Annoying Love

омага

It's 1999. The Slipknot band was sitting in the fitting room waiting for the concert to begin. Everyone was doing their own shit, because just waiting like that was boring, of course. And what is there to talk about? It's a slipknot! They'll always find fun...
Corey thought so too.
So he started flirting with Jim for the sake of the good old joke, to pass the time and entertain the others. He approached Root with a microphone in his hand, starting to knead his thighs, smiling under his mask with long dark green dreadlocks that covered most of his face.
— Taylor, for fuck's sake...  Jim muttered under the mask, looking at Corey, realizing that it was going to be fun.
The whole band watched them with a smile, and Sid filmed everything on camera to save it for his fans and for future memories. Corey, supporting his dreadlocks, removed them from his face and began to bend over, opening his mouth wide, as if he was going to give a throat blowjob.
Everyone was laughing, of course. Except Joey. He was sitting on the couch across from Corey and Jim. With contempt in his eyes, he stared intently at Root, literally boring him with his gaze. He was filled with jealousy of Corey.
However, it soon became easier when Sid came up to them and scared Taylor.
Laughing, Corey sat down next to Root. They were sitting next to each other, very close. Too close. Anger boiled up inside Jordison. He should have been in Jim's place.
There was grim discontent and contempt on his face. It was good that he was wearing a mask, and no one could bother him with stupid questions: "Why is he so sad?"
The last straw was when Corey hugged Jim over his shoulder and, grinning, whispered something in his ear. Joey couldn't look at it. For a moment, he imagined himself sitting next to Taylor, and Corey gently hugged him, pulling him closer, and began to whisper softly in his ear, warming his hot breath, telling the story of how he slipped on his own vomit. These fantasies sent goosebumps through my body.
But reality appeared before Joey's eyes again and he saw Jim and Corey side by side again.
Joey jumped up from the couch and walked briskly to the half-open door. Paul, who was sitting next to him, did not expect such a sudden movement from Jordison, so he flinched, staring at the drumer.
— Joey, where are you going?- a logical question.— we're going out soon..
— It doesn't matter. Leave me alone," Joey replied sharply, storming out of the room, slamming the door loudly.
Everyone fell silent, staring at the door. Corey was also blinking at the door, but when he realized that nothing interesting was going to happen, he turned back to Jim and began to speak softly in his ear.
- Well, that's it. So I threw up, and slipped on my own burp, caught on the closet where the shoes were, and this closet fucked on me, it's a pity you weren't there," Corey said with a laugh, pulling away from Root. Jim began to laugh, diversifying the aggravating situation.
***
Joey went into the bathroom and locked himself in.
He lazily walked over to the sink with a mirror and looked at his reflection. Lifting the mask, he saw his face covered in black paint.
Joey stood in front of the mirror, thinking: "Why him and not me?"
He sighed and looked down at the faucet. When he opened it, he felt icy water gushing out of the faucet. The murmur of water echoed through the room, reaching the toilet cubicles.
Putting his hand under the cold water, Joey took some water and took a sip. At that moment, there was a sharp knock on the door. He choked and coughed, punching his chest. At that moment, he heard Corey calling out to him.
-LET'S GO OUT, STOP SHITTING, JOEY'S CONCERT IS COMING ANY MINUTE!!!
-I'M NOT GOING TO YELL-Joey shouted back, turning off the water.- Fucked up..Joey said to Paul in a voice, well, you never know who will hear.
Putting the mask back on, he opened the door and ran after the others.
***
The concert was an incredible success. Sid literally won the hearts of the fans, who literally lost their heads with delight. Corey was frantically running around the stage, singing songs with Chris and Sean. Paul, Jim and Mick stood on stage, silently playing guitars, amazed at what was happening. Joey played the drums masterfully.
After the concert, the band took memorable photos of themselves and their fans. They also gave interviews.
***
Everything went great. The band has already settled in between the club and the restaurant to celebrate their amazing concert. They were sitting at a large table, designed for a large company, and had a lively conversation while drinking alcoholic beverages.
Joey sat on the edge of the couch, listening to club music and holding a glass of whiskey in his right hand. He was staring at a single point on the table, lost in his thoughts.
Jim was sitting very close to Joey, and noticing his sad expression, he, like a true friend, became worried. He bent down to look into Joey's eyes.
— Are you thinking, buddy?  The corners of Jim's mouth turned up in a slight smile to express support and concern for Joey.
Jordison cast a sidelong glance at Jim, then returned to the starting point at which he had been staring so intently.
In order not to ignore his friend, Joey nodded silently, raising the drink to his lips and taking a small sip.
Jim shrugged, realizing that everything was fine, and began to join the conversation again.
Joey sighed heavily as he looked around the table, which was shimmering with different bright colors. His gaze settled on Corey. He looked at him with such love that it was impossible to describe in words.
