“Wow. I don't even ... the rest of his family didn't know who you were?” Chris asked incredulously. “What a thing to live with.”
“No. My uncle ... or the man I thought was my uncle who was actually my grandfather- thought Dad was a saint for taking some crazy teenage mom's daughter. Turns out, he was keeping a family scandal quiet. He was running for mayor, so Dad did what he could to keep the scandal quiet. Mom threatened to press charges. He tried to reason with her, and that's when she attacked him.”
“Hell, Taryn, I'm sorry I brought this up.”
Her chest tightened. “I was so mad at him for years, but I guess I get why he did it. I was always loved by him. That's why I can still call him Dad without hesitation, because he's always been a dad. So there you have it. The Taryn McAllister twisted tabloid story.”
“We're kindred spirits.” Chris stopped at a red light, then moved quickly to kiss her cheek. “You know, sometimes bad stuff happens. We make these spur of the moment choices, but eventually, somehow, they end up leading us to the right place. It still leaves a lot of room for regret, but maybe it was meant to happen.”
She stared at him, taking in his words, things Taryn never expected Chris to say. “I guess you have a point. I might not have gone on tour, leading me here.”
“I might not have pushed Melody to flee after we witnessed Anthony commit a murder. Harmony's Echo was meant for us somehow.” His lips made a smacking sound. “This sounds weird coming from my lips. I never say stuff like this, but our backgrounds are a little similar, and here we are.”
Here they were. Together. Figuring life out. Figuring them out. He had an interesting perspective.
*****
After their conversation on the way up here, Chris couldn't wait to get inside and get Taryn's mind on something else. Hell, who knew asking an innocent question about her mother would get that kind of answer? Not that he ever thought she had the perfect life, but he'd definitely received a surprising earful about her past.
“What is this place?” Taryn questioned him as they headed toward the entrance. The sign was no indication at all about what they were doing. The lit up words in red only said 'The Clubhouse'.
He stopped, which prompted Taryn to halt. Standing in front of her, Chris held one of her hands in his. “We're going dancing, with some adaptations.”
“Dancing?” Her voice rose. “How?”
“Come inside and see. I went looking for some kind of way that you could dance, not knowing what I'd find. I think you'll be- well, I hope you'll be happy with the results. We can dance at my sister's wedding.”
Taryn covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. “Then we'll really be the talk of the town on their wedding day!”
“Nah. We'll just have a small spotlight. Ready to go in?”
“Am I ever. This has me very curious! I can't believe you remembered me talking about dancing.”
He pretended to be wounded, putting his hand over his heart. “Should I be offended by your comment?”
“What? Why would you say that?”
“I'm kidding, drummer girl,” he replied. “You'd be surprised at the things I remember, especially concerning you.”
“Duly noted. I might start quizzing you then.”
“Bring it on. I'll ace it!”
They both laughed, then calmed down before they arrived at the doors, which pulled apart. Automatic doors. He should have expected that.
“Hi there!” A man in a pair of slacks and green shirt turned around when they entered. “Come on in! We're just about to start for the evening.” He slid a gaze over to Taryn, and his smile grew.
Chris surveyed the room. There were about nine other couples here. The floors were all done in hardwood, and folded tables were lined up along the wall in the far corner. This room must be used for several different venues and activities.
“We haven't had a new couple in a while. How did you find us?” A woman wheeled next to the man who'd just said hello and gave her attention to the two of them.
“I looked you up.” Chris grasped Taryn's hand. “I want to dance with this lovely woman here at my sister's wedding, so I did some research.”
A chorus of aww's filled the room. Okay, he didn't expect that. Heat crept up in his neck. All eyes were now on them.
“You've come to the right place! I'm Charlotte, and this is my husband, Don.” The woman in the wheelchair gestured to the man who'd greeted them. “What are your names?”
“I'm Taryn,” she said quietly.
“And I'm Chris.”
“So you've never been introduced to the sport of wheelchair dancing before, Taryn?”
She shook her head. “Honestly, since my accident, I've become reclusive. It wasn't until recently that I started spending time around people again. Before that, it was work, home, and open mic nights for me until I moved.”
“Open mic night? You're a singer?” Don asked.
Taryn laughed. “Gosh, no. I don't carry a tune well. I'm a drummer.”
“I saw you at a concert with Kyra Sanders recently!” someone piped up. A small, skinny red-haired woman sitting in a wheelchair moved a little closer, her expression full of curiosity.
Taryn squeezed Chris' hand. “Yes. I used to play drums for her.”
“We have a famous woman in our midst tonight!” Charlotte clapped her hands. “I thought you looked familiar. I love that you're still playing drums. I can't believe I didn't recognize you right away. You're an inspiration, Taryn.”
She blushed. “Oh geez. I don't know what to say. I just wanted to play music again, and now I'm learning so much more that I can do.” Glancing at Chris, Taryn's eyes filled with hope. “I had a pity party for a little too long.”
“I think we're embarrassing her, honey.” Don admonished his wife lightly.
Taryn laughed. “A little. I'm not used to this, especially not to being an inspiration.”
