“No, Nick, I’m not. But right now I’m the closest thing that you’ve got to one.”
I don’t know why, but at that moment my throat goes hot and tight while the backs of my eyes start to burn. I must be overtired. Or maybe it has something to do with this morning. Either way I need to get over it. I’m living the good life, the life of my dreams. So there’s no reason for me to be feeling like I’m this close to doing something completely humiliating, like crying.
“Go take a hot shower, Nick.” Ezer rises from the couch while I stand there trying to pull it together so I don’t embarrass myself in front of Tinsley. “Get some rest. Tinsley and I will see you tonight.”
Before I can reply, he’s leading her out my front door.
KISS AND RUN
By the time I’m showered and dressed, my entire house has been transformed into a winter wonderland, with the Christmas decorations out in full force.
Every available surface is smothered in garlands, tinsel, wreaths, sprigs of holly, the works, and I can’t help but think how much my Greentree mom would enjoy seeing this.
The cast and crew are gathered in the kitchen, everyone hoisting glasses filled with what looks like champagne but, knowing Ezer, is probably just sparkling cider.
“Just in time!” Ezer waves me over. “Grab a glass—we’ve got good news to celebrate.”
I pinch my glass at the stem like I’m used to drinking out of champagne flutes, then focus on Ezer. I have no idea what this is about, but I can feel his excitement from here.
“The show is a runaway hit!” he announces.
Everyone cheers, and while I cheer along too, I’m a little confused. Isn’t that something we already knew?
“Filming every day was a risk that some at the network were hesitant to take. But I wouldn’t give up, and it turns out I was right. The Twelve Days of Dashaway Christmas Countdown is seeing the highest numbers in the network’s history!” His grin is broad, but it’s probably more about being right than about the actual numbers. Most people love being right, but Ezer takes it to a whole new level.
Everyone turns to me, waiting for a response. So I lift my glass and say, “That’s awesome!” which falls a little flatter than I would’ve liked, but it’s not like anyone saw fit to write me a speech.
“Awesome indeed!” Ezer laughs, doing his best to cover for me. “In fact, it’s so awesome, The Lazy Daze of Dashaway Summer Sizzle has gotten the green light! Though the title may change, so let’s keep that under wraps until we have something final.”
Everyone seems really excited by the news. Nothing like the thrill of working on a hit show. Not to mention the promise of a steady summer paycheck.
As for me, I’m busy picturing long, hot days spent on the beach next to a bikini-clad Tinsley. Surely I’ll get to kiss her by then?
“So drink up,” Ezer says. “We’ve got a record-breaking show to produce!”
Everyone drains his glass and clears out, leaving Plum and her mom to load up one of my two dishwashers. Ezer slides an arm around my shoulder and says, “There’s something I want you to see.” He leads me into the living room, where he gestures toward the towering Christmas tree that soars so high the tip nearly brushes against the two-story ceiling. “What do you think?” he says, studying me carefully.
The sight of it gets me so choked up I can’t speak. Considering how Mac Turtledove’s dad hijacked our Christmas tree back in Greentree, I’m pretty moved that Ezer went to the trouble to do this. How did he know just how much this would mean to me?
I guess Tinsley was right. He really does see me like a son. None of this would exist—the house, the limo, the tree, my reality show—if it weren’t for him. I’m just an average kid with a mediocre voice and a really big dream, and Ezer managed to transform that into the world’s biggest celebrity. The only reason he lectures me so much is because he wants the very best for me—including the very best tree.
“Yeah,” I finally say, my throat clogged with emotion. “It’s even better than the one at the mall. That one looked a little scrawny at the top.”
Ezer laughs and slaps me on the shoulder in a way that seems really sincere as opposed to his usual pretending. And while I want to say more, want to let him know how grateful I am for everything he’s done on my behalf, my throat’s so constricted I’m forced to rely on my face to say what I can’t.
He pulls me in close, giving me an unexpected hug. Then, leaving me gawking at my tree, he moves away just as quickly, back to telling everyone what to do and say, even though he’s not technically the director.
Typical Ezer. And yet it’s the only way things get done around here.
You need vision to soar.
Besides, it’s not my place to question his methods. Between me and the boy band he managed before me, his track record speaks for itself.