Taylor laughed out loud, his eyes narrowed, and his smile sparkled on his face. Corey's blue eyes seemed to glow. Joey had never seen such beautiful eyes. And his hair... Those curls...
Joey couldn't hear or see, just the way Corey was bursting into laughter. He could feel his heart beating and the butterflies in his stomach tickling him from the inside out.
— JOEY, OVER! BASE 15, WE ARE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE!  A voice sounded in his left ear. Joey quickly came to his senses and began to perceive the world around him. Suddenly, Corey disappeared from where he was sitting and appeared right in front of his ear. Nathan turned his head in Corey's direction, and his gaze became a little scared and confused at how close he was to him.
Joey suppressed a fit of anger with difficulty, watching as Taylor pulled away from Nathan and approached the girl.
This person was about the same height as Joey, with very attractive shapes. Her breasts were probably a size four or even five, a slim waist, pale skin, dark makeup, long hair to the waist, a tight short black dress. A pretty girl. Nothing special.
"This is my new sweetheart, Stacy,— Taylor said, putting his arm around his companion's waist and pulling her closer to him. Then he kissed her gently on the cheek.
Joey's stomach clenched with anger. He looked at the couple with hatred and contempt, clenching his fists in an attempt to contain his emotions.
Stacy, on the other hand, looked at Joey with interest and a warm smile. She held out her hand for Joey to shake hands for a new acquaintance.
- Hello, - said the girl smiling, waiting for Joey to shake her hand.
There was no response. Joey just got up from his seat and walked slowly to where he didn't know where. Just not to see them happy together.
Everyone looked up at Joey and watched him go.
- he's weird today...Taylor's brows furrowed. But Corey was not discouraged, he turned back to the girl and kissed her on the lips.- All right, we're dancing!Corey scooped Stacey up in his arms, starting to walk away towards the dance floor, swaying his hips to the beat of the music.
***
Joey finally found a secluded place where he could take a break from everyone. He decided to hide in the staff room where his friend worked, and was sure that no one would bother him here.
He settled comfortably on a small sofa in a small room, where there was also a coffee table, a couple of boxes, a closet by the window and another sofa, although not so clean and decent.
Joey swung his leg to the floor and immersed himself in the world of tetris, which lay on the coffee table.
At that moment, Joey's old friend Paul burst into the room, clearly worried that his friend had disappeared somewhere.
— Joey, where the fuck did you run off to?  Paul exclaimed, closing the door behind him. He cautiously approached Joey and stopped at his feet near the couch. — We've all lost you. What happened?
—It's nothing special,— Joey replied with a slight note of sarcasm, without looking up from the game.
— Let's say. Why are you so sad?Paul said urgently.
Joey was about to answer Paul, but then he made a mistake in action and lost. The word "LOSER" appeared on the screen, and he put the tetris aside with a sigh.
Joey put his hands on his chest, staring at the ceiling, and thought about what to say.
—Paul, you know how I...— he began, but the sentence was cut short when he heard the door open loudly and faint music. Corey and his girlfriend Stacy were standing on the doorstep, kissing passionately. It was obvious that they were drunk, and they fell on the sofa, without interrupting hugs and kisses, while undressing each other.
Apparently, Corey wasn't worried about Joey disappearing somewhere. Or maybe something happened to him? After all, Joey always loved to drink and have fun with friends, to be the center of attention. And then he seemed to have fallen through the ground.
Paul and Joey, stunned by this unexpected turn of events, turned towards the couch. Joey felt the anger boiling inside him again, and with it the longing.
"Let's go have a smoke," Joey said, getting up and hurriedly leaving the room, trying not to look at the couple in love. Paul, watching Corey and Stacey go, followed Joey, quietly closing the door behind him.
***
The friends went outside, standing outside a nightclub in the cold evening air. Joey lit a cigarette, handing the lighter to Paul, and, wrapping two fingers around the cigarette, inhaled, exhaling thick smoke.
—You know how much I love Corey," Joey said to Paul. He nodded silently, took a drag on his cigarette and exhaled smoke, listening attentively to Joey.
"He was just so close to Jim,— Joey continued. — And this whore... What the fuck did she do? She's scary. And I'm clearly cuter!  Joey spoke with malice and contempt, trusting his best friend.
Paul listened without interrupting, occasionally shaking his head or making short grunts of approval.
— I can't do this anymore!  Joey exclaimed. — The thought that he's with this slut is killing me!
Paul put his hand on Joey's shoulder, squeezing him slightly, trying to calm him down.
"Joey, you do realize that Corey is a boy, and you're a boy too. And Corey finally found his love. You understand that he likes girls.
Joey didn't say anything. He stood there, thinking about Paul's words.
— Yes, and so what? I had a girlfriend, and not just one. Just Cory... He's done so much for me," Joey's voice dropped, as if he was about to cry.
