“I appreciate everything, especially after all this time.” Taryn glanced at Kyra, who'd been silent the entire interview.
“We're glad to help, and we're very happy you and Kyra are friends again. You were missed, Taryn.”
Taryn didn't have too many chances to visit Kyra's family back then, but they'd always made her feel welcome when she did manage to see them. It seemed even after six years, it didn't change. Taryn's eyes welled with tears, overcome with feeling for the Sanders family.
Even if playing drums for Baby Stetson didn't work out for one reason or another, a move to Sunset Hills to be around people she knew wasn't a bad idea. It would be nice to reconnect more with Kyra when she was home and working with her mom. She also knew and liked Matt, who would be around a lot. It was better than trying to figure out another new city with complete strangers, and it beat her even smaller current residence. Nothing tied her down there any more. She'd moved at her father's insistence, and he'd been the one to take her in after the accident. He'd been good about giving her the independence she longed for, but he also helped when needed, too. But Dad wasn't around any longer, and Taryn needed to move on. This was her future. She could stay more long term at Kyra's, but she'd eventually have to find her own place.
“Hey, are you seriously going to write a song with the melody we were playing last night?” David asked as he ran into the room.
Taryn and Kyra exchanged a knowing smile. “She's already on it, David. We were both playing around with lyrics and a beat last night,” she informed him. It had been fun, too. Just like old times.
The front door opened and Matt walked in. “Ramps and rails are installed.” He held up a bandaged hand. “Only one casualty.”
“What did you do?” Taryn gasped at the same time Kyra did. She did not want anyone hurt on her account.
“Eh, nothing much. Just a smashed up finger and a bloody mess. Nothing that won't heal.” Matt waved it off. “Better me than Andrew or Randy. Granted, it's my own fault for not paying attention, because we were laughing over something. Boom. There went the hammer on my hand. But,” he nodded at Taryn, “your room is set up, and you have easy access to the bathroom.”
“You can stay as long as you want then, even when I'm out of town,” Kyra told her as she went to stand with Matt. “You can tell me what I need to do to the kitchen to make it easier for you.”
“Just tell me I'm not going to be in the way of you two. You're already going the extra mile for what's most likely a temporary thing. You know I appreciate it, but I don't want to be an inconvenience-” Taryn started.
Everyone in the room erupted in dispute.
“You're anything but, Taryn,” Kyra insisted, hurt flashing across her face. “Do you want to head to your apartment to get more stuff?”
“Probably should,” she replied, avoiding everyone's stares. “I need my drums if I'm going to play a few shows with the band. I'm not sure how all of it will fit in the car along with the three of us and my chair. I also need to get in contact with my aide. I don't think she's going to follow me out here.” Depending on anyone, no matter how much or little, frustrated Taryn. Uprooting her life again meant so many changes.
“She's got a point,” Matt said. “I'll call Randy and see about borrowing his truck.”
Taryn was about to protest, but he already had his phone out and was dialing. Well, for better or worse, the next segment of her life had begun.
*****
Taryn watched helplessly as her apartment erupted in chaos. Matt and Randy loaded her drums in the truck, along with her electric chair. Those were two big things she needed to take back with her. The rest of the furniture could wait until she was more sure of what she planned to do. As the men loaded the big stuff, Taryn and Kyra concentrated on packing the must haves from her room. She had three months left on this lease, so Kyra suggested a few options- not have to pay rent until her lease was up, or she'd pay off the entire lease for her now. Needless to say, Taryn didn't go for that plan.
“You're driving me home in the car this time, Kyra,” Taryn stated firmly. On the way, Kyra rode in the truck with Randy, and Matt drove her car. This was beyond silly. “Ever since Friday, you avoid driving if I'm in the car. It's got to stop.”
Kyra peered over at her with wide eyes.
“I know you're uncomfortable because I hesitated that day. I didn't mean anything by it. My mind went places, and it caught me off guard.”
“Are you sure?”
