Chapter 38: Eyes of Inferno
Before that last moment, I don't think I explained Darren with a better description. You may have heard of him, but it was probably a bad description of him: how he's nice and he calls people "adorable" and "funny". And for the record, when he's said in the past that something bad happened to him when he was a kid, don't believe him, because he's bullshitting you.
Darren Rochev was one of the founding fathers of the band I was now a part of, Super Freakonomics. He agreed to Juno that the leadership with him, Joe, and her would be equal when the three of them started the band. But I soon realized that this guy had his own agenda. Juno's poor ability to confront people had caused Darren to take advantage of her and he was slowly edging her out in the past year. The last thing that she was able to convince the band to do that Darren didn't want to happen, was get me to be the new lead guitarist; He was the sole member of the band who didn't want me among them.
Juno met me in the bar that day with grim news: "Joe just quit."
"What? Are you serious?!"
Juno explained. "Darren-"
"Got it!" I interrupted.
"Yeah. He started an argument between me and Joe, and it led to him leaving. Darren managed to find a new drummer, though."
I shook my head. "Was it one of his four horsemen?" I said. I made little devil horns on my head with my fingers.
Juno laughed. "I think you're right. He got his buddy, Mason into the band. Seemed okay, but he does whatever Darren tells him to without question. It's like he's a henchman."
Then it hit me: "We're being overrun."
"What do you mean?"
"Juno, he got rid of one of the leaders of this band. But he knows there's no getting rid of you or me, so he's going to find other people that support him to help him kick us out of the Freakonomics. Once he's gotten rid of us, you'll be out of a job, and I'll never see you again." After Juno moved in with Louis, the only times I'd seen Juno were band practices.
Juno sighed. "But there's no stopping the Devil."
I groaned. "I know, J. But we'll just have to find a way."
What can I say that happened with Darren? Absolutely nothing good. The gigs were okay after Joe left, but Darren stole all the credit for stuff that me and Juno were doing. At one point at a gig in March, I was able to pull off an insane guitar solo, and Darren jumped out in front of me and took a bow for the audience cheering for the solo that I did.
That's not even the end of it. As the months from January to May passed, Darren was firing friends of ours, and replacing them with his cronies. All I can say is that once he left the band, it took a few weeks to bring back the old members and friends. Most of them returned because they were glad Darren was gone. But I'm getting way ahead of myself. That had yet to happen.
After I returned to New York, Barney and Robin went over procedures with me for the wedding. This was a new experience, as the most formal occasion I'd ever done was wear a collared black t-shirt for work on a Saturday night. They wanted to make sure I knew just what kind of deal this was, even though I already had some notion.
"This is the big leagues, Ollie." Said Barney. "There's no t shirts and jeans. You better remember to-"
"Suit up?" I finished.
Barney grinned and nodded. "Not exactly, but I'm glad you know my style. At least remember to wear a vest and tie."
"You got it. Anything else?"
"I have plans that I'm discussing with Robin and a few guys that involve on how you're going to get out to the wedding. And trust me, it's legendary."
"I'm excited!" I replied. "When do I find out what it is?"
"Not until I get approval from my guy." He said.
"Cheer up, Ollie." Said Robin, when she saw I was a bit disappointed for not knowing the secret. "I know it, and it'll most likely be a first time experience for you."
And indeed it was. I had never done something like it before, and I'm glad it happened because of the wedding weekend.
"Hey, aren't you guys also having trouble on deciding a band or DJ? I'm actually part of a good band and-"
"Thanks, Ollie." Said Robin. "But we already hired a band. We've only got 4 months to plan this shit, so we're going full out on the planning. Don't worry."
A few days later I found myself seeing Ted alone in the bar. I walked over with two beers.
"I know that look, T-Dog." I said, looking back on that day in Econ almost 4 years ago. "Something's bothering you."
"Robin and Barney hired a band." He replied.
"Yeah, I heard. What's the big deal? I wanted to have my band play there, but that didn't happen. What's your excuse?"
"Bands are scoundrels." Ted replied. "Bands may seem cool, but deep down they are selfish, lying bastards that don't care who they hurt, and yet still have the one person falling for them. I can't believe that Robin's marrying...the idea of hiring a band."
This was one of the weirdest moments I had had with anyone in the gang, let alone one that I met when he was completely destroyed drunk. Ted wasn't making any sense to me, until I saw the look in his eyes.
"You really believe that Robin's the one for you?" I replied.
"You just know it when it clicks, Ollie."
"Cut the shit, Ted." I took a swig of beer. "Let's look at the facts why it shouldn't work: Robin doesn't want kids nor can actually have them, but you want two. Robin doesn't care for you like that, and neither should you because she's been a bit of a bitch to you. And finally, SHE'S GETTING MARRIED! Are you seriously not gonna let go of her?!"
"No, Ollie. It's been almost 8 years, and I'm still in love with her."
"Mosby, snap the fuck out of it! Robin's not the one for you! I can see the future with you and her, and I've never seen something that grim! Even death is less grim than what you'd have with Robin."
"Ollie, what happened when your Dad shot you?"
"Don't change the subject, Ted. I'm still telling you why you shouldn't interfere with Robin and Barney."
"Answer my question, please."
I sighed. "I spent a few days in the hospital while they patched me up, then I ran away."
Ted nodded. "Then that's my solution."
"Beg pardon?"
"My old boss, Hammond Druthers called me in November and gave me a job offer: become an architect at his firm in Chicago."
"Wha- Chicago?! You serious?"
Ted nodded. "I wasn't considering this offer until I remembered that you ran away from your problems with your family after June in 2003. It's what needs to happen if I'm to get out of Robin and Barney's way like you say I should."
"Ted, you're forgetting something: I forgave and forgot! I went back to Washington and reunited with my family."
"I can't stop thinking about this decision, Ollie. Please back me up on this."
"I'm sorry, Ted, but no. If you really want to be remembered as a true friend by them, you will let go of Robin and let New York's most awesome jackass marry her, and you will suck it up and move on."
"And if things go further south for me before the wedding and I feel there's no more options?"
"Then I may support this decision. Just let me be one to help you with this decision. It's clear that you and I are alone in our endeavors. Marshall and Lily have Marvin, who I still haven't met yet, and Barney and Robin have each other. Hell, even my best friend has her asshole boyfriend who she moved in with."
"Look at us. Two lone wolves."
"Things will change, Ted. Let's not give up hope."
Ted was the only one who told me about Chicago in the first month since the engagement. I was the only one other than Lily who truly knew how he felt about the wedding, and I sympathized with him on that. I didn't hate the fact that Barney and Robin were getting married just so I could side with Ted, because that's where he was being an asshole. What I was on his side was the injustice of it all: him, Barney, who searched for five minutes found what Ted had been looking for his entire life for, and after the horrible things he had done to women, didn't really deserve to find the one before Ted did. But I knew that Barney and Robin were meant for each other. It was conflicting to choose sides in an argument that wasn't in reality happening just yet.