Heavy metal backbeat vs. the classics. Bassist Kit Barlow doesn't have time for romance. He's holding down two jobs and playing in a heavy metal band -- while raising his seven-year-old son by himself. But when Ebon joins the Cub Scouts, Kit can't help but notice his group leader, Max Hill. Max is everything Kit likes in a man: tall, dark, and determined. The two men come up with a way to keep their nosy families from trying to set them up with every available man in the city: they'll pretend to be dating each other. In between the afternoon pool games and the Sunday mac 'n cheese, Kit and Max find their pretend romance is developing some real heat. There's only one problem now -- Kit finds out Max despises rock and roll music. How's a heavy metal rocker supposed to woo a man who only likes classical music? Can they make their relationship work, or will they find their differences hit a sour note?

Backbeat Rhythm

Once the place looked halfway presentable, Kit dropped to sit on the sofa for half an hour of mindless entertainment. He had to get Ebon up for school in the morning, so no late hours. A dad needed his priorities straight. He found himself thinking about Ebon’s Scout leader again. Wouldn’t it be great if the man swung the way Kit did? Of course, Ebon might not like his dad hooking up with his Scoutmaster.That didn’t stop a man from daydreaming, though.


Mr. Hill was a little more slender than Kit usually liked, but what he’d seen had been well put together. Mr. Hill had the sort of mouth that looked like it needed to be kissed frequently, and that rigid posture hinted at a forceful personality. Kit could really get into a masterful partner, especially if the man turned out to be a top, or versatile.


Chapter 3