“I'm sure. Despite how much I'm not looking forward to a move and all that, I want our friendship back. It means putting the bullshit past behind us and trusting. I can't take back the things I said and the years I spent blaming you, but I can move forward. Don't hide from driving just because of that accident,” Taryn pleaded. “I do have one question, but it's slightly off topic. It involves what Brandon said to you about James. If you don't want to talk about it, we won't.”
Kyra froze, then sat cross legged on the floor in front of her. “No, go ahead. I don't like talking about that night, but sometimes, I have to.”
“Do you think James was unhappy and really did plan to leave me for Leandra? I feel so stupid asking, but I guess I need closure on that, too. I thought everything was okay.” The night Brandon took Kyra, a lot of things had been said. Taryn heard about that one and didn't want to ask because it was so minuscule compared to everything else, but it ate at her.
“Hard to say,” Kyra said softly. “Brandon could have been spewing stuff just to rile me up. He had his own warped opinions about that night and what happened.”
“When I was asked the question about Brandon and James, it brought the thought back up. I know, it doesn't matter. That was six years ago, and James is dead.”
Kyra flinched. “Yeah.”
Taryn regretted asking, but it would have bothered her until she did. “Enough of that. Sorry. So are you and Matt moving in together?”
Kyra sighed and changed positions on the floor, brushing off her jeans. “I want him to. He's got a few drawers of stuff at my place, and his things are in my bathroom. I want him there with me all the time, but we're still working on that. He has a hard time with it still. Matt's used to his way of living,”
“Do you think you'll get married?”
Kyra's smile grew. “One day. I won't rush it, but Matt's the one. I don't have any doubts about that. If he asked me right now, I'd say yes in a heartbeat. He won't, but whenever it happens, it's a definite yes.” A dreamy expression crossed her face, and her eyes twinkled.
“What's a definite yes?” Matt stood in the doorway with Randy trailing behind them, glancing curiously between Kyra and Taryn.
Both women stifled a giggle. “Nothing.” Kyra's cheeks reddened. She scrambled to her feet.
“Nothing?” Matt questioned, not believing them.
“Get used to it, Matt. Blaine does the same thing to me sometimes when she's talking to Avery and Melody. It's a woman thing.” Randy patted him on the back, feigning sympathy. “If you're meant to know what they talk about, you'll know.”
“I'll get it out of her,” Matt insisted, sliding his arms around Kyra from behind. Kyra continued to blush, only making Taryn laugh harder.
“Good luck,” she said to Kyra.
“Shush!” her friend hissed, then laughed.
“We have your drum set and electric chair in the truck. They're secured and covered with a tarp. Have you two made any accomplishments in here, or has it all been 'talk about Matt and not include him in the conversation' stuff?” Matt pressed a kiss against Kyra's temple.
“I'll have you know that I packed four boxes and have them closed up right there!” Kyra pointed at them after gently shoving at Matt's shoulder.
An hour later, Randy's truck was full of Taryn's stuff. She situated herself in the front seat of Kyra's car. Matt stored her chair in the trunk before kissing Kyra, then he climbed into the cab of Randy's truck.
As Kyra buckled her seatbelt, Taryn fire
d another random question. “How are tour buses these days?”
“I don't know. I haven't looked.” Kyra shot her a quizzical look. “Why?”
“It's something to think about. How much space would I have comfortably if I were to tour with a band?” Taryn kept thinking about it. “Would I be in the way with my chair? What about sleeping arrangements? Bathrooms? I play scenarios in my mind, and none of them have a good turnout.”
“I do have to find a new tour bus before the summer.” Kyra made a left turn and pulled onto the highway. “I'll take you with me, if I can, or at least keep you in mind. If you play for Baby Stetson and tour with us this summer, then you can stay on my bus. If the band gets their own eventually, we'll know what you'll need.”
On the road again with Kyra. What fun that would be. Maybe, depending on how much fuss they'd have to go through just to get Taryn comfortable. “When are you touring?”
“Late June to early August. It's not a huge tour. Forty dates. I scaled it back after Brandon's attack. I needed more time to get past the stage fright and the nightmares.”
