Off Beat (Forgotten Flounders Series Book 1)

by J. C. Hannigan

“That’s really cool of you,” he said, looking at me as if he truly did find me remarkable. My breath caught in my lungs, but the moment broke when Cal turned to attend to the boxes—effortlessly picking up the first one and placing it on the ground, creating a new pile. He dug out the two boxes I needed, putting them on the metal cart, and shoved the stack of three tight against the other boxes.

  I watched him while he worked, enjoying the way his tattooed knuckles gripped the boxes. It took him no time at all to complete the task, and before I knew it, he was straightening and turning to me.

  Catching me mid-ogle, he grinned. “So how do you get the boxes to the schools?” he asked, his question surprising me and veering my mind back on a more appropriate track.

  “Um, I usually take them in throughout the week,” I answered, stepping to the cart to grab it. But Calum stopped me, reaching for my hand, his fingers locking with me.

  “I can help you. It’ll be easier to get them into the Jeep. We could do it in one go.”

  “That’s not necessary, Cal. I can do it—“

  “I’ve got nothing else to do right now. I’m kind of at a stalemate for four more days.” He pointed out, tilting his head. “Take advantage of the free labour while you can.”

  I laughed a little, looking down. “Well, Ellery is kicking me out of the shop for the next two days for mandatory rest.”

  “Mandatory rest…I like the sound of that,” Cal whispered, his fingers catching a strand of my wayward hair. He tucked it gently behind my ear, the pad of his finger brushing against the thin gold hoop through my helix. “Mind if I keep you company? I could use some…rest.”

  Immediately, my mind filled with rowdy, impish behaviour with Calum Jacobs. My blood heated beneath my skin, making me flush all over.

  “I think I could be persuaded into that.” I gave him a coy smile and slipped my arms around the back of his neck. Pushing the pads of my fingers along the base of his skull, I familiarized myself with the feel of him.

  He swallowed hard, his eyes searching mine. A thousand unspoken thoughts danced about those azure irises, and I waited with bated breath, wondering if he’d put a voice to them.

  Instead, he offered me an indebted smile of his own before lowering his mouth to mine. His head tilted a fraction, and I could feel the hoop’s cool metal through his left nostril against mine before his lips pressed against my mouth. He kissed me slowly, taking his time tasting me. His hands slipped around my back, bringing me to him, savouring me. The kiss went on and on and blissfully on, leaving me breathless and afire. By the end of it, Calum was supporting more than half my weight in his arms.

  I exhaled, drawing oxygen into my lungs, and forced myself to come back to the ground—both figuratively and literally. My Fitbit buzzed, alerting me to the time. “Asher will be here any minute. We should go out front…“

  “Yeah, of course.” Cal’s arms were gone from around me a moment later. I moved toward the storefront before I had time to mourn the loss of them, feeling very much like the insatiable girl of my past.

  He walked one step behind me, and I knew without glancing over my shoulder that he was staring at my ass. Cal was an ass guy. He’d been exceptionally crazy about my ass, and that was one of my features I was most proud of. It had only improved with time, age—and squats.

  When we stepped out into the store, I chanced a peek. His eyes were totally focused on my rear, on the natural sway of my hips as I walked. He caught the subtle twist of my spine and lifted his gaze, guiltlessly grinning at me.

  I opened my mouth to scold him when the bell above the shop door rang. Asher and Nik walked into the shop with their coats unzipped and toques sticking out of their pockets.

  The two boys had been fast friends since kindergarten, and Nik typically spent a lot of time hanging out with Asher. He would come to the bookstore after school for a couple of hours, and when we headed home, he’d wander down the street to the diner where his mom worked.

  A smile teased my lips as I watched Asher explaining something to his friend, his hands moving in gestures as his eyes shone with bright excitement. Nik said something in response, a wide grin on his face as he reached for the door.

  Together, they strolled in. Asher’s head swiveled, his eyes searching until they landed on Cal and me. A bigger grin broke through, and he tugged Nik over by the sleeve of his worn coat.

