Out of the Shadow Read Free Page A

of the loneliness dispelled from his heart. “Yeah. Do you think they’ll let us get some food before the sound check?”
    “ I certainly hope so,” RJ said rubbing his stomach. “I’m starved.”
    Cole grinned at his friend as he exited the bus and made his way through the hotel lobby, earning curious glances from the guests. Soon, he thought, they’ll know us by sight and we won’t be able to walk through a room without heavy security.
    Soon.

 
    Chapter Two
 
    Ally plopped on the bench, her body screaming for sleep, and slowly lifted her leg, resting her foot on the bench. Her arm muscles protested as she stretched to yank her shoelaces and she wondered what kind of shape she would be in for the first game of the tournament the following evening.
    This was the second year she’d made the State Team and while they’d played in plenty of tournaments back home near Chicago, this was her first time in the National Tournament and she was burning with the desire to win the whole thing.
    Each state of the continental U.S. formed a team of their best female softball players and every four years, they took their teams to the designated state for the National Tournament. The Tournament usually lasted about a week, with all the pomp and circumstance of the World Series. This year the Tournament was to be held in L.A.
    “ I think I discovered muscles I never knew I had,” Lisa Morlan moaned as she sat next to Ally. “The coaches preach about how beneficial all this conditioning is but I don’t see it.”
    Ally flashed her roommate a commiserating smile as she finally won her battle with her shoelaces. “Yeah, I hear them sing the praises of working out and conditioning but I have yet to see one of them on the participating.”
    “ Too overweight,” Samantha Morales joked as she leaned against the wall and slid to the floor.
    Lisa giggled as she removed her sweat-stained t-shirt and dropped it at her feet. “So, do you guys think we have a chance at medaling this year?”
    “ Yep, as long as Jones keeps hitting like she did in batting practice,” Tara Horning, a stocky third basemen commented.
    “ That was yesterday,” Ally said as she set to work on her other shoe. “My timing was totally off today. I don’t know why. If only my cousin was here, he’d figure it out and point me in the right direction.”
    “ Where is this cousin?” Lisa said. “And is he cute?”
    Ally laughed. “Sure, I suppose he’s cute, but don’t tell him that – his ego is big enough as it is. Besides, he’s a player. He has a new girlfriend every week.”
    “ Aw,” Tara grinned. “I’m sure Lisa here can tame him.”
    Lisa blushed furiously and kicked off her cleats. “I doubt it.”
    “ Jones!”
    Ally turned to find Cheyenne Duncan, the only other teammate from the year before, strolling toward her. “Girl, what was up with your hitting today? That’s not like you.”
    Ally groaned and rolled her eyes, wishing she could snap her fingers and be magically transported to her bed. “I don’t know and I’m just too tired to think about it right now.” She stood up, moaned, and walked to the showers, snatching a fluffy towel from the stack on the shelf near the doors.
    Ally felt a bit better after her shower. She shouldered her bag and left the locker room with her small group of friends, other girls streaming around them. Her mind had shifted from her batting problems to Cole and her heart lifted as she imagined the reunion scene she’d have in just a couple of days. A small smile graced her lips as her teammates excitedly discussed the upcoming game.
    “ Right, Ally?” Lisa asked.
    “ Huh?” Ally said, suddenly realizing that they were speaking to her. “Sorry, my mind was elsewhere.”
    “ Obviously,” Cheyenne smirked. “It doesn’t matter anyway.” She grabbed Ally’s arm and urged her to continue walking. “So, do you have a huge group coming to the game tomorrow night?”
    Cheyenne knew Ally had a