Free Daddy's Little Angel by Shani Petroff Page A

tried not to be obvious about watching Cole across the net from me, but he was definitely a lot more interesting than the match. I basically was just standing around, while Reid and Allison hit any ball that came in my direction.
    But that ended when Lana served. It was like slow motion. The ball was spiraling right at me. Allison and Reid ran to help, but weren’t going to get there in time. And it was a good thing, because it wasn’t a normal volleyball anymore. Right where the word Spalding was supposed to be were Lou’s eyes. His smile and big white teeth appeared not too far below. It was like a Mr. Potato Head volleyball. From the Underworld.
    “No,” I screamed, hitting it away with all my might. The ball went flying back over the net.
    “Way to go, Garrett,” Reid called out.
    I don’t know what shocked me more—seeing part of my dad’s face in the middle of gym class or the fact that I made actual contact with the volleyball and gained control back for my team.
    “Good job, Angel,” Max yelled, as Lana glared at him. He threw me the ball, only he overshot it, and I had to chase it halfway across the gym. But I wasn’t the only one who ran after it. Cole was by my side.
    “I got it. It’s mine,” I said, sounding a little too desperate.
    “Okay,” he said, raising an eyebrow at me.
    I wanted to beat myself with the stupid ball. Cole probably thought I was way too competitive and completely unfriendly. But I couldn’t let him near the ball and risk letting him see my dad’s face. “It’s just . . . umm . . . I don’t want to make you run all the way after it. That’s all.” It was a pretty lame excuse since we were both in grasping distance of the ball, but it wasn’t like I had time to come up with something clever.
    “OK,” he said again. I waited for him to turn around, then I picked up the ball. Lou’s features popped back on it. “Get out of here,” I muttered, while trying not to move my mouth.
    “I’m going,” Cole said.
    “No,” I said, hiding the ball behind my back. “I wasn’t talking to you.”
    “Then who?” he asked.
    That was a tough one. “Myself,” I said, trying my best to smile as my brain kicked into overdrive. “I was just surprised to see the Spalding logo. Never really looked at it before. Uh , you see, umm . . . my uncle has the same thing tattooed on his arm. I always assumed it was the initial of some girl. But I guess he’s just really into sporting equipment.” Ouch. My lies needed work. But it was so farfetched he had to buy it. At least, I hoped.
    “Weird,” he said.
    “I know, right?” I said. “Thanks for going after the ball for me,” I added quickly.
    “Sure,” Cole said. He just stood there. I figured he was waiting to walk back with me. I had no choice but to follow.
    Normally I would have been crazy-psyched, but now it was crazy-frustrating. I had to tell Lou to buzz off, but without my classmates noticing. I dropped the ball and gave it a little kick with my foot. “Oops,” I said. “Don’t worry, I’ll get it.” After the way I acted before, Cole didn’t even try to go after it this time.
    I picked up the volleyball, making sure my back was to my teammates. “You have to go. I mean it.”
    “Be a sport,” said Lou, who was still merged with the ball. “Why not let me turn you into a pro? You just need to ask. It would be my pleasure.”
    “Not interested in anything to do with evil powers,” I whispered.
    “Then how about just a friendly conversation? Get to know your Pop. That’s all I want. We can grab some Chinese food after school. We can even eat it in China, if you’d like.”
    “No,” I said.
    He let out a hearty laugh. “Fine, the Magic Wok in town works, too. No powers, I promise.”
    I looked toward my team and then back at the volleyball. “Lou, I’m not doing this here. Go. Before someone sees you.”
    “You’re the only one who can tell I’m here right now.”
    That didn’t make me feel much