Page 47 of Diva Pop

Chapter Fourteen

Jett waved at Tory and Sean from the patio of his new favorite café in Silver Lake. He’d never spent much time in this area before moving in with Silas, but he’d discovered he loved the quirky artistic vibe of this unique section of Los Angeles.

“Hi, my lovelies!”

Jett stood to give them each a quick hug. Tory frowned at him as if a pair of giant horns had grown out of his head. Sean seemed oblivious, smiling as happily as ever. Of course, Tory had been Jett’s bestie for years and was quite aware of all his eccentricities.

Tory narrowed his eyes at him as they all took their seats.

Jett huffed. “Is there something you’d like to share with the rest of the class?”

“It’s just… You hugged me.”

Sean grinned. “You hugged me, too.”

Jett’s eyebrows shot up. “Yes, hon, I did.” I hope Tory’s watching out for this one. “Tory’s a tad confused because people hugging me or me hugging them is a big no-no.”

“Oh.” Sean’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry. If I’d known, I wouldn't have hugged you back.”

“You’re good, pumpkin. Don’t worry.” He patted Sean’s hand then returned his attention to Tory. “These past few weeks with Silas have given me a new outlook on everything.”

“I’ll say.” Tory snorted. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say how shocked I am.” He held up his palm. “I don’t mean to say he’s not great, just that I thought you hated him.”

“I never hated him.” Jett fiddled with the iced tea spoon in his glass. “I think I hated what his influence on the band might mean for my future. To be honest, I assumed he couldn’t stand me.”

Sean sighed. “I think you guys make an adorable couple.”

Adorable? Jett was thinking more along the lines of scorchingly hot, but he’d take it.

“Aww, thank you, hon.”

Sean smiled and leaned his head on Tory’s shoulder. Tory cupped Sean’s jaw to give him a kiss and Jett choked on his tea.

“Oh my God! Is that a wedding ring?”

Tory and Sean jerked apart like they’d been poked with a cattle prod.

“We were going to tell you today.” Tory winced. “It was totally unplanned.”

“Jesus. You sound like me.” Jett wasn’t sure what to think. At the same time, they were like two peas in a pod, so it made complete sense on that level. “As long as you guys are happy, that’s all that matters.”

They kissed again then Tory gave Jett a big grin. “Ridiculously happy. I was afraid you’d think it was too fast, but we know we’re meant to be together and we have so many plans for our future.”

Jett shrugged. “Hey, I moved in with my manager who I thought was my enemy before we ever had our first date, so who am I to judge?”

The server came by at that moment, so Tory and Sean ordered drinks and they all took a minute to peruse the menu. When she came back with their teas, they gave her their order then went back to getting caught up.

“Does your mom know about you and Silas?”

Tory was also one of the few people privy to Jett’s fucked up relationship with his mom. It was the proverbial complicated situation. Once upon a time they’d been so close, so united in the quest to make Jett a shining star in the ballet world. But once his father left with his older brother, which was capped off by Jett’s knee injury several years later, everything unraveled between them.

As far as she was concerned, Jett had ruined her life for nothing. She treated him as if he’d been the one who begged her for dance classes at the age of five instead of her dragging him there. Or as though he’d wanted to train everyday so he’d be accepted at ABT or that his father was a homophobe. Then he’d done the unthinkable -- hurt himself to punish her.

Since the first day he signed with Three Trick Pony, she hadn’t wanted a thing to do with him. In her eyes, being in the band was degrading, no better than being a whore. Certainly too shameful for his staunchly Catholic, Italian family.

“I’m sorry, Jett.” Tory tore at his napkin. “I shouldn’t have brought it up. I thought she might’ve tried to get in touch after…” Tory looked down.

“After I was almost murdered? Not hardly. She probably figures I deserve it.”

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