Out of the Shadow Read Online Free PDF

from the fence and took the steps two at a time, shuffling through the spectators until they reached their family. Liz Jones stood and hugged them, setting off a chain reaction of greetings, as they continued on to the end of the row.
    “ When did you guys get in?” Nate asked as he scooted over to make room for his son.
    “ About an hour ago,” Cole said. “We checked into the hotel and rushed over here. We probably won’t be able to stay for the whole game.”
    “ Ally will be happy that you made part of it,” Nate mused.
    Cole nodded his agreement, happy he’d made part of the game, also.
 
    ***
 
    The game turned into a blowout, Team Illinois winning by a score of fifteen to three. Ally joined in the minor celebration in the dugout then hurried to the family area, anxious to see Cole – to touch him.
    But her happiness was short-lived when she found her group and noticed Cole’s absence with an ache that nearly brought her to her knees. She sucked back her agony and slipped a neutral expression on her face as she accepted congratulations from her parents, her aunt and uncle, and Nate and Stacy. They talked excitedly about the game and her part in it until she excused herself to hit the showers.
    She returned to the family area, dejectedly, and found only Jamie leaning patiently against the brick building. She stopped in front of him and dropped her bag at his feet.
    “ Is everybody abandoning me now?” she asked, horrified at the tears burning the back of her throat.
    Jamie smiled and tugged her into a hug. “Nah, cuz. Everyone went to that pizza place to get a seat. Besides, they know you’re trying to keep a low profile and they were attracting quite a bit of attention. I don’t know that your teammates noticed them, but be warned that they might have. Anyway, I volunteered to be your escort.” He kissed the top of her head. “And you know that Cole, RJ, and the others had to get to the venue.”
    She sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I know. Thanks. Let’s get out of here.”
    After a rather rowdy dinner, Jamie drove Ally back to the complex, parking near her dorm. She smiled and thanked him but he grabbed her arm before she could exit the car.
    “ What time is curfew and bed check?” he asked, mischief glittering in his eyes.
    “ Ten is curfew. The bed check is like fifteen minutes later. Why?” she asked, warily.
    “ Meet me here as soon as you can after bed check,” he said. “Bring your roommate if you want.”
    “ James,” she warned.
    “ Do you want to see Cole or not?” he asked.
    Her heart fluttered and even though she hated taking a chance, her desire to see Cole overwhelmed her. She sighed as a quiver of excitement rushed through her. “Okay. I’ll be here.”
    “ Awesome,” he grinned, flashing bright, white teeth. “But if you can’t make it or you chicken out, give me a call.”
    “ Okay,” she said as she hopped out of the car and ran to her room.
 
    ***
    “ Lisa, shh,” Ally warned, glancing surreptitiously over her shoulder. She grabbed Lisa’s hand and ran along the tree line to the parking lot where Jamie’s car sat, idling with no headlights on. “There he is.”
    The jumped in the car and buckled their seatbelts as Jamie maneuvered the car out of the lot and onto the road. Ally’s heart didn’t stop thumping until they reached the highway and the complex was out of view.
    “ I honestly thought you’d turn coward on me, Allyson Jane,” Jamie mused, glancing quickly at her. “I’m impressed.”
    “ Yeah, well, whatever,” she said, folding her arms over her chest. “Just because you, RJ, and Cole used to sneak off campus when we were in school doesn’t make you an expert.”
    He laughed and shot Lisa an amused look in the rearview mirror. “Did Ally tell you we used to attend boarding school together?”
    “ No,” Lisa said. “That’s cool.”
    “ It was sort of boring,” Ally said.
    Jamie’s laughter shook his body as he