“You just don't want me puking all over your new floors,” Taryn shot back half playfully.
“Shut up, woman. Matt and I are on the way to get you. First round is on me later, but you're on your own after that.”
“Kyra?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you. See you soon.” Taryn hung up, grateful for her. While it would take a long time for years of anger and mistrust to fade, today was one of those days she was glad Kyra had come back into her life. She had Matt to thank for that. Taryn was pretty grateful he'd contacted her out of the blue to ask questions about the accident. She hadn't thought so at first, but now as time went on, Taryn's opinion continued to change.
Playing drums in Kyra's band had been her escape. Taryn had a rebellious streak in her teen years and had declared emancipation at sixteen. She'd quit school, headed for Nashville, and played every single gig she could, hoping to find a band to play in. No doubt Kyra had taken over the country music world by storm, and Taryn had a girl crush on her. She'd made a bold move when Kyra's drummer left the music scene to be home with his wife and newborn baby. She had sent a video of her open mic nights to Kyra's management team with a fan letter. She cringed, thinking about how much she'd gushed over Kyra and how they would probably all think she was a stalker.
That didn't happen. Kyra had been so impressed, she'd set up a meeting with Taryn. They'd bonded instantly. Taryn went on tour with her for a few months as a temporary solution, and it turned into so much more. They'd become great friends- like sisters.
Until the night before Kyra's twenty-first birthday.
Stop thinking about that. Stop it! It's over, and we have a chance to reconnect.
Ten minutes later, Taryn spotted Kyra dashing through the rain to enter the building, carrying a large purple umbrella. She closed it before walking inside. “Mother Nature sure is in a mood!” Kyra quipped, stooping to hug Taryn.
“She's matching me then,” Taryn replied with a sigh. “Where's Matt?”
Kyra pointed. “Waiting at the curb, in case he has to move for someone to pull in or out. Once we get to the car, he'll help you in. I'll hold the umbrella over you until then, and we'll get your chair in the backseat. I'm glad you'll be staying the weekend with me.”
“Just as long as you and Matt aren't all kissy face the whole weekend,” Taryn warned. “You know I'm happy for you and all, but you guys are too much. What does Andrew say about it? He's just a kid, and you're porning out in front of him.” Taryn had to razz on her a little. Andrew, Matt's fourteen year old son, was a cool kid, and it was easy to see he adored Kyra. The feeling went both ways. Kyra talked non-stop about both Matt and Andrew.
“We are not! Porning out? Is this the new Taryn phrase of the day?” Kyra cracked a smile. “Let's get out of here.”
“Couldn't have said it better myself. Where's your raincoat or jacket?” Taryn asked when they were outside. Kyra opened the umbrella and covered Taryn and her chair as much as possible. Raindrops coated the makeshift roof instantly.
“She didn't bring one.” Matt tsked as he wandered up to them. “She's such a rebel.”
Kyra rolled her eyes, laughing. “Very funny. I didn't know it was going to rain. I sing, not predict the weather.”
“You could always climb on back and hold on. I'm a pretty good driver,” Taryn joked with Kyra. “That way, you can get under the umbrella, too.”
“A little rain won't kill me. I've performed in worse weather, remember?”
Yeah, Taryn did remember. “That one concert where you went out in the crowd, just as the skies opened up on you. No lightning, but man, that rain was relentless. It ruined the microphone, too. We ended up moving the band and the remaining few hundred fans to a good sized venue down the street. We were there for hours afterwards, signing autographs. It was crazy, overcrowded, but fun!”
“You and I spent the night on the bus under three blankets, drinking hot chocolate.” Kyra grinned.
“Laughing and being crazy teenagers. Yeah, those were the days. That was the first of many fond memories, huh?” Taryn's heart warmed. Now these were fun times to reminisce over.
“They sure were. It's now or never. I don't think this rain is letting up any time soon.” Kyra gestured. “Ready, Matt?”
Matt flashed a thumbs up. “We've got this.”
