All It Takes - A Little Laundry and Lunch

Ch. 4

Billy listened to hear the bathroom door shut and the water start before he threw his head back on the couch. He sighed and closed his eyes. Why did he have to be in love with his crazy, clumsy, hung over, best friend? He shook his head then opened his eyes. His eyes fell upon the place where Benji had been sitting and the bottle of water on the floor. He reached over and picked it up then placed it on the coffee table. He stared at it and shook his head again. “I guess I care.” He laughed at himself and quietly mumbled. “Care too damn much.” He shook his head at himself and slowly stood stretching.

Billy went into the bedroom that he had shared with Benji and picked up his bag. He separated everything that was dirty from what was clean and was left with one clean shirt and everything else dirty. He put the shirt on and stuffed all the clothes into a bag. He found his shoes and put them on and heard the door to the bathroom open. He waited to see Benji come through the door with just a towel around himself. Billy quickly looked down and turned slightly as he blushed. He acted like he was looking for something as his face returned to normal. He looked back up at Benji and laughed as he was searching through the clothes for anything that wasn’t smelly or sweaty.

Benji looked up, “stupid clothes” he smiled.

Billy shook his head and zipped up his bag throwing it back on the floor. “Hey where’s that shirt you had last night? I’ll wash it before it gets really bad.” He offered.

Benji looked on the floor and finally found it. He looked at his mountain of clothes on the bed and laughed. “I think it’s time I did some laundry too. Can I come?”

Billy nodded, “Yeah, I’ll be out there.” He picked up his bag and waited for Benji in the common area.

Benji stuffed all his clothes into a bag searching still for something clean to put on. Without any luck he closed his bag and walked into the common room in underwear. He threw his bag next to Billy’s and smiled, “Gotta raid Joel’s clean clothes.” Billy laughed at Benji with just boxers and a beanie on. Benji found a shirt and pants and put them on then looked for some sunglasses to hide his hung over eyes. He walked out and asked Billy, “Do you have any sunglasses I could borrow?” Billy nodded and pulled some out of his small bag by the door and handed them to Benji. They picked up their bags and went down to the Laundromat across the street. Benji turned to Billy as they were putting clothes in washers, “Are you hungry?” Billy closed his door and started the machine. “Yeah. But I don’t know where any places are.”

Benji smiled, “I know! The hotel restaurant has good food.” Benji jumped at the mention of food then regretted it. “Oh stupid hangover!”

Billy hit his arm playfully, “Well that’s what you get for drinking,” as they walked out the door.

Benji nodded, “Well you drank too. I wouldn’t say you were innocent.”

They walked back across the street and Benji led the way to the food. Billy smiled, “Yeah but I only had one- well two- drinks. And I can hold my alcohol!”

Benji stopped, “Hey are you saying I cant hold mine?” he said playfully confronting the taller but younger man.

Billy shook his head and smiled, “Yeah, shorty.”

“Shorty? Who you calling shorty-“ he arched his back and stood up a little taller. “Yeah I guess I am short. Stupid genes.” He laughed as they arrived at the counter. Benji reached over the counter and grabbed two cups much to the dismay of the snobby cashier. He flashed a big smile and turned to Billy, “Dr. Pepper?”

Billy nodded surprised that he remembered what he liked to drink. “What did you want?”

Benji turned on his way to the soda fountain, “VeggieBurger to go.”

Billy ordered and they stood waiting. “Why to go?” Benji explained that he didn’t feel up to eating in public his head still hurt. They got the food and went back up to the room. Paul and Joel still weren’t back yet so they sprawled out on the sofa and ate their food watching an episode of Jenny Jones.

Benji silently watched Billy as he ate and watched the television. They were sitting in a way that Billy couldn’t tell Benji was watching him unless he turned towards Benji. What was going on inside him? Billy was his best friend- besides Joel. Why was his heart racing when they touched? Why did he care so much how he acted around Billy? Why did Billy care so much for him? Why did Billy volunteer to bring Benji home? Why did he do so much that he didn’t have to- but only for Benji?

The cell phone rang pushing thoughts out of Benji’s head. He reached over and answered it, “Benji’s crack house how many grams?” Paul laughed and said that they would be back in an hour and a half. “Alrighty then!” Benji hung up and tossed the phone back on the table taking another bite of burger.

Next
Chapters