Page 2 of Hollow Heart

I haven’t felt this nervous sinceHollow Pointeauditioned for Virgin Records back in the day.

I crack my neck as I head in through the glass door. The office itself is all wood and black stone, the walls decorated with posters of all the top acts that are part of thePillars of Rocktour.

I don’t really listen to much modern rock, and Bobby’s more of a Gaga fan, so I can’t say I’m familiar with the bands. Though with names likeMage of Mercy,Heart Killer,Gravedigger, andFelix Hart, I can only imagine they are into all that screaming nonsense.

The elevator takes forever, or so it feels. I tap my foot impatiently, if only to try and quiet the sudden nerves.

I’ve played for millions of people before; surely I can handle Lou and a roomful of corporate assholes.

Finally the elevator chimes, and I let out a deep breath.

Here goes nothing.

“Duncan! So good to see you!” Lou says, his voice genuine. Time has definitely caught up to the both of us.

While I’ll always think of Lou as the young and slender manager with hair that would have rivaled Sebastian Bach in his day, I can’t say he doesn’t look impressive in his navy suit, with some extra pounds.

I wrap my arms around him and hug him tight.

It’s been years since I’ve seen the guy, and instantly, all the memories come flooding back.

Memories of parties and shows, of alcohol, and sex.

So much freaking sex. But hey, it was the eighties; we didn’t question shit then.

“You look good, Lou,” I say with a smile as he chuckles.

“You haven’t changed a bit since I last saw you,” he says, setting his hand on my shoulder. “How’s Bobby doing?”

I shrug. “He’s sixteen. Keeps to himself, thinks he knows everything.” I sigh. “Before I know it, I’ll be sending his ass off to college.”

Lou leads me through the main office, down a low-lit hallway. Like the main office, the walls are covered in posters of musical acts, and even some films.

“Wow, that’s insane. How areyoudealing with all that?”

I stuff down the anxiety in my stomach, attempting to deflect. I know Lou is just being nice, but I don’t want to think about Bobby leaving.

I don’t want to think about the reality that sooner rather than later, I’m going to be an empty nester.

A single empty nester.

Fucking hell.

My friends and family tried numerous times to get me to go to groups, to start dating again, but I could never find it in my heart to put myself back out there.

Marci was a gem. There was no one in the world like her, and I knew no woman would ever compare. Despite the rumors and what others may think about my past as a famous rockstar, I don’t favor casual sex or hook-ups.

Marci may have been a fan when we met, but it didn’t take long for either of us to realize we were it for each other.

No, I’d accepted my fate as a single, widowed father.

All I need is my kid and my music. That’s it.

Lou opens the door to the sound studio, and I am surprised to see it is pretty spacious. Bigger than anything I’ve ever recorded in, that’s for sure.

Two sound engineers sit in front of the panels, looking skinnier than Lou was when he wasmymanager.

One of the engineers is wearing jeans that are thinner than a fucking pencil, while the other is dressed in sweatpants and a long-sleeve shirt that saysSave Rock and Roll.Combined with his thick-rimmed glasses, and his clean-shaven face, I have to wonder if he even knows what Rock and Roll is.

---