Page 136 of Make Me Laugh

“Yours, always, Frankie Lou.” In a quick transition, I push West off me, who huffs when he hits the bed, grabbing the blanket and covering my chest before anyone can see, then sit up.

Kell tsks, shaking his head. “Damn, tough luck, Bud. Better luck next time!”

Frankie smiles triumphantly, but switches gears quickly. “So, this?” She motions to us. “We’ve known since before the two of you did, but I’d like to thank you for making me $100 richer.”

Enzo changes the tone. “What’s the plan here?” He glances at me. “I trust you have one.”

I haven’t had a plan since the moment Frankie dragged me to a West Parker comedy show. Thanks for the reminder, Enzo!

I swallow, trying to find the right words, but West leans himself against the headboard and surprises me. “Respectfully, Enzo, fuck off.” He doesn’t react, his jaw ticking once as West continues. “There doesn’t always have to be a fucking plan for everything.”

Frankie glances over her shoulder, feeling the shift in the room. “Okay, so let’s not do this, please and thank you.” She smiles at all of us. “West and Jo are adults. They can fuck if they want, but…” Holding her pointer finger up, her neon pink polish chipped, Frankie nods at Enzo. “He has a point.” She gives me a tight-lipped smile I know has some sadness behind it. “Tour is over in a few weeks. What’s next? Are you two riding this thing out as long as you can… Or?” My best friend’s hazel eyes dart between me and West. “We’re asking because we’re on your side. We need to know what to say, what not to say. Are we congratulating you? Is this just sex?”

Frankie might be scatterbrained and the type of ADHD who forgets to take her meds for days on end, but she’s not dumb—she’s one of the most intuitive people I’ve ever met.

“Enzo isn’t great with words, which is why I told him to let me talk.” She glowers over her shoulder, returning to us with a smile. “Remember, I was the one forcing her hand the night you met her, but I do think this needs a plan. Even just a tiny one.”

I can’t believe I’m having this conversation with our best friends, naked in bed with West. At the start of this tour, I never would have expected to be this comfortable with three men in their twenties, but they’ve never once made me feel unsafe. They’ve all respected me as an important part of this team since day one, making sure to include me on even the smallest decisions.

Plus, I post more for the internet to see than what this blanket is allowing them to.

When the tour is over, when I go back to Jo Daniels, corporate executive, I’m not just leaving West… I’m leaving Enzo and Kell too.

West’s arms are crossed loosely over his chest, and when I look over, he’s already watching me. He won’t say anything until I do, letting me make the decision to share the news when I’m ready.

I take a breath and let it out through my mouth. “I…” I look down at myself, then back to my friends. “Didn’t think I’d be telling everyone this naked in bed next to West, but I guess since we’re all here and on the topic.” My nerves spike, nausea rolling my stomach.

West slowly shifts his leg under the blanket, his thigh pressing against mine. The warmth of his skin soothes me, reminding me that I have every right to be excited about this. I shouldn’t let one door closing mean the next opening has to have this dark cloud looming behind it.

“I accepted a job with Hell & Hollow Publishing in Boston this week. I start the first week of January.” Until now, West was the only person I’ve talked about it with, and anytime it’s brought up, he doesn’t let me feel guilty or allow his feelings about what this means for us get in the way.

He knows this is exactly what I’ve always wanted—the job of my dreams in an industry I had no idea I’d end up in. Not just Corporate Jo’s… Mine. I want this.

But what if I also want something else and don’t know how to let myself have it?

“Say you swear,” Frankie says calmly.

“Swear,” I nod, and the word’s not even out of my mouth before she’s jumping up and down.

“Ohmygodohmygodohmygod! JoJo! I wish you were clothed, and I didn’t know that you two had filthy, kinky, six-orgasm-having sex in that bed last night, because I wanna hug you so bad!” She shuffles over to me anyway, throwing her arms around me.

I hold onto the blanket for dear life.

Kell’s eyebrows shoot up. “Six orgasms?”

Enzo purses his lips, giving West an impressed look.

West shrugs coolly like he doesn’t want to flaunt his new record so bad right now. I thought I was going to pass out after the tenth, and my muscles were sore for days afterwards.

Frankie has tears in her eyes when she pulls away. “I’m so proud of you. Wow, okay.” She wipes a stray tear and laughs. “Jesus, will the two of you put some clothes on? I can’t cry in a room where two people are naked.”

She ushers Enzo and Kell from the door, peeking her head back in before closing it. “Please don’t take too long. I need details. Bad.”

Once we’re alone again, I feel a tension build in the room between us… and it’s not coming from West. I let out a breath and bury my face in my hands with a groan.

I’m really fucking bad with emotions.

The bed shifts, and West’s arms slip around me. I feel his lips place a kiss on my bare shoulder. Even though I shouldn’t, I melt into him. “I should be excited about this,” I whisper. There’s a sense of guilt mixed into my excitement, and it’s definitely outweighing the positives.