Out of the Shadow (7 page)

“
Why not?” she asked in an attempt to appear coy.

He chuckled and gathered her close again. He kissed the top of her head and sighed heavily, his breath teasing her hair. “Because, princess, we can’t do anything like that now. We’re not going to run off to my hotel room for a quickie. Doesn’t feel right, you know?”

“
I know,” she said as she nestled her cheek into his chest.

“
Soon,” he said. “As soon as we can spend a little more time together.”

“
Promise?” she asked, peering up into his eyes.

He kissed her again. “Promise.”

“
I’m holding you to that,” she said, smiling. “Now come on, I have to get ready for my game.”

***

Team Florida was up by a run in the sixth inning when Ally approached the plate. She smoothed the dirt in the batter’s box with a cleat and took her stance, her eyes on the pitcher.

She took a few practice swings, very much aware of Cole in the stands.

She watched the first pitch cross the plate and tensed when the ump called it a strike. She took a step back, taking a few practice swings, buying a little time to regroup.

Ally dug in and narrowed her eyes at her opponent, daring her to throw it a little high. The pitch came and she connected, knocking it near the wall. She took off down the baseline and groaned when the right fielder caught it. But the runner on third tagged and crossed the plate, tying the score. She jogged back to the dugout, eyes searching for Cole’s, but the crowd was so thick, she couldn’t find him. She furrowed her brows as she hopped down the steps and hi-fived her teammates. She couldn’t concentrate on Cole’s location at the moment; they still had a game to win.

Tara, the third basemen, knocked in another run before Lisa hit into a double play, ending their inning. Ally grabbed her glove and trotted out on the field.

They managed to hold them and Ally joined half heartedly in the celebration. She knew Cole would not be waiting with her family and she didn’t know how she’d manage to keep the disappointment off her face.

She hurried through her shower, collected her gear, and dashed off to meet her family. She knew how uncomfortable her father probably was with all the people gawking at him, wondering if the guy that looked like Jay Jones was actually
the
Jay Jones. And she’d been lucky, so far, that none of her teammates had mentioned anything about it.

Richie and Callie, RJ’s parents, had flown in that morning and joined the rest of the group waiting to congratulate Ally. But she was surprised to see Rhys and Sasha Redden and their son, Robby, standing next to her parents.

She plastered a smile on her face, accepted the hugs and kisses, and assured everyone it was all right if they ran over to Redden Records with Rhys to talk about the latest hitch in Out of Control’s plans.

“
Hey, cuz,” Jamie said sheepishly. “I sort of made a date with a chick from Team California. Um, but I can cancel, if you want.”

“
Nah, it’s all right,” she said. “I’ll probably just turn in early – I’m sort of tired, anyway.”

“
Aw, come on, Ally,” a voice said behind her. She turned and found Robby Redden grinning, dimples evident on his cheeks. “That’s kind of boring, isn’t it?”

Ally couldn’t help but smile. “Maybe.”

“
I’ll take you for ice cream, if you want,” he offered with a shrug. “I feel a little responsible for Cole and the others leaving so soon.”

“
Why would you feel responsible?” she asked. “It’s not your fault.”

He folded his arms over his chest and cocked his head. “Well, actually, I was the one who suggested to my father to call his buddy in San Diego. My father did, and next thing you know, the guys are leaving tonight instead of tomorrow.”

“
It’s not your fault,” she said and then grinned. “But I’ll let you take me for ice cream – just to make you feel better.”

“
Deal,” he said with a wide smile that nearly stole her breath. He was a very handsome young man. “Come on.” He paused to glance at Jamie. “Come with us if you have time.”

“
I don’t,” Jamie said with a wolfish smirk. “Mikayla awaits.”

“
Oh, jeez, James,” Ally said with a vicious roll of her eyes. “You’re turning into some sort of player, aren’t you?”

“
Hey,” Jamie said. “I can’t help it if the girls find me irresistible.”

Ally grabbed Robby’s arm and dragged him away from her cousin, shaking her head in disgust. “Get me out of here before I puke.”

***

Robby took her to a quaint ice cream parlor with pink striped awnings and a patio complete with round tables and little umbrellas that matched the awnings. The store smelled like the inside of a bubble gum machine, all sickly sweet but unbearably appetizing.

She paced in front of the case, her eyes bulging as she stared at all the luscious flavors just waiting to be sampled. The bored teenager with the pink striped apron and the paper hat sighed as he waited for Ally to decide.

“
What are you thinking?” Robby asked as he pointed at the Butter Pecan.

“
I want all of it,” she said. “All of it in one humungous bowl.”

He lifted a brow as his lips curled slightly on the corners. “And a humungous spoon, too?”

She giggled, relaxing in his presence. “I guess I’ll go with good old mint chocolate chip.”

The bored teenager snapped to attention and got to work, scooping their requested flavors into bowls. He carried them to the register and Robby whipped out his wallet, paying before Ally could object.

