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

them and their own significant others. I, on the other hand, have no doubt Jen is not referring to their love lives. She’s always seen me as a sex symbol and has made no secret about it. The old Jack loved it but the new Jack…not so much.
    I know we are supposed to be heading out to Hartford as we speak and I turn towards Tom, our driver to ask, “Will it screw you up if we pull out in an hour?”
    “Nope, that’s fine .”
    “ Thanks, Tom. Jen, you have one hour.”
    No offense to my buddies , but I’m not having this conversation on the bus. This is way too personal to be discussing it in front of an audience. “We’ll be back soon.”
    I lead Le ila, Jen and Dylan off the bus to quickly find an empty holding room in the arena.
    Once inside, Dylan speaks first. “You both need to be comfortable with the statement we need to prepare.”
    “ Why do we need to prepare a statement?”
    “Because , Jack, if we don’t control the info we want everyone to know, rumors will be running rampant.” Jen speaks to me like I’m a two year old.
    “The rumors have already been running rampant. Where were you when all those posts were appearing from the Leila haters? Suddenly you are concerned about rumors?” Dylan flinches at my words while Jen sighs impatiently.
    Turning towards Leila I ask, “I worry about you. Are you ready to go public?”
    “Jack, don’t worry about me. I’ll do whatever is best for the band.”
    “Too late,” Jen quips.
    “Jen, I’m warning you. One more comment and we’re out of here.”
    “Jack, she does have your best interest at heart.” Dylan tries to pacify me. While glaring at Jen, he adds, “Even if her methods suck.” She dramatically rolls her eyes and makes it difficult to appreciate all that she does for us.
    Ignoring her, I choose to focus on Dylan. “We are getting nowhere. How do you think we should handle this?”
    “I think…”
    Jen abruptly cuts Dylan off. “We will say that Jack was in a relationship, misses her terribly, and wrote her a song. Leila is jealous and is trying to seduce you. The allure and drama of a love triangle will spark curiosity, but in a good way.”
    “No.”
    “Why not?” Jen throws her hands up annoyingly.
    “Besides the obvious, which makes me look like a wacko, I thought relationships could cause damage?” Leila asks what I’m thinking.
    “Not vague ones. The mystery will cause interest. Knowing you two are together may upset people.”
    If we insinuate I was seeing someone at home, it’s only a matter of time before Jessa appears with a healthy baby bump, claiming she is the one. I am not ready to admit that to Jen or Dylan, but then again in a few weeks, I may have to anyway.
    “This is ridiculous. Why would admitting we are together have people turn on us?”
    “ You are a hot commodity, Jack. Realistic or not, people connect with you and want to be with you. It’s always a fan’s fantasy to envision themselves in a relationship with the object of their desire.” Dylan patiently explains, remorse in his eyes.
    “Plus, t he Leila haters will multiply,” Jen adds.
    My eyes move over to Leila. “Fuck.”
    “ So, now I have your attention?”
    “Jack, I don’t care. I’ll deal with my haters.”
    “Well I care.” Ignoring her frowns, I turn towards Jen and Dylan. “Ok. I get it. We should be prepared. You can call the label and let them know the situation. Leila and I will call you tomorrow before our show to discuss this nonsense.”
    Jen and Dylan exchan ge looks. Jen goes to speak, but Dylan holds up his hand to stop her. “Fine. I’ll arrange for a conference call tomorrow at three in Hartford.” Dylan looks at Leila for the first time. “You ok?”
    Shrugging she says, “I’ m fine.”
    He nods, quietly walking out of the room. Jen leaves behind him, a bit more dramatically.
    “Are you ok?”
    She simply nods, but I can tell she isn’t.
    “Babe, don’t worry. She is overreacting.” I wrap her in my