...And a Happy New Year

August 10, 2014

John, Halvo, Peter, and one of their other friends were on their way back to Tempe from a weekend in San Francisco. Halvo had surprised John with tickets to see Tom Petty on his birthday weekend. The four guys jumped on a train that past Wednesday to head to the beloved west coast. As excited as Halvo was to see one of his favorite artists with his best friends, he was also nervous. He decided he was going to use this boys weekend to talk to John and try to lessen the blow of what would happen when they returned home. To say that the ride back to Tempe was quiet and slightly awkward would be an understatement. Understandably so considering the events leading up to their departure home.

John and Halvo had been sitting in the dining cart after just finishing up their lunch. The other guys had already moved back to their seats, leaving John and Halvo at the table still. John had finished eating his sandwich, wiping the remaining crumbs off his mouth with a napkin. He replaced it on the table as he leaned back in his chair, propping his hands at the edge of the table as he tipped his chair back.

Halvo sat across the table watching his friend and then cast his glance out of the window. They were en route to San Francisco and John was more than elated about getting to see his favorite artist that weekend with his best friends. Halvo had been planning this trip for his friend since he found out that Petty was playing in The Golden City months prior. However his initial intention was to just have a weekend with the boys. He wasn’t planning to prep John for the shit storm that was about to take place.

“Hey John?”

“Hmm?” he hummed in reply.

“So I know this trip is for your birthday and a way to kick back and chill out with a couple of the guys after Warped ended…” he trailed off nervously.

John set his chair back down on the ground and moved to lean over the table slightly; worry furrowing his brows. “Ok….” John replied now growing nervous at what Halvo could possibly be ready to tell him.

Halvo rubbed the back of his neck nervously, moving his gaze towards the salt and pepper shakers on the table against the window side of the table. He exhaled deeply before briefly glancing up at John and back down at the table. “What I’m about to tell you isn’t easy, and I don’t want it to overshadow the awesome weekend we’re about to have.”

John’s nerves were going raw with Halvo dancing around the subject of whatever he was trying to discuss. “Just spit it out,” he expressed exasperated.

“Just...don’t get too upset alright? This wasn’t how I expected to spend this weekend. So just hear me out before you respond.”

“Dammit Halvo! Are ya gonna tell me or not?”

He rolled his eyes. “So you know how Stephanie’s been missing for the past few months?”

John nodded, wondering what this had to do with anything.

“Yeah well, she’s been staying at my place,” Halvo mumbled.

John’s eyes widened. “What?! So you’ve known the entire time where she was and didn’t say anything?” he yelled.

Halvo looked around to make sure they weren’t attracting any attention. “Shh, keep it down man! Yes I knew alright? She came to my apartment the day she went missing. She was running away from her husband, which is a whole other story--”

“What the fuck dude? You know Chaney has been worrying herself sick over her whereabouts! The fact that you fucking knew that she was suffering, knew where Stephanie was, and still refused to tell anyone, especially her just...dude, what were you thinking?!” John interrupted, his anger and frustration with Halvo rising.

“Hey! I told you I was gonna explain everything! Just….stop until I finish alright? I told you this wasn’t easy!”

John continued to glare at Halvo but shut his mouth, keeping it in a tight line as he exhaled through his nose to calm himself down. He nodded solemnly and gestured for him to continue.

“Anyway, so she’d been hiding out at my place for a few months. One day she bailed after someone from home came to see her.”

“What her husband?” John inquired confused.

“No. Her sister wife.”

John’s face went slack as he tried to comprehend what Halvo was telling him. Halvo continued to explain what all had happened with Stephanie and Stephen. How she was back at home with Vito while they were away on tour and how he was now going to be the godfather of her child.

After Halvo finished telling him what all had been going on the last few months, John leaned back in seat and focused his attention on the table in front of him. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, yet it explained Halvo’s strange behavior over the last few months. “So, what now man?” John asked. “Once we get back home, what’s going to happen?”

“Well, Stephanie is finally ready to tell you and Indy about this. She thinks things will start to settle down with Stephen after their court date since he will be under a restraining order,” he supplied. “Besides, I’m telling you now so you can be prepared when Stephanie tells the both of you.”

“What about Chaney?”

Halvo sighed in defeat, his gaze once again returning to the table. “That’s why I wanted you to be prepared. I have a feeling she’s not going to forgive me for this so easily and I want her to have someone to talk to.”

John nodded ready to attempt to handle this odd situation and figure out how to be there for Chaney. “Alright dude I get it. I’m not happy about it, but I get it.”

Halvo visibly relaxed in his seat, exhaling the breath he’d been holding. “Thanks man, I really appreciate you being so cool about this.”

John nodded gruffly before getting up from the table. “It’s not an idea situation, but I’m not letting it ruin this weekend. I’ve been wanting to see Petty live for years, and this will not taint it. I’m just choosing to ignore it until after Saturday. Alright?”

