Page 103 of Make Me Laugh

I lied to Frankie about getting a headache. West had disappeared, never coming back like he said he would. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do now, hadn’t thought through what came after I found him.

There wasn’t a plan. There’s never been a plan when it comes to West.

No matter how hard I try to keep things in order, everything with him has a way of changing course, ready to throw me off track at any moment.

I can’t read the look on his face as he approaches. “Sorry, I didn’t want to interrupt. I’m gonna head out. Just wanted to say bye.” West invades my space, not stopping until our chests touch. “W-West…” I stutter, taking a step back.

He doesn’t let me have it, crowding me again with an almost eerily calm demeanor. I know the emotion etched into the lines of his face well. It’s the first time I’ve seen West angry. “Why did you encourage Olive to hit on me?”

That bitch…

“I wouldn’t say I encour⁠—”

He doesn’t let me finish. “You told her there was nothing between us and my MILF bit isn’t false advertising. Did you not?”

I definitely said that… Almost verbatim, actually.

“Yes, but…” I pause, not sure what kind of excuse I expect to come up with when my brain’s not functioning properly.

“But what?” he asks, looking more frustrated than I’ve ever seen him.

“Why do you even care so much?” My voice comes out like a feral growl. “So what, I told a woman who’s interested in sleeping with you that she’s your type? I didn’t spill some deep, dark secret. I told her what the entire world knows.”

West throws his hands up, showing his perfect set of teeth in a smile that says, you’ve got to be kidding me, better than any words ever could. “Jesus Christ, Joey.” He runs a hand through his hair, shaking his head. “Wanna know what the rest of the world’s also piecing together?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer. “That I don’t want anyone else. I want you.” He laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “I have since the night I met you… You’re the only one who can’t see it.”

Since our first viral video, both mine and West’s comments have been flooded with hundreds of thousands of people asking what’s going on between us. We’re the internet’s current obsession; even if they like videos of us together better than when we’re alone, our views are still keeping us relevant with deals coming in by the dozen.

It’s only a matter of time before West’s stunt from tonight blows up too. We’ve already been tagged in multiple videos.

“I do see it. That’s why I’m trying to remind you there are other women out there who will do what I can’t.”

I can. I just… won’t.

“I’m fully aware of the other women out there. I’ve been around enough of them to know.” His eyes are heated, but I’m surprised at how calm he’s staying on the outside. I’ve never seen this side of West before… and fuck if it doesn’t turn me on!

Truly, I hate myself sometimes—because, so not the time, Jo!

“Do you want me to go home with someone tonight, Joey?” He’s staring at me with eyes I know can see right through whatever mask I put on. He’s getting too good at reading me. “Is that really what you want?”

Yes, I want him to go home with me… But of course I can’t say that. “Yes. I don’t want you changing your life for me. Go home with whoever you want.”

I’m not going to be able to do this. I can’t be around West if he’s hanging all over other women. What the fuck was I thinking?

The tension around his jaw loosens, and he nods his head. “Okay, fine.” He stands there for a second, my heart slowly getting heavier the longer he’s near.

“Fine,” I say. It almost feels like I’m floating when West puts space between us.

I know it’s over. I know he’s going to walk away, and I’ll have to see what I can do to get out of this contract, because I can’t do this. I can’t watch West be with someone else.

It’s so stupid because I’m doing it to myself. I’m hurting myself, and I don’t have to. It could be different if I could just let go… If I could just believe I’m worth loving.

West takes a step around me, and my heart plummets, but before it hits the ground and shatters into a million pieces, he hooks his finger in my belt loop and spins me around, propelling me forward to walk beside him.

“W-what are you doing?” I gape.

West turns his head and looks me dead in the eye. “I’m going home with you, Joey.”

He’s… “What?” I ask, stopping by a row of storage sheds.