  My heart pinched when I took in Nik’s greasy sandy blond locks. He had bags beneath his tired blue eyes. He gave Calum a small, timid smile, remaining a few steps back.

  Raina did her best. Nik’s clothes were secondhand, but none had holes. She made lunches that had far smaller portions than his classmates, but they were always healthy. Usually a sandwich, a bag of crackers, carrot sticks, and an apple. Things most kids—Asher especially—would complain about, but Nik didn’t seem to ever complain about anything.

  That was astonishing, given the fact that Nik had Multiple Exostoses: a chronic pain bone disorder causing multiple benign exostoses to grow off the ends of his regular bones. He dealt with more pain in a day than most people could handle in a lifetime. Last March, he’d had his first operation to remove a few exostoses from his wrist, shoulder, and middle finger.

  Asher had been so worried about his best friend that he’d gone over every single day after school to check on him, bring him homework and comic books, and keep him company. I’d been worried too, often accompanying him on the walk over to bring food or baked goods Ellery had made.

  Raina didn’t appear to have any other family. She worked as a full-time server, and she’d had to take off a few weeks to be home with Nik. Ellery and I tried to offer more help than the meager meal train, but she shut us down every time.

  Raina Parsons was the kind of person who did things her own way on her own terms. She was closed off, sarcastic, and more than a little guarded, but she wasn’t cruel or mean…just mistrustful, especially of other adults.

  If I hadn’t had the full support of my parents, I knew I could have just as easily been in Raina’s position, so I did what I could to discreetly help without her realizing it. Raina never asked for help, not even when Nik was going through his surgery and recovery. She’d made it clear early on when our sons became friends that she didn’t like handouts or feeling indebted to someone.

  “How are you doing, Nik?” I asked him, smiling warmly.

  “Good!” he grinned. “We had robotics club today.”

  “Yeah, we programmed the robots to do a choreographed dance. It was awesome.” Asher added.

  Cal whistled lowly, drawing the attention of a small cluster of teenage girls hanging out by the YA section. “That does sound cool. Can you guys teach me how to program a robot?”

  “Why don’t you guys go hang out in the café? I need to do a few more things before I can call it a night.”

  “All right, we’ll catch you in a bit,” he said, exchanging a look with me—one that said he wanted to do something a little more than walk away. His gaze flickered to my lips for a moment, then he grinned and shook his head as if he was amused with himself. He obediently followed the boys to the café side and sat down at one of the tables.

  Turning my attention back to the book shop section, I spotted Shelly behind the counter and made my way over.

  “How’s it going over here?” I asked, catching her staring at the computer screen.

  “Oh! I’m just reading up on Guinevere Williams’ latest release! It sounds so good!” Shelly exclaimed, turning the monitor so I could see it.

  I read the synopsis, my brows arching. I’d read a few of Guinevere’s books before, and she weaved so many webs intertwining historical facts and situations with fictional people. Her latest was a historical fiction romance set in Ireland in during the Williamite-Jacobite War.

  “We’ll definitely order it for release day, it sounds incredible. You should contact the author and see if she’ll let you read an advanced copy in exchange for a review.”

  “You think I s
hould?” Shelly gnawed on her bottom lip, considering me as I nodded in encouragement.

  “Absolutely,” I nodded with encouragement. “That’s how I got started! I sent an author a message, expressing my interesting in reading an early copy, and reviewing it.”

  “Okay, I’ll do that.”

  The group of teenage girls let out a series of giggles, and I glanced at them again. Their phones were still pointed at the table, and they were recording or taking pictures. “Uh…do you know those girls?”

  Shelly’s eyes flickered to the New Adult section. She looked at them for a moment, watching the three girls before turning her head. “Yeah, they go to my high school. Not the kind of girls I’d expect to see in a bookstore…but…” her attention drifted to the table where Cal, Asher, and Nik sat. Nik was quiet, watching Asher and his father interact with an uneasy smile, his eyes occasionally darting past them to the leering girls. “I guess it’s not surprising they’re here now.”

  “Figured as much.” I sighed, fingers tapping lightly against the counter as I watched them direct phones at Calum’s back, taking pictures.

