"Lennon, tonight is the second to last night of the Hey Farewell's American Tour. Soon you'll be heading off to Europe for the next leg of the tour. Tell me, what has it been like going from a solo career playing for hundreds to playing the LA Staples center?" the eager blonde interviewer asked.

Lennon smiled. That was an easy answer. Standing in the iconic arena with its soaring ceiling and tens of thousands of seats pulled her trade up into focus.

"Its been unbelievable," she said.

"I hear you. Did you ever believe you would be singing a duet with Kade Mathews?"

Lennon glanced at Kade and they shared a brief smile.

"Honestly, no. It's been crazy how fast everything changed." Lennon let out a light laugh. "I mean a few months ago I was traveling to concerts in a cramped van. Being here has been the dream of a lifetime."

The interviewer nodded and smiled.

"You have been on the road together for the last three months and we can see that you have really gotten along, tell us what was it like meeting each other for the first time?"

Lennon smiled.

"We clicked right away. It felt so natural and comfortable," Lennon said.

"I can't even remember how long we talked," Kade said, jumping in. "But I remember we spent most of our time discussing music and travel."

"That instant connection comes across so clearly in the way you two interact," the interviewer said, her eyes jumping between the two of them. "Lennon, how did that connection translate when you worked on the duet with Kade. Did your professional relationship blossom as smoothly as your personal one?"

"Kade was fantastic to work with, encouraging and patient," Lennon said.

"I can't take all the credit. Lennon was great. It was smooth from the start," Kade said.

"You both have such chemistry on stage, what is it like singing together each night?" the interviewer asked, leaning in closer, her face expectant.

Kade and Lennon looked at each other, their smiles quiet as if they were both holding a secret. Kade was the first to break away, looking to the interviewer.

"All I can say is it's been a pleasure getting to sing with Lennon. Her energy and excitement make the music really come alive."

His gaze fell back to her.

"And Lennon?" the interviewer prompted.

"I'm singing with Kade Mathews!" she said, letting excitement seep into her voice. "Its every girls dream, mine included."

"That is true. Now Kade, what's it been like coming back to music and touring after your year break?" the interviewer asked.

Lennon watched as Kade's jaw flexed slightly but he smiled, his manner relaxed.

"It's feels like old times playing with Will and Noah. Everyone has been very supportive, the fans especially. I feel like I owe them so much."

"We're happy to hear it. What has it been like for the two of you?" the interview asked Will and Noah.

"Its been great," Noah said. "Our fans have stuck with us and made this tour more amazing than the last one."

Will nodded.

"It feels great being back out on the road. It feels like our second home and we are especially happy to have Lennon with us this time. She is a fantastic addition to the team."

"Yeah, Lenny is basically part of the band," Noah said.

He reached out to slap her but she dodged it.

"Lennon is actually our self-appointed extracurricular events coordinator," Will said. "Thanks to her, we have seen random landmarks in almost every state."

The interview fell into reminisces of the excursions, a comfortable back-n-forth floating between the four of them.

"Kade, Noah, Will, Lennon, thank you so much for talking with us. We look forward to your performance tonight," the interviewer said.

The red camera light blinked off and the interviewer lowered the mic. Lennon let out a tired breath as she turned and Jordan was instantly by her side, sliding his phone into his suit pocket.

"Excellent job," Jordan said.

Lennon nodded and let her smile fall.

"Don't forget, you are joining the band after the concert for a celebratory dinner," he said.

Lennon nodded tiredly.

"Right, paparazzi?" 

"Exactly, paparazzi."

**************************

Hey Farewell had invited thirty of their closest friends to celebrate the end of their American tour. They had procured the back room of a ritzy LA restaurant and over appetizers, fancy drinks and Kade by her side, Lennon met people she recognized from magazines and movies. Throughout the night it seemed everyone was eager to meet her. It felt like she would start one conversation only to have another person join in. And thanks to some well timed flirty looks and smiles, Lennon and Kade had everyone's attention as the night came to a close.

"And what about this fall when you get back from the European tour? I am planning a beach house extravaganza and you have to come!" Jessie said, as she walked with Lennon towards the exit.

"I don't think I have any social plans," Lennon said.

"It's settled. You're coming!"

"What is Jessie trying to rope you into?" Kade asked, coming to stand by Lennon's side.

"Nothing I assumed she wouldn't already be invited to," Jessie said.

Kade gave a careless shrug.

"Are you ready?" he asked Lennon.

"I am," she said.

"Be warned, going out there can feel a bit like throwing oneself to the wolves," one of Kade's friends said.

"Thanks for the warning," Lennon said.

He gave her a knowing smirk.

"If what I saw tonight is any indication of the future, you'll get use to it," he said.

