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 bar wasn’t very busy, not at this early hour and with the concert going full blast practically nextdoor. Kit gestured to Rod that he’d be there in a bit, then pointed out a corner table to Max. As they sat down, he tried again to explain.


Max held up a hand. A puzzled expression crossed his face, then he reached up to remove a set of expensive looking earplugs. “Now I can hear. I think. It’s awfully noisy in here.”


Kit didn’t think so, but he supposed the din of conversation and the thump of the bass from the current band in the park might be noisy to someone who liked soft music. “Max, I—”


“I wish you’d just told me you played rock and roll, Kit. It feels like you were lying to me all this time.” Max frowned at the earplugs in his hand, then shoved them into a pocket of his jeans and frowned at the waitress who’d just shown up to take their orders. “I’m not here for a drink.”


Kit ordered a Coke. “You could have dinner. They serve a good burger.”


Chapter 30