Page 105 of Make Me Laugh

I turn around, knowing he’s already looking at me—I can feel it. My ears pop when I swallow.

West slips out of his flannel, stripping to his perfectly cropped and boxy HexedHeroine shirt.

I’m about to cuss him out for playing dirty, but I can’t seem to find any words with the way he’s staring at me.

“I want whatever you’re willing to give me.” West finally responds to what I’d said inside the car, and he says it with such sincerity, I feel guilty for considering this.

I roll my bottom lip through my teeth. “That’s not fair to you.”

He shrugs. “I’m a big boy.” West says, reminding me of the way he’d called me a big girl when this all started.

I don’t feel so big anymore. I pretty much have no idea what I’m doing with my life. I haven’t even started looking for new jobs!

Not that I’ve really had the time with everything else…

“What’s the worst that’s gonna happen? You break my heart?” West kicks his Converse off by the door, toeing them out of the way. “It’ll be nice to feel something again.”

My heart threatens to break in my chest. He’s broken enough. I don’t need to add to it. I want him to heal those fractured pieces inside himself—he deserves that.

He crosses the few feet between us, crowding my space without touching me. “You want to sleep with me, right? Like, outside of Hex and all the business stuff. You, Joey, want to have sex with me, West? Not the stand-up comedian. Me.”

The question lights the molecules between us on fire. The room instantly heats. “Yes,” I answer firmly. He’d only call me a liar if I said otherwise, and I would be.

“And Hex and the stand-up comedian benefit from leaning into what the people want to see, right?” He cocks his head to the side, a stray piece of hair falling across his brow.

They want more of us. West suggested we start filming content together, and I’d shut it down so fast, but I’m also the only one who knows how many brands are asking for both of us in these deals.

We’re doing this for the money, right?

“I don’t know how to be Hex around someone else,” I tell him honestly. Sure, I’ve been doing it at shows, or when someone recognizes me, but that’s different than inviting someone in to see what the public never will.

West reaches a hand forward, tugging me into him by the bottom of my sweater. “Then let’s call tonight practice.”

His touch against my hip sends goosebumps dashing across every inch of my body. “I can only promise sex. If you’re hoping I’ll come around you could end up getting hurt.”

He brings his other hand to my face, gently running his thumb over my bottom lip. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.” West’s eyes flick to mine. “Let’s really give ‘em something to talk about, Joey baby.”

I nod slowly, nipping the end of his finger still lingering by my lips. “Before we do that, I was hoping you’d give me something to scream about instead.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

THE ONE WITH THE NEW CONTRACT

WestParkerComedy and HexedHeroine are tagged in a video: Mommy & Daddy fed us in Philly tonight

Comment: HE HAS AN OG HEX SHIRT? There is NO WAY they’re fucking with us. It’ll ruin me if this is all for attention

Comment: I think @ItsFrankie.mp3 is right… They’re def getting engaged

I have Joey snatched up with her legs wrapped around my torso in seconds. My lips crash into hers after she pulls her sweater over her head and tosses it to the side as we enter my room on the main level.

I lazily made my bed this morning, straightening the sheets and throwing the blanket over top. Joey lets out a whoosh of air when I toss her down, dropping to my knees on the edge. Her Vans slip off easily, getting thrown to the side of the room with the socks stuffed inside. I’m already working on the button to her jeans when she leans forward and kisses me again. It snaps open, and I force the zipper down, shoving my hand between her legs and pressing into the seam at her core.

Joey inhales against my lips. “Shit,” she mewls.

I apply rough pressure, getting where I need to be with my fingers against the stiff material of her jeans. “I need you out of these.” My voice sounds foreign in this state of desire.

I’ve never needed anyone more than I need Joey. Not now. Not ever. I need to hear her screaming my name. I need to taste her.