Keeping the Beat: An Adrenaline Novel

by O'Hara, Morgan

  Not only did the job suit me, the small town did as well. When I'd told my brother Mason I was moving to a town so small you could barely find it on a map, he had laughed in my face. We had never lived anywhere but a major city. Sometimes we lived in other countries, but always in a place where everything we could ever possibly need was within our reach. My parent's careers had taken me to a lot of fast paced places. It was time to try to slow things down for a bit.

  I liked the rhythm of the town. The fact that everyone waved to you, whether they knew you or not. I liked knowing what to expect when I turned the corner. The routine of the life I was building here felt stable. Stable was something I'd always wanted.

  A low whine sounded in my ear and I turned right into my dog Kiddo's sloppy kiss.

  ”Oh gross," I giggled pushing her big face away. She gave a sharp bark and sat, her butt wagging back and forth as she stared at me. "Did you want to go play outside?" I asked cocking my head.

  Immediately Kiddo let out a loud bark. Her head butted my shoulder as if to motivate me to move faster. We had been inside longer than I had planned. But I hadn't exactly planned to be cleaning up an accident left by my last client.

  In addition to providing a home for animals without one, I had started teaching dog obedience classes. I'd always had a weakness for animals, but dogs especially. I enjoyed working with them and I thought the feeling was mutual.

  "You're right," I informed my dog as I rid myself of the stinking mess I'd just cleaned up. "We should give ourselves a break. We deserve it." Just as we were about to walk into the fenced in area on the property, I heard my assistant Tegan call for me.

  "Maeve," her voice came a second before her head popped around the corner. "Oh good you're already on your way."

  "On my way where?" I asked as Kiddo leaned into the scratch Tegan was giving her.

  "To your next lesson," Tegan said glancing down at her phone. "I have you scheduled with Loki right now."

  The disappointment of not having a break was somewhat better knowing who the client was. Loki belonged to a nice couple who I was starting to think of as friends. I hadn't been in town that long when I'd started at the shelter. Reece Becker and her dog had been two of my first clients. I was fairly certain her endorsement of me had brought more than a few townspeople my way.

  "Thanks Tegan," I gave her a smile as I signaled for Kiddo to come to my side. "I would literally walk around in a fog of confusion without you looking out for me."

  "What can I say?" She laughed and pulled her cotton candy pink hair away from her face. "I'm the best."

  "You really are," I confirmed with a wink. Tegan was truly a godsend. She had more of a business brain which came in handy because that stuff was a bore to me. When she was out of school I was planning on offering her a partnership.

  Turning on my heel I walked out into the yard with Kiddo keeping pace by my side. My loving lab never strayed too far away. Shielding my eyes to the sun I saw Reece and her fiancé waiting for me by the small obstacle course we had outside. I raised my hand to greet them as I walked across the lawn.

  "Hey Maeve," Reece said noticing me. Her fiancé Declan turned to smile at me as I reached where they were standing. The first time I had realized who Reece was getting married too I had been taken aback. I had been mixing company with celebrities since I was born, but I had never expected to run into one in a small town almost no one had heard of. Maybe that's why Declan and the rest of his family lived here.

  "Good to see you again," Declan said in a friendly voice. He had his hand wrapped tightly around Loki's leash as the dog strained to go greet Kiddo. My dog was looking up at me with wide eyes asking permission to go say hello. Giving her the signal to relax, she trotted over to sniff at Loki.

  "It's good to see you too. How has everything been going?" I asked nodding towards their dog.

  "You're like magic, Maeve," Reece said with feeling. "Loki is like the same loving dog but with amazing manners."

  "You've really saved our new furniture," Declan added. His arm wrapped around Reece's waist, pulling her into his side. Her head dropped to his shoulder and I couldn't help but smile at the picture they made. When Reece had their baby, it was going to be a knockout.

  "I'm glad to hear it," I smiled down at the dogs. "You're gonna be happy not to have to be an outside dog when winter comes, Loki."

  "Aunt Reece," a young voice rang out across the yard. "I can't find your phone anywhere. It's not under the seats like you thought." Simon Cooper jogged across the yard flashing a smile at me as he did. "Hi Maeve! Can I pet your dog?"

  "Hey Simon," I smiled as he hedged towards Kiddo with his palm outstretched. "Go for it."