Yeah, they got it all right. Kyra shrieked, though she tried to keep her voice low, and got soaked as she held the umbrella over Taryn. Matt splashed in puddles, not realizing how deep they were. When they arrived in front of the car, he maneuvered under the umbrella, lifted Taryn up like she was as light as a feather, and settled her in the front seat of Kyra's car. “Do you carry Kyra like that all the time? What a pro!” she teased Matt. Normally, Taryn would insist she get in the car on her own, but with the rain, she didn't complain about Matt's help. She knew he didn't see her as an invalid, so it eased her mind. “Seriously, thanks.” Smoothing her frizzy hair, Taryn dropped her purse and bag of stuff on the floor at her feet.
“You're welcome,” Matt said, brushing his wet hair back. “All clear?”
She held up both hands. “Clear.” Matt closed the door. Within minutes, he had her chair folded down and put in the trunk. At least she arrived in her regular chair instead of the electric one today. Kyra hadn't climbed in the car yet. Taryn craned her neck to see what the hold up was. She and Matt were standing under the umbrella, having a conversation. Kyra climbed in the driver's seat.
It had been a long time since she'd been in the car with Kyra as the driver. Taryn's mind went to places she wasn't comfortable with, and she squeezed the door handle. Kyra was looking right at her when she did so, and her face paled.
Damn. Taryn hadn't meant to make Kyra uncomfortable, but she'd already moved from the seat. “Matt, will you drive? I should probably make the phone calls to confirm that everything is set for tomorrow night.”
“Sure.” He sounded a little confused, but Matt didn't hesitate. They quickly switched places. Matt slid in the seat, closed the door, and pulled the car out of the lot.
“Kyra, what was that all about?” Taryn asked softly. Would she admit it? There was no way it had to do with phone calls. No way.
“I have calls to make,” Kyra said simply.
Just as she thought. No admission. “Is it because I hesitated?”
Her friend said nothing, which told Taryn what she needed to know.
“Kyra-”
“I guess there's some things we can never get back to. I'm okay with that. I'd be uncomfortable if I were in your shoes. It's fine, Taryn. Not a big deal.” But Kyra sounded hurt. “I really do have calls to make, so it works out.”
Kyra made the calls on the way to Taryn's apartment. Well wasn't this just dandy.
Go figure, by the time they arrived at Taryn's apartment, the rain stopped. Completely stopped. In fact, the sun was out, and it hardly looked like her area had a drop. At least now, she didn't have to rely on Matt to get her in and out of the car. Since it was dry, Taryn told them to let her get out on her own. She'd only traveled with Kyra and Matt directly a few times, so they both were nervous as they watched her- Kyra, especially. Taryn had a feeling Matt was more okay with letting her do things on her own, since he had a son and knew people had to learn things without hand holding.
She wheeled up the ramp that led to her apartment door and unlocked it. Kyra and Matt trailed behind her. Taryn dropped the bag of work stuff on the table and turned around to face them. “I'll just get a few things together for the weekend, and I'll be ready.”
Kyra was going to say something, but her phone rang. She held up a finger and answered.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Taryn headed down the hall to her bedroom. She left her purse on the bed and grabbed a duffel bag from the shelf. The strap got stuck on the door of the closet. She jerked it and ended up slamming the door into her bookshelf, knocking things over. Books cluttered to the floor, creating a loud sound. Some days, this room was big
enough, but in a rush, it was too damn small. The apartment itself was a one bedroom with a large bathroom- one of the biggest draws to it. Plus, the kitchen had enough room for her and had low enough counter tops. The downside was not enough space in the living room or bedroom at times.
“Taryn? Everything okay?” Matt asked from down the hall.
“Yep. That was just a pile of books. I swear I'm fine.” She wheeled into the large closet. “Hey, Matt? Come on in. I have a question.” Maybe he would know if Kyra was upset at her over the slight hesitance when she climbed in the driver's seat.
“Sure thing.” His voice grew louder as he stepped into her room. “What's up?”
“Do you think Kyra's upset with me? It's not that I don't trust her to drive. I guess I had a moment of … I'm not even sure.” Taryn pulled a couple shirts off their hanger, folded them, and laid them in the bag.
