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

A little unnerved, he reached out for Crystal’s hand, only to find it already slipping into his.


Marnie walked ahead quickly. A sudden rush of sound from behind them told Larry the concert had finally ended, and the crowd was now fighting its way out of the arena and up the stairs. Giving his daughter a tight smile, he joked, “Stampede.”


Up ahead, Marnie muttered, “Tell me about it.”


As if realizing she wasn’t alone, Marnie glanced back over her shoulder and eyed the two of them. To Crystal, she asked, “This your first concert, sweetie?” The way she said sweetiemade it sound like anything but a term of endearment.


Crystal nodded, but Marnie wasn’t looking at her so she cleared her throat and answered, “Yes, ma’am.”


That earned her a snort. “Ma’am,” Marnie scoffed. “That’s a good one.”


Chapter 45