Ch.1
“Hey are you ready to go yet?” a tired Joel yelled over the pounding club music. “Paul and I are.”
Billy shook his head and yelled back, “No. Go ahead. Give me a key.”
Joel pulled the card out and handed it to the younger man. “Have you seen Benj?”
Billy lifted his glass and pointed with a finger. “Why don’t you two go? I’ll bring him in. He’s having fun.”
“Are you sure? He’s difficult when he’s wasted.”
Billy nodded, “Yeah. I can deal.”
Joel turned and waved. Billy nodded and focused back on his drink and the brunette to his side. She wasn’t interesting at all. Just another decoy. Billy said goodbye to the girl getting her number only to throw it away later. He finished his drink and watched a group of girls dancing around a familiar face. He pushed through the crowd to the center of the dance floor. He picked up a laughing, fallen, drunken mess of tattoos, piercings and spiked hair.
“Billy!” Benji yelled and clung to the taller man, “I'm soo happy to see you!” Billy sighed and tried to support Benji as he walked to the exit. Once outside the cold air rushed into Billy’s every pore and Benji stood finally on his drunken own. He quickly took a hold of Billy in what aimed to be a hug, “You rescued me!” Billy lightly pulled Benji off his body and stood him up again.
“Okay Benji, we have to walk a little. Can you do that for me?” Billy asked like he was talking to a young child. Benji took a deep breath then exaggeratedly nodded. They walked the short distance to the empty main street and Billy hailed a cab. He pushed a singing Benji in and told the driver the hotel name. Billy sat next to Benji and Benji turned to look at Billy like he had something on his mind- like he did when he was sober. “Yeah Benji?” he asked. Benji audibly sighed, “Billy? Can I tell you something?”
Billy smirked. What could possibly be so important? “Yeah Benj.”
“I hate girls.” Benji said profoundly and waited for a response.
“Why is that Benji?” Billy tried to be serious but Benji always said some crazy stuff when he was drunk. Sometimes it was true others it was just hilarious. One time he tried to convince a bum that he was made of bread and that he could eat him and never go hungry.
Benji crossed his arms over his chest and sighed, “They dance weird.” Billy tried to keep a straight face as Benji continued. “I don’t like the way they rub me in places I don’t want to be rubbed when I'm dancing.” Benji sighed, “And they always kiss me. Why do they kiss me?”
Billy was silently laughing before he noticed that Benji was actually waiting for an answer. “Maybe it’s cuz you’re a rock star.”