Little did she know Chris thought of her as one, as well, and he'd tell her so at the right time.
“Well, tonight we're all about the fast dances. Are you two up for the challenge?” Don asked.
“I think fast suits us.” Chris and Taryn glanced at each other, both smiling.
“You two are cute together,” Charlotte complimented.
“I think so, too.” Chris only had eyes for Taryn. “I've been trying to convince her of this for a while now.”
*****
“One, two, three. That's great!” Don weaved around the room with Charlotte as they made their way to each couple. “Taryn and Chris, you two are pros already! Good, good!”
Taryn had to admit, she didn't know what to expect with this. When Chris said they'd go dancing, she thought of some dumb kind of alterations that would never replace what she'd wanted. But this … this went beyond her expectations. It was beautiful, exciting, and emotional. She actually had to fight away tears once again, because this whole experience touched her in ways she couldn't explain in words. No wonder he'd made sure she brought her collapsible chair, even though that's usually what she used when going out.
As Chris spun Taryn, he set his gaze back on her, his lips curved up in a smile. “Your whole face is lit up tonight,” he said softly. “I love it. And your eyes have this fire to them.”
Heat crept up in her cheeks. “Have we moved from sarcasm and sass to sweet and sexy?”
“It's not a bad idea to mix it up a little.” Chris made another spin, going with the groove and the flow of the other dancers. “Hey, did you just call me sweet and sexy?”
“No. Never,” Taryn quipped. “I don't know what you're referring to.”
He chuckled, crinkles forming around his eyes, and his dimples grew again. “Keep it up, drummer girl. I'm going to memorize every word and move from tonight. It'll be what I think about tomorrow as they knock me out.”
“Then I guess I'd better make it memorable,” Taryn fired back, following the prompt from their leading couple.
“You already have.” Enha
nced emotion resonated in his tone. He never took his eyes off of her.
The music stopped, and everyone in the room broke out in a round of applause.
“Great job tonight! Taryn and Chris, you two lit up the room!” Don boasted. “What did you think about the experience?”
“I'm so glad I got to be here tonight.” Taryn blew wisps of hair from her face. “I had no idea how fun the sport of wheelchair dancing could be. Who knew there was such a thing.”
“We do hope you'll come back.” Charlotte spun her chair their way.
“I'm up for it if Chris is.” Excitement fluttered through her.
“You bet. My soon-to-be sister-in-law is a dance instructor, so I need to tell her about this.” Chris rested a hand on Taryn's shoulder. “I think she'd be really intrigued.”
“Keep dancing, and keep drumming.” Don ambled up and stood beside his wife. “Thanks for dropping by tonight.”
“You know, I think I will.” Taryn grinned from ear to ear.
Back in the car less than twenty minutes later, Taryn rested a hand on Chris' knee. “Tonight was … indescribable. I wish I was Kyra or Avery, able to pen a song from the feelings I experienced. I don't know what else to say other than to thank you.”
“You know, I've never been much of a dancer. I'm also not a man of many words, especially sentimental ones,” Chris said quietly. “Then I met you. You tell me about all the things you miss, and I see the feeling in your eyes, which makes me want to give it all to you.”
Sparks of mixed emotion shot through her. She could not come up with words.
“Didn't I tell you? Every day I'm going to do my best to show you that you're worth something. I want to date you, Taryn McAllister. I want to discover life with you, because until you, I didn't feel. Not the way I knew I should.”
“You and this sentimental, sweet side. I don't know what to say!” she sniffled, wiping at her teary eyes.
“Don't worry. We'll still have the banter sarcastically side. I don't think it'll ever go away. We can be sarcastic while holding hands and gazing at each other. How's that?”
She burst into laughter, but loved the sound of that. An image flashed in her mind. “That works.”
Chris' eyes lit up, and he leaned over to kiss her. “Yeah? So are we dating now?”
“Are you always this persistent?” Taryn's cheek tingled where his lips had just been.
“Only when I want something- or someone.” His tone turned serious.
*****
“You know that you'll have to get up early just to take me home,” Taryn mused as they curled up close together in his bed. He'd convinced her to stay with him tonight. After hesitance, some of which he didn't understand, Taryn agreed.
“That's okay. See, unlike you, I'm not going to tell you to go home because I don't want to get up early,” he teased.
“Ouch! Did you feel that? I think I was just burned.” Taryn feigned hurt.
He let out a laugh, then kissed her as he ran his hands up her side. “I feel no burn. Just one hot body.”
She stiffened beneath his touch. He half expected her to argue with him over the comment, but Taryn said nothing.
“Are you comfortable?” That wasn't the question Chris should be asking, but that's what came out.
“Yeah. I feel a little weird without my body pillow, but what you gave me will suffice.” Her eyes darkened as a worrisome frown spread across her face.
“Something is bothering you.” He brushed a kiss across the corner of her lips.
Taryn nodded slowly. “Yes...” She drew out the word.
“What are you worried about?”
“Everything. But more immediate … I'm worried about spending the night in someone else's bed.” Taryn pursed her lips, casting her eyes downward.
