CHAPTER THREE: temporary

Alex tossed her bags onto the van that was taking their luggage to the hotel. Alex, however, got to ride in the classic limo waiting a few feet away. She strode over and ducked through the doors. There were ten or so people in the car. The band, Jeremy, Alex, a couple lucky groupies. Alex knocked on the window separating the driver from the passengers, to signal the driver to go. The limo pulled off.

"So." Alex said, interrupting the rest of the group. "We're going to check into the hotel and eat lunch, and then we have rehearsal at the Bait Shop, where you're playing." The band nodded and Jeremy winked. Alex rolled her eyes and looked out the window.

Marissa was almost running down the halls. Seeing Jake had really shook her up. She yanked open the door to the stairs and ran down a few flights. Finally, she dropped to the floor and cried. She didn't know why it bothered her so much, because she had barely thought about him in the past five years, but here she was, crying on the floor. He had been such a good guy and to have him betray her like that had really hurt. She let the sobs take over her.

After a while she managed to catch her breath. She ran her fingers through her hair and reached in her purse to check out her reflection. She looked like hell. But what was she expecting? She dried her face and put on a little makeup, but nothing could hide the fact that she had been crying. Finally, she gave up and stood up. She would go find Ryan, who would make her feel better. She opened the door to the lobby.

Alex pointed out her bags to the bellhop who had come out to help her. Jeremy needed three bellhops for all of his luggage. All of them were standing right in front of the hotel's doors, unloading their stuff from the van.

"What room?" The bellhop asked her. Alex frowned. Her mind was spinning with the excitement and fear of seeing Marissa again for the first time in five years.

"I think its 1403." Alex finally told him.

"Actually its 1407." Alex heard a slightly familiar voice say. She turned toward the lobby doors to see Ryan Atwood standing there, hands in pockets. Alex grinned, actually happy to see him.

"Hey." Alex said and ran over to hug him.

"Its been a long time." Ryan said pulling back.

"Yeah." Alex agreed. She peeked around Ryan's shoulder. "Where's the wife?" Ryan raised his eyebrows.

"So you heard?" He asked, waiting for a reaction.

"Yeah, where's my wedding invitation?" Alex turned her attention back to Ryan as they walked through the front doors. She was surprised at how comfortable she was with him, considering she had slept with his wife. . . and more than once for that matter.

"It was a small ceremony." Ryan explained. Alex was disbelieving.

"In Newport?" She asked. "No such dream. But its fine. I probably wouldn't have come anyway." Actually, she definitely wouldn't have come. And she probably would have ruined the wedding by making out with the bride. They walked into the lobby and Alex felt her mouth drop. "Oh my god. This is amazing!" She exclaimed. "It looks gorgeous." Ryan grinned, which was unusual for him.

"Thanks." He said. "It's all Marissa. I just do the money. Wait till you see your room. The view's fantastic." Alex laughed.

"You sound like my realtor. Which is not a good thing." Ryan laughed with her, but then saw two little boys playing catch by a vase.

"I'll be right back." He said and walked off. Jesus he's grown up. Alex thought as she sat down. Someone passed by her, almost hitting her legs.

"Sorry." The guy apologized and Alex looked up into his face. He seemed familiar, but it took Alex a second to recognize him as Jake Rivers, the guy that had almost raped Marissa. The look on his face was unreadable, but he seemed preoccupied and didn't even bother looking at Alex when he apologized. She was looking at him curiously when something behind him caught her eye. Marissa Cooper.