Lennon's eyes darted to Kade and his friend let out a knowing laugh as he led the way out the door.

The air exploded with noise as Lennon and Kade stepped outside. At two in the morning the dark sky was ablaze with camera flashes as a swarm of photographers crowded around the exiting group. Lennon's shoulders tensed but Kade was right by her side, his hand on her lower back as he half guided her, half created a shield between her and the photographers.

"Kade, are you dating Lennon?" one of them called out.

"Lennon, how do you feel about Kade's past?"

"Kade, have you been drinking?"

"Are you gonna punch me?"

"Have you talked to Zoë Rivers recently?"

"How about her husband?"

Question after question flew at them, feeling almost as assaulting as the body's pressing in. Lennon clung close to Kade, holding her breath until she was in the car.

A stony silence fell heavy over them as they left the chaotic scene behind. Lennon could feel Kade's walls instantly going up as she tried to focus on the city passing by outside her window.

She let his first two throat clearings go without response but when the third one came, she couldn't hold back.

"What?" she barked, turning to face him.

He gave her a cold look that would make a person shrink but Lennon tore right through it.

"What's your problem?" she asked. "Was I too nice? Did I make an effort with your friends? What are you going to blame me for this time?"

Kade's look had grown degrees colder as she spoke.

"I don't remember the contract including the use of my friends," he said icily.

"Yeah, well I remember the contract stating an amicable relationship but I've yet to see that."

"You are already using me, isn't that enough?"

"Using you?" Lennon asked indignantly. "Lest we forget there are two signatures on that contract. You can throw away that victim card. It's useless here."

"What are you talking about?"

"You act like this is my fault."

"You were the one who agreed."

"You did too! You'd still be nothing more then your indiscretions if it weren't for me."

"And you'd still be whining your songs to a few drunks if it weren't for me."

"I know what you've done for my career. That's why I agreed."

"I didn't need or want your help but I didn't have a choice."

Lennon let out a sardonic laugh.

"Bull," she said.

He glared at her.

"You had a choice," she said.

"You don't have a clue what you're talking about."

"It doesn't matter. You could've said no."

He scoffed.

"You are so clueless," he said.

"You always have a choice."

"No. I. Didn't."

"And there's your problem. You blame me and everybody else for being in this situation when there is no one to blame but yourself."

"You don't - "

"You could have said no!" she said loudly, cutting him off. "I don't care what was held over your head. Ultimately, you could have said no and walked away. From it all. But you didn't. You agreed. You decided that this situation was worth your career. You signed the contract. Now at least have the maturity to take responsibility for your decision."

The car fell to silence. Lennon looked over at Kade and could almost see his anger radiating off of him. Her heart was racing and she felt short of breath. She looked away to find that their car was no longer moving. They had arrived at their hotel. Without another look or word she climbed out.

By the time she reached Jordan's floor she had calmed her racing heart but she had a one track mind. Her knuckles rapped out sharply against his door.

"Lennon," Jordan said as he answered.

"Matt needs to find someone else to sing the duet with Kade tomorrow or he can cut it because I'm not performing with him," she said, storming into his room.

"What's going on?" Jordan asked, one hand still on the open door.

"I need a flight out for tomorrow night soon as I am done my performance." 

"Lennon, can we talk about this?"

"No," she said simply.

Lennon could almost hear Jordan's thoughts. She knew he thought she was being unreasonable and emotional.

"Look, I know I signed a contract," she said, bringing the volume of her voice down.

"One that lasts for another nine months," he reminded her.

"I know."

"One that has made your name known in twenty-two countries."

"I know."

"This contract has changed your career."

"Jordan, I know!" Lennon said, giving him a warning look.

"I'm just trying to remind you what's at stake," he said. "And I will keep reminding you every day if I have to. This one move has pushed your career five years ahead of schedule."

"I'm not quitting," Lennon said, answering his unspoken fear. "I'm just asking for this one thing."

Jordan eyed her warily.

"You want to skip the duet tomorrow night?"

"Correct. You don't want an audience there the next time I come face to face with Kade."

Jordan seemed to take her warning seriously.

"What happened?" he fished.

She gave him a flat look, the only answer he was going to get.

"I'll talk to Matt. See what we can make happen," he said.

"And my flight?"

"You'll be on the red eye flight out of here."

**********************************************************************

BAM!!! That just happened!! Crazy I know!

I'm super curious to hear what you thought about it, so let me know. Do you think Lennon was out of line? What are you're feelings towards Kade? Should she have punched him?!?!? Should I eat ice cream tonight?

Hahaha just kidding the answer to ice cream is YES!!!!

So you know, vote, comment, follow!