Page 96 of Hollow Heart

I’m absolutely certain of it.

“Lou’s just grumpy because you make him work for his paycheck.” Duncan flashes me with a half smile. “Believe me, I know.”

“But I don’t want to be a problem. I really don’t. I just... want to make my music and be fucking happy, you know?”

I take another bite of my sandwich, reveling once more in the perfection of the toasted bread and warm, satisfying cheese.

Fuck me sideways, this shit islit.

“I know,” Duncan says as he plates his sandwich, taking a seat next to me.

He swivels a bit on his chair, his knee knocking into mine.

The next words out of my mouth are barely audible, almost a whisper.

“For a minute I thought... There was a bar a couple doors down, and I wanted to go and—” The words stick in my throat, and won’t dislodge.

Duncan looks at me as he takes a bite of his sandwich. “But you didn’t.”

His words are heavy on my soul, but they are also freeing.

I could have gone down the same beaten path, but I didn’t.

Shimmering, sparkling, this land of diamonds and jewels

Offering me a chance to shine

Glittering and enticing, this land of milk and honey

Never have I wanted so badly to call you mine

“I didn’t,” I say softly,

“You want my two cents?” Duncan asks as he devours his grilled cheese in practically one bite.

“Sure.”

“I think Sullivan Reign is a fucking idiot. And he’s a terrible musician.”

I can’t help but laugh. “You know, he idolizes you, right? God, he was always talking about how good you are. That’s why I was such an ass when we first met. You reminded me of him, and I was pissed.”

Duncan swivels his chair toward me, his dark gaze capturing mine.

I look at him, the way his dark hair falls in his face, the way his scruff fades into a thick beard, the sliver of silver hiding beneath his beard, embedded in his lips.

Absentmindedly, I reach out and flick it with my fingers.

Duncan grabs my hand, pressing his lips to my fingers. “And now? Do I still piss you off?”

His thumb presses into my wrist, like Sully always did when he was trying to make me listen.

You just need to be broken, Felix. You can be a good boy if you want to be.

His words echo in my head, and I realize I was never going to be good enough for Sully.

Ever.

I’d always be waiting for him to throw me a fucking bone, coveting the scraps between his romances with Hollywood’s hottest harlots.

---