Out of the Shadow

by J. L. Paul

  “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.

  “But they’re okay now, right?” she asked, eyes still closed. “They’re friends?”

  He snorted. “I wouldn’t exactly call them
friends, but they’re cool. Don’t worry about it, Ally. And stop with the guilt trip. You can’t help who you love and everyone realizes that.”

  “I know,” she muttered. “I just … hate…this.”

  “It’s getting better, cuz, and this trip will help.”

  She wasn’t so sure but she had just enough hope left to hang onto for awhile.

  ***

  On their second night of the cruise, they sat, stuffed full of seafood, at a round table, lazily discussing plans for the next day when the ship would dock at touristy port. The dining room was huge, the ceiling high, and the tables plentiful. The cruise wasn’t as booked as they had initially feared and most of the other passengers were quite a bit older and usually dined earlier.

  Cole watched Ally idly play with her water glass as Jamie, who was sitting directly across from her, smirked. Cole lifted a brow in his direction, silently asking what he was up to, when Jamie leaned back in his chair.

  “Hey, cuz,” Jamie asked. Ally looked up at him expectantly. “So, tell us, what did Robby say about you going on a cruise with three guys.”

  Ally paled as her eyes bounced over each of them. She shrugged and turned her attention back to her glass. “Nothing. He has no say so in what I do.”

  Jamie and RJ grinned at each other, both of them fighting smiles. “So, he wasn’t too thrilled huh?” RJ said.

  Ally huffed, rolled her eyes, and turned away from the table. “Like I said, he has no say so in what I do and besides, he doesn’t care.”

  “I know Robby’s a great guy and all that,” RJ said, resting his arms on the table. “But you can’t tell me he’s not the least bit jealous that you’re here with us – especially after…” He nodded his head in Cole’s direction.

  Cole snorted and feigned interest in the buffet and the stragglers who had wandered in and were picking at the leftovers.

  “Like I said, he doesn’t care,” she mumbled, lifting her glass to her lips. Cole caught the nervous tremble in her fingers as she set her glass down.

  “What’s up, Al?” he asked softly.

  “Nothing. Not a big deal,” she said, scrunching up her face in nonchalance. She looked at him, watching her carefully, then let her gaze wander to Jamie and finally RJ. She sighed and dropped her hands to her lap. “Fine, if you really want to know, Robby and I decided to just be friends.”

  Cole’s heart rejoiced at the news but he kept it from showing on his face. Her shoulders were slumped but her face portrayed no outward pain and he wondered if this decision had come before or after her eagerness to go away with them.

  “When did this happen?” RJ asked.

  “I don’t know,” she said. “A few weeks ago I guess.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Jamie demanded.

  She shot him a heated glare and he cowered in his chair. “Maybe I was tired of always whining to you guys about how incredibly screwed up my life is, huh? Maybe I didn’t want to tell you that I, once again, managed to hurt someone else.”

  “Al,” Cole said, fumbling for her hand under the table, struggling to conceal his delight. “You didn’t mess up anyone’s life. And we don’t think of it as whining – you know we all try to keep up with what’s going on in each other’s lives.”

  She managed a tiny smile as she squeezed his hand. “Thanks.” Her eyes remained locked with his and he could instantly feel the heat rise between them. But he wouldn’t act on it – not now. If she’d just broken things off with Robby, she needed a bit of time. Besides, there was a chance that she didn’t want to resume any sort of romantic relationship with him. Maybe she was happier with them being friends.

  “Enough drama,” RJ declared, pushing away from the table. “Let’s go find the lounge and see what kind of entertainment this bucket of bolts has.”

  They spent the next few days occupying their time engaging in different activities the ship offered when they were at sea or strolling through the beautiful towns when they docked. They laughed over RJ’s unusual souvenir choices and surprised Ally when they took her to swim with the dolphins.

  They stuck together, never pairing off or leaving one out, and slowly, that closeness they’d always shared came back.

  “Man, I’m not ready to go back to L.A. and work,” RJ grumbled on their last night. They were sprawled in deck chairs, gaping at the vast stars and talking quietly among themselves.

  “I know,” Cole groaned. “It’s been nice to be able to work in Chicago.”

  “I used to love going to the L.A. studio when I was kid,” Jamie added as he reclined his chair and tucked his hands behind his head.

  RJ and Cole laughed, leaving Ally to furrow her brows at them. “What’s so funny?”

  RJ continued to chortle as Cole cleared his throat and turned his head to Ally, who was sitting in the chair on his immediate left. “James used to have a thing for someone who worked there. What was her name again?”

  “Veronica,” Jamie said with flourish. “She was so deliciously gorgeous.”

  “Veronica?” Ally asked, bolting upright in her chair so she could lean over Cole and gawk at her cousin. “James! She was quite a bit older than you! I mean, she was, like, in her thirties when she worked there!”

  “So?” Cole asked, his voice so close to her ear. Her head snapped toward him and his eyes were mere inches from her. She slowly eased back into her own chair, her heart hammering away in her chest. “It was just a crush, Al.”

  “Yeah, Ally,” RJ said. “Don’t tell us you never had a crush on someone older when you were a kid.”

  Ally’s mouth clapped shut as she turned her attention to the stars. Her cheeks heated and she was grateful for the night and little moonlight that hid her embarrassment.

  But Jamie would have none of it. He sat straight up and laughed. “Oh, she has! She’s not denying it!”

  “Shut up, James,” she growled, her face growing warmer.

  “Who?” RJ asked gleefully. “Come on, Ally! We’re all friends here – fess up.”

  “Not on your life,” she said, tight-lipped.

  “It’s got to be good,” Cole said as he reached for her hand. “Tell us, princess.

  “Do not call me that,” she said, squirming in discomfort.

  “We promise we won’t laugh,” Jamie said with a chuckle in his voice. “Much.”

  “No way in hell,” she said firmly.

  Cole squeezed her head. “Then we’ll guess. Let’s see…”

  “Oh, I know,” RJ announced, nearly bouncing in his chair. “Rhys Redden. That would explain a lot!”

  “No,” she said tersely. “And don’t start on the whole Robby thing, either.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it,” Jamie said, thoroughly enjoying himself. “Hm, maybe that guy, Orlando, or whatever his name was – the roadie guy. The one all the chicks liked.”

  She huffed and ripped her hand from Cole. “His name was Owen and no, that’s not it either.”

  “Just tell us,” Cole said. “Or else they’ll keep this up all night.”

  “We’ll keep it up until we figure it out,” RJ threatened.

  She believed him. She knew they’d do it until they caught her at a weak moment and wheedled it out of her. It was best to get it over with and let them know on her own terms.