Page 228 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

hands waving to get his attention.

“BEN. BENJAMIN.

“DO SOMETHING, MAN.”

Ben slams another cabinet shut.

Honor has his hands in his hair.

“BEFORE SHE STARTS THE FUCKIN’ BRIDGE.” He gestures a hand to the star in the room, who's sliding across the floor with the mic.

I mean spatula.

Ben tears open a protein bar, disgust marring his mouth. “Nah, bro. Can’t stop her. It’s Celine Dion.” He gestures vaguely to the chaos. “This song flips a switch in her. Baby to annoying-as-fuck after one beat, swear t’God. That ain’t even a girl no more. You just gotta let it run its course.”

I spin again, heart in pieces.

Honor’s glaring at me,

riled and repulsed.

Andrew’s staring, bored

with challenging eyes like⁠—

you workin’ up to somethin’ or…

So when the chorus hits,

I walk toward him,

arms hanging limp,

chin to my chest, eyes satanic,

stopping right at his feet.

As the slow part drops⁠—

the fake serious part⁠—

my voice turns demonic.

Andrew’s brows bunch, a little frightened, unsure if he should peace the fuck out or punch me.

“She still make you weak in the knees, Joisey?” Ben calls from the kitchen, while I slow-motion thrust to the downbeat,

lip cocked into my nose, hips stiff,

bent elbows swinging back.

Ben points his protein bar at him.

“Know it’s real hard,

“but try not to bust a nut.”

Honor’s halfway gone,