“I think it bothered her a little, but it wasn't just you. Kyra still has a hard time getting behind the wheel when it's raining. Did I ever tell you about the first time I met her?”
“Through her family, wasn't it?” Taryn continued to search her closet for stuff.
“Well, that's how I knew of her, but Kyra rear-ended my cousin's fiancée's car. Andrew was also inside. It was a stormy day- in fact, it was a strange sleet and ice storm,” Matt told her. “Her song came on the radio for the first time, and she was in tears. She couldn't stop in time.”
“Oh wow. No, I never heard that story. Well, I still feel bad. We're trying to patch our friendship, and I go and make her uncomfortable. I should feel better, considering we know the truth about that accident.” Finally having what she needed from her closet, Taryn glanced behind her to make sure Matt wasn't standing directly behind the chair before she backed out.
“I wouldn't worry about it. She didn't want you to be uncomfortable, either. I'm sure by the end of the weekend, Kyra will have forgotten about it,” Matt assured her.
Taryn wasn't sure, but she thanked him for his honesty, anyway.
This day got better and better, and she meant that with all the sarcasm in the world.
Chapter Four
Lack of sleep – 1. Taryn – 0.
By two am, she'd given up on the idea that sleep would find her tonight. Taryn propped up the surrounding pillows behind her back and grabbed her tablet from the nearby table. Kyra had gone to bed hours ago after they had dinner and talked for a while.
It had been a long time since she'd slept in unfamiliar surroundings. She'd been to Kyra's new house in Sunset Hills several times, but never had she spent the night there.
A combination of the unfamiliar surroundings and life's ups and downs contributed to her sleepless fate. Her uncertain future loomed before her, and Taryn didn't know what to do. Should she stay where she currently lived and try for another job, or move somewhere else? Kyra had gently suggested she move to Sunset Hills, and that she'd even make up a room downstairs for her. There were several job opportunities for her here. Kyra's mother could get her a position at the animal hospital where she worked. Kyra didn't even mention the drummer position for Baby Stetson, though Taryn figured it would only be a matter of time before she did.
Taryn pulled up old video clips of her days with Kyra on tour. Making sure the volume was low enough, since she didn't think to have her headphones within reach, she played the first one that popped up.
“Up on drums is the girl I can't do without, my best friend Taryn McAllister!” Kyra said into the microphone. Taryn watched as her younger self pounded the drums with assurance. Back when she could walk. Back when James was alive and they all thought they were invincible.
Could she do this now? Play for a band who aimed high for the Nashville stages and start this life all over again? The questions were being fired at her Facebook page ever since the news broke about the real events from the accident. Then, after the interview when she'd been asked what was next, articles popped up about her with the same question - except some of the writers of said articles put out their own speculations. Taryn wished she'd never looked them up. Either they felt sorry for her because her legs didn't work and she was 'stuck' in a wheelchair, or they said Kyra only kept in contact with Taryn over guilt. Those were the biggest ones. Taryn didn't believe the one about Kyra, because at first, Taryn had been the one to continue calling Kyra. Did she still have guilt? Maybe, but it didn't matter.
“Can't sleep?” Kyra asked as she appeared in the doorway.
Taryn let out a small yelp and almost dropped her tablet. “Please tell me I didn't wake you up with my restlessness. I've been trying to stay quiet.” She exited the video and set the tablet down.
“No. I saw a little light coming from in here when I went to get a drink of water. Matt sent me a text so that I wouldn't worry. There's a big accident just outside of town. He didn't want me to hear it on the news and wonder about it.”
“Was he involved?” Taryn asked, suddenly worried.
“No, but he went to tow a couple of the cars involved, and another one crashed into them. He's fine, and his tow truck is fine, but he didn't want me to freak out.” Kyra stepped closer. “What were you watching?”
Taryn hesitated, but decided to tell her. “Videos of us.”
Kyra's smile grew. “I miss some of those days. Not everything, mind you, but we had some pretty big moments together.”
