Super-sized Slugger
Page 14
“But here’s what I really want to know,” Jessica said. “How in the world did you get Coach Mike to eavesdrop when you confronted Dante?”
“Easy,” Cody said. “I just called and explained my plan. I knew Mr. Stubbins would never believe a kid. Coach Mike agreed to help right away. He kept saying, ‘Chief, you’re no thief. I’ve been on this earth long enough to be a pretty good judge of character. And you’re no thief.’”
Jessica nodded. “What a great guy. Saved your butt, that’s for sure.”
“Yep,” Cody said. “So did the guys—Willie, Connor, and Jordy. They showed up just in time.”
“Before Dante could pound you like…”
“…a bad piece of meat,” they said together, then cracked up.
“For a kid who’s only been here a few months,” Jessica said, “you sure have great friends.”
“And you’re one of them,” Cody said, “Karate Girl.”
“Aw, you say that to all the girls,” Jessica said with a smile.
“Only girls who can beat my butt!” Cody said, jumping up quickly to avoid another punch.
He ran over to the driveway and picked up the basketball. “But now it’s time for me to beat yours!”
He dribbled smoothly between his legs and launched into a courtside announcer’s play-by-play: “Tie score, five seconds left…Parker has the ball in the corner…He spins and puts up a twenty-footer with a defender draped all over him…Swish!”
Jessica rolled her eyes and rose to her feet. She drained the last of her water bottle, retrieved the ball, and put up a long jump shot from the top of the key.
“Keep dreaming, Wisconsin Boy,” she said. “That’s what you do best.”