Jenalyn: Disconnected (#5) [Complete]

Chapter 82: Hayden

Tues. 3/17/09 • 1:54 P.M. PST

The clerk at the front desk claims there's no reservation under either of our names after Russ gives them to her. "Did you receive the confirmation text after submitting your phone number? I can find your reservation with that?" she offers.

Russ let's out a rushed laugh, quickly patting his jacket and pants before shrugging his shoulders. He let's out a frustrated sigh. "I don't have it on me right now," he says taking out his wallet instead. He pulls out a card and tries it to hand it to the clerk. "Look, is there any way I could just make a new reservation? We'd like the Junior Suite Bungalow; The one with the fireplace, please. Until the 19th, if you can."

The clerk nods her head, her beady eyes wide as she tries to accommodate him. "Uh, sure sir! I would be happy to assist you with that! May I have your ID?" she rushes to say. "However, if you want to go grab your phone, we should really make sure you don't already have a reser-"

Russ cuts the woman off, shaking his head. "I don't know where it is, I'm not worried about the reservation!" he exclaims, the frustration in his voice more apparent though he tries to keep his cool. "Can we just- can we book the new one? Please?"

Sheesh, I've never seen him so impatient before; He's usually really laid back and relaxed about everything. Maybe he's just nervous about our talk later. I know I am! I'm counting on the liquor to help me through most of it, honestly... 

"You want me to see if you left your phone in the car?" I ask after a moment, trying to ease some of his frustrations for the sake of the poor clerk on the other end of them. 

Russ shakes his head. "It's not, I checked," he says as he takes out his ID and hands it to the clerk. She promptly starts typing on her computer. "I'm not worried about it, beautiful, just- I'll take care of it later."

I know he said he's not worried about it, but I still scan my mind for the last memory I have of him on his phone. It quickly dawns on me that he placed it on top of the gas tank before we ever even left Burbank! 

"The gas station!" I call out as the realization hits my mind. "Oh God, I think you left your-"

Russ slaps his palm against his forehead, rolling his eyes before he turns to me. "Shit, you're right!" he says with a small laugh. "Oh well, I guess... It's too late now!" 

Oh well? That's his phone! Maybe somebody turned it in!

I'm just about to tell Russ when the clerk hands him a key and starts explaining what we can expect during our stay here at L'Horizon Resort and Spa. She tells us about the Frette linens, the Le Labo toiletries, and all of the popular tourist hotspots located just minutes away in Downtown Palm Springs.

"-You can also enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, craft cocktails, and beer at our on-site restaurant and bar, SOPA," she goes on, pulling my attention right from Russ's phone and to the idea of the 'handcrafted cocktails' we could enjoy. 

If he's not concerned about getting his phone back, why should I be? I'm sure he can get another. 

"These services are available at our pool bar and through in-room dining," the Clerk continues. "Would you like a menu? They are also provided in your bungalow." 

Russ shakes his head, thanking the clerk before we both signal for the bell boy and make our way to our room. 

"I wouldn't mind a craft cocktail..." I whisper to Russ in a tone I know he'll recognize. It's supposed to sound innocent and nonchalant, but also very persuasive at the same time.

He catches on right away; It's a good start to what, earlier, seemed like would be an awkward vacation. 

"I wouldn't mind a beer," he turns around to wink at me. 

2:12 P.M. PST

We walk into the bungalow immediately taken aback by the interior of it. A very spacious, open, and naturally lit sittng area is what you see when you first walk in. Chevron print curtains, slightly open, cover the floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking the zero edge pool and a stunning vast desert background. A stocked mini bar, one in which Russ forgot to tell me about, lines the corner of the room. I'm so inclined to break into it the moment I see it, but the astonishing bungalow I find myself in demands I finish touring. 

I find my way to the bedroom, where an indoor copper clad fireplace sits across a luxurious california king sized bed. Vintage paintings line the walls leading into a marble bathroom stocked with Le Labo bath products and robes. Another glass window, doubling as a door, leads out to a private patio holding the zero edge pool and an intimate looking outdoor shower. 

This place is... beautiful. 

It's easy to forget anything other than the fairy tale I find myself within right now. It's exactly what I needed, and quick to show on my face as my lips turn up into a smile I don't even have to fake. 

"You like it?" Russ asks as we make our way over to the balcony surrounding our private pool. He seems nervous, but still tries to hold up his confident demeanor.

The weird feeling in my stomach still lingers, especially now knowing he's got to "talk to me about something," but I push past it to turn around and hug him. 

I'm not ruining this night...

"I love it," I tell him with a quick kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for bringing me... I needed this vacation!" 

Russ let's out a quick laugh, nodding his head. We both just stare off into the vast desert surrounding us for a few moments before he let's out a sigh and turns back to me. 

"So... do you want to talk about everything? Get it all out into the open?" He asks. "I was kind of hoping to just get it over with, honestly. It's been weighing pretty heavy on my conscious..."

I don't know how to respond. I don't want to talk about it right now... I can't talk about it right now. No matter what Russ tells me I still have to tell him about Gage, and in turn, explain all of the other shitty things I'm prone to do because of Jena... There is nothing he could have done that will hold any weight against the havoc she wreaks. 

It'll be the end of us, and I'm not ready for that. 

At this point, I forgive him already! I can't be mad at him for what he probably did with Evelyn when I'd do the same, and worse, to him...

"-We don't have to!" Russ adds after the few moments of silence my reluctance leaves. "I just- I want this to be comfortable for you. I know you're probably worried about what it is, and I don't want that to ruin your vacation..."

He's right, and he's wrong. I am worried about what it is because Jena doesn't take well to tasting her own medicine, but even she feels too guilty about what she did with Gage to hold any grudge against him right now. She fell in love with Russ too... she needs this just as bad as I do. 

"Can we just have tonight before we talk about it? Have some drinks, do the whole vacation thing before we bring real life back into the equation?" I ask.

Russ barely hesitates to respond. "Whatever you want, beautiful," he says reassuringly despite the ghost of worry present on his face. "We'll wait until tomorrow."