"Let's get distracted and go to the others, it's always fun there," Paul said, patting Joey on the back.
***
Joey and Paul went back to the rest of the club after all. Here, as a few minutes ago, loud music reigned and there was a smell of alcohol.
They went deeper into the room and saw Sid and Jim, who were chatting cheerfully, sipping something from plastic cups.
Joey and Paul joined them.
When Sid noticed Joey, he exclaimed joyfully,
"Oh, Joey! Where have you been?  But because of the loud music, his words were barely audible.
— What are you saying?  Joey asked.
— I SAY, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!!!?  Sid repeated.
— Don't yell at me! I was smoking!  Joey shouted back.
Sid said something, but again Jordison couldn't hear him over the noise.
— You missed so much!  Jim exclaimed, wanting to tell about the events that happened while Paul and Joey were not in the building. But Sid interrupted him, taking a big step forward and starting to shout:
— YEAH! I jumped into a crowd of people and almost landed my ass on some man's face!
— Wilson, calm down!  Jim tried to stop him.
The guys started shouting over each other.
—I see,— Joey said, turning to Paul. He stood up on his toes and, leaning close to his ear, whispered: — Let's go have a drink somewhere. I feel sick as hell here.
Without further ado, Gray agreed to go with Joey to the bar corner and have a few drinks.
***
After the tenth shot of whiskey, Joey slammed the glass down on the table and collapsed on Paul's shoulder, exhausted.
— In-o-ol..Joey said in a hoarse voice, hugging Paul over his shoulder.- it's so good to forget this *ic* ry-go..* ik* oh fuck...
— and I like it when you feel good.. Paul replied, hugging Joey back.
They sat in each other's arms, laughing and continued to drink from a glass bottle of whiskey until they emptied it to the last drop. Then, unable to stand on their feet any longer, they fell asleep on the couch at the table, still holding each other. Paul rested his head on Joey's shoulder, and Joey leaned back, hugging Gray tightly.
***
- Here they are! Guys, they're here, over here! Sean exclaimed, calling over his sober friends.
He began shaking them vigorously, trying to wake them up and get them to their feet.
- Get up! Good morning! It's time to go home!- He shouted.
- Well, Mom... Paul muttered indistinctly, waving his hand away.
- what? What the fuck is Mom like? Get up, I say! Crehan started pulling Joey and Paul by their clothes, trying to pull them off the couch.
- Let me help you! Mick came up with a smile, easily picking up his drunken friends and putting them on the floor, supporting them by the back of his T-shirt.
Joey and Paul tried to stand, but they could barely keep their feet, keeping their heads down and continuing to doze.
Sean lifted Paul's head, cupping it in his hands, and looked into his face. Gray opened his eyes, meeting Sean's gaze.
- Oh, Sean. And who are these people behind you?- He muttered.
Crehan raised an eyebrow in surprise, not understanding what Paul was talking about. He looked over his shoulder, but there was no one there, only a few people standing in the distance.
- Okay, you've had enough. Mick, let me take Paul, and you Joey? They need to be taken home.
"No question," Mick picked up Joey, slinging him over his shoulder like a sack and handing him over to Sean Paul. - Come on, bye! After these words, Thomson left the bar, dialing the number of a taxi, supporting Joey so that he would not fall.
***
Just a few minutes later, a car pulled up to the house. Mick helped Joey get to the car, opened the door and tried to get him into the back seat.
— Mick, I'm on my own!  Joey said, trying to get into the back seat, but his attempts only made the situation worse — he collapsed in the seats.
— Oh, my onion grief!  Mick said, reaching out to Joey and lifting his pelvis to sit him down like a human being.
The taxi driver, hearing Joey's slurred speech, turned around and asked:
"Won't he spit anything at me here?"
"Well, if we drive carefully, then I think not," Mick replied with a grin, sitting down next to Joey.
— I'm sober!  Joey objected.
—Shut up," Thomson put his hand over Joey's mouth, putting his arm around him again and pulling him closer to him. — An alcoholic.
***
About twenty minutes later, Mick and Joey arrived at Thomson's house. Since Mick was too lazy to overpay for driving first from the club, then to Joey's, and then to his house, he opened the door, letting the younger one inside his house.
— Where in shoes!  Mick exclaimed, grabbing Joey by his T—shirt and dragging him back into the hallway. — I just washed everything today!
Joey said, looking up at Mick.
— It doesn't matter! Take off your shoes and go to the living room, wait for me there," Mick said, heading for his bedroom.
Climbing the stairs, he creaked open the door of his room, went to the closet with clothes, linens, towels and other things. Opening the bottom drawer, he took out a warm blanket and pillow so that the guest could sleep more comfortably.
