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

  She should go to bed. Tomorrow loomed over her, and it already promised to be a busy day. But that message wouldn't stop haunting her mind. Who was this Matt Greer person, and what did he want with her that involved Kyra? Was he a reporter? Kyra's latest song came out on the radio recently, no doubt causing a stir among the world, as this would be her first release after six years.

  “The show must go on,” Taryn muttered bitterly. And she was the one left behind. No, not quite true. Taryn didn't care to talk to Kyra. If the reporters were going to start hounding her because Kyra planned to make a comeback, then Taryn planned to tell them what was really on her mind.

  She dialed her voice mail again and listened all the way through. “I'm looking for Taryn McAllister. My name is Matt Greer, and I'm calling in regards to Kyra Sanders and the accident six years ago. I know this isn't any of my business and I shouldn't even be reaching out to people Kyra doesn't talk to any more, but she's being threatened, as is her family. I'm not looking for anything other than closure for people I care about. Please consider calling me back.” He rattled off his number. “I don't care what time.”

  Taryn saved the message and leaned back in her chair in shock. Damn it, if only she'd left it alone until tomorrow. She wouldn't rest until she knew what this Matt Greer person wanted. Once more, Taryn listened to the message, jotted down Matt's number, then dialed it.

  Nerves danced in her belly. Taryn headed toward the living room, unable to stay in one place for long. Each ring made her skin tingle with anticipation. When she thought Matt wouldn't answer, he did. “Hello?”

  “This is Taryn McAllister. You called me about Kyra,” she stated, her tone neutral.

  Silence. Did he hang up?

  “Umm, hello?”

  “I didn't think you'd actually call me back.” Matt breathed a sigh of relief on the other end.

  “Are you a reporter? I'm getting real tired of people contacting me just because Kyra's making a comeback.”

  “No, I have nothing to do with that. Look, I'm … kind of involved with Kyra. I'm close with her family, and she just came back to Texas because of a suspicious fire. The only thing I'm trying to gain here is closure for the family, especially Kyra.”

  “I haven't talked to her in six years.”

  “I know. She told me.”

  “Then what is it you want from me, Matt?”

  “Answers,” he said after another stretch of silence.

  She laughed bitterly. “What, does she think I have anything to do with whoever is making her comeback difficult? I have better things to do with my time.”

  “Look, you were there that night. Kyra doesn't remember, and it's really getting to her. I don't trust her management team-”

  “Mark? Is she still working with Mark?” That set Taryn on edge. When she'd tried to contact Kyra three years ago- the one and only time since yelling at her ex-best friend that she never wanted to see her again, Mark practically freaked.

  “Yeah, Mark.” So Matt didn't like him either. There was annoyance in his tone now.

  Why did she have to get involved? Taryn thought about hanging up, but not before telling Matt to leave her completely out of this.

  Three years ago stuck out in her mind. She had something to say then. Maybe Matt calling was a sign she needed to try again. But did she really want to get involved? Taryn had her life just the way she wanted it- out of the public spotlight and completely situated in her new routine.

  Ha. You aren't happy this way, and you won't be unless you tell Kyra what you suspect about six years ago.

  Taryn sighed. “What do you need me to do?”

  “I don't know. I'd hoped you had answers. Really, I'm just grasping at anything I can. Someone is going out of their way to scare her, and it's working.”

  She didn't have to talk to this man too long to know Matt had feelings for Kyra. And then she had to go and blurt things that she shouldn't have asked out loud. “How is she? I mean, aside from why you're calling.”

  Yeah, she wanted to know. Damn it. Taryn hated to admit it, but she missed Kyra.

  “She's good. I mean, I guess … this is hard to answer, considering I've only known her for a few weeks.”

  “I'm doing an open mic night tomorrow out here. Why don't you two come by? I guess I'll talk to her.”

  He breathed a sigh of relief on the other end. “Thank you. I knew the moment I made the call I was butting in, but I've been talking to Kyra's father, and your name comes up a lot.”