  He immediately started giving Kiddo enough attention to spoil her for life. Simon had started coming to dog training lessons with his aunt and uncle a few weeks ago. He'd said he wanted his dad to see that he was responsible enough to have a dog of his own. I had to admire the kids commitment. He'd been to almost every session that Loki had. When I'd asked if he'd be interested in doing some volunteer work here he'd jumped at the opportunity.

  Hopefully Simon's dad would stop being such a hard ass and get the boy a dog. Not that I'd mind having him around the shelter. The kid was sharp and funny. Not a pain in the ass like my brothers had been at his age.

  As I took us through the commands I had to smile seeing Simon watching me so intensely. It was like he was trying to memorize everything I did. Probably so he could prove to his dad that he knew what he was doing. When I saw Loki's attention waning I decided it was time to end the lesson.

  "Let's give the dogs a rest for today," I suggested. "Loki's doing great."

  "He really is," Declan agreed with a glimmer of pride in his eye. "He probably deserves a treat."

  "I agree," Reece said fishing into her pocket. Loki immediately sensed what was happening and looked at his owners with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. "Sit," Reece commanded in a firm voice. Immediately Loki's bottom touched the grass. "Good boy!" Reece laughed and fed the treat into the waiting pups mouth. "That's a good boy."

  "Did you learn anything useful Simon?" I asked grabbing a treat for Kiddo.

  "My Aunt Kenzie says we're always learning something useful," he answered with a shrug. "I think I know enough to get through the basics when I get my dog though."

  Declan rubbed an affectionate hand over Simon's head. "Maybe for your birthday, bud."

  "Maybe," Simon agreed. "I think dad knows that's what I want."

  "I think we all know that's what you want," Reece said with a wink. Simon gave her a shy smile and looked back at Kiddo. The longing in his eyes was one I knew well.

  I had wanted a dog so bad growing up but my parents work had never allowed it. We'd always been on the move as they traveled from set to set, location to location. Film stars life were hardly ever stable enough for us to have any pets. Neither my mom or dad ever stayed still long enough to put down solid roots. That was something I had always wanted to do.

  "I hope he decides soon. My birthday is only a week away."

  "That's right," I said. "Halloween birthday."

  Simon brightened looking glad I had remembered. "Yeah! It's my dad and uncle's birthday too. They're twins."

  "That's really cool," I commented with a smile. "You get to share your birthday with them."

  "Uncle Wyatt says it's spooky we were born on the same day."

  "Wyatt wouldn't know cool if it bit him in the butt." Declan's comment made Simon break out in laughter. "I'd love for my birthday to be on Halloween. Free candy and cake? Sign me up."

  "I could get on board with that." I laughed when Declan gave me a high five.

  "Do you want to come to my party?" Simon asked with wide blue eyes. "It's during the day on Halloween do you wouldn't miss out on trick or treating later."

  "Oh," I said surprised. "I wasn't really planning on trick or treating."

  "So you can come then," Simon gazed up at me with excitement written all
over his face. "You don't have to wear a costume either. It's not that kind of party."

  "I don't know Simon," I looked at Reece and Declan for help. "I wouldn't want to intrude on your party."

  "It wouldn't be an intrusion," Reece said smoothly. "You're more than welcome to come. It's just going to be the family on Halloween. Simon's party with his friends is the following weekend."

  "If it's just family I would really be intruding." I saw Simon's face start to fall and couldn't stand knowing I'd made that happen. "If it's really alright I can swing by for a little bit."

  "It's perfectly alright," Declan smiled showcasing the dimple in his chin. "You can meet the rest of the family."

  “It’ll be great,” Simon grinned. “Maybe you can tell my dad how awesome it is to have a dog?”

  I laughed and ruffled his hair. “I’ll do my best.”

  Lucas

  The door banged shut and the sound of thudding feet headed up the stairs. "Dad!" Another door banged open and I heard his voice again. "Dad? Where are you?"

  "I'm in the kitchen," I called back shaking my head. The kid had ran right past me but was obviously too excited about something to notice. Seconds later I heard the sound of him clamoring down the stairs.

  "Dad," he said jumping into my eyesight. His blonde hair was a mess around his face, his cheeks slightly red from his mad dash around the house. "Hi."

  "Hi," I gave him a curious smile wondering what had him so worked up. "Did your aunt and uncle drop you off?"

