Off Beat (Forgotten Flounders Series Book 1)

by J. C. Hannigan

  “Perfect.” I grinned, relief easing some of the tension in my shoulders.

  “I’ve got the paperwork right here to sign. I can meet you somewhere to drop it off if you’d like?” Christy suggested.

  “The Warf is fine. I’ll see you there.” I said, ending the call and turning right onto Pleasant Street. I drove past Harper’s shop, slowing down enough to take it in again as I passed.

  Once I hit Northwest Road, I stepped on the accelerator, eager to reach the pub before Christy.

  I did so, pulling to the curb out front and jogged inside. I was taking my third sip of a cold beer at the bar when Christy walked in, her hips swaying with each step she took, but my focus was on the folder in her hand.

  Christy had been the only agent sitting in the real estate office when I’d walked in, and she had been all too eager to help me find a place. She was the same age as me. We’d gone to different schools, but our cliques had often intersected, although I didn’t really remember her.

  I hadn’t cared who helped me do it, I needed a house, and fast. I said nothing about the real reason for my return, of course. I’d only mentioned what everybody else knew; that my grandfather had passed away, and I wanted to move back home.

  Christy sat in the free stool beside me, placing the folder down on the bar top, and smiled coyly at me as she produced a pen from the depths of her purse.

  “Are you ready to become a homeowner, Calum?” she grinned, passing me the pen.

  I took it, opening the folder. “Hell, yeah I am,” I replied, grinning down at the paper, reading through the sale’s legal agreement.

  “Sign here,” Christy directed, pressing her breasts against my arm as she pointed at the document. “And here. Here. And here…”

  “I’ve got it,” I arched a brow.

  “I guess you’re used to contracts,” Christy chuckled, drawing back enough to let me sign the paperwork uninterrupted. Once I was through, I shut the folder and slid it over to her. Standing, I picked up my coat and tugged it on. “Have a celebratory drink with me, Calum.”

  “I’ve got somewhere to be, and you’ve got to get the paperwork sent off,” I replied politely, tossing enough bills down on the bar to cover my barely touched drink and a tip.

  “Fair enough,” she laughed, standing. “Another time, maybe?”

  “Maybe,” I said, eager to leave. “I’ll see you Friday when I pick up the keys.”

  I practically jogged out to the Jeep, a lightness in my step. I’d been drawn to the house because it was the biggest one on the market with the most private, largest lot. It had four bedrooms and a guest house I could renovate into a home studio.

  Best of all, it was mine in six days.

  I drove back to my parent’s house, feeling hopeful for the first time in a long time. I parked along the curb in front of their home, locking the Jeep as I walked up the stone pathway.

  The door was unlocked, and I found my mother and Connor sitting on the couch in the living room watching a movie. Mom paused it, looking up at me as I came into the room. Connor followed her gaze, giving me an encouraging smile when I sat down on the ottoman facing them.

  “How’d it go?” Mom asked.

  “Great. He’s—he’s incredible.” I couldn’t seem to find the words to explain it, but judging by the understanding look on my mother’s face, she got it. “I’m seeing them both again tomorrow. And…I just bought a house. It’s mine on Friday.”

  “That’s great,” Mom smiled, her eyes misting a little. “I’m so happy you’re moving back home, Cal.”

  “Me too,” Connor chimed in, jumping up to hug me tightly. “I can help you move in! I’m not going back to Halifax until Sunday night. I want to see your new place!”

  “I’ll help too. You’ll need furniture. Oh! Are you planning on painting?” Mom asked, already plotting in her head.

  “Mom, Con, relax,” I laughed. “I appreciate the help, but I’ve got that stuff covered.” I planned on doing it all myself—with the singular thought of making it into a home Asher would feel safe in, one that maybe Harper would want to live in one day, too.

  Because one thing was absolutely certain; I didn’t know how or when, but I’d win her back.

  “At least let us buy you a housewarming gift,” Connor sulked, sitting back down on the couch beside Mom.

  “Fine. Knock yourselves out,” I laughed, shaking my head. “Where’s Dad?”

