Offbeat (Love and Music In Texas Book 5) Read online

  Life is full of choices...

  Right before she turned sixteen, Taryn McAllister made several rebellious choices, one which led her to become the drummer for a major teen sensation country star. After a deadly accident, she made another choice- to get back on the wagon and play drums again, no matter that it took adapting because she's confined to a wheelchair.

  Now another set of choices is thrust upon her. After reconnecting with her estranged best friend, Taryn is offered a chance to play drums for a local Texas band ready for the Nashville move. Her once strong confidence is shaken, and she's torn between her love of music and the reality that it might not work out.

  Chris Roland made a string of bad choices, and it's left him feeling numb. Now he's playing the drums temporarily for his sister's band, but he knows this isn't the life for him. Problem is, he doesn't know what direction to go. He knows what he doesn't want, but can't decide on what he does want.

  And then he meets Taryn, the feisty drummer who could be his replacement. He's relieved for a chance to break away....that is until he gets to know her. And while he's getting to know her, she's helping to open up a part of his soul that was long dead and buried.

  It's high time to make the right choices. It's just a matter of deciding what choice is right.

  Offbeat

  by

  Nikki Lynn Barrett

  Copyright 2016 by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Publisher’s note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Acknowledgments

  Again, a shout out to my usual suspects. My husband, for your crazy little photos for more chapters.

  My family, for the love of books throughout my life.

  Michelle, for (come back to it). Thanks for unknowingly being the inspiration for the Taryn/Kyra banter.

  Dedication

  Offbeat is dedicated to my favorite neighborhood growing up. It might have been a small, dead end street in a big city, but my inspiration for my small Texas town was created by how I felt those four years growing up on Edinburg, my favorite neighborhood out of all the places we lived. I have so many fond (And some not so fond) memories that I'll always treasure.

  Dear Reader,

  I know, I know. I took FOREVER with this book. This is what happens when I get caught up in several series. I was all excited for Offbeat after Fallen Idol came out, but I had a Masterpiece Trilogy to end, a few stand alone novellas to write, a Complicated Christmas to get past, and then start a new book that was supposed to stand alone and.... Yeah, you know how Queen of My Heart went.

  Back to Offbeat. I knew before diving into Fallen Idol that Offbeat would be about Chris, that he'd be the hero. I had some of his story in mind. Then it dawned on me when I brought Taryn in to talk to Kyra that maybe she needed her story told. I just didn't realize how much these two would need the other to change the course of their lives. It was quite interesting to get into Taryn's head, and Chris' too, for that matter. When I first created him in The Melody In My Head, I didn't know at that time he'd get a story...but by the time The Key To My Heart was written I figured why not?

  I had a blast with this book. Wedding planning, estranged friends learning to put the past behind them, lots of wit and banter, a pinch of suspense, and big changes for the Baby Stetson band. Oh, and a lot of surprises I didn't expect for Chris or Taryn, but after I wrote them, they make a lot of sense.

  You might have noticed a trend with me. (Something aside from series instead of stand alones!) I've been challenging myself with characters with a different type of disability. First off, not everybody is bulky, muscular, thin, and beautiful. I know, reading is an escape, but I just don't fit that mold of writing Alphas, perfect characters, ect. I write about character types that are inspiring to me, because I know people in real life who have obstacles and they overcome them all the time.

  Also, because of a slip up, I have an extra scene at the end of the book involving Kyra, Matt, Andrew, and two other characters (from the start of a brand new series, Quinn and Tucker.) From here on out, there will be a few cameos of the Love and Music in Texas characters and the Life Won't Wait characters.

  I hope you enjoy Taryn and Chris' story in Offbeat, and get ready because coming this summer is Skyrocket! If you wanted more of Matt and Kyra and to know how Kyra's comeback went, well, you'll get to read more in Skyrocket!

  Nikki Lynn

  Prologue

  Six years ago

  “Best. Show. Ever!” Taryn squealed, holding out a hand for a high five from her best friend. They'd just come off the stage from another sizzling performance. Taryn felt like flying! She and the band were on top of the world. Playing drums for country music sensation Kyra Sanders … yep, couldn't get much better than that. Well, unless James proposed, but they were barely in their twenties, and somehow Taryn didn't see engagement announcements happening any time soon.

  “You killed it up there, drummer girl!” Kyra grinned from ear to ear. Beads of sweat on her face glinted in the light as they darted through the backstage chaos. “Not that I'm surprised or anything.”

  “You weren't so bad yourself. I tell you though, it's going to be nice to have a couple weeks off before we go back on tour,” Taryn admitted, sweeping her wet locks from her face. Once they arrived in the dressing room, she'd grab the first clip or hair tie she spotted to get the hair away from her neck.

  “I know. I can go back to Texas and spend it with my family. It'll be the first time I get to see their new house in person.” Kyra spun around in a circle. “You want to come home with me? Mom and Dad would love to see you.”

