Page 131 of Make Me Laugh

We stop at a cafe for a snack and a coffee next, and at this point, I’ve stopped asking him what comes next, knowing he won’t tell me. I’ve never been more along-for-the-ride in my life.

He opens my door when we’re back at the rental he got for the weekend. Before I can remind him I’m completely capable of opening my own door… again, he says, “Just shut up and get in.”

I glare at him through the Jeep’s windshield, but his smile is playful, and there’s a cheerful bounce in his step as he hops in the driver’s seat. He plugs in the directions to our next stop on his phone, hiding it from me.

When we get on the highway, his phone buzzes, and he answers it on speaker after the first ring. “Hey, Mom. Say happy birthday to Joey!”

I freeze, looking at him like he’s crazy.

“Oh my god, am I on speaker?” Her voice is calm and soothing, but there’s real excitement behind it. “Happy birthday! Benny, come say happy birthday to Jo!”

I slap West on the arm as his dad joins in. “Happy birthday, and hello West.” His voice is really deep, and even though he’s not as talkative as his wife, I can hear the love behind the greeting to his son.

We chat for a few minutes before West tells them he needs to pay attention to where he’s going.

“Yes, please do.” I can hear the smile on her face. “Love you. I’ll see you soon. Jo, we’re very excited to meet you. West has told us⁠—”

West clears his throat. “K mom, gotta go. Need the GPS. Love you.” He hangs up, glances at his maps, and then keeps his eyes on the road.

I stare at the side of his face, admiring his sharp jawline and handsome side profile with a smile on mine that makes me feel warm all over.

When West finally glances over, I tell him something I’ve never told anyone. Not even Frankie. “When I met Dylan’s mom for the first time, she thought I was his math tutor. I’m not sure why she thought her son was bringing his math tutor to his end-of-season banquet, but he didn’t tell her we were dating for another two years after we’d already moved in together. She never even remembered meeting a math tutor.”

West doesn’t say anything right away, his jaw clenching as he stares at the open highway ahead. Eventually, he asks a question I’m sure feels safest to him. “What sport did he play?” As cool and composed as he’s being, I know it’s for my sake. There’s no doubt in my mind West would absolutely whoop Dylan’s ass—and win—if given the chance.

“He swam for Harvard.” I make the conscious decision not to tell West about his active spot on Team USA.

He puffs a cocky laugh. “I bet he sucked.” I scrunch my nose, and he catches the look before I’m aware I’m doing it. “Why’d you do that?”

He’s going to fucking hate this. I sigh. “He’s a two-time Olympic gold medalist.”

West grips the steering wheel tighter. “Oh, okay, great, so I’m the second-best athlete you’ve ever slept with.” He says it like a joke, but I know he really means it. “And I can’t even say I’m smarter than him, can I? Because I bet you’re going to say he’s got a medical degree from Harvard next.”

Damn… Nailed it.

Whatever look I give this time makes him groan, popping his head on the headrest. “At least lie and tell me I’m funnier. Please, I’m begging.”

I hum a quiet laugh. “Dude doesn’t have a funny bone in his body, and he’s an awful fucking person, West.” It doesn’t hurt when I say it anymore, which is new. “He never cared to make me smile, let alone laugh. He never once stayed up with me, or even attempted to when I worked late. He stopped asking about my past because he said it made him uncomfortable.” I think he stayed around for as long as he did because he liked how kinky I was. Funny that’s one of the reasons he left… Because he couldn’t imagine having children with a woman who would let him do those things to her. “Then when he made me hate myself more than I’d ever hated anyone else, he left.”

I think his jaw might shatter before he speaks again. “Joey, I’m so sorry.” West apologizes for a man who will never say those words himself. He pulls off an exit, meeting my eyes while we wait for the light to turn green.

“It’s okay, he might be an Olympian with two gold medals and a medical degree from Harvard, but do you know what else he has?” I ask.

“I’m afraid to hear…” West grumbles.

The light turns green, but there’s no one behind us and he doesn’t go.

I smile mischievously. “A small dick.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

THE ONE WITH THE BOOTY CALL

Comment: Happy birthday, Hex! West better be treating you like the Queen you are!

Comment reply: did u see her story?

Comment reply: omg YES they’re in love & I am too