Halvo nodded as John got up from the table and left the dining cart to head back to where the other guys were seated. He ran a shaky hand through his hair as he tried to emotionally prepare himself for what the next few days were going to entail.

John had his headphones plugged in, listening to who knows what as the train made it’s way back to Arizona. Based on what Halvo mentioned, Stephanie was wanting to talk to them tonight and he was trying his best to completely clear his head. He’d been able to successfully forget about the whole thing and enjoy their time in San Francisco, but the lack of concentration over the last few days was suddenly catching up with him. He was thankful for the long ride back so he’d be able to process what was happening.

Halvo sat across the car from his friend and worried about what was running through his mind. He knew John too often would get stuck in his head, and he hoped that wasn’t what was happening now.

John closed his eyes and leaned his head against the window as he continued to listen to the soothing sounds of Tom Waits. The sound of his voice bringing a small smile to his face as it brought back memories of finding Chaney in her apartment listening to him while making breakfast. He’d missed his time with her over the last couple months, and was looking forward to spending time with her again. Granted, he wasn’t wanting it be in the context that it was about to be.

The train pulled into the station in Phoenix that afternoon and they got off the train, Tim picking them up from the station to give them a lift back to the 8123 offices to pick up their vehicles. The other guys waved and left as soon as they pulled in. John lingered a moment, not knowing whether or not to ride with Halvo to his place or not.

Halvo sensed his hesitation and spoke up. “Um...if you don’t mind meeting me at my apartment? I’m going to pick Indy up and take her over there. Ya know, while she’s still willing to talk to me.”

John sighed and nodded, hopping into his truck as it roared to life. He backed out of the driveway and made his way to Halvo’s place not far away.

Halvo took a deep breath and moved to sit in his car. He turned it on and cranked up the A/C to cool off the heat that settled in the car out in the sun. He grabbed his phone and went to dial Chaney’s number. She answered almost immediately.

“Halvo?! Are you back?” she said excitedly into the receiver.

“Uh yeah,” he laughed lightly into the phone; his nerves subsiding at the sound of her voice.

“Uh yeah,” she mimicked him in a low voice with a giggle, “so does that mean I get to see you?”

“Duh!” he smiled.

“Good! So when should I expect you?”

“Hmmm, what would you say if I were to tell you I’m on my way there now?” he said as he closed his door and pulled on his seatbelt, bracing the phone between his ear and shoulder.

“I’d say that I better make sure I have my good lingerie on!” she teased. “But really, hurry up. I miss you,” she pouted into the phone.

“Promise babe, I’m on my way.” He smiled, momentarily forgetting what was about to happen and instead embracing the fact he was about to see his girlfriend that he’d barely seen over the last couple months.

“Love you,” she mumbled back.

His heart stopped beating momentarily before beating at double speed as he swallowed thickly, praying he heard her right. “What did you say?” he whispered.

“I uh, nevermind,” she muttered with a chuckle. “It was nothing.”

“Like hell it was nothing. I uh, I love you too,” he replied back with a nervous smile.

Her face lit up and tears filled her eyes. “You do?”

He chuckled, “Yeah, I do. I love you Chaney Masters.”

“Well I love You Eric James Halvorsen,” she giggled. “I’ll see you soon.”

He hung up his phone with the biggest smile on his face as he tossed his phone into the passenger seat. He turned up the radio as a Weezer song came on and his grin only grew as couldn’t help but to jam out to it. Nothing could bring him down now.

The moment Chaney hung up the phone, she skipped into the living room where Alex was sprawled on the couch watching TV.

“Soooooo, Alex?”

“Yeah,” he muttered emotionlessly.

“Would you uh, mind leaving me the apartment for a little bit?” she sheepishly asked with a smile.

He turned his head from the TV and towards where Chaney was standing at the other end of the couch. He slowly sat up and looked at her questioningly. “And why would I do that?”

“Because Halvo is currently on his way over here and I’ve barely seen him since they got back from Warped--”

“Say no more, I’m gone.” He quickly got up and shut off the TV. “Call or text me when I can come back to the house.” He walked over to Chaney and gave her a kiss on the top of her head. “Have fun, be safe,” he said as a warning, “and stay out of trouble. I’ll see ya later sis.” He grabbed his keys and made his way out of the apartment, passing Halvo on his way down. He greeted the boy with a wave and a shake of his head as he made his way out the door to his car.

Halvo chuckled, figuring Alex had some idea about him coming over and lightly knocked on the door to her apartment.

Chaney ran to the door and flung it open, her eyes sparkling with excitement to see him again. She jumped up on him to cling to him in a hug as she buried her head in the crook of his neck. She wrapped her legs tightly around his waist and locked her arms around his neck.

