Front & Center (Book 2 of the Back-Up Series) by A. M. Madden Page A

tomorrow.”
    “So?”
    She gives me another bug-eyed look. “I’m disappointed in you if I have to explain why it’s not a good thing.”
    Leila interrupts, “Jen.”
    Our agent levels Leila with her gaze. “W e’re sorry we didn’t tell you. That was entirely my fault. I wasn’t ready and I convinced Jack to hide our relationship. If this caused you problems, I apologize.”
    Jen looks surprised by her apology for exactly two seconds. She then turns towards me, essentially ignoring Leila’s presence and points a finger at me. “You should have told me.”
    “ Jen, do not treat me as if I’m invisible.” Jen blinks slowly, crossing her arms defiantly. Her face betrays her shock with Leila. Leila has never spoken up towards Jen. In an eerily calm voice she adds, “Like I said, Jack kept this from you because I asked him to. It was my choice to keep our relationship a secret.”
    “Until now? Jumping him b ackstage doesn’t help your plan,” Jen bitchily replies.
    “I lost myself for a minute. It wasn’t planned.”
    “I’m sure no one we need to worry about saw us,” I add.
    “Jack, don’t be so naïve. If the label gets wind of this, heads are going to roll.”
    “ Why would the label care? It’s not their business.”
    “ It is their business and we need to thoroughly think this through. Jack you were single and available when we signed with the label. You have a persona to live up to. A sappy love-struck relationship isn’t part of that persona.”
    “Why are you being such a bitch?”
    “It’s because I am a bitch, that got you where you are right now. I need to think clearly since you obviously aren’t.”
    “ Screw you, Jen.” Clenching my fists, I am now beyond angry. Jen shakes her head and turns to storm out. As she exits, I call after her, “Oh, and get me security...please!”
    The minute she is out of the room, I turn to face Leila. “Do not listen to a word she said.”
    “I’m sorry I scre wed up. It’s that Jack Lair voodoo that gets me every time.”
    Smiling at her admission, I shake my head stubbornly. “You did not screw up.”
    “Yes, I really did. It was stupid.”
    “Babe, stop.”
    After a heavy sigh, she shrugs. “I guess we should have expected that from her.”
    “No. There is absolutely no excuse for her to act that way. She still works for us.” Bending to kiss her gently, I ask, “Did you like your song?”
    “ You couldn’t tell from my sexual attack backstage? Jack, that was so beautiful. I loved it! Thank you.”
    “I wrote it after the night we hung out in your apartment. Even then, I knew.” Leila wraps her arms around me, hugging me tightly.
    “Well , I love it. Thank you.”
    Kissing the top of her head, I quietly say, “ Everything will work out. Let’s get out of here.”
    We aren’t on the bus five minutes before Jen and Dylan show up. Dylan looks like he just found out his best friend died. Confirming my suspicions that our tour manager does have feelings towards my girlfriend. This shouldn’t be news to me. I knew he wanted more than friendship based on what Leila admitted to me in New York.
    Dylan joined us this evening and will be traveling with us for most of the remainder of the tour. Now that he knows, it’s going to be awkward to say the least. Thankfully, he’s on the other bus with our drivers and roadies.
    “So much for keeping it to yourself.” I grumble at Jen.
    Without any preamble or remorse, Jen says, “We need to figure this out, tonight. I may have to do some damage control soon, and we all need to be in sync with what our statement is.”
    “Damage control? Aren’t you overreacting?”
    “Yes, d amage control and no, I’m not overreacting. You are on the way to being the hottest rock stars in the nation. I’ve worked my ass off to get you there. Relationships this new to the game can cause damage.”
    The guys all sit uncomfortably during our exchange. I’m sure they are wondering how this will affect