  "Yeah they were gonna come inside but Uncle Declan said Aunt Reece needed to rest and I could tell she was gonna yell at him so I just hopped out of the car."

  "Smart man," I said skirting around the counter. I'd decided to make spaghetti for dinner last minute instead of ordering pizza like Simon and I usually did on Friday nights. "Did you have a good time?"

  "Uh huh," he said coming to move behind me. "Is that spaghetti?" He asked sniffing the air.

  "Uh huh," I echoed nudging him away from the stove. I'd made it knowing it was Simon's favorite. I had something to talk to him about that more than warranted his favorite meal.

  "No pizza?" He asked all wide eyed curiosity.

  "Are you complaining?" I raised a brow.

  "No, no," he rushed to say. "I'll set the table."

  "Thank you," I said turning back to the boiling noodles. It never ceased to amaze my how awesome my kid was. Simon was always polite and helpful even when he didn't want to be. It was a miracle. Especially since he hadn't had the easiest childhood.

  I felt a flood of guilt swarm through me every time I thought of it. I'd never forgive myself for going on tour and leaving Simon with Cadence. My ex had been a horrible wife but until Simon was five I'd been blind to the fact that she was a horrible mother.

  "Dad?" Simon said cautiously making me jerk to attention. I peered at him over my shoulder and saw him watching me carefully. "You okay?"

  "Of course," I said gruffly. It was eerie sometimes how well Simon could read me. There was no way my son had guessed my thoughts but something must have queued him into my dark mood.

  "Okay," he said believing me readily. Simon was used to the brooding side of me. "So about my birthday," he started with a sly look.

  "What about it?" I asked grabbing a plate and heaping a pile of spaghetti on it.

  “Well I've been thinking about what I want."

  "Let me guess," I interrupted handing him the plate. "You want a dog."

  "Well yeah," Simon huffed and sat at the table. "But I understand I might not get one for my birthday."

  "Really?" I asked running my tongue over my teeth. The way he had been yammering on this past month you'd think I'd promised him a dog at the crack of dawn on his birthday.

  "Really," he gave a sure nod. "That's why I invited Maeve to my party. Maybe she can talk you into it.”

  "Who?" I turned from where I'd been putting food onto my own plate to stare at him. "Is that a friend from school?"

  Simon looked at me like I had grown two heads. "No," he said slowly. "Maeve is the lady who runs the animal shelter in town."

  What the hell?

  "You invited a grown woman to your birthday party?" I felt my brow slam down into a frown as I moved to sit across from him. The conversation I had planned on having with him could wait another day. ”Did she say she was coming?"

  "Yes. Why do you sound mad?" Simon asked with a frown. "Maeve's nice and she's my friend. Uncle Declan and Aunt Reece invited her too."

  "Oh they did, huh?" Looked like I would be making a phone call after dinner.

  When Simon and I finished eating I asked him to clean up while I stepped out on the back porch. I pressed the number to call Declan and placed the phone to my ear waiting impatiently as it rang.

  "Howdy partner," Declan answered cheekily. "How's it hanging?"

  "What the hell were you thinking,” I let loose without even giving a hello in return. My mom would have swatted at me for forgetting my manners. “Inviting a random stranger to join us on Simon's birthday?"

  "Maeve's not a random stranger," Declan explained in a soothing voice. "She's a friend. Don't be such a grouch."

  "I'm not being a grouch," I bitched. "I haven't met this woman and Simon is referring to her as his friend. What kind of woman accepts an invitation to an eleven year old's birthday party?" Was it possible she knew who Simon was? Who be belonged to?

  "The kind who was railroaded into it," Declan answered. "She tried to back out but saw how bummed Simon seemed. I doubt she'll even stay long enough for cake."

  "I don't like it," I mumbled feeling somewhat mollified. "Maybe I should give her a once over before I give the okay."

  "Whatever," Declan chuckled. "Go meet her then and get your kid a damn dog while your at it. If you don't give in soon I'm going to end up getting him one myself."

  "I'm still thinking about it."

  "You think too damn much," Declan said sounding amused.

  I had a rebuttal on the tip of my tongue but bit it back. I knew Declan was teasing me but there was a reason I did things my way. In my own time. It hadn't been too long ago when I was incapable of making a good decision. Those times I'd allowed myself to act with no rational thought had cost me and my son. There was no way I was letting that happen again.

  No one would ever hurt what was mine again.