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

“Ebon, time to wash up for dinner.” Kit rapped sharply on the bedroom door.


Kit set the bowl of sauce on the table beside the basket of garlic toast. “He’s going to take a good ten minutes. Go ahead and start eating.”


Val sat down and helped herself. “I really mean it about the ‘me’ time, Kit. You need some time to socialize with people your own age for a change.”


“I see plenty of people at the restaurant.” Kit rapped on the door once again. “Five minutes until I throw your dinner out.”


“I’m coming!” As this was accompanied by the lowered volume of the video game, Kit returned to the table to dish up his own meal and Ebon’s.


Val waved a slice of garlic toast in his direction. “Waiting on somebody at work isn’t the same as socializing and you know it. I know plenty of nurses who work overtime and still manage to have a social life. You could do it if you wanted to.”


“Maybe I don’t want to, then. Maybe I’m happy with the way things are.”


Chapter 9