  “You're not taking Jordan with you?” Taryn asked. Jordan and Kyra were hot and heavy lately. Dating for over a year, the rumors flying about them lately were that Kyra would become a married woman within the next few months. They were the media's favorite young couple these days. Jordan played lead guitar in Kyra's band, and their chemistry on stage didn't go unnoticed to all the fans.

  “No. He's heading to California to see his grandparents. I might fly out to spend a weekend with him if I get a chance. What about you? Anything with James?” Kyra pushed open the dressing room door and thanked the security team for escorting them. “We'll be out in a while for meet and greets.”

  And finally, some calm. For a little while, anyway. Taryn grabbed her long forgotten clip and pinned her waves in an uneven scrunch before shoving the claw through the tangles. “I don't know. Something seems off with him lately,” Taryn admitted, falling on one of the plush chairs. Her feet ached. She stretched her arms over her head and her legs out in front of her.

  “What do you mean?” Kyra searched through the pile of clothes, but stopped at Taryn's words.

  “Family stuff, I think. His brother is being really weird.”

  “Oh, the one who's been in and out of juvie? That sucks.” Kyra frowned.

  “I know. Oh, to answer your question, I'd love to go home with you.” Taryn had no family to go home to. She'd declared emancipation at sixteen and flew the coop. Her father hadn't spoken to her much since. Kyra's family always made her feel welcome. They never judged or asked personal questions, just accepted her as one of their own. It worked out well, because Kyra was like a sister to her. As an only child, she never had anyone to do these thin
gs with. Ever since meeting Kyra, they grew close almost immediately and had become pretty inseparable.

  “Yes!” Kyra pumped a fist in the air. “I'll tell Mom to make up a room. I can't wait!”

  Taryn couldn't either. She cracked her knuckles and prepared to change. She wouldn't be joining Kyra for the meet and greets, so she planned to get a little bit of rest in case they decided to do anything in early celebration for Kyra's twenty-first birthday tomorrow. Plus, Kyra's latest tune went to number one on the radio, and they all felt like doing something. Taryn's text notification went off, and she jumped up to search for her phone, finding it all the way at the bottom of her purse. She read the message and glanced at Kyra. Well, interesting... “James said Leandra invited us to a party tonight. She wants to congratulate you on your number one success.”

  “Leandra? She never wants to be nice to me.” Kyra's confusion showed as she narrowed her eyes.

  “Maybe she's turning over a new leaf. Are you in?” Leandra Ashlyn was the only other young country singer to match Kyra's success, and the other woman made it obvious how she felt about Kyra and the band. This struck Taryn as odd too, but she'd give the girl the benefit of the doubt.

  Kyra shrugged. “Sure. Let me tell Jordan so he can tell Ralphie. Are you coming to hang with me at the meet and greet?”

  “Would you be offended if I didn't? I was going to catch a nap.” Often times, they did these things together, even though the fans wanted more of Kyra than anyone in the band, which suited Taryn fine. She didn't care for the spotlight. She only wanted to play music, not that she ever imagined playing in Kyra's band or even becoming so close with her.

  “Yes, I'm going to stomp my foot and cry.” Kyra stomped her foot for effect. “Of course not! Want me to come get you when we're ready to go?”

  “That works.” Taryn laughed, then replied to James to let him know they were in. “I'm going to tell him to text Jordan and Ralphie, since you're going to be busy with meet and greets.”

  “Thanks! Good thinking. I'd better finish getting cleaned up. I'm sure no one wants to shake a sweaty hand.” Kyra made a sour face.

  “Uhh, Kyra. You get marriage proposals on a daily basis. I'm sure they'll want to shake a sweaty anything if that means touching you.” Taryn giggled.

  “Eww. The way you said that-” Kyra shuddered.

  “I did it on purpose.” She finished the text and hit send, then leaned back on the chair and closed her eyes. No matter how exhausted she was at the moment, this was the life.

  She'd never take this for granted.

  *****

  Taryn's head ached. Each beat of the loud music felt like a hammer straight to her brain. Unease grew in her stomach. She couldn't see straight. “Kyra!” She tried to call for her friend, but Kyra was nowhere in sight. “Something's not right.”

  What was happening? Taryn tried to piece together the night. The concert. A nap. Kyra waking her up after meet and greets. They all got in the car and headed to some place she couldn't even remember the name. Leandra and a few of her friends were there.

  They'd toasted to Kyra's success, then sang an early happy birthday to her. There'd been dancing. She'd been doing some crazy dance with Kyra, then with James.

  So why couldn't she move? Why did everything hurt? Darkness surrounded her, and other than moans and cries, it was eerily quiet. There was some other sound, but she couldn't decipher what it was.

  She opened her eyelids with difficulty and discovered they weren't at the party. There wasn't any loud music. Where the hell were they? “J-James?” He'd been by her side, right? Where was he now? For that matter, where the hell was she? Why did everything hurt?

  Alarm and panic charged through her.

  Someone whimpered, their voice full of agony. Loud sirens pierced the night.

  “I think he's dead,” someone whispered. “What happened? What the hell happened?”

  “Kyra? Ralphie?” Taryn tried again, attempting to understand her surroundings. “Who's dead?”

