Out of the Shadow (12 page)

“
Hello?” she said, a little breathless.

“
Hey, princess,” Cole said. “Are you enjoying your last few hours of freedom?”

Guilt flowed through her veins and her hands trembled. Would he know that she was close to….whatever?

“
Hey, Cole,” she said, chancing a quick glance at Robby. He smiled at her and pointed toward the restrooms. She nodded, grateful that he was giving her a bit of privacy. “Yeah, sure. I’m actually having lunch with Robby Redden right now. I already showed him around a little bit – showing him how Chicago is better than L.A. Did you know he’s working with my dad and your dad now?”

She was rambling nervously but she couldn’t stop it. And she knew he’d be able to tell. Would he suspect something or would he know that she’d never do anything to hurt him? And was that even true? Hadn’t she been close to experiencing some kind of … moment with Robby right before Cole had called?

“
No,” he said slowly. “I didn’t know he was working there. When did that happen?”

“
Just recently I guess,” she said, slowing her words and grasping her whirling mind firmly. “I went to the studio to see if Nate and my dad wanted to take me to lunch but they were gone and I ran into Robby.”

“
Oh, I see,” he said and she could hear the skepticism in his voice. It hurt and worried her.

“
Where are you?” she asked, desperately. “Are you anywhere close? Jeez, I miss you, Cole.”

“
I know, princess,” he said with a long sigh. She heard the flick of a lighter and her heart fell. He was smoking again. He’d promised her he’d quit and RJ had told her that he had for the most part and only smoked when he was stressed. “We’re in Boulder so no, we’re not real close. I thought you had a copy of our itinerary?”

“
I do but it’s in my calendar on my phone,” she said. “I can’t access it while I’m talking to you.” She sighed and glanced toward the restrooms, wondering if Robby intended on hiding out there while she was on the phone. “So, are you going to tell me what this favor is that you’ve asked Jamie yet?”

He chuckled and her heart filled with affection. She did miss him so much. “Not a chance. You’ll find out soon enough.”

She groaned. “You two are driving me crazy. Maybe I should call RJ – he’ll tell me anything. It’s easy to weasel things out of him.”

Cole laughed heartily and exhaled. Damn cigarettes – she hated them. “I haven’t even told him for that very reason. Sorry, Al, but you’ll just have to wait.”

“
I love you, Cole,” she said, tears prickling her eyes. She had no idea where they came from but all of a sudden, they were there.

“
I know that,” he said in a gentle voice. “Hey, I’ll see you soon. The tour is winding down and we’ll get together first chance I get. I promise you that.”

“
Okay,” she said, cheered at the thought.

“
Are you with Robby right now?” he asked.

“
We’re at the little pizza place but he went to the bathroom when I answered the phone.” She released a giggle. “He probably didn’t want to hear me lavish you with love and sappy pet names. He’s probably embarrassed.”

“
So lavish me with love,” he said in a husky tone. “I’m a man – I can take it.”

“
I love you with all my heart, Cole Crawford,” she declared. “I will always love you and only you. My heart is yours and yours alone.”

“
As mine is yours,” he said. “I’ll let you go so Robby can come out of the bathroom. Call me later tonight, okay?”

“
I will,” she said.

“
And princess, remember that as much as you love me, I love you even more.”

She hung up the phone, huge smile on her face. Robby returned to the table at the same time the waitress delivered the pizza and Ally couldn’t remember what had had her nervous in the first place.

***

Cole fisted his phone as he stepped out on the balcony and inhaled the fresh air. The mountains loomed in the distance and he thought he’d never seen such a beautiful sight. He leaned on the balcony rail and closed his eyes, allowing the breeze to ruffle his hair and chase away his insecurities.

He reached blindly into his back pocket and produced a crumpled pack of cigarettes. He opened his eyes to consider them carefully, knowing he should just toss them to the ground. But he didn’t. He shook one out and lit it, ignoring the voice in the back of his head – her voice, begging him to just smash the rest of the pack and let the wind blow the remnants away.

He lit one and held it between his fingers as muffled footsteps sounded on the balcony.

“
Dude, what are you doing?” RJ asked as he joined him near the rail. He snatched the cigarette pack out of Cole’s hand and lit one for himself. He coughed and frowned. “Man, these things taste nasty. How did I ever smoke them before?”

Cole laughed as he dropped his to the ground and crushed it with his shoe. “I don’t know. I guess when you’ve been off them for awhile, they begin to taste nasty.”

RJ crushed his out with his own shoe and rested his back against the rail. He nodded at Cole’s phone. “Did you talk to Ally?”

“
Yeah,” Cole said, that bit of uncertainty niggling the back of his mind. He shifted and leaned his hip against the rail. “Hey, did you know Robby Redden is working in Chicago now?”

“
No,” RJ said, his face washed in disbelief. “Really?”

“
Yeah,” Cole confirmed.

“
Did he get into an argument with his dad or something?”

Cole shrugged and glanced over his shoulder at the mountains, drawing comfort in their serenity. “I don’t know. But I just called Al and she was hanging out with Robby – showing him around and stuff.”

