Page 3 of Make Me Laugh

I keep them stocked for her.

“Who told you?” My brows pull together in the middle. I glance around my kitchen for hidden cameras.

“Hilda,” we both say at the same time.

“She called me two hours ago, and I’ve been trying to get in touch with you ever since.” Frankie pops the can’s lid and takes a swig. “Get ready, we’re going out.”

Fucking Hilda. Another thing about Hilda? She doesn’t know how to mind her damn business! I’ll remember this the next time I get the urge to rearrange my furniture at two in the morning.

“I don’t want to go out. I want to cuddle up on my couch and finish the enemies to lovers dark romantasy I’m reading.” I jut my lip out, hoping the pout will work.

It doesn’t. I knew it wouldn’t.

“Aw, too bad.” Frankie smacks my ass, leaving a sting behind. “Now go put on something sexy, pull your hair out of that ratty bun, and let’s go. The show starts at 7:30.” She shakes her phone screen in my face. All I catch a glimpse of is the name of a venue in downtown Boston. “Sam and I are off, again… and I have tickets to go see West Parker.” Frankie wiggles her shoulders and waggles her hips.

I groan so loudly I know Hilda hears. “There’s no way I’m going to sit through an hour-long stand-up put on by some washed-up hockey star fuckboy who people only think is funny cause he’s got dimples and a nice ass.” I don’t know much about the guy, and I don’t care to. I’ve seen a video or two of his pop up on my For Your Page, and I can appreciate how hot he is, but that’s where the appreciation ends.

“Okay… that was a lot of descriptors.” Frankie blinks, moving on quickly. “Josette, please,” she whines, stomping her foot. “Sam told me he needed to take some time to think about his life and what he wants today. We’re both sad losers, but I don’t wanna be the kind of sad loser you are.” She points to my outfit and I scoff, turning towards my bedroom. “No offense, but I want to go out and have pretty boys tell me they’d die for me. Not sit in a dark room and read about it.”

Frankie could make any man crawl across broken glass for her if she wanted, and yet for three long years, she’s let Sam from insurance sales call the shots.

I let out the longest sigh of my life. Frankie starts squealing before the words leave my mouth. “Fine, I’ll go… on two conditions.”

“Anything!” Frankie claps her hands and bounces on the balls of her feet.

“One.” I hold up my pointer finger. “Tell Sam to go fuck himself.” I put up a second finger. “And two, you’re buying drinks tonight. I’m unemployed.”

Frankie slides her arm over my shoulder and guides me the rest of the way into my bedroom, bringing her phone up to press Call on Sam’s contact. “Deal.”

CHAPTER TWO

THE ONE WITH HIS FUTURE WIFE

WestParkerComedy: Sup, Boston? See you for night two @TheLaughHut... Is your mom coming? Does she want to?

Comment reply: Sorry, Mom can’t make it, but I’ll gladly come for you instead!

Laughter fills the audience, followed by applause as the opener takes his bow. “Now, put your hands together for the reason you’re all here, West Parker!” He waves as he exits on the other side of the stage.

I push my hair back and slide my University of Michigan hat on, getting into the West Parker persona.

Hunky hockey star. Playboy. Stand-up comedy’s next big thing.

I take an extra second to close my eyes, listening to the venue cheer. I can almost smell the fresh ice of a rink if I focus hard enough. There’s a moment right before going on stage where I get the same adrenaline rush I used to before a big game.

It’s a feeling nothing else in my life has ever given me.

Let’s fucking do this.

I open my eyes and take a step out from stage left.

The venue isn’t huge, giving the crowd an intimate experience at tonight’s show. One day I’ll sell out arenas, but for now I remind myself to live in the moment.

Enjoy every minute of your second chance.

The audience roars as I reach for the mic. “Boston, you sexy, motherfuckers!” I pull it off the stand, walking the length of the stage. “How are you?”

They answer with another round of applause and cheers.