Page 43 of The Game We Played

“Um, what’s going on?”

“It’s theSmuggler’s Sack & Chicken Dash,” the twins repeat.

Beth holds up the potato sacks. “You have to hop to the tree and back in a potato sack.”

Anne waggles the rubber chickens. “While holding a rubber chicken.”

“If you fall, you have to get up whilestaying in your sack.”

“And if you drop your chicken, you have to start again.”

Tanner stares at them. “Is this for real?”

I nab a sack from Beth and get in. “What’s wrong, Tanner? Are you chicken? Bwak! Bwak!”

He snatches the other sack. “I’m not chicken. I’m going to kick your ass.”

“I’m the reigning champion five years in a row.”

“What do I get when I win?”

“A kiss from Alaia!” Beth shouts.

I glare at her. My sisters are such shit stirrers. “It doesn’t matter. I’m going to win anyway.”

“I’m motivated now,” Tanner mutters.

I shiver at the promise in his voice. Does he want to kiss me? Does he want to feel my lips? Taste me? The way I do him.

I force those thoughts away. TheSmuggler’s Sack & Chicken Dashis serious business. I intend to keep my crown.

“Are the contestants ready?” Mom asks.

Tanner drops his chicken into the sack.

I point my chicken at him. “He’s cheating already.”

“What?”

“You have to hold the chicken,” I explain.

He tucks the chicken under his arm like a football. I have a different tactic. I bite the chicken’s leg. Holding the chicken in your mouth is allowed. I know because I made up the rules.

“Ready. Set. Go.” Mom feigns a gunshot and we’re off.

Tanner rushes forward. I take my time. Rushing will result in falling down or dropping your chicken.

Sure enough. Tanner makes it halfway to the tree before he falls over. I nearly laugh before I remember – I have a rubber chicken in my mouth!

“Get up, Tanner! Get up, Tanner!”

I glare at my sisters. I should have known they would encourage him. They’ve probably been plotting my loss in the race since I won last year.

I pass him laying on the ground and make it to the tree before he does. Victory is mine!

“Go, Tanner! You’ve nearly caught up to her.”

I glance behind me to check where he is. Mistake. I hop forward but my legs are now twisted. I stumble, spit the chicken out of my mouth, and end up sprawled on the ground.