Halvo clung to her just as tightly and lightly kissed the side of her neck repeatedly as he continued to hold tight to her. “God I missed you,” he mumbled into her neck, continuing to hold on to her as tightly as he could.

“I missed you too,” she mumbled into his shoulder.

He began to trail kisses along her neck and towards her jaw, forcing her head away from its hiding spot on his shoulder. The moment she lifted her head up, he assulted her lips; anxious to kiss the lips he’d been missing the last few days.

She returned the gesture, moving her hands to begin running through his hair.

He turned around to pin her against the door as he closed it with his foot. He paused and pulled away long enough to prop his forehead against hers. “I love you so much. You know that right?” he said breathlessly.

She nodded, swallowing thickly as she attempted to even her ragged breathing. She pecked his lips a couple more times before unwrapping her legs from around his hips as he helped her down to the ground.

He took one of his hands from where it was still wrapped around her, and trailed it down her arm until he clasped on of her hands, squeezing it tightly.

“I love you too Halvo.”

The two were still standing chest to chest, foreheads propped against the other as they stood in silence. Halvo took his other hand and tucked a piece of hair behind Chaney’s ear as he gave her a small kiss on her forehead. He placed his chin on top of her head as he held her to him. He debated on whether or not continue with the plan to have Stephanie talk to her tonight or just stay here wrapped up in Chaney. He wouldn’t lie and say that he wouldn’t miss this sort of intimacy with her after the truth finally came out. He just hoped she would forgive him because he feared it may permanently destroy their friendship. His conscience caught up with him though and overtook his selfish desires to remain alone with Chaney.

“Let’s uh, head back to my place,” he whispered.

She nodded and unwrapped herself from him as she went to shut off everything and lock the door behind them as they walked out. She was excited to spend some uninterrupted one on one time with him and could barely contain her enthusiasm.

The moment they got into his car, she pulled her phone out of her pocket to text Alex and let him know that she was headed to Halvo’s so he was free to go back to the apartment whenever he wanted. She replaced her phone in her pocket as she gazed out the window with a big smile.

Halvo looked over at her a few times during the short drive to his apartment and he would smile, until nerves reminding him of what was about to happen overtook his thoughts. Whenever that happened, he would just sit up straighter in his seat, and white knuckle the steering wheel.

When they pulled into his complex, she looked over at him with a raised eyebrow. “Halvo? What is John doing here?”

He didn’t respond; only taking a big breath and exiting his car.

That didn’t stop Chaney from continuing to get his attention.

Halvo refused to respond and just grasped her hand in his as tightly as he could.

His lack of response was putting her on edge as he remained silent on the trek up to his apartment. He pulled his keys out of his pocket and unlocked his door, opening it to let Chaney inside. He couldn’t make eye contact with her as he stayed in the doorway until she reluctantly walked inside.

Chaney was greeted first by seeing John sitting on the couch with his elbows propped on his knees, head bent. “John?”

He looked up at her with a sad expression before returning his gaze back to the ground.

She looked back towards Halvo with worry stitched across her face as she walked further into the apartment. She walked around his living room past the front door and saw none other than Stephanie sitting solemnly on a chair on the other side of the room. “Stephanie?” she said with a smile slowly starting to stretch across her face and tears welling up in her eyes.

Stephanie looked up at her with a sad smile.

Chaney rushed over to the chair she was sitting in and pulled her up to embrace her in a giant hug.

Stephanie gave her a huge hug back because despite the deception, she did miss her best friend.

After a few moments she stepped back, wiping the happy tears from her eyes only to find John and Halvo standing a couple feet behind her. “Guys? What’s going on? What’s this about? How is Stephanie here?”

Stephanie spoke up next. “I uh, think you should go sit down,” she said quietly.

Chaney looked at her with a confused look on her face and nodded slightly. She made her way over to the couch and sat down. John sat beside her and Halvo and Stephanie sat across from them on the coffee table.

Stephanie looked over at Halvo with worry and he nodded before placing a comforting hand over hers. She took a deep breath and looked over to Chaney. She then began telling her about everything that happened. From running away from her polygamist husband, hiding out at Halvo’s, hiding out at Mr. Rickfords, coming back to Halvo’s, getting attacked by her husband, asking Halvo to be her child’s godfather, and how above all else, she demanded he keep her secret.

Chaney sat in shock, jaw slack, as Stephanie revealed her story. She felt her chest constricting with each word spoken, and above all, couldn’t believe Halvo didn’t have the decency to tell her about it. She respected the fact that he so perfectly kept Stephanie’s secret, but she hated that it was at the expense of being played as a fool.