Coming down the stairs with the pillowcases in his left hand, Mick went into the living room. Joey lay silently on the couch and slept again, as he was "very tired." Mick stopped by the couch, looking at the sleeping Jordison. Joey slept so sweetly, lying on his side, hugging his legs and putting his arm under his head instead of a pillow.
Mick sighed heavily, covering Joey with a blanket, lifted his head and put a pillow under him. Unable to resist, he ruffled his hair.
Mick sighed heavily, covering Joey with a blanket, lifted his head and put a pillow under him. Unable to resist, he ruffled his hair.

***
The morning sun gently woke Joey up, blinding him with its bright rays. Joey opened his eyes, wincing at the light, and began rubbing them, trying to wake up. He got up from the couch and sat back down, feeling a terrible headache and blurred vision.
After looking around the room, he tried to remember what he had drunk so much the day before to feel so bad. In the living room, he saw a coffee table, a TV in front of the sofa and a large window with a variety of plants. The unfamiliar surroundings brought back memories of how he got drunk with Paul and went to the guitarist's house.
Joey thought what an idiot he was to get so drunk because of Measles, but with a family friend. Behind him, he heard the sounds of dishes and, turning around, saw a brighter room, similar to the kitchen.
Staggering, Joey got up from the couch and headed to the kitchen to find out who was making such a noise. He stopped at the doorway, looking at Mick, who was enthusiastically washing dishes. Mick looked up to put the wet plate in the cupboard where all the dishes were, and noticed a sleepy Joey.
— Oh, I'm finally awake!  Mick said, turning off the water in the faucet. He put his hands on the sink and looked at Joey with a friendly smile. — Did you get enough sleep?
— What do you mean?  Joey asked, raising one eyebrow in disbelief.
—Well, it's two o'clock in the afternoon,— Mick replied, looking at Joey's amazed expression at how long he'd been asleep.
Joey lowered his head, scratching the back of his head as if lost in thought.
"Haha, okay, have a seat!"  Mick said, pushing back the chair in front of the table. He went to the cupboard where there were various spices, sugar, salt and tea. — What kind of tea do you want? There are black, green, and raspberry…
Joey obediently sat down at the table, folding his arms like a good boy, but slouching like a boiled shrimp.
"I'll have a coffee with milk, please," he said.
— No problems!  Mick replied, grabbing an electric kettle and pouring water into it. He put it on to warm up and sat down opposite Joey himself.
"You'd better tell me how you feel."  Mick asked, folding his arms like Joey and asking a logical question.
"Yes, my head hurts, but I don't feel sick, surprisingly, even though I'm so drunk," Joey replied, turning his head to the side and looking down.
—Pf, of course you don't feel sick, you puked on the floor last night," Mick chuckled, also turning his head to the side where Jordison was looking.
Joey's face changed. He rolled his eyes in surprise and turned back to Mick.
— Did you puke a lot?  Joey asked, a little shocked, as if it was a tragedy.
"No, you just belched on the floor in the living room, and then I cleaned everything up," Thomson replied as if nothing had happened.
—Mick, I'm sorry, I'm so ashamed...— Joey said sincerely, because he was really ashamed.
— What's the shame? You're my friend, and friends need to be helped," the kettle boiled here. — Oops! And now there will be coffee…
Mick pushed away from the table with a heavy creak, going to the kettle.
While Thomson was making hot coffee behind Joey's back, Joey himself was sitting with his head down, looking at the glossy white table and remembering yesterday's incident. "Where is Corey now? I wonder if he's thinking about me right now?" etc. He was thinking about Taylor, he really wanted to meet him right now and talk to him, but he didn't have the courage. And what would he tell him?
Oh, coffee in front of your nose…
— And here's the coffee! I still have cookies and sweets, will you?  Mick was saying with the same warm smile. — Are you going to have breakfast at all?
Joey sighed heavily.
— No, thanks, I... I'm just going to drink coffee... — he said so sadly and heavily that Mick felt somehow sorry for him.
He crumpled in his face with a cheerful smile at the experience. Mick put his hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently. He bent down to look at Joey's face.
— Bro, is everything okay?
Good question.
— Yes, I just... got up from the wrong foot... — that sad tone again.
There was a short silence, but Thomson fixed it.
— But I can see that everything is not in order. You're usually on the positive side, running around, joking around, but lately you've been kind of... lifeless?
Joey didn't want to answer all these questions. He trusted Mick, of course, he trusted him, but he couldn't tell him about his love for Corey.
—Thomson..." Joey began, turning his head slightly to meet Mick's gaze. — It's all right.
Ah, that silence again. She was so exasperating.
"Okay, I'm not interrupting your breakfast," Mick pulled away from Joey. — If anything, there are cookies and stuff over there. You can eat if you want.
Mick left the kitchen, going into the living room to clean up on the couch, leaving Joey alone with his thoughts and hot coffee with milk.