Jenalyn: Disconnected (#5) [Complete]

Chapter 36: Hayden

Wed. 12/31/08 • 9:49 P.M. EST

Jena hasn't been able to stop thinking about Russell since she gave him my number earlier and promised to keep in touch. After he paid off Leo to "stop talking to me," she was a little more than intrigued. He was just here... and then gone! Who is this guy? Why is he showing such an interest in me out of the blue? He clearly had no idea I was Hayden Gold...

"I'm going to go grab a shot or two, you'll be here?" Ty asks as he pulls himself from the sectional sofa we sit on located on the corner of the roof.

Ty has also resorted to taking a couple of shots to get us through this awkward and slightly overwhelming night. He has been trying to stay sober considering that I've recently come home from rehab, and because of his tendencies to go overboard in some situations. He wasn't too fond of the idea of drinking two nights ago while Gage and Jordan were here, but I see that has went out the door along with the idea of our relationship.

"What about me?" I whisper, though loudly over the music pulsing through the air. Numerous flashes indicate pictures being taken, so Ty and I are quick to put nonchalant smiles across our faces.

"No way! I told you already, there's too much coverage!" He hisses. "I let you drink earlier for a reason, Hayd. You know you can't do it publicly!"

I roll my eyes, but force a laugh after for the sake of possible pictures or gawkers. Ty doesn't know I swindled shots from Leo the bartender earlier. There were honestly a decent amount of people out here then too! Leo is the only person I had sign for confidentiality. If people were as interested in me as Ty acts like they are, I'm sure a photo would have been leaked by now. It's New York friggen City, dude- shit travels fast!

"Don't be a pain, Ty!" I say, again in a more joking manner than I feel. "Ask them to put it in a glass. You're Tyler Robson; leave a good tip and they'll do anything!"

Ty clicks his tongue and sits back down on the sofa. "Hayden, please? I'm trying to work with you here!" he pleads. "I'll take you back to the room if you want to take a couple, okay? As long as you can keep it together, I'm fine with it! Just please don't give me shit for being cautious! Your mother will literally skin me alive if she knows I let you-"

I can't help from rolling my eyes, no joking matter this time. "Oh my god, fine!" I snap, pulling myself from the sofa and grabbing my purse. Ty's cheeks grow bright with embarrassment as a couple of people around us turn their heads in curiosity of my sudden movement. "I'll go by myself. I don't need you fathering me around all goddamned night."

I turn around on my heel and weave my way through the groups of people blocking me from the entrance to the hotel just hoping that Ty doesn't follow me. I can't deal with him right now.

Thank goodness the music was too loud for anybody, even the people closest to us, to hear any of that. I can't even imagine the fit Ty would throw knowing someone may be able to blow our cover. If I thought he was acting bad now, I'd have another thing coming!

The rooftop enterance to the hotel is also pretty crowded with people. A few people notice me as give me quick hellos before either entering or exiting the elevators. I can't even fathom how overwhelmed I would feel stuffing myself inside one of the elevators with all of those people right now; I just need a few moments to myself.

I need a few moments with the bottle in my hotel suite bathroom.

Making my way down the hallway, away from the bustling of excited groups of people, I slip into the stairwell where I'm almost positive I'll be alone. The eerie silence of the tall and acoustic stairwell proves my assumption to be true. There is not a sound in here besides the residual click of me shutting the door.

I take a few moments to gather myself before I start heading down the stairs, my heels clanking with each step I take. At this moment, I can't be more thankful for my shots earlier having worn off. My suite is five floors from the rooftop lounge and I don't know if intoxicated Jena could make that trek without breaking my neck.

I'm three floors down when I hear a door from a higher floor creak open and then shut. The horror movie fanatic in me gets chills down my spine, causing me to momentarily freeze in my tracks. I expect to hear talking, laughing, or even the sounds of a frisky couple under the same belief I was about finding somewhere to "be alone." I... don't hear anything though, which immediately strikes me as odd because this is a very social event; who other than me would choose to make this trek alone? In silence?

I can feel panic start to rise in my chest and have to tell myself I'm being dramatic because of all of the horror movies I used to binge on. I'm about to be that chick in the movies who calls out "hello" like their murderer would answer back or something! Not everybody is out to get me!

The sounds of what seems to be boots stepping down the stairs is quick to kick my ass in gear. Sure, not everybody is out to get me... but I know one person who probably is, and that's enough to send me practically running down the steps despite the few times I can feel myself start to fall.

I'm whipping my room key from my purse by the time I get to the floor my suite is on. I make it to my room without having looked back, and slip inside before locking all three of the locks behind me.

I hope to God I'm being paranoid. It literally could have been Ty for all I know! Why does my mind always have to go to the darkest places first? I stand at the door for a few minutes, checking the peephole every couple of seconds and seeing nothing. Surely if somebody, whether it be Ty, Dane, or even a random stalker was following me they'd have made it to my door by now. I let out a relieved breath as I make my way though my suite and to my bathroom.

I was just paranoid.

I make it to my bathroom and flick on the light to retrieve my bottle from the corner of the bathroom counter where I left it before heading to the longue earlier. I'm met instead, with a small glass filled 1/3 of the way with alcohol, and a handwritten note on the hotel stationary.

You can have the rest at 1
when we come back down.
I promised your family I'd
keep you in line this trip to
NY... can't risk it.

-Tyler

What... the fuck.

Wow, I'm sure this is the fucking reason Ty thought it better not to follow me when I came down here. I'm sure he knew I would all night! What a fucking pain in the ass! I can not wait to get him off my chest when I go home; This overbearing ex shit has to stop!

I rip my phone from my purse and immediately pull up my thread with him.

Hayden: Wow, really Ty?
Hayden: You hid the rest
of my vodka? 😑 This isn't
even a shot, wtf!

I let out a deep breath and wait a moment for him to respond. He's probably avoiding his phone for that reason alone- I hate how well he knows me sometimes.

My phone vibrates in my hands, but no message from Ty populates my screen. I hit my back button to find instead, a message from an unknown number that makes my stomach flutter in an odd way.