Out of the Shadow Read Online Free Page B

one will know. The Starkeman University campus is much larger than the Meridian Valley campus, you know, and it should be much easier to get lost in the shuffle.”
    He lifted a shoulder as the waitress returned with the check. “I hope you’re right, cuz.”
    “ Me, too,” she said.
 
    ***
    Cole collapsed face first on the first piece of furniture he could find in the dressing room – lucky it was a sofa - as his band mates filed in wearily behind him. RJ, though, bounced on the balls of his feet, his hazel eyes shining in excitement.
    “ That was one of our best shows ever,” he exclaimed, clapping Cole on the back. “Don’t you think?”
    “ Sure,” Ren Shaw mumbled, cracking one eye to look at his brother. “Whatever you say.”
    “ Aw, don’t be such sissies,” RJ pouted.
    “ Aren’t you in the least bit tired?” Parker asked as he opened the mini refrigerator and passed out bottles of water.
    “ Sure,” RJ shrugged. “But I can’t feel it yet - that adrenaline is still pumping.”
    “ You know how he is,” Cole mumbled. “Let him get it out of his system now or none of us will sleep tonight.”
    Ren laughed as a knock sounded on the door. He started to get to his feet to answer but RJ beat him to it.
    “ Great show, boys,” Doug said as he floated into the room. Following him was a young woman with sandy blond hair cut meticulously at the shoulders, smoky blue eyes and a knowing smile on her lips. She was dressed in jeans and a button-up yellow blouse, heeled boots adding to her height.
    “ Hey, thanks,” Parker said, glancing curiously at the stranger. He cut his eyes to Cole who was pushing his tired body to a sitting position. Cole merely raised a brow and turned his attention to Doug.
    “ This is my niece, Lila Flowers. She wants to get into this business for some unknown reason so I told her she could hang out with us for awhile to see how things work.”
    They all gave her a weary welcome except for RJ who bounded over to her and swept her in his arms.
    “ Welcome, Lila,” he boomed, squeezing her. “You’ll have a blast with us, I promise.”
    Her smile warmed as RJ released her. She brushed her mussed hair out of her eyes. “Thanks.”
    “ All right, boys,” Doug said. “Get showered and we’ll get back to the hotel. We have two appearances tomorrow afternoon so I’m not sure if we’ll be able to pull out of here in time to make it to L.A. for this softball tournament you’re all eager to get to, but we’ll try like hell.”
    He waved and left, his niece trailing.
    Parker’s lips curled into a smug grin. He got off his chair to drape an arm around Ren. “Lila, huh? She was sort of hot, don’t you think?”
    Ren pushed Parker’s arm off, the top of his ears turning bright red. “Yeah, whatever. I thought you had a girlfriend?”
    “ I do,” Parker smirked. “But you don’t.”
    RJ guffawed and clapped Ren on the back. “Oh, she would tear my little brother to pieces!”
    Cole grinned tiredly as RJ and Parker continued to chide Ren. He yawned and stood to stretch. “While you guys humiliate Ren, I’m going to shower.”
    He disappeared into the bathroom and locked the door. He stood in front of the mirror, inspecting the dark circles under his eyes and the dried line of sweat on his forehead and nearly laughed. What would Ally say about his appearance if she could see him? She’d have a fit.
    His smile widened as he turned on the taps and prepared to shower, his heart suddenly coming alive. He’d see her soon – hopefully sooner than she was expecting.
 
 
 
 
 

 
    Chapter Three
 
    Long shadows stretched across the field as Ally sat in the dugout and watched Team Idaho toss a ball around the horn, getting loose for the next inning. She removed her hat and tightened her ponytail as Tara grabbed a bat and trotted to the on-deck circle.
    I just need to fix my timing , she thought as she watched the tall, blond pitcher fire warm-up throws to the