Off Beat (Forgotten Flounders Series Book 1)

by J. C. Hannigan

  I chuckled, moving over to the Keurig to make a cup of coffee. “Making pancakes is an art—one that I happen to excel at.”

  “Mom used to say that you were good at everything,” Asher said matter-of-factly, returning to his cereal.

  My heartbeat stuttered in my chest, and I was humbled how kind she was to me, even when I’d failed her—and him. “I’m not good at everything. I’m terrible at golf.”

  And goodbyes. And usually, communicating—although, through some stroke of insane luck, I’d managed to not fuck that up—this time around.

  “Who wants to be good at golf?” Asher’s frown of disgust was like looking in a time-travel mirror. I laughed.

  “Fair enough. It’s a boring sport.” I’d only played once, at the beginning my recording career, because the CEO of the label had insisted on it. Dare and Evan weren’t any better, and we’d spent the majority of the afternoon goofing off behind the prick’s back.

  I found the mugs in the cupboard over the Keurig, along with an assortment of glasses. Practical of Harper to tuck them beside the refrigerator and above the coffee maker.

  Grabbing one, I placed it beneath the nozzle. I turned at the slurping sound, catching Asher through the peek-through as he drank the milk in his bowl. Once he finished, he picked up his spoon and pushed the chair back, carrying his dishes into the kitchen.

  He opened the dishwasher and placed his empty bowl and spoon inside.

  “So, what’s on the agenda for today?” I asked.

  “I have a spelling test in the morning. I’m hoping Mom will let me come home early, though.”

  “I’ll see if I can sway her,” I winked. “I bet if we let her sleep in, that’ll help.”

  “She usually stays up late reading, so I let her sleep in until eight. She only needs a half hour to get ready. I’ve timed her.” He said matter-of-factly.

  I chuckled, not really surprised that she still did that. How many times had I’d imagined her, sitting in her window seat curled up in a blanket, a book in hand? Sometimes, when I’d seek her after a particularly bad row with the old man, I’d see her silhouette in her window, and a sense tranquility would flow through me from just the sight of her.

  Asher closed the dishwasher, rousing me from my memories. Turning, I pressed the brew button. The machine started percolating, and as it brewed, I opened the refrigerator to grab the creamer.

  It was a bit of a mind trip, this feeling that I’d instantly known him forever, even though I hadn’t, even though I didn’t really—not yet. All the missing pieces to all the puzzles in my mind had been found. My existence rearranged because I would do anything for him—for either one of them.

  “So, what do you usually do when you wake up before your mom?”

  “Watch Netflix, read comic books. Sometimes I play with my Legos. I’m not supposed to play videogames, though.” He seemed disappointed by that. “I tried once, but Mom set it the Xbox to alert her when videogames are being played—I got grounded for a whole week. Sometimes, technology bites.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh a little. “We can always play later.”

  His entire face lit up. “Does that mean you’ll be here when I get home from school?”

  “It does,” I confirmed, smiling.

  “Are you going to sleep over again?”

  I blanched with the mug half risen to my lips. If I had it my way—the answer to that question would be a resounding yes. “Maybe, we’ll have to see what the lady of the house says.”

  “Maybe we should let her sleep in even later,” Asher pondered. “We could make her breakfast in bed and you could drive me to school while she eats. Then she’ll let you stay forever.”

  I laughed, air escaping my nose in a barely discernible huff. He was a little Romeo master mind.

  At eight, Asher and I started making omelets. I carried one up to her on a tray Asher pulled out from the island cupboard while he packed his school bag.

  Harper was still as I’d left her—her thigh tangled with the sheet, her dark hair a gorgeous, tangled mess. Setting the tray on the nightstand, I sat on the side of her mattress and brushed her dark tresses from her face.

  She stretched and let out a quiet, contented hum. Unable to help myself, I lowered my lips and kissed her softly.

  She roused; her lids fluttering open lazily, her lips moving slowly into a smile against mine. “Mmm. Good morning.” Blinking, she glanced around, noting the sunlight streaming in through her bedroom. She paled and sat up quickly, the sheet falling away from her breasts for a blessed moment before she tugged it back up, covering them. “Oh, my God! What time is it?”