  I strolled purposely towards the girls, keeping my cordial shop keeper smile on. This was, after all, a place of business, and my objective was to sell books. “Afternoon, girls. Can I help you find anything?”

  All three of them seemed a little thrown that I’d approached them at all. They looked at one another before the ringleader smirked. “How about a rock star?” she said, pointedly looking at Calum.

  I snapped my fingers, coming up with the perfect book. “I have just the thing for you,” I told her, walking past them. Grabbing the first of Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive series; Lick, I returned to the girls with it, handing it to their ringleader.

  “What’s this?” the girl asked, blinking at it like I was offering her a three-headed monster.

  “It’s a book.” I smiled, holding it out to her. She took it, peering at the male torso on the cover with a lifted brow. “The hero is a rock star. It might not be an introduction, as the nearest rock star is occupied at the moment, but trust me when I say, you’re going to love it. It’s a really good book.”

  Winking, I left them to ogle the cover and returned to the counter.

  “What book did you give them?” Shelly asked, watching the girls disappear deeper into the New Adult section.

  “One of Kylie Scott’s.” I grinned.

  “Oh! Good one!” she giggled, glancing back at the group of girls, now gathered around the shelves that housed Kylie Scott’s books.

  “I won’t be here tomorrow and Thursday, but I’ll be checking in often. I’ll be back Friday morning. I’m leaving you in charge of the store front, with Ellery’s assistance should you need it. If all goes well, we’ll talk about a full-time summer position for you.”

  “Really!?” Shelly’s eyes widened, her excitement practically brimming over.

  Boots against the hardwood alerted us to the arrival of Shelly’s classmates, each of them clutching copies of Lick.

  “Whatever. Just charge it to my dad’s card,” the ringleader said, trying to fight a grin and act indifferent.

  Shelly rang their books through, fighting a smile of her own. The girl tossed her long hair over her shoulder and tapped her card against the credit machine, paying for her friend’s purchases. While the transaction processed, Shelly slid their books into three of our smallest tote bags. The girls left in a giggling hurrying, pausing long enough to boldly ask Calum to sign their receipts.

  I worked until the bookstore was closed for the night. I turned the lights turned off and closed the rolling gate that sectioned off from the café. Most shops downtown closed by six, and we were no exception—except for Thursday and Friday nights when we stayed open until seven.

  Calum, Asher, and Nik were still sitting at the same table in the café, although the rest of our customers had gone. She’d closed the register and sent Holly home already, and Ellery’s nightly ritual of packing up all remaining baked goods had begun.

  When we first opened Books and Brews, Ellery couldn’t bear the thought of tossing out everything at the end of the night. It pained her a great deal as she was surprisingly tender toward her baked creations. We decided to donate the leftovers, alternating between the women’s shelter and breakfast programs at the school. The women’s shelter got the comfort deserts, while the schools got the leftover muffins, croissants, and bagels.

  “Need me to drop that off?” I offered.

  She glanced at me, offering me a smile. “It’s okay, I’ve got it. Grant’s playing tonight, so I’ll drop them off on my way to the arena.”

  “Okay,” I bit my lip, glancing over my shoulder. “Are you sure I should take the next two days off? I just feel like that’s leaving you hanging.”

  “It’s really not, Harper,” Ellery assured me. “We can survive a few days. You two still have a lot of catching up to do.”

  “You’re way too good to me.” I sighed gratefully.

  “You’d return the favour if I were in your shoes.” She winked, wiping her hands against her apron.

  “I absolutely would. Wish Grant luck from us—you know we’re rooting for him.” I told her, and she nodded, her eyes cutting back to the display shelves.

  I approached the table that Calum, Asher, and Nik occupied in the café. There was a small pile of comic books in front of them, and the boys seemed to be showing Cal their favourite comic series.

  “All done?” Calum asked, looking up when he noticed my shadow. Asher’s head popped up too, and he grinned at me.

  “Yeah. I figured we could grab something to eat at the diner really quick. I’m hungry, and I don’t feel like cooking tonight, and I’m craving a burger.”

