Page 55 of One Pucking Surprise
Zach
Theroarofthecrowd is loud enough to rattle the metal frame of the dunk tank, but all I can hear is Lainey’s laugh. She’s standing off to the side with Jasper, her blue eyes sparkling as she waves a ticket in the air like it’s her golden opportunity.
“I’ve got first shot!” she announces, her voice carrying over the cheers and chatter.
“Feeling lucky, Carrey?” I call back, leaning casually against the tank’s edge. My T-shirt and board shorts are already clinging to my skin, damp from the splash zone of the previous dunk.
“Lucky? No.” Her grin is pure mischief. “But I don’t need luck to hit my target.”
I raise an eyebrow, smirking. “Big talk for someone who missed every shot at the basketball booth earlier.”
The crowd laughs, and Lainey’s cheeks flush, but she doesn’t falter. She hands Jasper her bottle of water and steps up to the line.
“She’s got this!” Jasper cheers, punching the air with his little fists.
The operator hands Lainey a red foam ball, and she weighs it in her palm like a seasoned pro.
“Don’t choke, Lainey,” I say, smirking as I brace myself on the dunk tank’s precarious seat.
She narrows her eyes, aiming carefully. The moment stretches, the crowd growing quieter in anticipation. And then she throws.
The ball smacks the target dead center.
The world tips and cold water engulf me. The crowd erupts in laughter and cheers as I resurface, pushing my wet hair back and wiping water from my face.
Lainey’s laughter is the loudest of all. She’s doubled over, clutching her sides as she points at me.
“Bullseye!” she shouts.
“You got lucky,” I call, climbing back up to reset the seat.
“Auntie Lainey, you’re the best!” Jasper says.
“You’re up next, champ,” I say, nodding toward the booth operator.
Jasper’s eyes widen in excitement. He sprints to the line, the foam ball barely fitting in his small hands. His first throw sails wide, and the crowd offers an encouraging “Awww!”
“It’s okay, bud,” I say, grinning. “You’ve got two more.”
Jasper huffs, adjusts his stance, and throws again. The ball clips the edge of the target but doesn’t hit it dead-on.
“You’re so close, Jasper!” Lainey calls, clapping her hands.
“Third time’s the charm,” I say, winking at him.
Jasper squares his shoulders, determination etched on his face. He lets the ball fly—and it smacks the target with a satisfying thud.
“Woo-hoo!” he shouts as I plunge into the tank again, water splashing everywhere.
“Jasper the Champion!” Wyatt bellows from the crowd, laughing so hard he can barely stand upright.
I surface again, shaking water from my face, only to see Wyatt stepping up to the line.
“Oh, no,” I say, mock-glaring at him. “This isn’t fair.”
“Nothing personal, buddy,” Wyatt says, winding up his arm. “This is for science.”
“Science?” I sputter, barely managing to reset my seat before his throw connects.
