Page 65 of Make Me Laugh

“Good thing your future daughter-in-law lives here. I’m sure you’ll be visiting often when West moves in.” Kell snickers and opens the door as soon as the car pulls to a stop, nearly diving out because he knows what’s good for him.

I hear Mom slap her hand against something, picturing her standing in her normal spot in the kitchen, leaning against the counter in the corner by the window. “Are you talking about Hex?” she squeals. “What’s her name again?”

“Jo, but don’t listen to Kell. We’re just friends,” I tell her as I get out of the backseat.

Frankie waves from the front door.

“He’s lying to you!” Enzo booms, making sure the whole fucking neighborhood hears.

“West,” she says in that tone I don’t like to push.

“Let’s talk about this later, okay?” I take her off speaker and flip both Enzo and Kell off, pressing the phone to my ear to find Mom already in the middle of a tangent.

I wander down the sidewalk, still in sight of the front porch where Frankie steps off the last step to give both Enzo and Kell a quick hug. I’m far enough away that I can't make out what they’re saying with my mom yapping in my ear.

“West, honey, she’s gorgeous, and I’m pretty sure she’s a genius. Did you know she graduated from H⁠—”

I cut her off. “I hired her to run my social media for the rest of the tour. She’ll be with us starting tomorrow.”

As if I summoned her, Joey opens the front door and steps out onto the dark wood porch. Even in the dimming sunlight, she stands out. She’s wearing a pair of distressed light wash jeans with holes at her knees, what I know is a vintage Ghostface T-shirt, a long sleeve lace top underneath, and black and white checkered Vans.

I watch her say hello to Enzo and Kell without a hug, and then they both turn, gesturing to me a few seconds later. Joey follows their direction, and I know, even from all the way over here, those siren-like eyes are pinned on mine.

She’s wearing light makeup, and her hair’s pulled back in a ponytail, the short strands of her bangs and front layers styled to match the carefree look of tonight’s outfit.

Joey’s so effortlessly cool, and I’m the goofball who would do anything for a glance my way.

“West Parker.” Mom’s serious-voice combined with her use of my middle name gets my attention.

“Sorry, what?” I ask, turning to face away from Joey. I can’t focus when I look at her.

Mom sighs, her light bell-like laugh warming my chest. “Go have fun. Call me tomorrow morning, will ya?”

I smile, footsteps approaching from behind. “I will. I promise.” Spinning around, my eyes land on Joey, followed close behind by a chattering Frankie and Kell.

Enzo falls behind to keep watch like he always does.

“Love you, kid. Please be safe,” Mom says—a reminder I don't need to hear.

“Safe’s my middle name. Love you more,” I reply before hanging up and sliding my phone into my back pocket.

I swallow the rush of guilt that always comes when I cut calls with my parents short. I’m all they’ve got now—I bite the inside of my lip hard enough to taste blood.

“So, there aren’t any Ouija boards involved in order to summon our tour guide for the night, right?” I deflect from my intrusive thoughts with humor—always have, even before my comedy career.

“Why? You scared?” Joey stops in front of me, sticking out her bottom lip in a tiny pout.

Mmm, what I would do to her lips if I could kiss them one more time… I smirk. “Nah, I’ve got the devil herself to protect me.” I wink, getting a big laugh out of Frankie.

Joey gives me a smile, one I know is real by the softness it brings to her face. Her septum ring is down tonight—a piercing I never paid much attention to on anyone until now. I love the way it draws my eyes to the cupid’s bow of her lip.

“Hey, is that donut place open yet?” Frankie asks, eyes wide with excitement when I manage to pull my gaze away from Joey.

“Donuts?” Kell chirps.

“If you want a donut, then we better get going. I told Mara we’d meet her at 7.” Joey flicks her wrists, signaling for us to get moving.

Frankie takes the lead, setting our pace. For someone who’s barely five-foot, the girl can cover some ground.