Page 43 of Hollow Heart

“Ten minute warning, boys,” Lou touts from the other side, the door remaining shut. “Quit fucking around and let’s get this show on the road.”

CHAPTER 12

Felix

I’ve never been morethankful to be interrupted by my manager in my life. Because I know, if Lou hadn’t banged his fist on my dressing room door, I might’ve just fucking kissed Duncan McKay.

I know it was probably not a good idea to even let myselfthinkabout my current drummer in that way, and God only knows why I wanted to, least of all because myrelationshipwith my last drummer didn’t end well.

That’s an understatement. The man saw you as a fucktoy and nothing else. Which was fine until it wasn’t.

I usually preferred built, pretty boys with a little edginess to them, like Sully, but I can’t deny that Duncan dressed up in purple velvet, his beardneatlytrimmed, and his gaze all smoldering mixed with his solid, stocky figure is fucking hot as hell.

Not to mention the fact that he seems to be one of the only people on the planet who cuts through the bullshit and is fuckingrealwith me.

From the moment I met him, he’s never treated me like Felix Hart, the rockstar.

He’s treated me like I’m ajust a regular person.

A person who probably annoys the shit out of him, and who will end up with a fist in his face if you make a wrong move.

But then, for the glimmer of a moment, something in his gaze shifts.

And something in his pants.

Fuck!

How am I supposed to getthatimage out of my fucking mind now?

“Okay, boys, look alive out there,” Lou orders with a grin, smacking us both on the back, and there’s barely any time for either of us to dwell on what happened between us.

What exactly did happen between us?

Joe introduces us, and I take the lead, Duncan hanging behind me.

Time to play the part.

I shove all thoughts, all personal feelings and worries aside as I stretch my lips into a wide grin.

“Joe! It’s so good to be back, man.” I pull him into a half hug, slapping him on the back.

Duncan half smiles, extending his hand, and I have to give him credit for looking Joe in the eye.

“Have a seat, have a seat.” Joe gestures for us to take our spot on the couch.

I take my seat first, crossing my ankle over my knee as Duncan sits down gingerly, taking up more than half of the couch. His thigh brushes mine, and I have to fight the impulse to set my hand on it as images flash from my weird dream.

The crowd quiets, and there is a moment of awkward silence as Joe sits behind his desk, straightening his tie as he looks at the camera, then at us.

“So, Felix, it’s been awhile since we had you on the show, and I see you brought a new friend with you.”

I keep my gaze cool and aloof as I stretch my arm back along the top of the couch. I shift my body strategically to give a sliver of space between us, and keep my hand flat on the cushion. I can feel the slight tremor of Duncan’s thigh, almost as if he is nervous.

I’m not sure if it’s because of what happened before coming out here, or if it’s the heavy, bright lights and the hoopla of being on television after being out of the spotlight for nearly thirty years.

“Yes, I did!” I flash a smile as I turn my grin to Duncan, imploring him with my gaze.

“Duncan is performing with the band for thePillars of Rocktour, which is how we met.” I nod at Duncan, hoping he picks up on my body language.

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