Page 124 of Make Me Laugh

God, Lilly, what do you know that I don’t? I slowly drop my hand to my lap, picking at the edge of my jacket. Of course, the woman who runs a multi-million-dollar company named Hell & Hollow would have some kind of divine intuition.

“As a hungry business owner though, I’m willing to negotiate pay to get what I want. Keep that in mind… Even if you do plan on accepting.” I watch droplets of misty rain start to scatter the windshield of the camper. “This is a huge opportunity, and I want the person I bring in to be all in. If you want to see dollar signs, fine. Think of all the money we could make. But…” Another fucking but! “If you want to think of paving the way for women like you, for women like us, then this is the start of that.”

Hell & Hollow is a dream, but it won’t be easy. She’s entrusting me to build an entirely new marketing department from the ground up. Lilly and her business partners have been handling it, well, I might add, until now… But it’s time to let someone like me take the lead.

I’ll be busy. I will live, eat, and breathe this new position for who knows how long. Could be the rest of my life… Is that what I see in five or ten years?

“When would you like me to have an answer for you?” I ask, finally breaking my silence.

“Before Thanksgiving. I have another candidate I told I’d let know by then, but I wanted to hold off until I got the chance to speak with you. You're my first choice, Jo, but I need the position filled and ready to start after the New Year.”

Three weeks.

I have three weeks to decide what I want.

I do know what I want, but I’m scared to admit, even to myself. I think I also know who I want… But my who deserves someone who’s all in, and I’m not sure I’m there yet.

I’m not sure I’ll ever be there.

Lilly sends me the official offer before we get off the phone. I knew the budget was big, but I hadn’t thought my pay would be too. “Oh, and one more thing. I believe this goes without saying, but I think you need to hear it. I don’t want you to give up Hex for Hell & Hollow. I want you to bring Hex and her energy with you. You can have both.”

I can have Hex and the career of my dreams… That’s my what.

But can I have my what and who or will I always be my own worst enemy?

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

THE ONE WITH THE HOCKEY GAME

ColumbusCobrasHockey posted a picture: @WestParkerComedy & @HexedHeroine are in the Snake Pit tonight! Don’t worry, West, we won’t hold the fact that you’re a Michigan fan against you!

WestParkerComedy commented: I’m only here because I have to be, but thanks for holding me hostage I guess

HexedHeroine commented: I love snakes!

WestParkerComedy comment reply: Hex, pls no I can’t

I’m washing my hands when my phone rings. I barely dry them before pulling it out of my pocket to find Frankie’s name on the screen.

The first thing that crosses my mind is, oh my god, is Joey okay? Until I remember she’s down the hall with Enzo, Kell, and a few extended friends inside the VIP box at the Columbus fucking Cobras arena.

Fuck the Cobras… Fuck Ohio.

I bring my phone to my ear. “Hiya, Frank.”

“You know what’s crazy?” She doesn’t say hello or wait for me to answer. “That I can just pick up my phone and call The Westifer Parker.” Her bubbly voice brings a smile to my face. This new elongated nickname has really stuck with her.

I lean against the bathroom door, the sound of cheering fans muffled, chuckling under my breath. “Well, The Westifer Parker would love to know what he can do for The Franceska Louise?”

If I were standing in front of Frankie, she’d be narrowing her eyes at me. “What? A girl can’t just call her friend and say hi?” A car honks in the background, and Frankie yells, “no, fuck you!” Followed by, “I hate New York City.”

“Why are you in New York?” I ask, still confused why she’s calling—not that I mind. Frankie and I are on similar wavelengths most of the time.

Poor Joey and Enzo…

“Music stuff,” she responds quickly, and I get the hint she doesn’t want to talk about it. “So, the reason I’m calling… Wait, shit! Aren’t you at the hockey game? Did you answer when Jo’s right next to you?” she groans.

“She’s not around,” I tell her, though I do have to keep the memory of us locked in a bathroom behind a door in my mind to focus on Frankie.