Hollow Heart (Rock His World #1)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

Duncan

“Fuck,” I curse, as the sounds of blazing horns and road rage surround me on the highway. I’ve been sitting in this damn traffic for at least thirty minutes, though it feels like hours.

This is why I moved from the damn city.

Glancing at the radio, I note it’s been only two minutes since I last checked, hoping somehow, some way, I can turn this car into a damn DeLorean and transport myself to the high-rise where Lou, my former manager, is waiting for me.

Of all days to be late, why today?

I sigh, feeling like things are beyond hopeless at this point. The radio cuts in and out, static filtering through the familiar tune I’d know even if this was the apocalypse and the radio was Morse Code.

Lovin’ On The Run. Hollow Pointe ’s biggest fucking hit.

I fight to turn the radio up, not because it’s chintzy, but because Lovin’ On The Run is practically ingrained in my psyche, despite the fact I haven’t played the tune in damn near thirty years.

The horns around me continue to sing a symphony as I sigh in defeat, the sun heating up my exposed arm hanging out of my truck window.

“Come on!” I yell, into the melody of curses and beeps, as if it’ll make a lick of a difference.

I grab my phone from the cup holder, swiping up to see if Lou’s read my last text yet, the one where I mentioned I was running late.

That was an hour ago.

At this rate, I’m going to get to the office and Lou’s going to be a skeleton peeking out through the blinds.

Don’t be such a pessimist, Marci would say. Well, if she were here, that is. She was always so much more optimistic than me.

I sigh, letting my hand slide down the steering wheel, my heart aching at the thought of her. It’s been ten years already since she passed. I’ll be the first to admit life was so much... easier when she was alive.

Even though there were still struggles, nothing seemed out of reach. With Marci, everything was okay because we had each other, and we had our son. That was all we ever really needed.

The car in front of me finally moves, and I breathe a sigh of relief as I take my foot off the brake.

Maybe I’ll get to the office before Lou decomposes completely.

The city has no life, no vibrancy. Everything is sleek and shiny, devoid of color, and I almost feel like this audition is a waste of time because I’ve been so far removed from the music business for years.

Well, as far as performing goes. I’ve written a bunch of songs over the years for some of Lou’s clients, but that’s a lot different from showing up for rehearsals and touring.

My heart twists at the thought of touring. Of leaving my son.

I know the kid is old enough to take care of himself, and my sister-in-law would be more than happy to come stay with him while I do what I need to. But I’ve never been away from my kid since he was born, and the very thought of spending time away from him makes me feel homesick already.

Not that he’s interested in hanging out with me much now that’s he’s sixteen, and everything else in the world is cooler than me.

Still, with Bobby starting to look at all these big colleges, I know I need this gig.

When I finally get to the office, I shoot Lou a text.

I’m here!

Within an instant, he texts back.

Take the elevator to the 4th floor. I’ll meet you.

I breathe a sigh of relief that he did indeed see my text. I straighten out my clothes, adjusting myself in the parking lot, attempting to shake out the anxiety, the nerves.

I haven’t felt this nervous since Hollow Pointe auditioned for Virgin Records back in the day.

I crack my neck as I head in through the glass door. The office itself is all wood and black stone, the walls decorated with posters of all the top acts that are part of the Pillars of Rock tour.

I don’t really listen to much modern rock, and Bobby’s more of a Gaga fan, so I can’t say I’m familiar with the bands. Though with names like Mage of Mercy , Heart Killer , Gravedigger , and Felix Hart , I can only imagine they are into all that screaming nonsense.

The elevator takes forever, or so it feels. I tap my foot impatiently, if only to try and quiet the sudden nerves.

I’ve played for millions of people before; surely I can handle Lou and a roomful of corporate assholes.

Finally the elevator chimes, and I let out a deep breath.

Here goes nothing.

“Duncan! So good to see you!” Lou says, his voice genuine. Time has definitely caught up to the both of us.

While I’ll always think of Lou as the young and slender manager with hair that would have rivaled Sebastian Bach in his day, I can’t say he doesn’t look impressive in his navy suit, with some extra pounds.

I wrap my arms around him and hug him tight.

It’s been years since I’ve seen the guy, and instantly, all the memories come flooding back.

Memories of parties and shows, of alcohol, and sex.

So much freaking sex. But hey, it was the eighties; we didn’t question shit then.

“You look good, Lou,” I say with a smile as he chuckles.

“You haven’t changed a bit since I last saw you,” he says, setting his hand on my shoulder. “How’s Bobby doing?”

I shrug. “He’s sixteen. Keeps to himself, thinks he knows everything.” I sigh. “Before I know it, I’ll be sending his ass off to college.”

Lou leads me through the main office, down a low-lit hallway. Like the main office, the walls are covered in posters of musical acts, and even some films.

“Wow, that’s insane. How are you dealing with all that?”

I stuff down the anxiety in my stomach, attempting to deflect. I know Lou is just being nice, but I don’t want to think about Bobby leaving.

I don’t want to think about the reality that sooner rather than later, I’m going to be an empty nester.

A single empty nester.

Fucking hell.

My friends and family tried numerous times to get me to go to groups, to start dating again, but I could never find it in my heart to put myself back out there.

Marci was a gem. There was no one in the world like her, and I knew no woman would ever compare. Despite the rumors and what others may think about my past as a famous rockstar, I don’t favor casual sex or hook-ups.

Marci may have been a fan when we met, but it didn’t take long for either of us to realize we were it for each other.

No, I’d accepted my fate as a single, widowed father.

All I need is my kid and my music. That’s it.

Lou opens the door to the sound studio, and I am surprised to see it is pretty spacious. Bigger than anything I’ve ever recorded in, that’s for sure.

Two sound engineers sit in front of the panels, looking skinnier than Lou was when he was my manager.

One of the engineers is wearing jeans that are thinner than a fucking pencil, while the other is dressed in sweatpants and a long-sleeve shirt that says Save Rock and Roll. Combined with his thick-rimmed glasses, and his clean-shaven face, I have to wonder if he even knows what Rock and Roll is.

Lou introduces me to the men. Palo, the pencil-jean wearing man is the producer of Casualty Records, which is the company responsible for putting on the Pillars of Rock show.

I shake his hand as Lou introduces his associate, Ted, who is working the booth.

“Duncan and I go way back.” Lou smiles as he squeezes my shoulder.

I smile at his pride. Clearly he has fond memories, too, of our time together.

The rest is probably blurred out by the drugs and alcohol use.

“ Hollow Pointe , right?” Ted says, deadpan.

I nod. “Yup. You a fan?”

Ted regards me with interest, but shrugs. “I was always more of a Motley Crüe fan.”

My smile fades as the nerves kick up.

Lou squeezes my shoulder again. “Don’t listen to these idiots. They wouldn’t know a legend if it kicked them in the teeth,” he whispers, pulling me toward the booth. “Just go in there and do your thing. Show these pricks what a real rockstar looks like.”

My nerves settle as Lou drops his hand.

“Yes, sir,” I say, heading into the booth, taking my seat at the drum set. I twirl the drumsticks in my hand, waiting for the guitarist.

“Someone grab Corpse and Eddie. Where the fuck is Felix?” Lou asks, still holding onto the door.

Palo shrugs. “Last I checked, Felix was in his dressing room.”

Ted rolls his eyes.

“Fucking idiots,” Lou grumbles as he looks back at me.

“Why don’t you warm up first, McKay? I’ll grab his royal majesty and then we can get this show on the road.”