Being a Star (Isn't Easy)
Chapter Twelve
Half-an-hour later, Vin and Ezra were showered and dressed in clean clothes.
When they reached the living room, they saw everyone but Nathan sitting down.
Upon seeing them, Chris jumped up. "What was taking so long, Vin?! I thought I
was gonna have to go and look for you!"
Ezra and Vin shared a quick look and Vin shrugged, "We were just talkin'."
Ezra spoke up and said, "Vin convinced me to let you all stay on as bodyguards."
After a slight pause, he continued, "Except for Mister Jackson. Unless he has a
great excuse for acting the way he has been, I still want him gone. If he
explains to me why he's been acting the way he has and quits being an ass, I'll
let him stay."
"Well, he's outside right now," said Buck.
"Guess he's out there sulking," Rain replied in a flat voice.
Chris shrugged, "Yeah. He did get a little pissed when you, Casey, and Inez
slapped him. Then, I told him that I was going to have to fire him."
"You three slapped him?" asked Ezra. They could all tell that he was trying not
to laugh.
"He deserved it," stated Inez.
"How about we get him in here and see if we can get all of this straightened
out," suggested Josiah.
"Go see if you can find him, Buck," said Chris. Buck nodded and left.
OUTSIDE
Buck walked around the estate, finally finding Nathan sitting on a bench beside
the garden. "Nate," he said.
Nathan jumped a little, before turning to face him. "What?"
"You're needed inside. Ezra has said that we can stay on as his bodyguards. But
he wants you to explain why you've been acting the way you have. You'd better
have a good reason."
Nathan's eyes narrowed, "Or what?"
Buck shrugged, "Or he'll still fire you. And, you won't have a job with us any
longer." Sighing, Buck continued, "Look, Nathan, I like you. You're like a
brother. But, you've had a major attitude ever since we've been here. Hell, even
before we got here! You need to explain whatever it is that has you all
wound up and let it go."
Nathan didn't say a word, but he stood up and started walking back to the house.
Buck prayed that it was a good sign as he followed him.
INSIDE THE HOUSE
Nathan walked inside and saw everyone looking at him. It just made him angry all
over again. "What?" he growled.
Trying to be polite, Ezra said, "Mister Jackson, why don't you have a seat?"
Feeling defiant, Nathan replied, "I'll stay standing."
Ezra shrugged and stood up. "Fine. Have it your way." After a pause, he asked,
"Ready to explain what your problem is?"
Nathan shrugged, "Ain't got one."
When Ezra spoke again, his voice was ice cold, sending shivers down everyone's
spines. "This game is getting old. Explain the problem you seem to have with me
or get your stuff and get out of my house. And, I swear that I'll make sure that
you never work as a bodyguard for anyone again."
"You can't threaten me!"
"It's not a threat, Mister Jackson, it's a promise," Ezra stated.
For what seemed like forever, but was actually only a few minutes, Ezra and
Nathan stared at each other. Trying to stare each other down.
It was Nathan that broke eye contact. Sighing, he said, "Fine. You remind me of
someone. Happy now?"
"Not really, no. Who?"
"A guy I knew in school. You could be his brother. You resemble him and share a
lot of the same characteristics."
"What school?"
"Pacific Coast High School," Nathan answered,
"Never been there. So, it wasn't me. And, as I far as I know, I have no
siblings. Is that the whole reason you've been copping an attitude?"
Nathan looked at everyone in the living room and couldn't bring himself to say
anything more. "That's it."
Ezra sighed. He knew that Nathan hadn't told them the whole reason, but he would
give him another chance. "Fine. You can stay on as one of my bodyguards. But, I
swear, this is the last chance I'm giving you. You continue with the attitude or
screw up in my protection, you'll be fired and out of here so fast it'll make
your head spin. Understood?"
After a pause, Nathan gave a short nod.