Page 12 of Hollow Heart

I grumble as their voices carry, further and further from me.

I slink back into my cushions, relishing in the silk against my chilled face.

“Fuck you, McKay,” I hiss, as the world around me fades into black once more.

CHAPTER 5

Duncan

Lou parksthe Escalade back at the bar, next to my car, which is the only one still left in the parking lot at the tender hour of one in the morning.

My stomach twists, hoping Bobby wasn’t too worried, and that he’s sleeping and hasn’t waited up for me.

I hadn’t intended on staying out quite this long, but the night took an unexpected turn when Lou got a call that Felix was drunk and flashing his junk to a room full of patrons, trying topisson them.

I knew I should have just called it a night, but Lou looked like he was about to hit the roof.

I don’t know why I offered to help. Clearly the hurricane I’d had at the bar with Lou had gone to my damn head. We barely got to talking about the audition before Felix found a way to steal the show.

Lou turns the car off but neither of us move.

“You’ve got the job, McKay. If you want it, that is.” He says the words carefully.

I look back at him, twisting my lips. “Is this because of my professional resume or because I helped you corral the Wicked Pisser?”

Lou laughs, shaking his head. “Honestly? Both. Sullivan Reign isn’thalfthe drummer you are, no matter how he tries to imitate you. The real thing is always better,” he says, flashing me with a smile.

I let out my own chuckle, taking the compliment like a champ.

“But I swear, I’ve been working with Felix for five years, and no one haseverbeen able to shut him up like that. He needs someone who can tell him where the fuck he can take his bullshit.”

I sigh. “Isn’t thatyourjob?” I ask.

Lou shrugs. “Clearly, I’m doing a bang up job,” he laments, and I sigh.

“I’m too old to be a babysitter, Lou.”

Lou nods. “Maybe. But you’re not too old to play your fucking heart out for thousands of people, are you? You ain’t too old to pass up one hundred thou, are you?”

My eyes widen at his offer. I hadn’t expected figures like that.

Holy fuck.

I could pay for a top notch tuition with that kind of money.

Lou must sense my turmoil because he softly says, “It’s just for the duration of the tour. Seven cities, then you’re off the hook. We’ll figure out a permanent replacement once the tour is over.”

Nostalgia creeps into my psyche as I remember that feeling. The vast stadiums filled with folks singing, waving their lighters across the stands.

The heat of the spotlight and the rush of the performance.

But could I really pull off atourat my age?

One hundred thousand dollars.

Seven cities, one tour.

One shot and Bobby could go to the college of his dreams.

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