They carried their ice cream outside and sat beneath a striped umbrella. They were only a few blocks from the beach and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore carried to the patio but silence descended upon them as they started shoveling ice cream in their mouths until Robby finally took a break.

“
How long have you been playing softball?” he asked.

Ally set her bowl on the table and screwed her face up in thought. “I’m not really sure. I’ve been playing for as long as I remember. Every time Jamie would come over, we’d run out to the backyard and play something.”

Robby chuckled as he shoved another spoonful in his mouth. “So, you and Jamie aren’t musical at all?”

“
Not exactly,” Ally said. “I mean, our dads taught us to play the guitar but it just didn’t …stick, I guess I mean to say. Neither one of us got into it much, but our dads were okay with that. I think they were both a little disappointed but hey, they both have other kids to bug.”

Robby smiled, his eyes lighting up. “That’s right – you have a little brother. Does he play?”

“
He does, but not as much as I think my dad would like. He’s much better than me. And Trevor, Jamie’s little brother, likes to play, but it’s just a hobby for him.”

“
You mean, they don’t get into it like Cole, RJ, and Ren?”

“
Exactly,” Ally said. “But, Dad and Uncle Mark helped out with Cole, RJ, and Ren so I guess they got their fix.”

“
What do you mean?” he asked, scraping ice cream from the sides of his bowl.

“
Nate and Cole worked incessantly on the drums so my dad gave Cole some guitar lessons,” Ally said. “And Uncle Mark plays the piano so he taught the other boys how to play.”

“
Hang on,” Robby said, his spoon frozen in his hand. “So, all the Out of Control boys can play piano, too?”

“
Yep,” Ally said proudly. “Parker is probably the best, but he didn’t take lessons from Uncle Mark.”

Robby nodded and pushed his bowl away. Ally felt his eyes on her as she finished her ice cream. She wiped her mouth and set her bowl inside of his. “Are you done?” he asked. She nodded. He picked them up and tossed them in the trash. “Do you want to take a walk by the ocean before I drive you back?”

“
Sure,” she said as she got to her feet.

They left the patio and walked along the sidewalk, avoiding the many people enjoying the warm breeze coming off the ocean.

Robby pointed out certain shops and regaled her with stories about growing up in the area and shopping for school clothes or other things with his mother.

“
I bet you went through the same sort of hell that I went through anytime I went shopping with my mother – probably more so,” she said, tucking her hand in the crook of his arm. “My mother’s not a singer like yours.”

Robby laughed and patted her hand. “Yeah, but your mom received her share of publicity thanks to the tabloids.”

“
Yeah,” Ally groaned. “She told me about that.”

Robby shrugged as he continued his lazy pace, glancing up every once in awhile at the gulls flying overhead, screaming at each other as they cruised the overflowing trash cans.

“
So,” Ally said, recalling their earlier conversation. “Both of your parents are musicians. Don’t you play?”

He grinned at her. “Of course – not well, though. I prefer to stick to the background. I like my job.”

“
You’re afraid to stand in front of a crowd, aren’t you?” she accused, mirth shining in her eyes.

A blush crept up his neck as he nodded. “Yeah, probably.”

She patted his arm as they reached the beach. She smiled as she gazed up at his handsome face. “Your secret is safe with me.”

***

Robby dropped her off at her dorm building and as soon as she plopped on her bed, she called Cole.

“
Hey, princess. Sorry I had to bail on you so soon,” he said.

“
Don’t call me that,” she said. She sighed. “It’s okay. You know I understand.”

Silence stretched between them and for the first time in a long time, it puzzled Ally and made her uncomfortable. She bit her lip and released a long breath.

“
So, are you in San Diego yet?”

“
Not yet,” he said. “Almost. Once we get there, we’re supposed to go straight to bed so we’ll be well rested for tomorrow.” He snorted. “Sounds like boarding school all over again, huh?”

“
Yeah but no sneaking out this time,” she said in a low voice. “James confessed to me the other night.”

He laughed and it lightened her heart and pushed away some of her unease. “We behaved, princess, don’t worry. Besides, I didn’t do it when we were dating – I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

Her heart warmed until she recognized the teasing in his tone. “Whatever you say. So, when do I get to see you again?”

“
Don’t know,” he said. He sucked in a breath and she had a feeling he was smoking again. “As soon as we get settled, I’ll check out our itinerary. I’ll call you and let you know.”

“
Okay,” she said.

“
Listen, Al, I think we’re rolling into our hotel. I need to get going. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?” he asked.

“
Yeah, sure,” she said, sadness falling on her. “I love you.”

“
Love you, too,” he said and hung up the phone.

She shut hers and tossed it on her nightstand. She closed her eyes as Lisa bustled into the room and fell on her bed. She feigned interest in Lisa’s babbling as her mind whirred silently.