Page 95 of Make Me Laugh

“Shit, the tacos!” I shuffle my way through the crowded stairs, reaching into my pocket at the bottom while Kell takes the three pans from the guy and goes into the kitchen.

“Sorry about that.” I hand him forty dollars cash as an extra tip. “Drive safe. Thank you.” I close the door, turning to watch Frankie and Joey walk down the stairs together.

They’re engrossed in a conversation about some guitarist they both know. Frankie’s talking enthusiastically, using her hands to describe something, but she doesn’t notice that Joey’s looking at me.

I wait for them to get to the bottom of the stairs, holding Joey’s gaze until she has to break it and round the corner into the kitchen.

She’d said just friends, and I’ll respect that if it’s what she thinks she wants… but a friend has never sat in my lap and held me like Joey did.

“West, did you forget hot sau—never mind!” Kell calls from the kitchen.

I’m still standing by the front door when Joey peeks around the corner. “You coming, Hotshot?” she asks with a dark brow raised.

I nod and puff a laugh when she winks and disappears. “Friends, my ass,” I mumble to myself as I join everyone in the kitchen for family dinner.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

THE ONE WITH THE SHIRT

HexedHeroine is tagged in a picture: Met Hex tonight at @WestParkerComedy’s show in Philly and you guys… SHE’S SO KIND West is a LUCKY MAN!

Comment: My GOD!! Mommy for sure.

Comment: I’m hoping he’ll kick her ass to the curb soon

ItsFrankie.mp3 commented on a picture HexedHeroine is tagged in: Bet they’re engaged by the end of next year. Fifty bucks, paid in all ones!

Comment reply: Ummm aren’t you Hex’s best friend?! IS THIS A HINT???

Between staying on Hex’s posting schedule and juggling deadlines for multiple brand deals for myself and West, I’m doing my best to be present for my best friend who’s now also jobless in her thirties.

What a pair we are!

Sunday’s show is an earlier start than usual at Philly’s Twentieth Annual Oktoberfest. It was added on during the last round of new dates, and when West found out the people in charge of this weekend’s entertainment were donating a portion of their ticket sales to a local non-profit helping families who’ve been affected by drunk driving, he told Enzo to donate whatever he was supposed to make off tonight’s show to them instead.

I open my notes app and put number three in bold and add another exclamation point:

3. Do not fall for West fucking Isakson!!!

West’s headlining tonight’s comedy show before a band closes out the weekend with music until midnight.

A gorgeous dirty-blonde in her forties named Olive opens for West, reminding the crowd tonight’s performance is intended for audiences 18+. She’s wearing a tight dress with boobs spilling out the bodice, the skirt tight against her slim body. Olive’s hilarious with a knack for belittling men, and the crowd loves it.

Frankie and I hoot and holler just as loud as everyone else.

When the stage manager found out we wanted to watch from the audience, he had a couple chairs added to the VIP section for me and Frankie.

Tonight’s show is sold out with over 2,000 seats. It’s the biggest I’ve seen West play yet… I wish I was backstage to see his pre-show excitement before this one.

I shoot Enzo a text.

Me

Get some videos of West for me before he goes on stage from back there, pleaseeeee!

I tell myself it’s for content purposes and not my own selfish reasons.

Enzo reacts to my message with a thumbs up.