“Well let me know when you go look at buses. I'll go with you. The more I knock off my worry list, the better I'll feel about this.”
One thing at a time. Baby steps. That was all she could do.
*****
Chris surprised himself with how much he looked forward to today's band practice. Taryn would be there. She hadn't agreed to take his place yet, but she did say she'd come to practice, then hit a few shows with them and see how well it worked out.
What surprised him more was how he looked forward to her being there, because he wanted to know more about her, and not just because he could finally figure out his next step if she joined the band. Maybe she was the distraction he needed so that he wouldn't keep thinking about Bridgette and her phone call, then her abrupt silence once again.
Either way, today would be interesting. He couldn't wait to see her drum set up a little more thoroughly. She couldn't use the foot pedal for the bass drum, and she'd mentioned some adaptations to her set. Chris admired her determination. Yep, his interest in Taryn and her life was definitely piqued. He'd moved his drums to a far corner of the garage to make room for Taryn's. Randy helped Jameson install a ramp that would aid her down the step in the garage.
He waited with curiosity for Matt and Kyra to bring her. In the meantime, Chris half listened to the wedding plans Jameson and Melody made, along with his mother and fiancé, Chet.
“We should all get married on the same day. Multiple wedding planning is starting to make me crazy!” Jameson's mom teased, sighing dramatically.
Jameson exchanged a glance with Melody. “It wouldn't be a half bad idea if we didn't already have our dates and plans.”
“If we all didn't want to get married before the tour, it wouldn't be as much of a rush!” Melody flipped through a notebook.
“Your very first tour. Can you believe it's finally happening?” Jameson's mother beamed proudly. “I've watched these kids perform since a young age, and now they're in a band, going on tour with Kyra Sanders. It's mind boggling!”
Chris couldn't hide his grin. He may not want to go on tour and play, but the fact that his baby sister had found a band and lived her secret dream made him soar with pride. If only they had a family to share their successes with, too. Guilt crept in once again, and he wished he could put his whole heart into playing drums. It reminded him of some of the worst days of his life, but he pushed through to help Melody out. He owed it to her.
“I think they're here!” Melody jumped up when a car door slammed. Her mood seemed to be better. She'd asked about any more phone calls from their mother, but had left the subject alone mostly. Maybe it didn't bother her the way it did Chris. But Melody had a family to fit into much more than he did.
She opened the back door and greeted Kyra, Matt, and Taryn, who rolled in behind everyone. Melody officially introduced them to Jameson's mom and Chet.
Chris slid his gaze over to Taryn. She had her hands clasped on her lap, and her fingers twitched. After saying hello to them, she met his gaze. Her lips turned up in a slight smile as she raised a hand in a wave. They broke eye contact when Matt touched Taryn's shoulder lightly.
“I'll go get your drums,” he said to her.
“I cleared space and moved mine,” Chris said, taking the opportunity to speak up. “I'm curious to see your set.”
“There really isn't too much of a difference from yours,” Taryn insisted. She rolled out of the way as Matt returned with part of her set.
“Here, man. I'll show you where to go.” Jameson aided Matt and led the way to the garage.
Avery arrived next with her husband, Lucas, and daughter, Emily, in tow. Emily set her sights on Taryn and waddled right over to her. Chris watched the encounter with a smile.
“Oh, Emily!” Avery rushed to get her as she tried to climb Taryn's chair.
“Oh, don't worry. She's fine. I don't mind if she comes to sit with me.” Taryn reached for the baby and set her on her lap.
“She thinks your wheelchair is a ride.” Avery's cheeks flushed.
Taryn chuckled. “Most kids do. She's beautiful. How old is she?”
“Almost sixteen months.” Avery beamed. “She's definitely taking a liking to you. Emily is normally somewhat shy.”
Matt and Jameson returned and headed outside to pick up the rest of Taryn's drum set.
“I'll take her. Miss Emily and I have a play date with a friend.” Lucas swooped the baby in his arms. “I just wanted to stop in and say hi.”
