Page 6 of Make Me Laugh

HexedHeroine: Sorry, I can’t go out *coughcough* Hex dropped a new dark romance rec

Comment: All hail Hex. She never misses!

Comment: I bet she’s ugly af under that mask lol that’s gotta be why she wears it

If this man doesn’t turn his hat back around and look the other way…

Men always look better in backwards hats.

Frankie slaps me on the arm when she realizes what I do—West Parker is about to make me his next victim.

“I’ve done a lot of shows and had my fair share of people who don’t find me funny, or hell, have walked out mid-show,” West starts, his eyes never leaving mine. “But never have I ever.” He holds up five fingers like the whole room is playing a college drinking game, and to my surprise, people follow his lead and hold their hands up too. “Had someone in the crowd look like they’ve stepped out of Salem and are here to hex me.” West folds his thumb against his palm. “Until now.”

People laugh, but if they only knew… I’m shocked at how spot-on he is.

I exaggerate the roll of my eyes, hoping he can see it from the stage.

We aren't in the front row—thank all the gods for that—but our table isn’t far enough away to be safe from West and his crowd work.

If Frankie would have told me we were this close, I would have faked my death and never spoken to her again.

Dramatic? Definitely. But that would have been easier than whatever is about to happen here.

Maybe if I don't respond, he’ll get bored and move on to someone else.

The slow, sideways smirk spreading across his lips tells me everything I need to know… West Parker doesn’t back down in the face of a challenge. “She looks like she’d make me crawl to her,” he says, sinking to both his knees at the edge of the stage without missing a beat.

The crowd hollers like they’re watching a strip tease.

West’s voice is deeper when he speaks again, whispering into the mic. “And baby, I would if you wanted.” The people in the front row follow his gaze straight to me.

I ignore the look the girl who tried to steal his hat gives me. He’s all yours, sweetheart, I try to tell her with my witchy telepathy.

Frankie’s cackling beside me, completely ignoring my death glare to fist pump along to the crowd's cheers.

This bitch is supposed to be on my side!

“What’s your name?” West asks me, but I look over my shoulder, pretending to search for the person he’s talking to.

He chuckles this deep, throaty laugh, and it sounds nothing like the others he’s forced tonight. “Oh, come on. Don’t make this so hard on me.” He steeples his hands like he’s praying.

Something dark inside me sparks to life.

Jesus fuck, I’ve been reading too many dark romances. I mentally move a cheesy rom-com up to the top of my To Be Read pile.

I shake my head, using my hand to warn him to cut his losses before it’s too late

“Do you want me to beg?” West asks, batting his eyes. “I’m already on my knees.”

The girl in the front row finally turns her attention back to him. “You wouldn’t have to beg for me!” Her table laughs, hyping their friend up.

I’m a girl’s girl, so it takes everything inside me not to tell her she looks desperate, but she probably already knows that—and clearly doesn’t care.

“Darling, please. Mommy and Daddy are talking.” West still hasn’t taken his eyes off me.

Did he just⁠—

“Her name’s Jo!” Frankie cups her mouth and yells.