Page 45 of Hollow Heart

Back up?

Understanding?

I shouldn’t really give two shits about Duncan’s feelings regarding my former drummer, but for some reason I do.

Which makes me care a little more about what I say next, to Joe and the world, even though it doesn’t make any fucking sense.

“His desire to explore those... talents...” I shoot Joe a death glare, enunciating the last word vibrantly so he understands that I know what game he’s playing and I’m not giving in.

“Who am I to deny mygood frienda chance to explore a... different side of himself? Besides,”

I shift my stance, cocking my head to the side as I hone in my sights on a rather placid looking Joe while Lou and the producers off stage are bathed in light, practically chewing their fingernails.

“I’m a one man show. The name of the band is Felix Hart. Not Felix Hart and the Jackasses.” I shrug.

Take that, Sully!

Joe chuckles, shaking his head.

“And the rumors that it was Jinger Holloway that came between you two is just a rumor, right?” Joe says with his signature snark.

I can’t help but roll my eyes.

“I can assure you, there is nothing going on between Jinger and I.”

There never has been, but the public doesn’t seem to get that.

“We’re just friends,” I say, folding my hands in my lap.

Joe grins. “Right. Just friends. Never any romantic entanglements for you.”

I glare at him. My relationships are not what we came here to discuss.

“That’s right.” I reply, plastering a “lets move the fuck on” glare on my face, hoping he’ll get the memo.

To my relief, he switches gears, aiming for Duncan.

“Speaking of romantic entanglements, Duncan, we were all so very sorry to hear about your wife, Marci,” Joe says with practiced empathy.

Duncan’s shoulders tense, his spine straightening at Joe’s words, because he knows what’s coming.

And I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but somehow, I still am.

“It’s been, what ten years, now?” Joe asks.

Duncan grunts out an uneven, “Yes.”

The words hit me just a moment too late, as I realize that Duncan was not prepared for this.

I’ve seen the articles, but even I felt like it wasn’t my place to dive into someone’s personal life.

It was more than apparent that Duncan hadleftall of the fame and fortune to build a family, and up until recently, had more than relished his privacy.

I turn to look at Duncan, his face pale.

I’m sure he wasn’t expecting the question, and quite frankly, neither was I. That is a low blow, even for Joe, and no doubt he did it on account that it would get everyone talking at the watercoolers tomorrow.

Anger swells within me as my fingertips graze the edge of his back.

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