Page 42 of Diva Pop

“The one who specializes in dancers?”

“Yes. He had a cancellation, so you’re all set for next Monday.”

Jett tilted his head. “Is it scheduled for after the photo shoot?”

Silas folded his hands and donned his serious expression. Jett chewed on his lower lip, not sure he wanted to hear what Silas had to say next.

“Is everything okay?”

Jett hated the tremble in his voice. It made him feel weak, so he hoped Silas hadn’t detected it. As if to prove how in tune he was with him, Silas covered Jett’s hand with his own.

“It is, baby. But I do need to bring you up to speed. Paul officially quit Three Trick Pony today.”

“Holy shit.”

His first reaction was good riddance, but then his stomach clenched. Paul was an almighty asshole, but he was also a fan favorite and as important a part of the band than any of them were. The fact that he could admit that to himself and mean it, proved he might actually be changing into a rational human being.

However, Jett could barely believe this was happening. “What about the contract? Him being cut out of the royalties and all that?”

Silas shrugged. “He’s found a lawyer and made the decision based on what he discussed with him. That’s all Gerry told me.”

Jett gasped. “You talked to the label. They know.” He smacked his forehead. “Duh. Of course, they know. Oh my God. Does Tory know? Do the others?”

Although, if Tory was aware of Paul leaving, by default it meant Sean did too. He wasn’t sure if he was supposed to be outing Tory and Sean to Silas, so he’d kept his big mouth shut so far.

“I’ll be notifying them tomorrow, but I wanted to let you know right away. I’d like to ask for you to keep the news to yourself until after I speak to everyone.”

“I promise.” Then it hit him. “So, I don’t need to worry about the time of the PT appointment because there isn’t a photo shoot anymore.”

“That’s correct.”

Jett started chewing on his thumbnail, but Silas gently pried it out of his mouth.

“Wow. I didn’t see this coming. I mean, yay, don’t have to work with that insufferable asshole. But this can’t be good. Is Gerry freaking out?”

Silas chuckled. “Gerry doesn’t freak out. But he isn’t too happy, I can tell you that much.”

Jett couldn’t keep still, adjusting his position on the chair, his heart climbing into his throat. What if he was the sole focus of the band now? It used to seem like a wonderful thing, but then all the responsibility would be on him if it all imploded. What if Crispin was worse to deal with than Paul had ever been? What if Tory decided to quit too and take Sean with him?

What if my brain would just shut the fuck up?

Silas laced their fingers together. “Jett?”

He poked out his bottom lip, a surge of irrational butthurt taking over. “What, it’s not ‘baby’ anymore?”

Silas let out a sigh. “You know better than that. Watch your tone.”

Jett’s eyes watered. “I’m sorry. Is it okay to be super clingy, you know, in the Daddy world?”

“You can be clingy with me in any world, baby boy.”

Jett whipped his head around. “Ooh, that’s even better. Do you mean it?”

Silas chuckled. “I’ve actually been holding back on saying it because I didn’t want to overwhelm you. I realize this is all foreign.”

Jett rolled onto his side, something easing in his soul. “If I’m your baby boy, can you be my Papa bear?”

“Should I grow out my beard to fit the bill?”

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