Out of the Shadow by Jl Paul Read Free Book Online Page B

cheeks. “That’s kind of boring, isn’t it?”
    Ally couldn’t help but smile. “Maybe.”
    “ I’ll take you for ice cream, if you want,” he offered with a shrug. “I feel a little responsible for Cole and the others leaving so soon.”
    “ Why would you feel responsible?” she asked. “It’s not your fault.”
    He folded his arms over his chest and cocked his head. “Well, actually, I was the one who suggested to my father to call his buddy in San Diego. My father did, and next thing you know, the guys are leaving tonight instead of tomorrow.”
    “ It’s not your fault,” she said and then grinned. “But I’ll let you take me for ice cream – just to make you feel better.”
    “ Deal,” he said with a wide smile that nearly stole her breath. He was a very handsome young man. “Come on.” He paused to glance at Jamie. “Come with us if you have time.”
    “ I don’t,” Jamie said with a wolfish smirk. “Mikayla awaits.”
    “ Oh, jeez, James,” Ally said with a vicious roll of her eyes. “You’re turning into some sort of player, aren’t you?”
    “ Hey,” Jamie said. “I can’t help it if the girls find me irresistible.”
    Ally grabbed Robby’s arm and dragged him away from her cousin, shaking her head in disgust. “Get me out of here before I puke.”
 
    ***
 
    Robby took her to a quaint ice cream parlor with pink striped awnings and a patio complete with round tables and little umbrellas that matched the awnings. The store smelled like the inside of a bubble gum machine, all sickly sweet but unbearably appetizing.
    She paced in front of the case, her eyes bulging as she stared at all the luscious flavors just waiting to be sampled. The bored teenager with the pink striped apron and the paper hat sighed as he waited for Ally to decide.
    “ What are you thinking?” Robby asked as he pointed at the Butter Pecan.
    “ I want all of it,” she said. “All of it in one humungous bowl.”
    He lifted a brow as his lips curled slightly on the corners. “And a humungous spoon, too?”
    She giggled, relaxing in his presence. “I guess I’ll go with good old mint chocolate chip.”
    The bored teenager snapped to attention and got to work, scooping their requested flavors into bowls. He carried them to the register and Robby whipped out his wallet, paying before Ally could object.
    They carried their ice cream outside and sat beneath a striped umbrella. They were only a few blocks from the beach and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore carried to the patio but silence descended upon them as they started shoveling ice cream in their mouths until Robby finally took a break.
    “ How long have you been playing softball?” he asked.
    Ally set her bowl on the table and screwed her face up in thought. “I’m not really sure. I’ve been playing for as long as I remember. Every time Jamie would come over, we’d run out to the backyard and play something.”
    Robby chuckled as he shoved another spoonful in his mouth. “So, you and Jamie aren’t musical at all?”
    “ Not exactly,” Ally said. “I mean, our dads taught us to play the guitar but it just didn’t …stick, I guess I mean to say. Neither one of us got into it much, but our dads were okay with that. I think they were both a little disappointed but hey, they both have other kids to bug.”
    Robby smiled, his eyes lighting up. “That’s right – you have a little brother. Does he play?”
    “ He does, but not as much as I think my dad would like. He’s much better than me. And Trevor, Jamie’s little brother, likes to play, but it’s just a hobby for him.”
    “ You mean, they don’t get into it like Cole, RJ, and Ren?”
    “ Exactly,” Ally said. “But, Dad and Uncle Mark helped out with Cole, RJ, and Ren so I guess they got their fix.”
    “ What do you mean?” he asked, scraping ice cream from the sides of his bowl.
    “ Nate and Cole worked incessantly on the drums so my dad gave Cole some guitar