Her eyes brimmed with tears again, but for completely other reasons than she had before. These weren’t happy tears by a long shot. They were tears showing her heartbreak and feeling of betrayal by the one person she trusted most. She looked over to Halvo a couple times while Stephanie was telling her story, praying that it wasn’t true, but he couldn’t even hold her gaze. He refused to look at her due to his guilt.

When Stephanie finished her story, Chaney looked between the three of them. All of them adorned the same sort of sad, pathetic look on her face. She realized the only person in the room that hadn’t been lying to her over the last few months was the man who had one point, ironically, questioned her integrity with their best friend. The one who had now lied to not only the both of them, but everyone else. The heartbreak she currently felt was indescribable. Her breath hitched in her throat as she tried to hold herself together.

She felt John gently place a comforting hand on her shoulder and she was too emotionally distraught to ask him to remove his hand. The simple contact burning her skin as she didn’t wish to be around anyone at that moment.

Halvo’s eyes scanned Chaney’s face and he could see the heartbreak and feel of betrayal trace over her features as she sat there. He leaned forward to place a hand on her knee, but she flinched away from his touch.

She looked up at him, anger, amongst most of the other emotions she was currently feeling, burning behind her eyes. She shoved his hand away from her and with a grumble through gritted teeth told him, “Don’t you dare lay a hand on me.”

Halvo now felt his heart break at her words. She had never been so angry with him before, and rightfully so as she never had true intention to be until that moment.

“How dare you,” she seethed. “How fucking dare you.”

“Chaney I--”

“No. You don’t get to speak. You made me believe for months that my best friend was missing!”

“I thought I was your best friend,” Halvo mumbled sadly.

She laughed bitterly. “Oh did you?” she replied condescendingly. “Funny. Pretty sure best friends don’t lie and deceive each other.” She pushed past them and headed towards the door.

Halvo quickly got up and chased after her. John got up, giving a reassuring squeeze to Stephanie’s shoulder, and followed Halvo out the door. John kept his distance to give the pair privacy, but he needed to be close by when Chaney inevitably shoved Halvo away.

“Chaney stop!” Halvo yelled out to her pleadingly. “Please! Just, let me try to explain!”

She turned around and crossed her arms. “Halvo, you’ve had six months of time to explain. Not once did you even try.”

“Ya gotta understand, she didn’t want me to say anything for fear of your safety!”

“Ha, yeah, and we see how well that worked out! Her fucking husband found me anyway!”

Halvo groaned exasperatingly. “But it was prolonged! He could’ve found you sooner!”

“And that’s supposed to make me feel better? I mean god! I fucking told you I loved you and you pull this shit?”

“Chaney I didn’t--”

“Didn’t what? Huh? ‘Plan for this to happen’? Didn’t ‘mean to hurt me’? Ya know what, too bad. It happened. Though now I finally have an explanation as to why you’ve been acting so dodgy around me lately,” she scoffed.

“Hey, I was trying to be honorable!” he yelled becoming defensive over his actions. “I had nothing but--”

“Good intentions? Yeah, haven’t heard that one before.” She rolled her eyes at his seemingly cliche attempts at apologizing.

“Chaney, god, you’re so exasperating! I don’t understand why I’m the only one you’re mad at! I mean, Steph is the one who did all this!”

“Typical man, always placing the blame on anyone else but himself.”

He ran his fingers roughly through his hair, almost pulling it out purely from frustration. “Yeah, and typical woman for always blaming it on the man and refusing to take responsibility for her actions!”

Chaney’s jaw dropped. She marched over the few feet of distance between them and raised her hand to slap him. Halvo did nothing to stop her as her hand made a harsh sound as it hit his face. “Fuck off Eric. I don’t want to see you anymore.”

That was the moment Halvo knew that everything had changed. Whatever hope he had for Chaney and him to remain friends was destroyed in that moment. He lost all the fight he had in him to beg her to stay and try to work it out. Tears brimmed both of their eyes as they stared at one another.

Halvo could still make out the little bit of love she had for him hidden in her eyes, but it was severely masked by the fueling hatred she now held for the man she once called her best friend.

“Indy?” he tried, tears threatening to spill from his eyes as he made his last attempt to salvage whatever was left between them.

“No. You don’t get to call me that anymore,” she choked out as a tear fell from her eye.

John had been standing a few feet away, hidden in the shadows and took the blow Chaney gave to Halvo as his cue to get her and bring her home. He rushed to her side when he saw them stare at each other and Chaney begin to cry. He placed a comforting arm around her shoulders and led her to his truck to return her to his apartment. John looked back over his shoulder to see Halvo standing there dumbfounded and on the verge of tears. The sight of these two heartbroken tugged at his heart and he knew the next few days, or weeks even, weren’t going to be easy. He led Chaney into his truck, helped her buckled in, and drove her to her apartment.

Chaney leaned her head against the window, a few silent tears streaming down her face as she took one last look at the man she once loved.