  So they still talked about her even to this day. Huh. Interesting. “Don't believe everything you hear,” she cracked in a lame attempt to lighten the mood. “So I guess … see you tomorrow night?”

  “Yes, most definitely. Thank you, Taryn.”

  So thanks to Matt Greer, Kyra Sanders reentered Taryn's life, and she wasn't sure how to feel about it.

  She would just talk to her and see where things go. That's it.

  *****

  Five weeks later

  Country singer's name cleared after a startling truth discovered.

  Twenty-six year old Kyra Sanders, her band members, and her family can rest easy after six years of deceit is uncovered.

  Country singer Leandra Ashlyn and her accomplice Brandon McKay admit to a murder plot gone wrong involving rival singer Sanders and her band mates. Formerly charged with involuntary manslaughter, the world was led to believe Kyra drove the night her car collided with a semi. It was believed alcohol and reckless driving came in to play, impairing Sanders' ability to drive. The accident claimed the lives of James-

  “I can't even read any more!” Taryn folded the paper in her lap, forcing herself to stop. Seeing James' name broke her heart, among other feelings that resurfaced ever since the truth came to light.

  Utter chaos. Cameras flashed, blinding Taryn as Kyra Sanders' latest team ushered them inside a building for the first interview since the headlines broke two weeks ago. The time had come to sit down for an interview. Taryn couldn't see Kyra, who must be behind her somewhere, sandwiched between two bodyguards. Jordan, another former band member and Kyra's ex, walked ahead of Taryn, his head bowed and sunglasses covering his face. Reporters screamed out questions as they passed, but as advised this morning, no one made any type of comment back to them.

  One interview, and this would be all Taryn said on the matter. She didn't want to rehash the past. When would this nightmare end? The accident changed the course of her entire life in several ways, and it wasn't until recently that she had anything to do with anyone from that other lifetime.

  One of the crew at the TV station greeted them. “Welcome! Let's get you situated in a room, and then we'll get the set ready for you to come out when it's time. What a wild zoo out there!”

  Ya think? Taryn kept the remark to herself. She wanted this damn day over and done with. Going on public record to talk about this didn't go anywhere on the top of her bucket list. In fact, it didn't even make the list. One time. This would be the one time, and anyone else better back the hell off so she could move on with the rest of her life.

  Not that it would happen easily. Kyra lived in the spotlight, and as her former drummer, Taryn would get the tail end of the BS.

  Finally situated in a room, the three were left alone for a while. Tense silence bounced off the walls. The three of them didn't know what to say. Wonderful. Taryn had spoken to Kyra several times since Matt contacted her, but their conversations were always intense and awkward.

  “I appreciate you both for doing this,” Kyra spoke up. “I don't want to keep going over the accident and the truth day after day, either. I can't wait until it dies down.”

  “It's frustrating that Ralphie gets away from all of this,” Jordan muttered.

  “I know.” Kyra stopped in her tracks. “But he's in Australia and wasn't as affected as the rest of us were, which is why I appreciate you all the more.” Her gaze met Taryn's. Sorrow filled her eyes. Ever since reconnecting, Kyra's life had been a roller coaster, bu
t the nightmare of that accident had come to an end. A terrifying, ugly, truth revealing end.

  She had double the reason to come today. Not only did this provide closure for the rest of them, but it gave James' family closure, too. Instead of blaming Kyra, they now knew the real truth of what happened that night. James' own half brother had been part of this plot. Everyone knew he'd had problems, but until he tried to kill Kyra weeks ago, no one had known how bad off things were with him.

  Taryn spent the last few years hating the wrong person, and while time healed all wounds, there would never be a way to make up for lost time.

  As much as she hated to admit it, Taryn missed her friendship with Kyra so damn much. Even when angry at her, waves of nostalgia still hit often and hard. The only thing to do at that time had been to push the feelings away and move forward, but the feeling always left her empty.

  The door opened. “It's time. Are you all ready?” the producer asked.

