Page 10 of Diva Pop

Take that, you smug bastard.

Silas went back to addressing the room. “It’s great to see all of you here and warming up.” Silas gestured to the folding chairs behind him. “But why don’t we cross the divide. Take a seat and I’ll go over what you can expect as we move forward with getting ready to film the video.”

Paul, who’d been suspiciously silent through the morning exercises, wandered over to the chair at the farthest end. There were ten set up in a single row, with Crispin choosing the one at the opposite side. They were followed by Tory and Dreamboat sitting next to each other in the middle and giggling like it was the first day of the sixth grade. Jett sighed, then took a seat next to Tory.

They were off to a grand start.

Silas planted his hands on his hips and rolled his eyes up to the ceiling. Already, Jett was recognizing his new manager’s tell-tale sign of aggravation.

“Guys, let’s move closer together. I don't want to wear out my neck muscles trying to address you all.”

After some disgruntled mumbling, along with some shuffling toward the middle, both Paul and Crispin landed on a new seat, still keeping one chair as a buffer between the rest of them. Silas pursed his lips with a frown.

“Before I get into the details of the video, I’d like to point out that those of you who can’t be team players, don’t need to be on the team.”

Silas paused a beat as if to let that sink in, and Jett nodded sagely in silent support, hoping like hell that Silas was buying Jett’s performance of being the picture of cooperation. Silas met his eyes and chuckled but nodded his acknowledgement. Jett smiled as coquettishly as he could, even though he had the feeling Silas knew he was full of shit. Either way, he didn’t want to give the man a reason to fire him until he had him wrapped around his finger.

“All right, regarding the video you were rehearsing with Bob and his choreographer, it’s being scrapped.”

Good. Finally, something they could agree on.

Silas continued, “I’ll be bringing in a choreographer I’ve worked with in the past, and she’s fantastic. I’m sure some of you have heard of Veronica Sharp.”

Jett clapped his hands and bounced on his chair before he could stop himself. He was genuinely excited, but this was the antithesis of the reserved and mysterious vibe he was attempting to front for Silas’ benefit.

Silas regarded him. “I take it you’ve heard of her?”

Jett collected himself then adopted a more demure posture. “Of course. Anyone who’s truly serious about their dance career has heard of her. I’ve wanted to work with Veronica for years.”

Silas arched his eyebrows. “Oh? Perhaps I’m your fairy godfather instead of the wicked witch after all.”

“I was thinking more along the lines of the handsome prince.”

Jett batted his eyelashes and Crispin made a gagging sound. Paul still remained bizarrely silent. It had been such a good opening for an insult, too. Perhaps he was sick?

Silas pinched the bridge of his nose then raised his head. “You know, I’m reminded of back when I was in high school, and the teachers were trying to keep a group of immature, insecure boys who were attention whores in line. It was sad then but is truly pathetic once a person has left their teens.”

Jett’s gut clenched. He doesn’t mean me, does he? Pathetic wasn’t sexy. Pathetic wouldn’t capture Silas under Jett’s sexual spell. Jett clamped his lips in case something that would only make things worse flew out. He had a tendency to do that.

Silas let his gaze travel over the group of them, as if leaving each one of the band members to figure out who he was pointing his hypothetical finger at. Of course, Tory and Sean were safe. Jett doubted that Ozzie and Harriet could be inappropriate if they tried.

Silas gave a sharp nod as if indicating the matter was closed. “So, heads up. Since we’re essentially starting from scratch with the band, and completely starting over with the video, we’ll be doing a lot of experimenting, trying out new things. Don’t panic. Everyone will be included.”

Jett was totally panicking. He raised his hand like a good little boy.

Silas’ eyes darted in Jett’s direction, his expression schooled so well Jett couldn’t interpret what was going through the man’s head. “What is it, Jett?”

“If you wouldn’t mind, could you elaborate on what you mean by ‘new things’?”

“It’s a work in progress, Jett. Change isn’t always something to fear.”

Jett swallowed hard. “But you’re saying sometimes it is.”

Something like compassion… Or is it pity? crossed Silas’ features, and Jett cursed his inability to keep his big trap shut.

“Sometimes. However, being open to new experiences can help us grow if we allow them to.”

Jett’s worry had risen to such critical levels that anything Silas said seemed like patronizing bullshit. That’s not what Silas’ tone said, yet it was what Jett’s mind heard.

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