  “Eight-thirty. Don’t panic, though. I’ll drive Asher to school.”

  “He’s up?”

  “Yeah…he was up before me. He seemed okay with it—me crashing here, I mean.” I shrugged a little. She worried her bottom lip, pressing her teeth into it. I pulled it free with my thumb, running the pad of it over to soothe it before moving my hand to rest on her thigh. “He’s gotta get used to the sight, Harper.”

  She nodded, the tension in her shoulders slipping. “You’re right.”

  “A rare occurrence,” I teased, brushing my hair back with my other hand. “Gramps’ will reading is this morning. I’ve got to be at the lawyers for nine-thirty and my clothes are still at Dare’s mom’s. I know you have the day off, and I was looking forward to spending every moment of it with you…“ I trailed off, brow furrowing over thoughts of the upcoming appointment.

  “Don’t worry about it, Calum,” Harper interrupted, her expression gentle and sympathetic. “I understand. Do what you need to do, I’ll be here. Or at the bookstore—probably at the bookstore.” She paused to laugh.

  “You’re supposed to have the next two days off.” I cocked a brow at her.

  “I’ll likely get bored here and head over for the distraction.” She admitted, lifting her shoulder in a shrug that caused the sheet to fall away from her breasts.

  I’d exercised enough control for the moment. My hands shot out, cupping her boobs; my thumbs rolling over her nipples until they hardened. I leaned forward to kiss her, still massaging her breasts. Feeling her heartbeat increasing beneath my palm, I smiled, breaking the kiss with reluctance. “I’ll call you when the meeting is over.”

  “Okay.” She bit her lip and tugged the sheet back up as I stood. I handed her the coffee first, knowing that’s what she’d reach for. She accepted it with a smile, keeping the blanket secure to her chest with her free arm.

  I pressed my lips to her forehead, kissing her tenderly before straightening. “I gotta get our son to school.” She smiled wider like she enjoyed hearing it as much as I’d enjoyed saying it.

  Leaving her in that bed—naked beneath the thin bed sheet—was a challenge, but knowing I’d be back later helped, as did the blue-eyed, dark-haired little boy waiting impatiently at the bottom of the stairs.

  “Ready?” I asked him. He was already wearing his coat and hat with his backpack slung over his shoulder.

  “Yup! Did she like it?”

  “Yes, she does,” Harper answered, appearing at the top of the landing. Descending the stairs, she wrapped her arms around Asher and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Thank you very much. That was thoughtful of the two of you, and possibly the best omelet I’ve ever tasted.”

  “You’re welcome.” Asher grinned back at her. “I made it!”

  “Mmm, well, you can make me omelets any time.” She said, gently bopping his nose with her index finger. “Good luck on your spelling test,” she added.

  “Could I get picked up early?” he asked hopefully.

  “Sure. Oh…but I’ll have to get gas first.” She frowned, and I cleared my throat.

  “Already taken care of,” I told her. After checking out the studio with Dare and Evan, I’d picked up a jerry can of gasoline and filled Harper’s tank before heading to the bookstore.

  “You didn’t have to do that. I would have figured it out.”
>
  “I know.” I nodded in agreement—she would have handled it herself, but I was trying to prove to her that she didn’t have to do that anymore.

  “Well, thank you. All right. I’ll pick you up from the office at lunch.” she told him. “Now hurry up, you’re going to be late. I love you.”

  “Love you, too.” He replied before he dashed towards the mudroom to put on his boots.

  I wrapped my hand around Harper’s hip and tugged her against me, kissing her deeply, although briefly. “See you soon, gorgeous,” I whispered into the shell of her ear before releasing her. Stepping around her, I followed Asher into the mudroom.

  Harper

  The mudroom door closed behind them, and I watched from the kitchen room window as they got into Calum’s Jeep. A moment later, it started, and Cal backed slowly out of my driveway.

