Page 78 of Hollow Heart

Hell, it is for me, too, and I’m the one who just got caught with my hand in my pants.

“Oh.” He nods, his blush still coloring his otherwise pale cheeks.

“Oh? That’s all you can say?” I quip, laughing like an idiot.

Bobby laughs, too, all of a sudden, and for a moment, all that can be heard is our hysterics.

When we finally catch our breath, I ask, “What did you want? Before you so rudely interrupted me.” I clear my throat.

Bobby shrugs. “I wanted to ask you if I could bring a friend over... tomorrow. For study group.”

I nod. “You don’t have to ask me permission. I appreciate you doing so, but it’s fine.”

“I mean, you’re not like... grounding me or anything because of what happened, right?” He leans against the doorway.

I shake my head. “No. But if I get another call about you hitting someone or getting in a fight, you will be.”

Bobby smiles and says, “Okay,” as he turns toward the hall, when he stops, turning to look at me once more. “Hey, Dad?”

“Yeah, kid?”

“I love you. No matter what. I just... wanted you to know that.”

My heart feels like it might burst out of my chest as my throat constricts again.

“Ditto, Bobby.”

CHAPTER 18

Felix

I’ve beento the Sylverstro’s mansion a dozen times, and honestly, I’m not all that impressed.

You’ve seen one compound, you’ve seen them all.

The California air is hot, unseasonably warm for this time of day, or more accurately, night, since the sun will be setting in about an hour. Which is why most of us have taken to corral together inside the house, instead of on the extensive verandas.

I watch as waitresses parade on by with their trays of champagne, feeling utterly bored.

I’ve never been a fan of label events. Which is why I’m usually fucked up beyond all repair before the sun goes down.

Where the hell is Duncan?

Since our moment the other day, he’s barely said two words to me.

I’m trying my best to be patient, to wait it out and see what his next move is.

My anxiety keeps building, thinking he’s going to just leave, like Sully, and then I really will have an issue, being as the So-Fi show is a little more than a week away.

“There’s my favorite fucker.” A voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I immediately tense.

My gaze falls on Dare Wylde, the lead guitarist and singer fromHeart Killer.

I don’tdislikethe guy, but he’s annoying as fuck.

Small doses, that one.

“Dare,” I murmur, as he makes his way over to me, two drinks in hand. From the look of the grin on his face, I’d surmise he’s at least five or six in, at this point, and that makes me feel even more out of place.

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