Out of the Shadow Read Free Page B

large, “extended” family as not only did her parents and brother attend the local State Games last year, but also Jamie’s, RJ’s, and Cole’s families. Ally had never admitted that her father was indeed the Jay Jones of Tight Control fame, but she had an inkling that Cheyenne knew and she was grateful that the girl had never mentioned it.
    “ Um, I’m not sure who will be there,” Ally admitted. “My parents and brother, of course, but I’m not sure who else.”
    She did know that Nate and Stacy would be there and possibly her Aunt Gretchen and Uncle Mark, but she wasn’t sure who else would make it. She wished they’d all make it – it would be nice to have the whole gang together – but she understood that it was quite the trek from Chicago to L.A.
    “ What about your boyfriend?” Lisa asked, skipping sideways to watch Ally’s reaction. “I saw his picture on that little table by your bed. He’s cute.”
    Ally shrugged, a little thrill shooting up her spine. She was happy that Cole’s band wasn’t hugely popular yet and the other girls wouldn’t mob him. At least she hoped.
    “ He’s trying to be here,” she said with a small smile. “He might not make it until Saturday.”
    “ Why not?” Tara asked, her bushy brows dipping over her eyes.
    “ He’s, um, working,” Ally said lamely. She shrugged again. “He travels a lot but he should be in the area and he’s going to try to be here.”
    “ That really sucks,” Samantha said, rubbing her shoulder with a wince. “Jeez, Coach told me I was starting on the mound tomorrow but the way he worked us tonight – well, I just hope my shoulder is up to it.”
    “ It will be, don’t worry,” Ally soothed, hoping she was right. Samantha was their star pitcher – their ace – and they needed to start out strong if they expected to make it to the finals.
    As they approached the dorms, Ally’s phone rang. She dug it out of her bag and grinned when Cole’s name popped up on the screen. She answered it excitedly.
    “ Hey, how are you?” she asked.
    “ Tired, princess, but good,” he said and his voice lifted her spirits. “Are you ready for the game tomorrow?”
    She picked up her pace and waved over her shoulder, leaving the other girls behind. She didn’t usually mind if they overheard her conversation but at that moment, she just wanted him to herself. “I think we’re ready. We had a rough workout tonight but hopefully it will be worth it.”
    “ You’ll do great, Al,” he said. He released a long, drawn out breath that signaled bad news. She whipped the door open and hurried to her room as she prepared herself for his announcement. “I’m sorry but I don’t think we’ll make it to town in time for the game tomorrow night. We’ll probably have to go straight to the venue for sound check.”
    Tears of disappointment burned her eyes but she managed to keep them out of her voice. She could tell he was as upset as she and didn’t want to fill him with guilt by gushing tears all over the phone.
    “ I understand, Cole,” she said as she sank to her bed. “But I’ll get to see you Saturday, right?”
    “ Yes, I promise,” he said. “I’ll do whatever I have to do to see you Saturday. Maybe we can meet for breakfast or something, huh?”
    “ I’d like that,” she whispered, consoled by the thought of spending as much time Saturday with him as she could. “We have an early morning workout but I can meet you after that. We won’t have to be at the field until an hour before the game.”
    “ Good,” he said with a laugh. “We’ll spend the day together.”
    “ Perfect!”
    A voice bellowed for him and she scrunched her brows, wondering who would dare interrupt their phone call. It didn’t sound like RJ, Ren, or Parker, that was for sure.
    “ That’s Doug,” he said. “We’re in Sacramento, you know, and we have an interview at a radio station this afternoon and then we have to come back for sound check, maybe a