  “As ready as we can be,” Taryn replied.

  Time to close this chapter of her life once and for all.

  *****

  “This won't be streaming live, so we'll make sure your manager contacts you about the final product,” someone said to Kyra after they were all wired up, seated and ready to go.

  “Please do, and I want Taryn and Jordan to be fully aware of the final interview that will air,” Kyra stated firmly. “I want to ensure nothing said today is taken out of context.”

  Go Kyra! Taryn hid a smirk at the producer's taken aback expression. Yeah, they knew how this went. Interviews always had a way of being twisted a different way, and this story was a big one. The biggest of the previous year, and would probably be buzzing for the first half of this one.

  Someone adjusted lights as the interviewer settled in a chair across from the three of them. Someone moved one of the chairs to make room for Taryn in her wheelchair. Kyra sat to her right, and Jordan to her left. Taryn had to glance down a little in order for the bright lights from off the set not to hurt her eyes. This would take an hour, maybe two, tops, and she could get out of here.

  “Rolling in four, three, two, one...”

  “We're here today with country superstar Kyra Sanders and two of her former band mates, drummer Taryn McAllister and lead guitarist Jordan Walsh. They have granted us an exclusive first interview surrounding the recent admission of an attempted murder plot six years ago.”

  Taryn studied the interviewer. How could she remain so calm and collective?

  The woman grilled Kyra first. Taryn watched her from the corner of her eye.

  “Kyra, it's no doubt your relationships with people changed after the accident when everyone found you to blame. How do you think it will change now that everyone knows you were framed?”

  “I can't even venture a guess.” Kyra crossed then uncrossed her legs. “I know this whole thing shook my world up. Some things may never be repaired, as much as I want them to be.” Her gaze slid briefly to Taryn. Sadness reflected in her hazel eyes.

  Regret squeezed Taryn's heart. Kyra had to be thinking about their friendship especially. How do two people once close as sisters mend a rift wider than an ocean span? And really, after all this was said and done, did Taryn even want to try, or just say her piece and continue on with her life the way she'd been living it the last few years?

  “Taryn, you didn't speak to Kyra for years. How did you get in contact with her before Brandon McKay's latest attempt on her life?”

  She quashed the nausea before answering. “A friend of Kyra's contacted me because of his concerns. I tried getting a hold of Kyra three years ago, but her manager told me she wasn't taking calls, so I left things alone. I wish I hadn't. Maybe this wouldn't have gone on for so long.”

  “You were in a serious relationship with Brandon's half brother. You had no idea Brandon ever had those thoughts? How well did you know him?”

  That one came out of left field. Kyra gasped in surprise from beside her. Taryn pursed her lips, hating that the spotlight fell on her right now, especially over James and his half brother. “My relationship was with James, not Brandon. I didn't know him that well, so no way did I know how he felt about the success of Kyra and the band.” Bile rose in her throat. If any other questions came out like this, Taryn didn't know if she could take it.

  Another grueling hour of the interview, and the last question she asked Taryn and Jordan made her really think.

  “We all know Kyra is back out in the open with her comeback to music, but what about you, Taryn and Jordan? What do you plan to do now that the truth is out? Is there a career in music for either of you again?”

  *****

  “No hard feelings, right?” Jordan, Kyra, and Taryn finished the interview and were ready to leave. They hesitated, everyone unsure what to say or do next. Taryn was surprised someone didn't come in and promptly usher them out of the little room, but maybe after the grueling interview, they were giving them some space before booting them out.

  “No hard feelings. Thank you so much.” Kyra hugged Jordan. “What are you going to do now?”

  Jordan shrugged and kissed her cheek before letting go of her. “Head back to Nashville and keep playing guitar. I hope you know I loved you, Kyra. I still do, but I know you're happy with someone else. I'm glad you're making a comeback.”

  “I am, too.” Kyra wiped a tear away.

  “That Matt guy you're dating better be good to you. Take care. You too, Taryn. Keep drumming.” Jordan stopped to hug her, too.

