Page 34 of Diva Pop

Silas glanced up from a pan where he was sprinkling some mystery spice on an equally mysterious food item. Jett knew absolutely zero about cooking.

Silas set down the bottle of spice and regarded him with a sigh. “I seem to remember telling you to stay in bed. I wanted to get the chicken in the oven before coming to check in on you.”

Jett climbed on the kitchen stool across from Silas. “I was lonely.”

Even though there was more to his mission of seeking out Silas, it was still the truth.

Silas’ features softened and he gave Jett the barest hint of a smile. “We can’t have that.” He wiped his hands off on a towel then held up his phone. “I told you to message me if you need anything.”

“Seriously? You’re like, what, twenty feet away? I’m not going to message you.”

Silas arched an eyebrow. “You’re telling me you've never done that before?”

“Well…yeah. But when it makes sense.”

Silas chuckled. “And when might that be?”

“You know, in a loud club. Or rehearsal.”

“You message while you’re dancing? Those are some next level skills.”

Jett snorted. “That’s why they pay me the big bucks.”

He reached for the spice bottle, a snooty gourmet mix Jett had never heard of. Fiddling with something to calm his nerves wasn’t easy with one hand. He abandoned the glass container and opted for idle tapping instead.

“Jett? What's on your mind?”

Might as well face the music. Hahaha. “Um, I was curious. What’s going to happen on Monday?”

Maybe Silas would take the hint and come out with it. Something about asking directly if he was a goner was too much for him to face.

“Well, I’ll have to go into the office and get caught up. But I’ve already postponed the photo shoot and costume fittings, for obvious reasons. Then of course, I’m not happy with any of the choreographers who are available. There’s one I’d really like to use, but he won't be available for a couple months.”

Silas scratched his head. “To be honest, I’d rather wait anyway, give you plenty of time to heal. I’d also like to get you into some PT, see if you can get some help with that knee. Have you ever seen anyone about it?”

Jett blinked repeatedly while Silas stared at him through concerned eyes.

“Hold up. I’m not fired?”

Silas jerked back his head as if he’d been slapped. “What on earth made you say that? Every time I turn around, you think I’m firing you.” Silas scrubbed his face with one hand then made his way around the island. It appeared he was about to rub Jett’s back, but then drew his hand away. “Baby, we need to work on this fear you have of me firing you. I’ll never do that to you.”

“But...the label.”

Silas pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look, why don’t you let me put the chicken in the oven, then I’ll give you a nice, relaxing bath while we talk.”

“A bath?”

Jett had never dated anyone like Silas before. Then again, since he mostly hooked up rather than dated, maybe he wasn’t up on current dating protocol. He’d certainly never received the bath memo.

“I’m taking care of you, remember?”

“Is this a Daddy thing?”

Silas opened the built-in range door and placed the pan on the center rack. “It is. For me, anyway. Not all Daddies are the same.”

“I don’t have to play with a rubber ducky, do I?”

Silas set the timer then turned around with a smirk. “I already told you, I don’t do age play.”

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