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

Geoff bit his lower lip, mulling that over. Larry held his breath, waiting. After an eternity, he started to feel lightheaded. Tell me what you’re thinking,he prayed. Give me something to go on here. Talk to me, please.


Finally Geoff asked again, “What about Doug?”


“What about him?” Larry countered. “We’re friends, nothing more than that.”


A short bark of nervous laughter escaped before Larry could tamp it down. “God, no. One, he isn’t into guys. Two, he isn’t my type.”


Geoff gave him a small smile—it wasn’t the sunny grin Larry was used to, but it was enough to dispel the storms clouding those gray eyes. In a soft voice, he asked, “What is?”


Meeting his gaze, Larry admitted, “You.”


Then he surprised them both by closing the distance between them and pressing his lips to Geoff’s to claim a sudden, tender kiss. 11


Chapter 31