Impractical Jokers, Practically

Chapter Twenty-Four

Wait, what?

 "Wait, what?" I ask, confused. 

"You're going to me moving in with us, in our apartment. It'll be like a sleepover, every night." Q grins. 

Murr points to the grocery store behind them. "That was officially the last thing we filmed as four jokers. Now, there's five of us.  Bittersweet, but glad to have you on board. The more, the merrier."

"The more of us, the more jokes." Joe chuckles. "We're glad to have you. Welcome to the team!" 

Murr grins, "So what do you say, you wanna move in?!" I'm definitely catching all the inside jokes from the show. 

"Oh, well, I guess that makes sense. Okay." I shrug. 

Sal speaks up, "That was definitely a 'What? Oh, hell no. Hold up. Huh? Oh, okay.' moment." 

I can't help myself, I start giggling because of how right he is. 

Sal is suddenly smiling at me and I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I feel starstruck and then I'm freaking out because how am I going to be best friends with all of them when I'm totally weak-kneed in front of one of them. 

I mean, I knew I always liked the jokers, and always found them attractive. 

But, I didn't expect to be so flustered at the thought of Sal. 

And now I was going to be starring, producing, and working alongside this man. And now living with him. 

It just got a lot more complicated. 

'

I'm back in reality, gazing at Sal in the present moment. Snuggling on the bed, together. 

And it hits me, I have him. I'm with him. Me and this man are finally together. Who would have thought? 

Sal interrupts my thoughts, "You know, I do remember that day. I remember it very well. I was so nervous to meet you. I didn't want to mess up or stutter or be awkward or something. And when I saw you, for the first time in person, just standing there, staring at up at me...Man, I thought that my legs were made of jelly that day." Sal grins sheepishly. 

"No way! I was more nervous! Ugh!" I cover my face with my hands. "I thought you guys were going to hate me."

Sal pulls my hands off my face, peering at me, "Hate you? How could we hate you? We were the ones that picked you." 

"What?"

"Yeah." He swallows. "The network held the auditions and then when they narrowed it down to their favorites, the top 40 or something like that, they had us decide who we wanted to be the next joker. After all, it's our show. And we picked you." 

"Whoa. Wait. You guys picked me? To be on the show with you? Me? Out of all the people?" I pull away, in utter shock. 

"Yeah. Of course. Why wouldn't we?" Sal asks, confused, moving closer.

I hold up my hand, stopping him. "Hold on. I'm processing." It's silent for a few seconds as I mull this over. "Wow." 

"You didn't know that?" Sal puts his arm around me. 

"No. No one told me."

"I am for sure glad the guys and I decided on you." He bops my nose. 

"Can I ask you...can I ask you why? Like, why me?"

Sal squeezes me closer to him. "You lit up the room when you walked in. So beautiful, so funny, and so charming. And you knew us and the show. You were the whole package. You were perfect."