“Because you're afraid of … me? Sex?” He didn't mean to continue to bring it up, but somehow, Chris had to get her past this, if he could.
“That's part of it.” Her voice came out in a low whisper.
“Taryn, look at me,” he pleaded. What else was bugging her? They'd had a good night tonight, even with the turn of their conversation on the way.
Her eyes were full of fear when they met his.
“I want to get past these barriers. What's bothering you?”
A long, drawn out sigh blew past her lips. “You know the night I fell?”
“Yeah. Weird night. So it's because of the-”
“It's because I had an accident that night, Chris. I woke up, and I'd … had an accident.” She shifted, trying to put a little distance between them.
It didn't take him long to put two and two together, especially because Taryn was going to say something else until she changed course.
“So you're embarrassed because of that?” Okay, he could understand that. Maybe he should have not phrased it in a question. Of course she'd be embarrassed! He knew of this kind of thing from working with many paraplegics and quadriplegics before. The topics of sex and lack of bladder/bowel control was skirted around a lot. “Why does that make you uncomfortable around me tonight?”
“You have to ask? I'm afraid about doing it again. In your bed. On your pillow. Around you. That's just gross!”
“Taryn...” Chris sat up and ran his thumbs along her jaw. “A lot of people-”
“Most have more control than I do. Yes, this is all getting to me a lot more than I ever realized it would. That's why I fell. I was so upset with myself over it.” She blew out a breath. “I have to keep up a schedule with bathrooms. This is one of the things that scares me about touring and dating … I know it's not my fault, but I've been on my own since I was sixteen. Even before that, I always took care of myself because of the way I grew up. To lose function and the ability to do something that most people take for granted, well, it gets to me.”
“Do you know how many people who've become paralyzed in an accident gave up? A lot. But you got back out there. You're playing drums, and just as damn good, if not better, than how you played before. You picked yourself up, got a job, got a life, and adapted. You're getting ready- or at least contemplating- joining a band and going on tour. And you know what that tells me?” He kissed each eyelid. “It tells me that you're one hell of a strong woman. You have nothing to be afraid of. You have nothing to be ashamed of. It's not your fault you can't control certain things any more. I bet if you asked any of those couples we met tonight, they probably had this same conversation at one point. I can't stop you from worrying, but I can tell you there's nothing to worry about. I'm not going to go crazy on you if something beyond your control happens.” He wrapped her up in a comforting hug. Taryn trembled in his arms. “If I'd have been there that night, I would have carried you to the shower, cleaned you off gently, and held you close. Then I would have told you everything is going to be okay.”
“Will you do that now? At least, the holding me close part?” With the tone in her voice, how could he resist?
“You'd better believe it.” He laid on his side and wrapped an arm around Taryn, then slid the other hand beneath her pillow and snaked it around her. “Taryn, sometimes I don't think about things from your point of view. I take for granted that I can get up and pee when I need to, not thinking that one day, something could happen, and I wouldn't have that feeling any more. I also don't even think about half of this stuff that you worry about, because I see you as a strong, feisty woman. So I'm sorry if at times it seems like I skirt over your issues, but it's not done on purpose.”
“I know.” Her voice was timid. “The thought of all this has mortified me for years. I didn't want to face people. I learned to at least enjoy my own company. That night was the first in a long time. I think I was so wrapped up in having a blast with you guys, my routine and schedule were thrown off.” Her eyes were wide with concern. “It's hard to feel confident and attractive around a man with these concerns.”
He brushed his lips gently across hers. “You're damn attractive, Taryn. I've been wanting you for a
long time, and I think you know this. If anyone can't see past the wheelchair you sit in, it's their loss and my gain. I think so much of you. You're gorgeous, funny, sweet … everything on my list that I never knew I had.”
“How do you have a list of traits you like about someone if you didn't know you had it?” Taryn tapped her chin. “I'm even confused at the way I said that.”
His lips quirked up. “Spending time with you helped create that list. You're what I want, and I didn't know what I wanted before.”
She wiggled her eyebrows.
“This is why I'm not a songwriter. I don't have a poetic bone in my body.” Kissing her lightly once more, Chris rested his head on the pillow. He went rock hard again having Taryn beside him, but she'd call the shots tonight, no matter what.
“So, do you sleep with the light on?” Her lips curved up in a smile.
“Sleep? What's this sleep you speak of?” He kissed the tip of her nose, loving that tonight, she'd share his queen sized bed with him. “I could stay awake and look at you all night.”
“That's creepy! Get some sleep!” She socked him on the arm.
“I'll sleep enough tomorrow. And most likely, the next few days,” he mused, kissing her again. “We could start on that nursing me to health thing now, if you want.”
“Nope. I said this weekend. You don't get any of it early.” Taryn's eyes sparkled with amusement. “But I think we can find other ways to take care of you.”
“Oh really now?”
“Mmmhmm.”
“I'd love details, drummer girl.”
“Oh no. These details aren't for telling. They're for showing ... and feeling.”
“Taryn-”
Offbeat (Love and Music In Texas Book 5) Page 26