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

to get it through your thick skull that I want you to succeed? I’m not the enemy.”
    “ I know you do.”
    “I have more good new s. We’re adding shows to Vegas, Miami, and now ending in New York with two nights.”
    “ Really?”
    “ Yes. You’ve sold out every show so far. People want to see you. We’re going to give them what they want. The show we are adding with be in The Garden .”
    “ The Garden ?”
    “Yes.”
    “ The Garden ?”
    She chuckles and repeats, “Yes.”
    “Holy shit. That’s awesome.”
    “ Yes it is. One more thing. Your album is steadily climbing the charts. Krista arranged all major radio stations to play a Devil’s Lair block on the same day next week, your top three songs. You will be doing an interview on The Diane and Dean Morning Show on WXLP in Chicago on the same day the blocks will be played. After the interview, you’ll play a song live over the radio.”
    “Holy shit.”
    “We will keep releasing tidbits about you and Leila, then you will be on every major airway, coast to coast. The buzz this will create will be priceless.”
    “Thanks , Jen…and tell Krista thank you. I’ll give her a call tomorrow.”
    “ Will do…I’ll talk to you later. I have a lot of work to do. Tell Dylan to call me once you arrive in Cleveland. Dylan is handling the security part for you. He’ll fill you in.”
    “Yes, boss.” Smiling like a fool, I forget the other five in the room are still gaping at me.
    “Well, that was Jen.”
    Hunter stands and says, “We know…and?”
    “ She and Krista came up with a plan. They will be leaking our own photos, planting our own comments and blog entries, steering the gossip towards revealing the positives of our relationship.”
    “That’s it?” Dylan asks. “It seems so simple.”
    “I guess it is. But if done right, it can work.”
    “Well good for Jen, being a team player and all.” Scott says.
    “Yea h, it’s kinda strange,” I admit while shaking my head, I look over at Leila. She sits, staring at the floor while lost in her own world.
    “What about The Garden ?” Hunter asks impatiently.
    “Oh. S he said our album has been steadily climbing the charts. The label is adding shows to Vegas, Miami and we are now ending with two nights in New York, last one in The Garden .”
    “The fucking Garden?”
    I nod and laugh at Hunter’s bulging eyeballs.
    “Holy Fuck!”
    “Wait, there’s more. All major radio stations are going to play a Devil’s Lair block on the same day next week. We will be interviewed that day on the Diane and Dean Morning Show in Chicago.”
    The guys go ballistic, hooting and hollering about the news I just shared. As they carry on, I move to squat before Leila and take her hands in mine.
    “You ok?”
    “Yes.” She stares into my eyes looking completely defeated.
    “You’re lying.” I pull her up to a standing position. “Let’s take a walk.”
    Leila allows me to lead her to an empty dressing room. The minute I close the door, I come right to the point.
    “You really pissed me off with your stupid comment.”
    “I could tell by your clenching jaw.” I give her a look she chooses to ignore. “I meant every word of it.”
    “ You regret falling in love with me?” I ask dumbfounded.
    “No. I regret you met me though.”
    “ What ? It’s the same fucking thing.” She stands motionless, not denying my claim. “Damn it Leila, knock it off! How many times do I have to tell you I don’t regret any of it? Not meeting you, not falling in love with you, any of it!”
    “You are biased, Jack. Those guys aren’t. I can’t help but feel they all regret the day I showed up.”
    “No , they don’t.”
    “Now you need to knock it off. They deserve more than a mediocre tour filled with bullshit. That’s what this will all be reduced to if the fans hate us together.” She crosses her arms defiantly and turns her back to me.
    “Did you just hear what I shared with them? Were you listening?”