Page 83 of Make Me Laugh

I know, I know! I shouldn’t have brought his mother into it—cheap shot! I’m sure she’s a nice lady, but the point is, I’m not afraid to get hit or throw a punch.

“See ya later, boys!” Waving over my shoulder, I weave through the busy lobby, shuffling between bodies until slowing to match Joey’s stride when I come up beside her.

Her look of surprise as she buttons up her coat makes me smile. “What are you doing?” she asks.

“Isn’t it obvious?” The windy night meets us with a strong gust when I open the door for her. “I’m going to meet the Founding Fathers with you.”

Her brows crease in the middle. “No, you’re not…”

“I heard you have an extra ticket. You’d let it go to waste instead of letting me have it?” I place my hand over my heart, pretending to pull a knife out.

Joey stops, stepping to the side to allow people to pass by. “West, thank you, but it’s fine. Don’t change your plans for me.”

I’m willing to change my entire life for her. Hell, I basically already have.

I hold both my hands up like a scale. “Go hang out with a bunch of dudes, one who’s been trying to impress me all night like I’m some kinda comedy god.” I wiggle my right hand, then my left. “Go see my first Broadway show with you… looking like this.” I raise my left hand as high as it’ll go.

I pause, suddenly very aware that she might not want me to go for other reasons… “I mean, unless you’re trying to⁠—”

“Oh my god, no. No,” she ensures, and I lose the knot in my stomach immediately. Letting out a deep sigh, Joey grabs me by the hand and pulls me after her. “Come on. We gotta hustle or we won’t be able to get in.”

The house lights come on during intermission, stage lights dimming, and I think my jaw is on the fucking floor.

I dramatically grip the armrests of my chair and turn to Joey. “Yo, what the fuck?”

She’s smiling so wide, my insides tingle. “Right?”

I’m shocked into silence… Which never happens.

People get up from their seats, heading to the bathroom or bar. The room fills with happy chatter.

“Her sister?” I finally close my mouth, relaxing my grip.

Joey nods. “Fucked up, right? And you haven’t even seen the worst of it.”

“No,” I gasp. To be totally honest, I don’t think I actually knew anything about Alexander Hamilton before this show—only that he’s the Founding Father on the ten-dollar bill.

I hated history, okay?

I sink down into the chair, feeling like I melt into it like that girl from the D.A.R.E commercial they played to keep kids from smoking weed. A couple approaches, trying to get by. “Sorry. First time.” I sit up, allowing them to shimmy past.

The lady looks at Joey and smiles. “I remember taking him to his first show too. Cats.” She nods to me. “Hamilton is a much better introduction.”

The man shrugs, laughing along with his wife. “The things we do for love.” He grabs his wife’s hand as they walk up the aisle together.

I sneak a peek at Joey, catching the slight pink of her cheeks before she lets her hair fall in front of her face, hiding the blush from me.

“So,” I start.

Joey holds a finger up, scowling with a lot less gloom as she once did. “Don’t even.”

She knows I’m about to keep going, but somehow, Joey’s saved by a girl in all black with a lanyard and badge around her neck.

“Hi, sorry to interrupt, but are you Jo Daniels?” she asks.

Joey gives a soft and friendly smile, the attitude she had with me seconds ago gone. “Yes, that’s me.”

“I’m Izzy, a stagehand. Jules asked me to come see if you two would be interested in a backstage tour after the show? The cast would love to meet you both.”