Back in college, Larry Carson played drums in a friend’s band and fell in love with the lead singer, Geoffrey Mason. But all that’s in the past. Larry’s now thirty-five, divorced, and father to a precocious thirteen-year-old daughter. One day, when Larry picks Crystal up from school, a song comes on the radio by a new rockstar climbing the charts. Larry recognizes Geoff’s voice immediately, though Crystal calls him Geo and claims he’s the hottest new singer on the scene. Just hearing him brings back a flood of memories, reopening wounds Larry thought long healed. The more he listens to Geo’s music, the more Larry falls in love with his former boyfriend all over again. Partly to prove to his daughter that he used to know Geo back in the day, and partly to reconnect with his old friend, Larry buys tickets to an upcoming concert and manages to score backstage passes. But there was a reason Larry and Geoff lost touch -- and stayed out of touch for so long. Will Geo even want to see Larry again after all this time? Or will the magic of their old familiar song bring about a harmonious duet?

Old Familiar Song

Suddenly Crystal looked up at him with wide eyes, the hint of a smile on her face.


“What?” he asked, stealing one of her fries. He’d already eaten all of his own, and he knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t finish hers.


She looked up at the ceiling. “Hear that?”


“I can’t hear anything.” Larry took another fry.


“Dad!” She pulled her plate away, as if that would stop him. “They’re playing your old boyfriend’s song.”


Larry’s ears perked up. “I never said he was my boyfriend.”


Crystal rolled her eyes. “I’m kidding, God. He isn’t even gay.”


The comment surprised Larry so much, he let out a quick bark of laughter. “How would youknow?”


“Chuh! I knowGeo.” When he reached for another fry, she pulled the plate so far out of reach, it was almost in her lap. “Everyone knows he’s dating his PA, Marnie Hall. She’s gorgeous. And a royal bee-yotch, from what I hear.”


Chapter 7