  “He went to bed, he’s tired, and he’s going fishing tomorrow morning with Hank.” Mom replied, patting the empty seat beside her. “Watch the rest of this movie with us. It’s a good one.”

  Harper

  I couldn’t sleep that night. My lips still buzzed from that kiss, my heart still hammered in my chest, and a restless need had taken up residence in the pit of my belly.

  If Calum hadn’t put the brakes on it—I would have slept with him. My body was completely his, one touch and it would surrender to him no matter what. I slapped my palm to my forehead, chastising myself.

  Tonight had clarified precisely why the ghost of Calum haunted every attempt I’d made to move on. Nobody kissed the way he did; his kisses consumed me, igniting everything within me. His touch erased it all; it evoked a thrill through me that launched me into a celestial world where only the two of us existed.

  I let out a quiet sigh, thankful that he had the strength to walk away because I didn’t. I was seconds away from dragging him up to my bedroom.

  That kiss…those words…the look in his eyes. It was so like our past, it was too much to handle, and I’d buckled. I had a moment of blinding weakness where I’d craved nothing more than having his lips and hands on me. I was willing to forget all of the damage he previously caused.

  My body and heart were unsettled—a traitorous reaction to him. My heart beat like he’d never left, and I’d been blindsided by the overwhelming ache to have him.

  And…that kiss.

  I had originally asked him to stay because I genuinely wanted to talk to him—we still had so much to discuss. But I hadn’t factored in my vulnerability after watching the two biggest loves of my life interact all evening. There was a naturalness between the two of them, and it was something wondrous in witnessing it.

  The guilt I felt over lost time would creep in, trying to eat away at my heart, but there wasn’t an iota of contempt in his gazes throughout the night. They were heavy, smoldering, and I felt every bit like I had when we were younger—completely captivated by his stormy gaze.

  He watched me the way he used to; every emotion, every feeling reflected within his mesmerizing irises.

  “Because the next time I’m inside you, it’ll be once I’ve won you back forever, and I haven’t done that yet.”

  Calum’s words, and the affected roughness to his voice, rolled over me, making my arms break out in goosebumps. Hadn’t he, though? Shaking my head, I pressed brew on the Keurig and waited, my toes tapping against the floor with impatience and disquiet.

  Picking up my thermos, I twisted the cap on. “Let’s go, Asher!” I called out, hearing him in the hallway. He hastened down the stairs and slid around the corner on his socks, bumping into the couch.

  “Coming!” He grinned, racing past me into the mudroom to grab his boots and coat. I picked up my purse and phone from the counter, pausing when I noticed a new text message from Calum.

  Mind if I plan something for the three of us this afternoon?

  I closed my eyes, remembering how spontaneous and thoughtful Calum’s dates had been. How easy it was to slip into old habits; and how willingly I fell.

  Sure…sounds good. We’ll be home around eleven.

  I hit send and slipped my phone into my purse, following Asher into the mudroom. He was practically vibrating with excitement. “So, what are we doing after?”

  I sent him a skewed glance as I tugged on my boot. “I told Cal we’d be home around eleven. I think he has something planned.”

  “Cool! I wonder what it is!” Asher’s
eyes were bright with excitement, and he happily bounced over to the door to hold it open for me. We stepped out onto the porch and came face to face with my mother.

  “Mom,” I came to an abrupt stop, casting her a suspicious look. “What are you doing here?”

  “I thought I’d join you two.” My mother answered with pip, sending a doting smile to Asher when he wrapped his arms around her waist in greeting.

  “You know Mrs. Prichard doesn’t like the kids having audiences while they practice. That’s what the recitals are for.”

  “Then you and I will grab a coffee, Harper.” Mom replied, leaving no room for argument. Still clenching my thermos, I inwardly sighed. I was too spent for this conversation, but I knew my mother well enough to know she wasn’t going to let it go.

  Since I’d gotten pregnant straight out of high school, my parents spend a lot of their time worrying about me and trying their best to help out. Because they were both retired, they were able to assist me the frequent times a sitter would bail when I had a class or a shift at work.

