"Paul," Billy said in disbelief. "As in Paul Thomas our Bass player? Paul's a guy Joel."
"I know," Joel said softly as he looked down, turning his head away from Billy. His shoulders visibly tensed up as the shame settled in, making him feel sick & scared. This was the kind of immediate reaction he was half expecting. The one he was actually expecting was for Billy to tell him to get he fuck out of his house, no questions asked. "I don't know why, but his images do when Rienna's body can't come close to doing."
Billy didn't know what to say to this as he sat there, staring at his friend who had just confided a secret in him that was basically a "taboo" of sorts in the music industry. It was also a secret that could tear the band apart depending on how the others took it. He sighed & scooted over to his friend, getting on his knees behind him, hugging him softly. "It's okay Joel."
Joel loosened up & relaxed against Billy, sighing, thankful that he wasn't doing what he had expected. "So you don't hate me?"
"No. I don't hate you at all."
"Thank you for not hating me Billy," Joel whispered, putting his hand on his friend's arm. "I'm glad this isn't changing anything... It isn't changing anything, is it?"
"Nothing at all Joel."
-+-+-+-+-
In the morning, Billy awoke with Joel's head on his chest & his arm wrapped around his waist. Billy found he had rested his arm protectively around Joel & he chuckled inwardly at how wet dream this would be to some Good Charlotte fan who dreamt of something like this. He slowly slipped out from Joel's grasp & rose from his bed, grabbing some clothing from his closet before he made his way to the bathroom so he could take his shower.
After he had fully showered, dried off, & dressed, he left the bathroom, walking to his laundry room to put his night shorts & the towel & washcloth he used into the hamper. He did a small stretch in the laundry room before he made his way to the kitchen where he found Benji digging into a bowl of cereal. "Hey man, how did the bed feel?" He asked as he began to get himself a bowl of cereal.
"Good," replied Benji through another mouthful of cereal. "You picked out a good bed."
"Thanks." When he had his own bowl, Billy put away the box & sat at the table diagonal from Benji. "So, have you tried out the other shower yet? Or are you saving it for after breakfast?"
"After. I don't feel up to showering just yet." Billy grimaced, not knowing when the older man had showered last & not really wanting to think of it. "So, can I ask you something Billy?"
Billy looked up at Benji. "Shoot."
"When I woke up, I looked in the room Joel was sleeping in, but he wasn't there... He was in your room instead. Why?"
"He woke me up saying he'd had a nightmare & didn't want to be alone. He said he tried to get in bed with you, but you kicked him out. We ended up talking for a while & finally just went to sleep."
"Then why were you holding each other?"
"You know Benji, that's a good question. We fell asleep with our backs to each other, but I guess while we were asleep, we ended up in that position." Billy shrugged & dug into his cereal.
Benji rolled his eyes & went back to eating his cereal. Both guys looked up when Joel came into the kitchen, scratching his head of messy hair, wearing absolutely no clothing as he got a cup of water. Billy exchanged glances with a wide-eyed Benji, who just shrugged & continued to eat.
"Um, Joel, why are you wearing no clothes?" Billy asked.
Joel looked at him, a very confused look on his face as he drank his water. He looked down after he set his cup down & his cheeks turned crimson as he realized he was indeed wearing no clothing. "I have no...idea," Joel answered as he left the kitchen & proceeded upstairs.
Billy locked eyes with Benji who looked like he was trying damn hard not to laugh his ass off at his brother. "Does he do this at ya'll's place?" He asked.
"Unfortunately. He does it almost every other day. He just sits up in bed, still asleep, takes off his boxers, wakes up & leaves the room, thinking he is in his boxers. Can't figure out why he does it though."
"Maybe you should take him to one of those sleep study places to see if they can figure out why he does it."
"I guess it wouldn't hurt."
"Ah, but maybe I don't wanna," Joel said as he came into the kitchen, this time wearing clothes. "Maybe I like people to see my stuff."
"Whatever bro," Benji shrugged & put his empty bowl in the sink. "I'm gonna go test out the shower."
"Good, you need it," Joel said as Benji left, leaving him & Billy alone. "Thank you for lying Billy," he said. "I heard what you said & I appreciate it."