”

Beth’s smile is terrifying. “I do.”

“Girls! Can you set the table?” Mom shouts.

“We’ll discuss this later,” Anne whispers as she skips toward the kitchen.

Since it’s a warm, sunny day, we set the table on the back porch while Mom finishes her potato salad and Dad places hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill.

“Hot dogs are done!” Dad announces before setting a plate piled high with hot dogs on the table.

“Oh shoot. I forgot the ketchup.” Mom returns to the kitchen.

“I’ll help her.” Dad hurries after her.