“Enjoy!” Taryn blew a kiss at Emily, who went absolutely crazy over it, bursting into a fit of infectious giggles. The two exited just as Matt and Jameson returned. “I can follow you, right? That way I can tell you how everything should go.”
“Absolutely. Come on.” Jameson gestured. Chris tentatively followed, curious to see Taryn's setup in action.
“Yeah, I do that, since I don't have the pedal option,” Taryn was saying as Chris entered the garage. “It works enough. It took me a while to get used to it. You can tell me if it sounds any different to you. I've never played like this full on with a band before, so I don't know if it'll make a difference.” She glanced up when Chris approached. Twirling her hair around on her pointer finger, she sent him a shy smile before paying attention to Matt and Jameson again.
“I bet it won't sound too different,” Chris interjected. Taryn's gaze landed on him once more. “I haven't noticed a difference so far the few times I've seen you play.” Should he shut up now, or what? Taryn kept looking at him as if he were crazy. Maybe she was just nervous. She didn't hold eye contact long with anyone other than Matt or Kyra, so he wondered if that were the case. He didn't peg Taryn as shy, but maybe she'd been more that way since her accident. She did make a comment about guys not coming up to talk to her often, so it made sense.
“Okay Taryn, tell me if I got everything right.” Matt took a few steps back. “If I need to adjust something for you, let me know now.”
Taryn rolled over behind her drum set, took her sticks from Matt, and did an inspection. She moved from left to right. She pounded out a few beats, then set the sticks down in her lap. “We're good. Thank you so much.”
“Not bad for a first timer.” Matt chuckled. “If you don't need anything else, Kyra and I will take off until you're ready for us to come back. Where is she, anyway?”
“Still out in the dining room, talking to Avery and Melody,” Chris informed him. As Matt walked away, Chris edged closer to Taryn. “Nice set.”
“Thanks.” Taryn moved her sticks and peered up at him. “It's my pride and joy.” She reached behind her for the purse on the back of her chair and retracted a hair clip. Taryn's light brown curls were wild and unruly. He imagined they weren't easy to manage when she played drums. This woman intrigued him in so many ways. It wasn't often he found a female drummer.
“Taryn, I just have to tell you now how excited I am that you're pract
icing with us today!” Avery entered the room and made a beeline for the stool she loved to sit on and opened her guitar case.
“I'm glad to have the chance, even if I am nervous.” Taryn fiddled with something in her hands. “How often do you have live shows?”
“It depends on the season. Sometimes a few shows a week, sometimes none for a few weeks. We play normally at a local bar in town called Catered Whims. Now that we're getting out more, we've played several different venues.” Avery raised her guitar strap over her head. “I've already talked to Catered Whims about accessibility, in case you decide to come play there. We've been with them a long time, and they're always willing to accommodate.”
Conversations were cut short as the rest of the band filtered in. Avery and Melody were lost in conversation about lyrics. Jameson bounced guitar riffs around with Marty. Randy was in the process of setting up the keyboard and hitting a few keys. As much as he didn't want to, Chris moved away from Taryn and went to sit with Blaine in the far end of the garage where chairs were set up. Blaine wasn't a member of the band, but she often sat in to listen.
Chris couldn't take his eyes off Taryn most of practice. So far, so good. Taryn and the band were getting along. She even piped up several times with ideas and things. For a brief moment, Chris longed to feel like a real part of it, but he didn't know how to get rid of the detached feeling over the world lately. No matter how he looked at things, playing drums full time in a band didn't suit him.
Chapter Seven
Based on one practice, Taryn had good feelings so far. Baby Stetson was a fun band to hang out with. Taryn realized that right away. At first, she wished Kyra and Matt had stayed, but she pushed that childish thought far from her mind. She was a big girl and could handle people she didn't know well. It was a big step for her, and she was proud of herself for handling it so well. Yep, she'd definitely become a recluse, and it showed. But she would slowly pull herself out of that.
Offbeat (Love and Music In Texas Book 5) Page 6