"I still can't believe we're doing this," JD muttered beside him. "How the hell did we get ourselves into this anyway?" he asked, raising his voice slightly.
"I believe –you- lost a bet," Buck accused pointedly.
"We lost the bet, Buck…We," JD argued.
"Yeah, well—I was basing my decision on your information." Buck shifted uncomfortably and pulled at his waistband.
"How was I supposed to know those little silver balls aren't edible? People put ‘em on cakes and cookies all the time. I grew up eating the damn things." JD shook his head, "and just how did Ezra know something like that anyway?"
"I don't know. The SOB knows more useless and dork-like information than anyone I've ever met before. Should have known," Wilmington said, scratching at the side of his face.
"Stop that or they'll come off again." Vin swatted Buck's hand, startling the taller man with his sudden appearance.
"That's the point, Tanner." Buck's growl turned into a whine, "Do I really need these?"
"It's all part of the persona, Mr. Wilmington," Ezra answered, coming up behind Vin and handing a lavishly painted gold accented guitar to Buck. "Appearances are everything," he quipped; unable to suppress his grin.
"I think I'm going to kill you," Buck was back to growling again.
"Ah but that would be illegal…and messy," Ezra drawled. "And we must not ruin the suits." He stepped in front of JD and began to straighten the younger man's impressive lapels. "They're rented after all."
JD pulled away, raising his midnight blue guitar threateningly.
"As are the instruments." Ezra calmly stepped back, completely unphased by his friends' anger.
"I think I'm going to help you kill him, Buck. I know some great places to dump a body around here," JD said, readjusting his lapel out of spite.
Ezra shrugged, his green eyes dancing mischievously. "Think of it this way, gentlemen. The ladies find you exciting and if you win the competition you get to keep 20 percent of the jackpot."
Vin choked back a laugh and pulled Standish out of Buck's reach. "Let's go join the others, Ez. I think you can use the extra protection right now. Break a leg guys," he called over his shoulder as he pushed Ezra out of the backstage area.
Quickly the two found their way to the table where Chris, Josiah and Nathan waited already enjoying their drinks.
"How are our Brothers doing?" Josiah asked as the pair joined them.
" ‘Bout ready to commit homicide." Vin grinned freely now and waved to a waitress so he could order a drink of his own.
"Maybe they'll learn to quit betting against Ezra," Nathan said as he fiddled with his video camera.
"Don't think they're ever going to learn that one." Chris shook his head knowingly.
"If this doesn't do it…I doubt anything will," Vin agreed. "You should see Buck trying to leave those sideburns alone."
"Looking forward to seeing that." Chris laughed softly as the lights dimmed and a single bright spotlight focused on a tuxedo clad Ralph Crow.
Ezra's former step-father cleared his throat, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Wild Frontier's 4th Annual Elvis Presley Impersonation Contest!"
"You know they're gonna be after you for a long time after this," Josiah whispered to Ezra as Ralph continued his welcome speech.
"Of course." Ezra nodded. "But a bet's a bet…and I'll have the video."
Josiah's laughter was drowned out by the abrupt applause as the music started and the first Elvis contestant took the stage.
The End