  I appreciated my parent’s help and support over the years, but right now, I needed space and time to figure things out for myself. The last thing I wanted to do was get into an argument with my mother or hear her opinion on what she thought I should be doing. It was inevitable, though.

  “Fine.” I sighed, relenting. I could at least tell her as much when Asher was occupied with his lesson. “Let’s go.”

  She climbed into the passenger seat, and I sipped my coffee while I waited for them to buckle up. Once I’d double-checked that Asher was secure, I backed out of the driveway.

  “So, how did the visit go?” Mom asked, shifting so she could look at the both of us at the same time. Luckily, I could keep my attention on the road without appearing to be rude.

  “It was great!” Asher exclaimed. “He’s really cool. He’s coming over after my lesson!”

  “Really?” I glanced at her quickly, catching the disapproving set to her lips. “Well that’s wonderful.” It didn’t sound like she thought it was wonderful at all, but a quick glance in the mirror revealed Asher was none the wiser.

  Asher’s piano teacher had a music studio down the street from the book shop, run by Mrs. Prichard, a sweet woman in her late sixties. I’d come to know about her through the Watsons, coincidently. She’d taught piano for forty years, and Asher had really taken to her.

  I parked in front of the studio, disappearing long enough to run him in and inform Mrs. Prichard I’d pick him up in an hour. When I came back out to the street, my mother was waiting by the curb, looking at the bookstore down the street.

  She heard my heels clicking against the sidewalk, but she didn’t turn when she spoke.

  “You’ve done so well for yourself, Harper. I don’t think I’ve told you how proud I am of you. You’re a wonderful mother, and you’ve accomplished so much.” She gestured to the store, shaking her head in awe.

  “Thanks, Mom,” I softened.

  “I couldn’t have done it. I dropped out of school when I found out I was pregnant with you.” She glanced back at me, a wistful little smile on her lips.

  “Really?”

  “I was going to be a paralegal assistant.” She said, and we started walking toward the bookstore. “Your father had signed on to the Royal Canadian Air Force, and we were already engaged. When I found out I was pregnant, we eloped, and I moved with him onto the family base.”

  “Do you regret dropping out?”

  “Sometimes,” she admitted. “But I loved my life with your father, and with you. I felt it was a fair trade-off. You, though…you recognized that the person who’d helped you create that perfect little boy wasn’t the person to help you raise him.”

  She said this last bit looking directly at me, making sure I wouldn’t miss her point—or the disapproval of it.

  “Mom, please. Stop this,” I sighed. “I was wrong. We were both wrong. But none of that matters. Cal is here now.”

  “For now,” she allowed, pursing her lips. “But he’ll leave again. He’s the kind of man that can’t stay tethered.”

  Her words rolled over me, making me feel sick with unease. I stopped walking abruptly. “You don’t know what kind of man he is. And for Asher’s sake, I need you to stop the hostility toward him.”

  “I’m sorry, I thought I was doing a good job concealing it.” She said with genuine surprise, and I rolled my eyes. “I just…what kind of man leaves in the middle of the night?”

  “A boy, Mom. A broken one.” I answered, facing my mother’s gaze directly. Calum hadn’t said much about the night he’d left, but I’d gotten the gist of it. The bruised jaw and split lip, the haunted look in his eyes—and the remark about not having spoken to his father since that night.

  “Well,” she sputtered, at a loss of what to say.

  “Calum left me, Mom, he didn’t know about Asher. You know that. Can we just see what happens now that he does?”

  She studied me for a moment before nodding slowly. “Okay. He gets one more chance. But I still think you should see that lawyer.”

  I sent her a blank look and continued walking, not even dignifying that with a response. Calum hadn’t done anything to merit a visit to the lawyers.

  “I’m just trying to help,” she said, falling into step with me.

  “You can help by being silently supportive and respectful of my decisions. Now let’s stop talking about this and get some coffee, okay?” I asked, pulling open the door to the bookstore.

  “All right,” she sighed, relenting, and followed me inside.