  “Thanks, Jordan. Take care of yourself as well,” Taryn whispered against his ear.

  He waved and walked away, leaving the two of them alone.

  Kyra faced Taryn after watching Jordan leave. Tears were in her eyes. “I'm just going to put this out there. Take it or leave it. I miss you. I don't know what you plan to do now, but I do hope there's some room in your life for me. And that came out all wrong. Except for the I miss you part. I got that right.”

  Taryn laughed. “You stumble over your words when you're nervous. You never did that before.”

  Kyra's cheeks reddened. “I mean it though. Where do you want to go from here? Do you still hate me and never want to see me again? Because if that's the case, I'll walk away and let you have your space, as long as you know where I stand. I miss you. I miss us.”

  Taryn stared off at some of the photos on the wall, not even paying attention to what they really were. Then she focused on Kyra. “I miss you, too,” she said softly.

  Kyra moved to sit in the chair beside Taryn. “I know of a band who could use a drummer. They're local. Baby Stetson is amazing, and I bet you'd be a great fit. Their current drummer is temporary. He's filling in since their last one quit.”

  Taryn listened with interest.

  “They're going to be Nashville bound soon. You could come to the benefit concert and play, and I'll introduce you.”

  A band. Nostalgia washed over her. Damn, she'd love to play in a band again. But there were so many things that made her stop and think. Still, she answered Kyra with hesitance. “Sure. It can't hurt, but I don't know if this is what's right for me any more.”

  Chapter Two

  Something about an enthusiastic crowd fueled Taryn's soul. Her drumsticks flew in the air, crashing down on the drum and cymbal set as the music around her flowed in perfect sync. She closed her eyes as the adrenaline rush pumped through her body. Ah, she'd missed this. Playing on a big stage in front of the biggest crowd she'd performed for in six long years was just what she needed. God, how she'd missed this.

  To think she'd almost bowed out today. Taryn had come close to telling Kyra no, but something in the back of her mind kept telling her yes. Ever since Kyra brought up the idea a few weeks ago after the painful interview, the thought hovered in Taryn's mind.

  Had she caught on to Taryn's uncertainty about her future? The pull to play with a band again had a strong force, but the actuality of it working, let alone with a band she didn't know well, really kept her
from going. Then again, if Kyra had asked her to come back out on the road with her, Taryn would have pretty much felt the same hesitation.

  Either way, whatever she chose to do, at least she had today.

  I'm really doing this- and it's turning out great!

  Kyra Sanders was in her life again, and there were days she still had mixed feelings about it. She had to admit, she'd missed her best friend, even through the hatred, the resentment, and the memories.

  Especially the memories.

  Without missing a beat, Taryn continued to pound the drums, riding the wave of excitement all the way to the end of the song. The current performers- a local band by the name of Baby Stetson, had a fantastic harmony and epic music to back them up. When Kyra told her about the band, Taryn hadn't been sure what to expect.

  One question haunted her for years, but moreso wrangled its way into her mind recently. Could she do this again? Playing drums at open mic nights where no one knew her name or story worked well. Putting herself out in the spotlight might make feelings come out, feelings Taryn worked hard to shove aside and accept the new life she'd been given.

  Because she'd at least been given a life.

  If her mind didn't shut the hell up, she'd miss a beat, and Taryn hated to be offbeat when playing.

  The lead singer finished the song with a powerful note. The guitar slowed down. Taryn slammed the drums for the last few beats and came to a stop. The air outside still had a chill, but sitting beneath the spotlights and full of adrenaline, sweat still poured down her forehead and cheeks. She'd only planned on doing two songs with the band while their drummer took a quick break, but she ended up doing four. Something seemed off about that guy. He played the drums well, but he didn't have his heart into it. Taryn had no problem filling in, but now she wondered.

  “Thank you! And give a big round of applause for Taryn on drums!” The singer, Avery Bennett, made her way near the drum set and held out a hand, pointing in Taryn's direction.