  Exhaling, I let the lace curtain fall and headed back upstairs. I finished the omelet and coffee, then stood to make my bed. The sheets were tangled, the blanket halfway down the mattress. Biting my lips, I grabbed the corners of both and straightened them. They smelt heavily of us. My belly clenched, part in arousal, part in bewilderment.

  I’d never really asked myself what I’d do if he were to come back. I just kept operating, kept checking boxes off my to-do lists. School. Asher. Work. I didn’t have time to reflect upon how I’d react—or more accurately, I didn’t let myself have time to reflect. I was too busy and too focused on giving Asher everything I possibly could. I continued on with my plan for us because it was the only thing I could control.

  When he did return, he’d sought me out before he even knew what had grown between us in his absence. We’d wounded each other, yes—him with his departure, and me with my silence on something so momentous.

  I couldn’t help but forgive him, just as he couldn’t help but forgive me. We both recognized that we each made decisions based on the assumption that the other person wouldn’t be able to handle that lifestyle. I’d assumed—falsely, as it were—that Calum would resent having a child with me. I feared he’d think I was after his money.

  But seeing him again had made me realize that buried beneath the façade of his silent and broody rock star persona was the boy I’d fallen in love with was a man aching for home—and renewed at finding it.

  Closing my eyes, I focused on what I was feeling. Hope. Love. Lust. Safe. Full.

  I hadn’t questioned Calum when he’d offered to take Asher to school. I’d naturally trusted him with the most important person in my life because I knew without a doubt that he would protect him and keep him safe from harm.

  Right now…I was happy. I was falling all over again, harder this time. Hope was blooming where hurt once resided, and it felt good. It felt pointless to fight it, like I was my own worst enemy, calling up the worst-case scenarios and robbing myself of the moments happening now.

  I finished making the bed, then walked to the bathroom, pausing at the linen closet for a towel. Closing the door behind me, I set the towel on the rack by the shower and turned on the tap.

  While the water heated, I stripped and ran my fingers through my hair, studying myself in the mirror. Pregnancy and age had made my hips fuller and my breasts larger. My stomach was a little softer than it was nine years ago. From mid-May to October, I walked to work, but I didn’t exercise in access or watch my diet, aside from trying to teach Asher healthy eating habits.

  But Calum still looked at me like I was the most incredible thing he’d laid eyes on. One glance from him, one crooked grin and all of my insecurities floated away. He worshipped my body, and his obvious arousal to it made me feel like a goddess.

  The mirror started to fog from the steam, so I stopped the self-examination and stepped in. Hot water rolled down my shoulders and soaked my hair. I let out a sigh, letting the water cascade over my body.

  When my hair was soaked, I washed it, lathering the shampoo through the strands while I thought about his fingers. I rinsed before working in the conditioner, thinking about his lips.

  Reaching for my shower puff, I grabbed the soap and squirted it on, setting the bottle down on the ledge before washing, letting my thoughts drift again to Calum, to how complete I’d felt, drifting off to sleep in his arms again. Maybe, to most people, it was too soon—too sudden, too easy, but to me, it made sense.

  I stood beneath the water to rinse the conditioner from my hair and the soap from my body before turning the taps off. I twisted my hair, squeezing the water from it before reaching for my towel.

  I wrapped the bath towel around my chest before blow-drying my hair. I took my time, blow-drying it and then straightening it, before applying my makeup. I kept it simple—cover-up, mascara and a thin line of dark plum eyeliner.

  Opening the door, I walked down the hall to my room and nearly jumped out of my skin. “Holy crap, Mom! What the heck?”

  My mother was sitting primly on the reading chair, tucked by the built-in bookshelves under the window.

  “I woke up early this morning, in case you needed me to give Asher a ride to school. You didn’t call me last night to let me know what was wrong with your car—which didn’t leave your driveway after the CAA man left. But then I noticed his Jeep was there. All night.”

  I exhaled deeply, continuing to my closet. “I told him to crash on the couch. He wanted to give Asher a ride to school. My car is fine—it ran out of gas idling, but Calum came by yesterday and filled it. I’m sorry, I didn’t call you because I had it covered.”

