Page 37 of Diva Pop

Chapter Twelve

Silas could feel Jett watching him while he prepared the bath. He’d remained silent since Silas’s declaration of loyalty. Maybe he hadn’t come out and said he loved Jett, but the message had been there, nonetheless.

Part of him wondered if he’d gone too far, too soon. But the other part of him was glad he’d been so brutally honest. His instincts had told him that Jett needed to hear the truth, no matter how intense it was.

After verifying once more that the temperature was hot, but no scalding, he plugged the drain then rose.

“I’ll be right back. I need to get a plastic bag to tape around your cast. Do you want to check the water, see if you like the temperature?”

“I’m sure it’s fine.”

Silas pinched his eyebrows together. Jett no longer seemed at ease.

“What’s bothering you, baby?”

Jett’s leg bounced a little as he peered up at him. “I’m having a total nic fit. I can go without a cigarette for a day, but this is like the third one. I know you don’t want me to smoke anymore, but seriously. This cold turkey stuff isn’t working for me, especially not now.”

Silas had been so focused on Jett’s other challenges, he’d forgotten about his smoking. “Okay, I tell you what. While I’m out getting the plastic bag, I’ll call the delivery service to bring us some nicotine patches.”

“Do those things really work?”

Jett did seem on edge. Silas felt his pain.

“They did the trick for me.” Silas winked at Jett’s shocked expression. “I’ll be right back.”

Jett chuckled. “Learn something new every day.”

By the time he returned, Jett was leaning over the tub with his fingers under the running water. He straightened then turned to Silas, his expression like that of a frightened deer.

“Let me help you get out of that sweatshirt.”

Jett lowered his chin, but Silas encouraged him to lift it with his knuckle. “I can give you your privacy if you prefer.”

“I...I want to try this with you, let you give me a bath. And I’m not shy about my body as you may have noticed.” He smirked before his features clouded again. “But it’s pretty ugly right now. That asshole bruised the fuck out of me.”

“You’re always beautiful to me, Jett. And I’ll take care not to hurt you.”

“I know you will.” Jett swallowed hard. “I’d like for you to help me.”

Silas kissed his cheek then carefully removed his shirt, then his socks. When he saw the deep black and red bruises on Jett’s back, his shoulder blades and upper arms, rage filled him. Some of the anger was focused inward, the guilt of not going to see Jett that fateful night still eating at him.

However, that wasn’t relevant right now. This time was for Jett.

After helping him onto the tub, Jett slowly lowered himself into the water, releasing a long sigh as he was enveloped in the soothing warmth. Silas gently washed him with a soft cloth, and Jett allowed it. Silas wondered if the fabric barrier made it easier.

Silas squeezed the washcloth, letting the warm water trickle down Jett’s back. He shivered, another sigh falling from his lips. Jett’s head was bent down so that Silas couldn’t see his face. He’d drawn his knees up to his chin, with his broken arm resting on the bathtub ledge and the other wrapped around his legs.

“Silas? What did the voicemail say?”

Silas paused what he was doing, holding the balled-up cloth against Jett’s back while pondering what it was he was asking.

“Are you talking about the message I left you on Thursday?”

“Yeah. I was worried… Well, you know.” He let out a melancholy chuckle. “Me and my employee termination paranoia.”

“Ah, I see what’s going on.” Silas resumed the gentle circles over Jett’s skin. “I wish you hadn’t held that in this whole time, sweetheart. I was worried about you and wanted us to meet for lunch. I was hoping if we had the chance to meet on neutral ground outside of rehearsal, we could hit the reset button with each other.”

Jett whipped his head around. “Seriously? That’s why you called?” Jett banged his forehead a few times against his knees. “Oh my God. I’m such an idiot.”

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