“I don't know if I can do it again. Not like this,” Taryn muttered. “I want to play in a band, but Baby Stetson has big plans. I've been a loner for so long, I don't know about getting out there like that. Have you seen the shit being said about me already?”
“Yeah, I have.” Kyra approached the bed, her smile fading. “I've been complaining about it, too. You should see the emails I've sent and hear the voice mails I have left. All I wanted from that interview was for the three of us to move on, not for them to write articles about you.”
“It comes with the territory,” Taryn replied. She patted the bed. “You can sit, you know.”
Kyra did, careful not to sit on top of the tablet. Taryn moved it to her other side.
“You want to say something, but aren't doing so. Why not?” Taryn demanded.
“Am I that obvious?” Kyra laughed nervously.
“I've known you since you were sixteen. Some things about you haven't changed. Go ahead, say it. Or ask.”
“I don't want to put the pressure on...”
“It's already there, especially after today.” Taryn laughed bitterly. “I've got two months at best to figure out what the hell is next. I should have seen the layoff coming, but didn't.” Two months wasn't that long, especially to find a job suitable for her.
“I've made a few suggestions. I can-” Kyra started.
“I can't rely on you, Kyra. Not saying you aren't reliable, so don't give me that look,” Taryn added when Kyra frowned. “I live in a town half the size of Sunset Hills. Why did I think moving back to Texas - at least a small town - was a good idea? If I take this package, then I may not get unemployment benefits. But if I apply for those, who knows how long it'll take? I've done short leases on my apartment, so if I have to move in a few months, I can easily. I should have moved when Dad died, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.”
“You said I can go ahead and say it, so here goes.” Kyra took in a deep breath. “Stay here with me for a few weeks while I'm home. At least you won't be alone without a way to go anywhere if your aide isn't around. It gives you time to decide your next move. In the mean time, get to know Baby Stetson and see if playing drums for the band is an option. You can do a few volunteer days at the animal hospital where Mom works and see if you like it. If none of this works out, then I'll take care of a move for you so you can find a job in a city you can live in.”
“I don't want to take your money!” Taryn protested. Kyra's idea itself wasn't too far-fetched. The idea of what happened after the few weeks was what scared her the most. “And I don't want to be in your way here while you only have a month hom
e. You and Matt are trying to figure your own future out.” The two were opposites in lifestyle choice, but Matt and Kyra fit. After a few months apart, due to Matt's strong hesitance, they'd only reunited at Kyra's benefit concert. The last thing Taryn wanted was to be a third wheel in their lives.
“Matt and I will be fine,” Kyra said softly. “Besides, he also said if you wanted, he'll let you stay at his place since most of the time he's been over here anyway, if you wanted to be on your own. His duplex is fairly accessible, if we add in some ramps and whatever else you need.”
“Okay, but doesn't most of the band live in Harmony's Echo?” Taryn asked.
“A twenty minute drive. I've got a music studio in my basement. I bet everyone migrating over here won't be a big deal, even when I'm gone. I'll give Matt the keys.”
“Basement, Kyra. They have stairs.” Taryn pointed out.
Kyra gasped, clapping a hand to her mouth. “Oh damn, Taryn. I'm-”
“Don't say you're sorry, but that's just what I mean. So many things I have to consider.” Taryn blew out a breath, her mind racing a million miles a minute.
*****
Chris returned from a jog and realized his phone was ringing from inside the apartment. He only wore his apartment key on a wristband every time he went for a run. Figuring the caller had to be Melody, he didn't make the extra rush to get inside and answer. He'd call her back right away. As he jabbed his key in the lock and turned, the phone stopped ringing.
By the time he got to it, his voice mail notification went off. He took a quick scan at the number, not recognizing it. Eh, whatever. He decided to take a quick shower and clean up before checking. The message could wait a little longer.
When he finally got around to listening to it, Chris nearly dropped the phone. No way. After all these years, and she calls now? How the hell did she get his number? Did Melody get a call, too?
Offbeat (Love and Music In Texas Book 5) Page 4