Page 52 of Hollow Heart

Thank God for coffee and Lou’s “come in at ten” text.

But Felix looks right as rain. While I practically crawled in here at nine fifty-six, Felix was already jamming away before the rest of us arrived.

How the fuck does he do that?

Especially sober?

And I can tell the man is one hundred percent, stone cold sober.

We’ve just finished up three quarters of the set when Lou’s voice comes over the loudspeaker and he holds up my phone, which I can see through the thick soundproof glass panel.

“McKay, you’ve got a phone call.” His voice isn’t ominous, but it does impart some sense of concern, and immediately, my brain dives into the deep end of possibilities.

I barely register his words before I jump off my seat, sprinting to the door and throwing it open.

I grab the phone out of Lou’s hand, pushing past him while he barks out something at Felix and the band.

“Hello?”

My heart is in my chest as Principal Weatherby speaks on the other end.

“Mr. McKay, I’m calling about your son.”

I feel like I might pass out.

“Is he okay?” I ask, my voice shaking.

“The school nurse checked him out, and he is indeed, fine, though he may have a swollen lip for a few days.”

Before I can speak, he continues. “Your son had an altercation with another student in the boys locker room this morning. Several other students came forward as witnesses that he was defending himself.”

My eyes fall shut in relief, and some sense of pride shoots through me.

I always told him I’d never be mad if he was defending himself. Which was why I’d insisted on boxing, but Marci won out with karate.

I guess all things considered, it still came in handy even though he quit in eighth grade.

“Oh, good,” I replied, nodding even though Principal Weatherby couldn’t see me.

“However, as policy states, both individuals must be punished, all the same. We’ll need you to pick your son up as soon as possible. We can discuss the terms of his suspension when you arrive.”

Suspension?

For defending himself?

What the actual fuck?

Fury boils in my blood, but I know freaking out on the principal of one of the best private schools in my fucking county is probably not going to help matters. I can just hear Marci in my head, trying to calm me down.

I grit the words through my teeth, telling him I’ll be there as soon as I can.

When I turn around, I see Lou and Felix both staring at me.

“Everything okay?” Lou asks gently.

Eddie and Corpse are still in the studio, tuning their guitars.

“My kid got in a fight,” I say gruffly, my breathing heavy. “I have to go.”

---