Page 118 of Make Me Laugh

“You’re gonna have to touch me for the video, West.” She puts her hand on her hip, and I almost slide down the glass with despair like this is the music video to a hit breakup song.

“I need a minute, just a second. Has anyone ever seen you as Hex in person?” I’m talking so fast I’m not totally sure what I’m saying.

Joey pauses, and I feel the energy shift. “No,” she answers softly.

My funny goes away, and I get serious. This isn’t about me and how exhilarating it is to be the first to experience her like this… It’s about Joey and her showing someone Hex for the first time.

I get my shit together, reminding myself that Joey’s more than just some horny fantasy. This moment isn’t just mine.

“You okay?” I don’t need to see her facial expressions to read her body language or eyes.

Joey tenses, picking at the edge of my button up. “It’s weird. Being in front of someone as Hex. I don’t feel as confident as I did when no one knew it was me…” She trails off, looking away.

I bring two fingers to her chin, angling her face back to me. “It’s just me. An immature twenty-five-year-old who still laughs at penis jokes.” I never want Joey feeling uncomfortable to do, say, or be anything in front of me. “Remember who’s out of their league here… It’s not you, Joey baby. If anything, you should be disappointed in yourself.” I cross my arms and look down my nose at her.

“Excuse me?” The bottom half of her face is uncovered, her painted lips parting.

I point at myself. “Me? Of all people? You could do better. It’s literally in my tour name. I warned everyone. The Mid-West: Because You Could Do Better Tour. Cause I’m mid, but also it’s a play on being from the Midwest which is an excellent pun if you ask me.”

Joey gives me an exaggerated eye roll. “Oh, stop. Look at you.” She motions with her hand to my shirtless torso.

“Look at you,” I return. “Joey, you’re literally the coolest person I know. You’ve probably got the IQ of a genius, which genuinely scares me. You have a Master’s Degree from Harvard. You were the Vice President of a company.”

Joey shakes her head. “No, just of social media. Not the whole company.”

I uncross my arms and shrug that off. “Semantics.” I’ll list everything I love about her if she needs me to. “You’ve created a space for women to feel confident in what they read. You might be the only person in the world to understand algorithms.”

She gives me a smile. The tiniest of them, but it’s better than nothing.

I reach out and twirl a curl between my fingers, dropping my hand before speaking. “Hex exists because you do. Not the other way around. None of those things have changed since people found out who the woman behind the mask is. Kinda makes her cooler if you ask me.” I wink at Joey, hoping to relax her. And myself… Cause god, on top of it all, she’s so fucking hot, and I am not worthy!

I know there are at least three million people who would love to trade places with me. “Now, get over here and start bossing me around. You know I love it when you’re a little bit mean to me.”

I gave the best pep talk ever, one any coach would be proud of. One that would send a strong team into any game with confidence—one that would bring home the damn trophy!

And then we fumble. Hard.

Joey trips. I come in late. The music malfunctions. One of my rings gets stuck in her hair. She takes too far of a step back and almost pokes my eye out with her horn.

After over thirty takes, Joey groans, plopping down on the couch with a frustrated huff. “Why does this feel so awkward?” She pulls her mask off, revealing the beautiful face behind Hex.

“Because we’re trying to act.” I sit on the edge of the coffee table, taking a long chug of water.

“We are acting,” Joey retorts.

“Acting what?” I fire back.

“That we’re together and you’re fucking Hex.” Joey holds her hand out for my water bottle. She takes a sip, and I watch her deep red lips—obviously.

“I am fucking Hex,” I say casually, a giddy wave of excitement over saying it out loud making me smile.

She closes the top to the reusable bottle and passes it back to me with a scowl. “You’re fucking Joey.”

I widen my eyes and wiggle my head. “Same person.” Sighing, I stand and hold out my hand. “Come on.” She takes it and follows me back to our filming spot before letting go. “No camera. No mask. Just you and me.” I back myself up to the cold window, fighting through the chill. Patting my lap, I draw a circle with my nose, telling Joey to turn around.

She does quietly.

I yank her against me, burying her ass into my lap. “Where do you want me to touch you?”