Keep the Beat: A Band-Com for Romance Geeks by Kata Cuic
Publication date: April 21st, 2020
Synopsis (according to Goodreads):
Sophia Reston has never been bothered by the term band geek. The definition of geek is an enthusiast or expert in a particular field of activity. She loves marching band with all her heart, so the term is appropriate. Of course, one of the lesser known definitions of a geek is a carnival performer who is often billed as a wild man and whose act typically includes biting the head off a live chicken or snake. This definition also seems accurate since there is one snake Sophia fantasizes about maiming in the most deliciously torturous ways--her archnemesis, James Fossoway.
He has a stupid nickname, stupidly attractive muscles, a reputation for sleeping around, and he is a fellow band geek. Unfortunately for Sophia, he's also an enthusiast of pushing all her buttons--and not in a good way.
When their rivalry to one final showdown during the competition for head drum major, the entire band is invested in the outcome. And James has some new tricks up his sleeve to win the last battle they'll ever wage against each other.
Because, after years of pranks, James isn't out for revenge. He wants Sophia's heart.
Or maybe it's just another dumb challenge.
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Excerpt
"Why is it so hard to imagine that I could put the needs of the band before my own? You might hate my guts, but you can't deny you know me. I love band, James. I'll do anything to make our senior year successful.
Silent laughter dances in his eyes. This is not the reaction I was hoping to get from calling him James again. "You mean, you'll do anything to make your senior year successful."
He never denies hating my guts. That's noteworthy. Or not.
"It's no secret or surprise every one of us wants the head drum major spot for ourselves. You, me, and the other guys are all going to be trying to get the votes. Don't make it out to be some sort of covert operation that only I'm participating in."
Only I am. And so are they.
Screw being an attorney. I should be a spy. I actually think I just said all that with a completely straight face.
"Is that right?" James nods, his gaze sweeping over my face like he's trying to play hide-and-seek with all the lies piling up between us in this room.
"Yes, that's right." I struggle not to nod and raise my voice to the liar, liar, pants on fire octave.
"Okay." James crosses his arms over his chest without stepping back, nearly knocking me off-balance. "Prove it."
"Prove what?" That physical move was meant to reinforce this mental one. "That I love band?"
"Prove that we're friends now." He swings his finger in the miniscule distance between us.
Distance that feels stifling all of a sudden. Did the AC break down? Maybe I am dehydrated after all. I'm sweating while chills skitter down my spine.
"How?"
He rolls his eyes up and sticks his tongue in his cheek, making a big show of pretending to think about it when it's obvious he already has a suggestion waiting to pounce out of his throat like a bloodthirsty tiger. When he focuses his intense blue eyes on me, a sneery sort of smile creeps along his lips until he looks like a lopsided Joker. It's turning into a freaking circus in this tiny, tiny room.
"Kiss me."
Silent laughter dances in his eyes. This is not the reaction I was hoping to get from calling him James again. "You mean, you'll do anything to make your senior year successful."
He never denies hating my guts. That's noteworthy. Or not.
"It's no secret or surprise every one of us wants the head drum major spot for ourselves. You, me, and the other guys are all going to be trying to get the votes. Don't make it out to be some sort of covert operation that only I'm participating in."
Only I am. And so are they.
Screw being an attorney. I should be a spy. I actually think I just said all that with a completely straight face.
"Is that right?" James nods, his gaze sweeping over my face like he's trying to play hide-and-seek with all the lies piling up between us in this room.
"Yes, that's right." I struggle not to nod and raise my voice to the liar, liar, pants on fire octave.
"Okay." James crosses his arms over his chest without stepping back, nearly knocking me off-balance. "Prove it."
"Prove what?" That physical move was meant to reinforce this mental one. "That I love band?"
"Prove that we're friends now." He swings his finger in the miniscule distance between us.
Distance that feels stifling all of a sudden. Did the AC break down? Maybe I am dehydrated after all. I'm sweating while chills skitter down my spine.
"How?"
He rolls his eyes up and sticks his tongue in his cheek, making a big show of pretending to think about it when it's obvious he already has a suggestion waiting to pounce out of his throat like a bloodthirsty tiger. When he focuses his intense blue eyes on me, a sneery sort of smile creeps along his lips until he looks like a lopsided Joker. It's turning into a freaking circus in this tiny, tiny room.
"Kiss me."
About the Author:
Kata Cuic lives in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and three teens. She's an actual marching band geek, and she attends alumni events for both high school and college whenever her schedule allows. Her children wouldn't exist today if she hadn't fallen clarinet over tuba in love with her spouse during their shared time in marching band. Coincidentally--or not--the kids are following in Mom and Dad's footsteps. Band family isn't fictional at all.
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