Out of the Shadow (44 page)

“
You’re a good man, Robby Redden, did you know?” she asked with a teary smile.

He winked. “So I hear.”

The waitress returned with their food and they took a few minutes to eat. When they finished and he paid the check, he held her hand as he led her to the car.

“
I’d love to take you to the movies,” he said. “But let’s keep it simple tonight – you’ve been sick and probably still need some rest.”

“
I’m fine,” she protested.

He laughed. “I’m sure but let’s not push things, huh?”

He parked near her dorm and walked her to her room. He waited as she unlocked the door then drew her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. He held her briefly before edging back to give her a dimpled smile.

“
I’ll call you this weekend, okay?”

“
Please do,” she said.

“
Get some rest,” he ordered and strolled out of the building.

She dropped to her bed and drew her knees to her chest. She rested her chin on her knees and closed her eyes.

Had Robby been right? Had she not taken enough time to get over Cole? She had waited until she’d thought Cole had moved on before starting something with Robby.

But she’d felt an attraction to Robby when she’d first met him. She’d felt that pull immediately and had tried to fight it. And now that she had him, she just didn’t quite feel that pull anymore. Her feelings for him were deep, sure, but not that of romantic love. She cared for him and enjoyed his company but it certainly hadn’t panned out to become anything more.

And then there was Cole. Yes, if she was being honest, then she’d have to admit she still loved him. But she’d always love him no matter what. The past weekend had proved that. Their friendship was just starting to get its footing back – gain its bearings – did she dare risk that by declaring she was still in love with him?

No, she wouldn’t do anything just yet. She’d bide her time and wait until her heart was certain and able to tell her what to do.

In the meantime, she had a plan to work on. She’d thought about it all day Monday while she’d lounged in her bed, giving her body the opportunity to fight off the germs that had taken her insides hostage. Now that she was feeling better, it was time to get that plan moving. But she’d need help.

She picked up her cell phone and dialed a number. He answered immediately.

“
Hey, cuz! How are you feeling?” Jamie asked.

“
Better,” she said. “Listen, James, I need your help. Do you have a minute?”

“
Sure,” he said cheerfully. “Lay it on me.”

So she did.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“
Did you talk to them yet, James?” Ally asked as they crossed campus and headed toward their first class of the morning.

“
Relax, cuz,” he said, grinning at her anxiety. “I’ll call them now.”

He stopped and set his backpack on the ground in order to dig out his cell phone. Opening it up, he dialed a number, waiting for an answer.

“
Hey, Cole,” he said and her heart performed an intricate ballet move. “Are you guys busy tonight?” He listened for a second. “Great. Ally and I will be over later with some pizzas. We’ll see you then.” He snapped the phone shut and stowed it in a pocket of his backpack. He looped a hand through the strap and flashed a grin. “It’s all set.”

“
No,” she groaned. “You were supposed to ask them.”

He took her by the arm and forced her to walk, ignoring the curious looks from the students rushing past them in an effort to not be late to class.

“
Relax,” he ordered. “We’ll talk to them tonight and you can explain everything.”

She stormed grumpily away from him, muttering under her breath. “That was supposed to be your job.”

He laughed as he jogged after her, passing her to open the door. “Oh, no, cuz – this is your baby. You get the honors.”

She paused, one foot through the threshold and the other still planted on the sidewalk. “You think they’ll say no, don’t you? You believe they’ll think it’s a stupid idea.”

He gave her a gentle shove. “No, I don’t think so. I think they’ll like the idea but I don’t know if they’ll be able to go along with it. They’re working with Robby on the new CD and then they’re supposed to go back to L.A. to shoot a new video.”

She sighed with heavy disappointment. “So, we shouldn’t even bother, huh?”

He draped an arm around her shoulders as they entered the classroom. “It wouldn’t hurt to try.”

***

Ally carried a six pack of soda behind Jamie, who cradled four pizzas in his arms, through the door. Her nerves were edgy, shot actually, and she was surprised she hadn’t dropped the soda yet.

“
Dudes,” RJ said as he followed them to the kitchen, sniffing the faint aroma wafting from the pizza boxes. “I’ve been craving pizza all day.”

“
Why didn’t you just go get some?” Ally asked as she set the six pack on the table and turned to face him. “You do have a car and if you’re too lazy to drive, you do have a phone.”

He grinned his toothy grin and kissed her cheek. “Ally, Ally, Ally. Pizza always tastes better when someone else provides it.”

She rolled her eyes and struggled to conceal a smile. “So, lazy, huh?”

“
Nah,” he said with a wink. “We were working all day with your man, editing the new CD.”

Her heart pinched at the mention of Robby and his relationship to her, but she didn’t correct him. She didn’t want to get into it at all – not at that moment. She’d tell them sooner or later, if Robby didn’t.