RJ nodded slowly as a wide smile formed on his face. He chuckled and punched Cole lightly on the shoulder. “Dude, they’re friends, that’s all. Ally loves you and Robby is cool – neither of them would do anything that would hurt you.”

Cole snorted. “I know. I’m not worried.”

“
Sure you are,” RJ said, seriousness in his eyes. “It’s been tough on you two being this far away. Hell, it’s been tough on me, too, being away from her and Jamie and we’re just friends. I miss them – miss the four of us hanging out. But you and Ally have found a way to make things work, bro. It’s tough now but it will get easier. The tour will be over soon and we’ll have a little break before we get to work on the new CD.”

“
I’m not worried,” Cole lied. “I trust Ally.”

And he did trust her. He trusted her completely. He just wasn’t sure if he trusted Robby. He knew it wasn’t fair – Robby truly was a good guy – but it was hard not to think of things when he was hundreds and hundreds of miles away.

His mind wandered to Robby Redden. They hadn’t known each other long or very well, but what Cole did know of him, he liked. Cole, RJ, and Ren had wanted to work with Rhys Redden and Redden Records L.A. claiming that they didn’t want to have anyone think they’d only been signed because Nate ran Redden Records Chicago with Jay. It was a pain to have to fly out to California so much but it was also easier on the other hand. As Rhys Redden had become busier with the new bands he had coming in, Out of Control had been forced to work with Robby, who had gone to work for his father straight out of college.

“
I like Robby,” Cole said in all honesty. “He’s great. He’s smart and knows what he’s doing.”

“
I agree,” RJ said. “He’s one of those good guys – a gentleman type. He wouldn’t move in on your woman.”

“
I know,” Cole said with a long sigh. The truth finally settled inside him as he realized that RJ was indeed right. Robby definitely wasn’t the type to do that sort of thing and Ally was totally devoted to Cole. Besides, she was leaving for college soon and would be spending all her time in her little college town – not too far away from Robby but far enough to put a little space on the growing friendship.

“
We have an interview with
Rock News Weekly
in about an hour,” RJ reminded him. “Down in the conference room. They’re supposed to bring a photographer.”

“
Great,” Cole said sarcastically. He loathed having his picture taken. “Guess I’ll run through the shower and meet you down there.”

RJ clapped Cole on the back and grinned. “Make sure you wash, man. Fans might not be able to smell you when they look at your picture but we’ll be able to smell you when that picture is taken.”

Cole tried to glare at his friend but ended up laughing instead. He shoved RJ gently and headed back into his room to gather his clothes.

***

“
This is a big deal, boys, so pay attention,” Lila said as Cole sat on a table next to RJ. Ren and Parker pulled out a couple of chairs and watched as Lila paced the floor in front of them.

“
If this is such a big deal, then why isn’t Doug here?” Parker asked. Ren grinned and bumped Parker’s fist.

“
I’m glad you boys think this is funny,” Lila frowned. “It’s not. And Doug will be here soon – he’s at the desk waiting for the
Rock News Weekly
people. He asked me to prep you guys.”

Parker stood, a smirk toying on his face, and held out his arms wide. “So, prep us.”

RJ guffawed and bumped his shoulder into Cole’s. “I love this guy!”

Cole rolled his eyes as Lila’s gaze landed on him. A smirk of his own curled his lips as he shrugged at her as if to say “what are you going to do?”

“
I’m glad you boys think this is funny,” she said, her smoky eyes narrowed. Her lips were painted a deep red, making them appear luscious and plump. “But this article will be read by fans and potential fans all over the world. You’d better start taking it a little more seriously.”

RJ, inspired by Parker’s actions, hopped off the table and approached Lila with a solemn expression on his face. He took her hand and kissed it. “You are absolutely right, oh Wise One. We’ll take this with as much seriousness as us boys can manage!”

She snatched her hand out of his grasp and stalked to the door. She twisted and glared over her shoulder. “You’re lucky you’re so talented because your attitudes suck.”

She yanked the door open and disappeared, her high heels clacking on the ceramic tiles of the corridor. RJ waited exactly ten seconds before bursting in a fit of laughter that bent him at the waist and brought tears to his eyes. He tossed an arm around Parker and squeezed his neck.

“
Oh, that girl,” RJ said, wiping his face. “She’ll be a damn good tour manager if she can make it through the rest of our tour.”

Cole smiled as he turned his eyes toward the door. He agreed with RJ but unfortunately, he had to agree with Lila, too. He raked his fingers through his hair just as Doug appeared with the
Rock News Weekly
reporter and photographer.

Cole slid off the table and punched RJ’s arm. “Come on, man, let’s do this. Let’s do this right.”

RJ’s laughter stopped as he flashed Cole a grin. “Sure, bro. Not a problem.”

Cole’s heart picked up an extra beat as the photographer descended upon them and the reporter introduced himself. He’d do it right and make his father proud. And Ally – he’d make her proud, too.

Chapter Eight

Ally went through the motions of unpacking her skirts and blouses and hanging them carefully in the tiny closet she’d obviously have to share with her roommate. Once that task was finished, she set about putting her under things, pajamas, and other items in the bureau drawers. She’d managed to restrain packing her entire wardrobe – not an easy feat for her - and finished unpacking her clothes in just twenty minutes.