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

The opening riff concluded, Rod hauled the microphone close and growled the lyrics to the excited crowd.


We’ll rock your night, just come along.


It was different playing your own music. Kit found himself analyzing the tune, finding a place where Brian’s rhythm could shift to a higher octave, a spot where Chris might toss in a few extra licks on lead. He really liked the way the drums laid down a steady backbeat, and modulated into an F key for a few licks of his own. He never seemed to finish tinkering with a song, even when the audience obviously approved of the thing. He was happy the rest of the band let him do his thing, too, instead of insisting the songs be played exactly the same with every performance.


Chapter 5