“
I thought I heard RJ’s moans of ecstasy and I figured someone must have brought food,” Cole said as he ambled into the kitchen, his hair slightly damp and smelling of the musky body wash he used. Ally bit the inside of her cheek and gripped the edge of the table with one hand to keep from moving closer to him. “How are you feeling, Al?”

“
Much better, thanks,” she managed to mutter. She busied herself with gathering plates and napkins as RJ opened the boxes and groaned in appreciation.

They carried their plates into the living room and ate around the coffee table while Cole explained the work they were doing with Robby. Ally kept mostly to herself, planning her words and waiting for the right time to spring her idea on them.

When the boys managed to devour three of the pizzas, Ally collected the dirty dishes, rinsed them in the sink and loaded the dishwasher. Once that was finished, she studied the kitchen, looking for another chore to keep her busy and put off her original task but the room was surprisingly clean.

“
Get in here, cuz,” Jamie shouted.

She groaned and returned the living room. Cole was situated comfortably in his favorite recliner while RJ and Jamie were perched on the edge of the sofa. The television was on some sports channel but their eyes were trained on her.

“
What do you need to talk to us about?” Cole asked, his brown eyes darkening.

“
Yeah,” RJ said, holding out a hand. She stepped toward him and placed her hand in his. He yanked her to the sofa beside him and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Is it something bad? I mean, did you bring the pizza to soften us up or something?”

“
No,” she scoffed, glancing at Jamie. “Tell them, James.”

He shook his head, amused smirk on his face. “It was your idea, cuz.”

“
Yeah, but,” she argued. “They’ll do it if you suggest it.”

“
Sure,” he said sarcastically. “Not likely. They spoil you, princess.”

“
Knock off the family feud and tell us what you want,” RJ said. “Do you want to be in our next video or something? I don’t know where we’d put you guys – especially Ally. I mean, I’m not going to agree to Ally dressing in some of those scant costumes.”

She laughed, grateful for the tension breaker, and pecked RJ’s cheek. “No, nothing like that.” She inhaled deeply and released it slowly. “Well, when I was here with you guys when I was sick, I thought it was cool. Not that I was sick, but the hanging out part.”

“
So did we,” Cole said, chancing a soft smile.

She smiled back. “And when I got back to my dorm, I was thinking about how we used to do that all the time and it made me think of the spring break when you two were seniors. Remember when we rented those hotel suites?”

“
Yeah,” RJ said. “That was fun.” He grinned at Jamie and offered a fist. “Remember that club where we met those chicks with the purple hair?”

“
Yep,” Jamie said, laughing and bumping RJ’s fist.

“
Animals,” Ally muttered under her breath.

“
Did you want to do something like that again, Al?” Cole asked, throwing a sharp glance at RJ and Jamie. “On your spring break?”

“
Yes,” she said tightly, holding her breath.

Cole nodded and lifted a brow at RJ. “I’m sure we could take a week off. We’re not due in L.A. for awhile and the CD is in editing. What do you think, bro?”

“
I’m all for it,” RJ said, squeezing Ally’s shoulder. “I’m ready for a vacation. But do you really want to do downtown again? I mean, we can go there anytime we want.”

“
No,” Ally said. “I haven’t really thought about where. But I’m not opposed to a warm climate – I know you boys like to ogle girls in swimsuits.”

Cole grinned at her and her heart leapt to her throat. He gave her a wink as he climbed out of his recliner and started for the hallway. “Let me get my laptop. Maybe we could do a cruise or something.”

Ally’s mood lifted immediately. She smiled at Jamie, excitement building in her chest. She hadn’t thought they’d totally hate the idea – she’d thought maybe they might not have time – but she never imagined they’d jump aboard whole-heartedly. And it helped her aching soul immensely.

Cole returned with his laptop and set it up on the coffee table. He logged onto the Internet and began browsing different cruise lines, comparing prices and dates. The others crowded around him, pointing to trips they’d like to take.

They settled on a five day Mexican Riviera cruise and booked it immediately. Once that was settled, Ally sat back and enjoyed the rest of the evening until Jamie deemed they needed to return to campus.

“
See?” he said once they were in the car and on the road. “That wasn’t so tough, was it?”

“
Shut up, James,” she said petulantly, folding her arms over her chest. “You know the only reason why I was nervous.”

“
Ally,” he said with a loud sigh. “Cole is fine with things now. You need to loosen up. He accepts your relationship with Robby and they even get along now.”

She whipped around in her seat, her jaw gaping. “Get along
now
? What is that supposed to mean?”

Jamie rubbed the back of his neck, keeping his eyes on the road. “Well, come on, cuz, you know it had to be a bit tense between them. I mean, they acted all professional and stuff but there’s been underlying things.”

She flopped back in her seat and squeezed her eyes shut as a feeling of helplessness washed over her. She hated what a mess she’d made of everything – her relationship with Cole, her relationship with Robby, and now Cole’s and Robby’s friendship.