Off Beat
Love and Music in Texas Book 5
By USA Today Bestselling Author
Nikki Lynn Barrett
Cover designer: Robert Barrett
Genre: Contemporary romantic
Life is full of
choices...
Right before she
turned sixteen, Taryn McAllister made several rebellious choices, one which led
her to become the drummer for a major teen sensation country star. After a
deadly accident, she made another choice - to get back on the wagon and play
drums again, no matter that it took adapting because she's confined to a
wheelchair.
Now another set of
choices is thrust upon her. After reconnecting with her estranged best friend,
Taryn is offered a chance to play drums for a local Texas band ready for the
Nashville move. Her once strong confidence is shaken, and she's torn between
her love of music and the reality that it might not work out.
Chris Roland made a
string of bad choices, and it's left him feeling numb. Now he's playing the
drums temporarily for his sister's band, but he knows this isn't the life for
him. Problem is, he doesn't know what direction to go. He knows what he doesn't
want, but can't decide on what he does want.
And then he meets
Taryn, the feisty drummer who could be his replacement. He's relieved for a
chance to break away....that is until he gets to know her. And while he's
getting to know her, she's helping to open up a part of his soul that was long
dead and buried.
It's high time to
make the right choices. It's just a matter of deciding what choice is right.
Chris glanced
around as he entered the house.
“You look nervous,”
Matt commented.
“A little. Right
now, I'm making sure there aren't any traps set for me. I heard the girls were
cooking up something earlier. I'm waiting for my life to flash before my eyes.”
Matt let out a
laugh and Kyra smirked. “I promise, we haven't set any death traps. Only
because I never know who's going to knock on my door.” She winked. “Taryn!
You've got company! Let me know if I need to roll out our plan!”
Chris exchanged a
look with Matt. He held up his hands. “I know nothing about this. I've been
working all day. Good luck.” Matt patted him on the shoulder and left the
living room.
Hell. What in the
world had been said about him today?
“Hi,” Taryn said
softly as she wheeled down the hallway and stopped right before entering the
living room.
“All right, I have
to ask. You aren't hiding any sort of weapon, are you?” Chris asked in jest.
“Because ever since I walked in here, I have a feeling some sort of master plan
has been devised.”
“You're welcome to
do a search.” Taryn folded her arms over her chest, casting a grin his way. She
eyed the flowers.
“Don't tempt me. I
don't do well with surprises.” He held out the vase to her. “I don't know if
you do the whole flowers thing, but I didn't let it stop me.”
“I think it's
sweet, just saying!” Kyra called from the other room.
“Quiet, Kyra!”
Taryn called back, stifling a giggle.
“Don't worry. We're
leaving. I'll keep the instigator away for awhile,” Matt promised.
“You're supposed to
be on our side!” Kyra protested.
“Someone has to
stand up for the poor guy!” Matt and Kyra appeared in the doorway, both
laughing.
“Thanks, Matt. Glad
to know someone has my back.” Chris shook his head. “Is this a mess with my
friend and you get everyone's wrath kind of thing?”
“Pretty much. Some
things never change.” Kyra shrugged.
“How do you deal
with this?” he asked Matt.
“I stay in their
good graces,” came the simple, yet honest reply. “But to be fair, I've feared
Kyra's wrath a few times.”
“Yes but Kyra's
wrath is to put you in a song. Mine involve drumsticks,” Taryn warned.
“We're going now, I
promise. See you two later.” Kyra waved, then allowed Matt to drag her out the
door. When they were alone, Chris let out a nervous laugh. “So on a scale from
one to ten, how much does everyone want to kill me?”
“Oh, it's been all
over the place today.” Taryn nodded.
“Right now?”
I'm an avid lover
of books. I've been writing as far back as I can remember, completing my first
"book" by fifth grade in one of those one subject spiral notebooks. I
have a passion for music, photography, jewelry and all things creative. I live
in Arizona with my husband and son, but dream of being somewhere much colder
and stormier. For now, I'll have to live that life through my characters and
stick it out with the summer heat.
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