  “Taryn, how much do you remember?” Was that Jordan or Ralphie talking?

  “I-I don't know. What happened?” Taryn croaked.

  “Focus, Taryn. We had an accident, and it was a bad one. I think help is on it's way. Does anything hurt? Are you bleeding?” It scared her to no end that she couldn't figure out who was talking.

  “I- everything hurts. Why don't I hear James? Where's Kyra?” She forced her eyes open a little more. She had to focus. Something rolled down her cheek and she swiped at it. Blood. Lots of blood. Taryn turned her head to the side and vomited. Reality sunk in, but the events that led them to this were foggy as hell.

  “K-Kyra's in the driver's seat. She's not moving. James- Oh God, Taryn. I don't know how to tell you this. James was ejected from the car.” That was Ralphie's voice, and he was in tears.

  The party. The music. When did they leave? Why did they leave? Taryn's mind still had a foggy daze. She couldn't remember the last few hours. They'd been having a blast. Right?

  “I don't remember Kyra getting behind the wheel,” Jordan announced frantically. “I don't remember that at all, so why is she there?”

  “I don't remember much of anything!” Taryn cried, taking in the news that she'd just been in an accident, James was dead, and Kyra had been behind the wheel.

  And she couldn't feel a thing below her waist.

  *****

  Two days after the accident

  “You'll never walk again.”

  Taryn heard the doctor's sorrowful words, but they didn't soak in right away. She blinked, unsure of everything at the moment. Doped up on pain meds, she'd been in and out lately. Maybe this was a dream. She'd blink, open her eyes, and wouldn't have heard this.

  In an attempt to shake it off, Taryn did just that. She closed her eyes, made one last wish although hope faded fast, then opened her eyes.

  The doctor still stood beside her with that same sad look.

  There was nothing they could do.

  “Paralyzed? Are you sure?” Memories of her life before this accident ran in her mind like a photo album. She'd been at the top of the world, celebrating with Kyra. Her best friend. Her sister at heart. The one who put her here in the first place. Damn her! Damn Kyra! How could she get to walk away- literally- when Taryn's legs were defunct and would never work again?

  Forget about me. What about James? He never had a chance to do anything at all!

  He'd died on impact.

  Hot tears burned her eyes. I hate her! I hate Kyra!

  “We're sure, Ms. McAllister. Is there anyone you want us to call for you?” The doctor's sympathetic stare continued to stab her in the heart. Would that be all she got now? Those stupid pity looks because she was a broken mess?

  “No, I'll make the appropriate calls. If we're done here, then please leave me be.” She leaned back in the stupid hospital bed. No walking. No running. No swimming. No drumming! How did she move forward and come to terms with this? How would she play drums again? How would she ever show her face in the music world after getting into the stupid car with Kyra two nights ago?

  The police had come by several times to collect information about the accident. There'd been another car with Leandra Ashlyn and a few of her people. They'd seen the whole thing. The semi had come out of nowhere. Kyra had alcohol in her system.

  They all had alcohol in their system.

  She didn't remember drinking. They weren't all twenty-one yet. They'd just wanted to celebrate and have a good night. When the hell had she picked up a drink?

  Taryn couldn't tell them much at all. She didn't remember. She closed her eyes and willed this to be a bad dream that she'd wake up from soon. Nice try. Not. This wasn't a dream.

  “Taryn?”

  That voice. Kyra's voice.

  She snapped her eyelids open and glared at her. “Who the hell let you in here?”

  Kyra hobbled over, tears streaking down her cheeks. Cuts and bruises were all over her. So much for country mus
ic's pretty face. “How bad is it?”

  “My boyfriend is dead, and I just got told I'll never walk again. How bad is it? It's pretty damn bad, Kyra, and it's all your fault! Get out of here! I don't want to see you again! Leave! I hate you!” Taryn screeched, looking for something, anything at all, to toss at her. She found the half of a heart best friend necklace Kyra had given her a few years ago, tore it off, and tossed it at her. “Nurse! Get her out of here! Get her out!” Taryn broke down in agonizing sobs. She clenched her left fist, wishing she could hurl it right at Kyra.

  Kyra froze, her mouth dropped in utter horror and shame as she bent to pick up the necklace, attempted to get back to her feet, then left the room. The last words Taryn heard from her were continuous apologies.

  “Sorry won't fix this!” she screeched at Kyra's retreating back.

  Chapter One

  Six years later

  Taryn had a message waiting for her when she arrived home from her latest open mic night gig. She checked the caller ID first, but the number didn't spark any recognition. She thought nothing of it until she heard the voice mail.

  “I'm looking for Taryn McAllister. My name is Matt Greer, and I'm calling in regards to Kyra Sanders-”

  Taryn hung up with a gasp, unable to listen to the rest of the message. Go figure. Another caller wanting information about Kyra.

  Then she dialed it again. Shit! Had she lost the message by not listening all the way?

  Kyra Sanders. Even hearing that name dredged up a thousand different memories. Some good, some bad, most a bit of both.