Page 110 of Hollow Heart

Fucking disgusting.

I cross my legs as a waitress sets down a glass of water in front of me, and a glass of cranberry juice, garnished with lime. I glance at it as she hands Sully a beer.

“What’s this?” I ask, even though I know without tasting it, it’s a vodka cranberry.

“I thought maybe this meeting would go better if we both took the edge off of things. You’re a lot easier to talk to when you don’t want to kill me.”

I push the drink aside, instead grabbing the water.

“I’m good, thanks.”

Sully raises an eyebrow.

“Look at you being all noble and shit. I have to say, it is endearing. Cute almost.”

“Cut the shit, Sully. I’ll save you some time. I’m keeping the cat.”

Sully rolls his eyes.

“Lixy, baby, this isn’t about the cat. I just said that so I could get you alone. Surely, you know that. Or has all the alcohol and drugs rotted your brain already?”

I cross my arms, biting my tongue.

I knew this was a bad idea. I knew I shouldn’t have come here.

I move to leave. “Well, if that’s the case, then my work is done here. There’s nothing else to talk about.” I get up, making a move for the door.

Sully grabs my wrist, pulling me back.

He presses his thumb into my vein, making me freeze.

“Felix...” his voice is smooth, like whiskey over dry ice.

It makes me forget how to breathe.

Once upon a time, I would have doneanythingfor that voice.

That smooth, silky tone that covered me in lies.

I pull my wrist back, glaring at him.

“Don’t make me beg,” he says darkly and his gaze implores me. “I don’t want to fight anymore, baby. I want things to go back to the way they were.”

I step back, blinking furiously. I can’t have heard him correctly.

He wants meback?

“I want back in the band. In the family,” he says. “You know, we both have a tendency to get a little...” He runs his finger downmy forearm and I shudder. “Hot headed sometimes. Say shit we don’t mean.”

“I meant everything I said,” I remind him. “Drunk or sober.”

Sully smugly chortles as he shrugs. “These last couple days, this last week... fuck I’ve missed you, Felix. I’ve missed your foul little mouth, your fight.” He takes a step closer to me, and I am acutely aware of his proximity.

“I don’t miss you. In fact, I’ve been fucking sky high without you to drag me down.”

“I don’t believe you,” he replies.

I am just about to give him the finger when his hand grabs my throat, holding me still andkissesme.

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