Page 115 of Make Me Laugh

I look forward to hearing back!

Have a great week,

Lilly Hollow

Owner/CEO

Hell & Hollow Publishing

The email was sent nearly three weeks ago.

I haven’t gone on my personal email in weeks, finding nothing but coupons and payment confirmations for my various subscriptions. Anything important should get rerouted to my HexedHeroine account.

I search Lilly, her name popping up in my spam folder from the first week of September. Two and a half weeks before I lost my job, before I got doxxed, before I met West…

This one’s much shorter with the same greeting, but there’s a piece of information Lilly left out in her email to Hex.

Hell & Hollow is looking to fill the role of Chief Marketing Officer.

After I got accepted into Harvard, I didn’t know what I wanted with my life. I’d done the crazy big thing I’d said I would, and then found myself thinking, okay? Now what?

I studied mathematics during undergrad because I was good at it, and it wouldn’t push me too far out of my comfort zone. I’d never wanted to be a mathematician or professor of any kind, so I stayed behind to get my MBA because I needed more time to figure it out.

I eventually realized I liked the strategy side of marketing, getting to put plans into place based on numbers and metrics. It lets me use logic while always having some kind of new challenge with how quickly digital marketing evolves.

I accepted my first job through a successful internship with a decades old marketing firm, specializing in talent management. The year I left to accept the job with Vyce, I was making over six figures as the Creative Director, but I wanted more. I wanted to feel like I’d helped build something new. So, I took less money for a higher position at the up-and-coming Vyce Talents. It was great… until it wasn’t.

If I would have seen this email before being let go, I wouldn’t be here right now.

I sit in silence for a while before responding to Lilly’s email, closing my laptop, and clocking out for the day.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

THE ONE WHERE HE MEETS HEX

WestParkerComedy: Idk why but the guys @LaughMoreBmore asked me to hang with them today… Your mom should check out their livestream

Comment: Mom says she wants to know if you and Hex are together before she gets her hopes up!

Comment reply: I must be your mom cuz same

“I promised Andrew I wouldn’t ask, but I can’t do it.” We made it to the end of my interview, and the second I think I’m in the clear, somehow managing to make it through without a single mention of Hex, one of the hosts finally breaks.

“James,” Andrew scolds like Enzo would.

“Listen, we’ll cut it. Swear, if that’s what you want.” James holds his hands up, looking at Andrew and then me.

I take my hat off, run a hand through my hair and laugh before putting it back on backwards. They record the show for visual platforms too. I have to show up as West Parker. “I already know where this is going.” I nod him on.

James rubs his hands together and does a funny gremlin laugh. “Thank you,” he drawls, sitting forward in his chair. He stares me down, getting serious. He says one word. “Hex.”

The look on Joey’s face after I left her flustered on the couch flashes in my mind. I bite my lip and puff a laugh through my nose. “What about her?” I don’t break character, keeping the giddy love drunk idiot who perks up when Joey’s mentioned hidden.

It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

James guffaws. “I mean, where do you wanna start?” He unlocks his phone, opening to a screen of notes. He scrolls so I can see. “These are all questions our listeners asked about you and Hex.” He’s still scrolling. “Say anything and you’ll probably answer at least three of them.” He locks his phone and drops it in his lap.

I shrug. “Ask me a question, and I might be able to answer it.”