Page 36 of Hollow Heart

When I finish the song, I roll intoLovin’ On The Run.

I have to admit, it is actually kind of fun to play. I’m just wrapping it up when I look up and see Palo dropping his shit off in his chair, followed by Corpse, Eddie and... Duncan.

I pull out my headphones, feeling almost sort of embarrassed, though I’m not sure why.

I stop the music, shaking off the weird vibes as the boys enter, Duncan casting me a stoic, steady look that I can’t deny makes my entire body stiffen.

Suddenly, I feel more than alert, almost hyper-aware of his gaze, my brain trying to adjust to the reality of the here and now.

His gaze is not judgmental, but it’s knowing enough, and I have to wonder if he heard me jamming out to his music.

Why did I care if he heard me?

Music is meant to be consumed and enjoyed, so why do I feel so on the spot all of a sudden?

Eddie and Corpse take their spots, grunting their greetings at me. I can tell by the bags under Corpse’s eyes, he’s had a long night, but no one seems to give a shit if he gets fucked up.

No, they only seem to give a shit about me, becauseImake headlines when I fuck around.

Eddie tunes his guitar as Duncan nods at me with a half-smile.

“First one in the building. Gotta say, I’m impressed.” He nods.

I shrug, clutching my guitar in front of me, if only to provide a modicum of space, lest I want a repeat of yesterday.

I glance up at Duncan, taking in his present-day features.

And for a moment, it’s almost as if I can see the familiar bright-eyed drummer from all those years ago.

My gaze settles on his lips, and a part of me wonders what he’d look like with a ring today, amidst his scruffy beard.

“Yeah, well, there’s a lot of shit you don’t know about me,Duncan,”I reply, followed with a scoff, if only because I fear being this close to Duncan, he might actually see through me.

Past all the bullshit, all the things I keep hidden.

I worry for a moment that Duncan McKay might actually see the truth, that somehow, someway he could discern my chaotic thoughts and recent semi-obsession withHollow Pointe.

Because as far as I’m concerned, it’s just good business practice right?

Certainly, I’m not obsessed with a man I just met who I barely know.

That would be crazy, right?

CHAPTER 11

Duncan

“All right guys, take five,”Lou calls over the loudspeaker.

I’m half certain the guys can hear my heavy breaths like an echo. I haven’t gone this hard on a rehearsal in a long time, and that fact is not lost on me as my heart races, sweat soaking my sleeveless West Coast Choppers shirt.

Eddie and Corpse all but disappear the moment Lou’s voice comes over the speaker, like they just can’twaitto get the fuck out of here. I know from the countless articles, that the record company signed Felix as a solo act, and later he was given an actual band, with Corpse, Eddie, and Sully on the roster.

I can’t help but sense some sort of disdain, or perhaps even annoyance on their part for their frontman.

While I know I shouldn’t give a shit if everyone in the band is kosher with one another, it does break my heart a little that Felix doesn’t have the same camaraderie with his bandmates that I did with mine.

He’s a lone wolf with a microphone.

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