  I also needed to check in on Raina, just to make sure she was okay. Nik finally looked up from the comic book he’d been focused on, watching me warily. I smiled to ease his anxiety.

  “Sounds good to me,” Cal replied, and I looked back at him, catching the smile teasing his lips. Asher and Nik flew into action, swiftly dividing their comic books and packing them away in their bags.

  A few moments later, we were stepping out onto the sidewalk, zipping coats against the thrashing chilly winds. The diner was down the street from Books and Brews, on the corner of Fairmont. Calum’s hand slipped through mine as the boys charged ahead, animatedly talking about robotics.

  “Asher reminds me of Connor. Wise beyond his years,” Cal remarked, watching the boys several steps ahead of us. Asher said something that made Nik laugh; the traces of tension and strain I’d picked up earlier temporarily vanishing.

  My heart swelled with pride; Asher was a good kid. He went out of his way to make sure the people he cared about knew he cared, and he whole-heartedly accepted people—and their situations—for who and what they are.

  “He is.” I nodded, studying Asher’s profile as he opened the door. The kids walked in ahead of us, content to leave us several paces behind them. “I can’t believe he’s going to be eight next week.”

  Calum scanned me, a brief smile tugging his lips up as he watched me. “What do you have planned for his birthday?”

  “Just a party with a few classmates, friends, and family at the shop after hours. You’re welcome, of course…so are your parents and Connor.” I met his gaze, feeling a little shy and uncertain. “Dare and Evan, too. If they’re around…”

  “That would be great! I’m sure they wouldn’t miss it.” Cal’s eyes lit up, and he grinned, tugging me closer. His hand slipped around the small of my back, and he brought his lips to mine in a quick, appreciative kiss—sliding in just a touch of tongue before he broke away and gazed ardently at me.

  “What?” I laughed, fighting a grin.

  He tugged me closer and lowered his lips to my ear. “Oh…I’m just thinking about how we’re going to spend the next two days.” His words coiled around my heart and my core simultaneously. He grinned wider, like he knew exactly how he was affecting me, and released m
e to open the door to the diner. He held it open for me.

  Unwinding my scarf, I glanced around the east coast decorations and turquoise booths. Like everything in this town, the diner was colourful and bright, cashing in on that same east coast vibrancy.

  Raina was behind the counter, filling a drink order. Despite the bags under her bright blue eyes, she was efficient. Quick and fluid in her movements, she glided from table to table with the skill of a seasoned server, a large tray of drinks balanced in her hand. She chatted easily with the regulars, bringing forth laughs and grins with her dry wit and a slight smile as she dropped off the drinks at a table of five, near the one Asher and Nik had snagged.

  She looked tired but otherwise okay. Once she’d dropped off the drinks, she stopped at their table, her smile wide and pure. She frowned a little, ruffling Nik’s hair with a questioning tilt to her head. He flushed and said something.

  “I’ll call the landlord after work. Maybe the pipes froze again.” I overheard her uncertainly say as I approached. Nik’s shoulders slumped, and he nodded.

  “Hi Raina,” I smiled, pausing beside the booth to take off my coat and hang it on the hook attached to the wooden panel backing.

  “Hey, Harper,” She lifted her head, tired eyes focusing on me for a moment before she noticed Cal standing behind me. He shrugged out of his coat, hanging it beside mine. Her eyes widened, and she paled, almost like she’d seen a ghost.

  “I’m Calum. Nice to meet you,” he said, holding his hand out to shake hers, his face holding no signs of recognition. He smiled politely and inclined his chin in greeting.

  “Ya, I know who you are. You’re all anybody around here’s been talking about.” Raina clipped, ignoring his outstretched hand and reaching into her apron for her notepad and pen. Her eyes darted from Cal to me, then to Asher. “What can I get you?” She asked stiffly.

  Calum didn’t seem bothered by her reaction to him. He slid into the booth, leaving the aisle seat for me, and looked pointedly at the boys, urging them wordlessly to go first with that half-smile I loved so much.