Today, these brave women will attempt to swim the length of the lagoon while wearing sequins, silicone, and varying levels of dignity. This event is a proud Smuggler’s Hideaway tradition, dating back to the year someone said,‘I bet I could swim faster in a mermaid tail,’and absolutely should’ve been ignored.
A few quick reminders before we begin:
One. This is a race, not a reenactment of a shipwreck dive. If you lose a tail, keep swimming. We’llretrieve it later.
Two. No tripping, tugging, or ‘accidental’ splashing of your competitors. This is a competition of speed and grace. Or at least speed.
Three. If you are wearing extra fins, flotation, or anything that doesn’t naturally grow on a mermaid, please remove it now. We’ll be checking.
And, finally, remember this is about community, courage, and proving once and for all that mermaids are far more athletic than pirates.
On three,Hideaway mermaids rule the tide!One, two, three—!”
I thrust my fist in the air. “Hideaway mermaids rule the tide!”
“Which one is your tail?” Gage nods to the two mermaid tails laying on the ground near us.
“Neither. I’m not participating.”
“Why not?”
“I need to watch the kids.”
“I can watch them.”
I blink up at him. “You’re going to watch my sisters? Make sure Penelope doesn’t drown? Mila doesn’t get kidnapped by anyone who promises her cake? And Otis doesn’t sneak off to hang out with his friends?”
“I got this.” He nudges me toward the booth with mermaid tails. “Get your tail. I bet you’re a beautiful mermaid.”
I narrow my eyes. “Am I not a beautiful human?”
“You being a beautiful human is what makes me certain you’ll be a beautiful mermaid.”
“Nice catch,Yard-Getter.”
He smirks. “Catching is part of my job and I excel at my job.”
I hesitate. “I haven’t worn a mermaid tail in years.”
“Says the woman who won the cannonball contest against Tanner.”
“Tanner has an inflated sense of self.”
He chuckles. “What a nice way of saying he’s conceited.”
“Go ahead, Addy. I’ll help Gage watch Penelope and Mila.”
My eyes widen at Otis’s remark. “You’re going to help?”
“He wants to quiz Gage about all things football,” Penelope says.
“Okay. I’ll race but no one gets to make fun of my tail later.” I march off to the mermaid tail booth to the sound of my family’s laughter. Well, my family and Gage. Gage isn’t part of my family.
My heart squeezes. How would it feel to have a man be a part of my family? I’ve never had a man in my family before. I can’t remember my dad since he left when I was two. And Otis, Penelope, and Mila all have different dads. None of whom stuck around.
Enough. I force those thoughts away. Gage is not joining the family.
The first race starts in five minutes. I rush to pick out a tail and put it on before hopping to the starting line.