  She drew in a controlled breath. “I think you’re making a mistake. It’s too soon, for all of…this.”

  My fingers hesitated over the pale pink long sleeve crew neck sweater before I shook my head and grabbed it off the hanger. “I have chosen to move on and forgive him. We are seeing each other, and you’re going to have to accept it because it’s my decision to make, not yours. You are also going to have to speak kindly of him—he is my son’s father.”

  Mom sighed with exasperation and looked away, shaking her head. “Fine. Be reckless; learn the hard way. Again.”

  Feeling a little wounded, I tugged open my dresser drawer and grabbed a pair of jeans, shutting it a little rougher than required before turning to face her.

  “I need to get to the bookstore, so if you’re done questioning my decisions, please show yourself out.” I stomped off to the bathroom, closing the door a little firmer than needed.

  I tugged the sweater over my head and slipped my legs into the jeans, buttoning them before leaving the bathroom.

  “I’m sorry. I’ll stop. You’re right—you are an adult, and I need to back off and trust that you’re being careful.”

  “I am being careful,” I responded, folding my arms across my chest and meeting her apologetic gaze stubbornly.

  I could tell it was extremely hard for her to disagree and not say anything, but she nodded. “Okay.”

  “I really do have to get going now…”

  “I’m sorry for being meddlesome.”

  “I know, it’s just who you are.” I rolled my eyes in jest. I stepped back, considering her seriously. “But…I do love him, Mom. Maybe this is our second chance, and maybe it’s not going to work out again, but we won’t know if we don’t try. I owe that to Asher, and to the both of us, too.”

  For a moment, my words stunned my mother silent.

  “If that’s what you want.” She finally said, her voice a little strained and robotic. I could tell she didn’t agree.

  “It is what I want. I need to go. I’ll see you later.” I planted a quick kiss on her cheek—for as much as she infuriated me, she was still my mother, and I knew she only wanted what was best for me.

  Mom followed me outside, and I locked up the house. I held a smile and waved until she turned and started walking back down the street to her house. I watched until she strolled up to her driveway and in through the front door, before walking warily to my car.

  I opened the door and slid in, shoving my key into the ignition. The fue
l gauge needle moved from empty to full, and a feeling of warmth settled over me.

  Reaching for the gear shift, I stalled, seeing a small folded note with my name scrawled on it in Cal’s penmanship, and a single, long-stemmed red rose placed on the dash.

  Tonight I’m gonna fill you like I filled your tank.

  –Cal

  “I thought you were going to take the next two days off?” Ellery said, brows drawing together, meeting me in the aisle between the café and bookstore when I walked in.

  “I am, I promise,” I assured her, lifting my hands in surrender. “I wanted to pick up the rest of the boxes of books for the schools,” I added, gesturing toward the back of the shop. Ellery continued watching me, unsatisfied with my answer, but followed me into the back, leaving the shop in Holly and Shelly’s capable hands. It was quiet this morning—neither she nor I would be missed for a couple of minutes.

  She cocked a brow at me. “What’s the real reason?”

  “It’s too quiet at the house.” I pouted.

  “Where’s Calum?”

  Ellery’s question tugged me from my ruminating, although I typed in the password for the door before replying. “He has a meeting with the lawyer for his grandfather’s will reading.”

  “Ahhh…” She said, nodding slowly with dawning understanding as she followed me into the office. “It makes perfect sense now. The sexy rock star isn’t around to keep you preoccupied. Of course, you came into work.”

  I gave her a dry look, unzipping my coat and dropping my purse on my desk. “It’s not just that. I had to come here just to escape my mother. She popped by when I was in the shower to lecture me.”

  “Yikes. I bet moving in with Calum is looking better and better every second.” She snickered, and I laughed. “Think about it; your neighbours won’t be your parents. God forbid she came over, and you and him were in that shower.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “Yeah, that wouldn’t have gone over well. Regardless, it’s still way too soon to talk about moving in together.”