  Harper

  I dropped my mother off on our way home. Calum was already parked in my driveway, waiting. When I turned my head to say goodbye to her, I saw his Jeep and my belly swooped with that aching freefall sensation.

  Mom opened her mouth to say something but thought the better of it. “Call me later, Harper.”

  “Will do,” I said.

  “Bye, Grams!” Asher waved from the backseat, his attention drifting back out the window, at the Wrangler parked in our driveway.

  Mom closed the door, and I reversed, backing out onto the street and driving the short distance to my house.

  I pulled up beside Calum, parking with an accidental jerk. “Sorry, buddy,” I glanced in the rearview mirror, but Asher didn’t seem phased in the slightest. He was already unbuckled and reaching for the door. He jumped out onto the gravel driveway and slammed his door.

  Killing the ignition, I breathed for a moment. Collecting my purse from the passenger floor, I stepped out, greeting Cal with a reserved smile.

  His ocean-like eyes swept over me, lingering on my lips. “Good morning,” he said, flashing me a boyish grin that belied the remote and unapproachable image he’d created for himself.

  It was the Calum of my past, and I found myself smiling, unable to ignore the swooping sensation that rolled through my belly. “Good morning. So…what’s the plan?”

  “I thought we could go for a bit of a drive.”

  I swallowed, my eyes shooting to Cal’s with nervousness. Every adventure we’d ever gone on began with that same offer.

  And they’d all ended the same too; the two of us tangled up in the back of his Jeep. Obviously, that wasn’t going to happen this time, but still…I couldn’t help that my mind had gone there.

  “Okay!” Asher’s eyes brightened with excitement.

  “That sounds fun.” I managed, clearing my throat before continuing. “Asher, go grab a hat, scarf, and mitts.”

  “But Mom,” Asher whined, sending me a sulking look.

  “Your mom’s right bud, we’ll likely be outside for a bit. You don’t want to freeze.” Calum grinned. I glanced at him, and he winced, his eyes filled with apology. I smiled, showing him that it was okay—I was just surprised at how natural it felt.

  “Okay,” he sighed, trudging between us and walking up the front steps.

  “Why don’t you come in for a minute?” I asked, following Ash
er up the porch steps. I had the key, and he wouldn’t be getting in without it. Unlocking the door, we walked inside, and I held it open for Cal.

  He stepped through, waiting in the mudroom while Asher searched through the bench that contained our winter gear. He tugged a hat over his head quickly, grabbing two gloves and a scarf.

  “Ready!” Asher declared. His brows were drawn together with noticeable impatience.

  Following my own advice, I grabbed a warm pair of mitts, my favourite infinity scarf, and a cute hat that I’d bought at a little shop in town. I shoved them into my purse and followed Asher and Calum outside, listening while they talked about the piano lesson.

  Watching them walk ahead of me to the car, I took in how similar they were. Dark hair, beautiful blue eyes. Seeing them together made my heart swell with emotions I refused to acknowledge out loud.

  And that kiss.

  That cursed kiss. It had scrambled all of my senses, and I still felt adrift in a sea of confusion.

  Calum stopped by the side of his Jeep and opened the back door, holding it for Asher.

  “Oh, we need his—“

  “Booster seat? I picked one up.” He smiled. “I noticed you had one in your car and figured that meant he needed one still.”

  “Very thoughtful and perceptive,” I said carefully, trying not to unmask how much these little actions made my heart soar. I couldn’t let myself forget everything just because he was paying attention now, but my instincts urged me onward; to see him now. To stop fighting what my heart had always wanted.

  Calum closed Asher’s door and stepped forward to open the passenger side for me. I slid in, our eyes connecting through the glass as he shut it slowly. His lips twitched with a secret, and the familiarity of it pulled me back into the past. I had to pull my gaze away from him and look elsewhere to make sure I was still here, now, and not sitting in his old Jeep.

  While I was checking on Asher, who’d happily buckled up and was practically buzzing with excitement, Calum quickly walked around to the driver’s side. Once he was seated, he turned to address us both. “I thought we’d take a little drive after lunch at the Codfather. What do you say?”