Distinction: The Distraction Trilogy #3 (23 page)

After grabbing a blanket from the closet and finding a decent position on the couch, I pulled out my phone. That was twenty minutes ago. The night is getting later and later yet I still don’t know what to say or do with regard to Eloise.

Isaac
:
I’ve changed, I swear it. I’m ready to talk to you. About everything. No more secrets or lies between us. Okay?

I stare at the message a long time before I send it and then regret how pushy it sounds. She’ll hate that. She hates being pushed into anything.

Isaac
:
I’ll give you all of the time you need. Don’t think that you need to give me an answer right away.

Now I feel a little bit better, though not much. I need to speak to her face to face. Text talking just doesn’t work.

And then suddenly another thought hits me and I find myself scrambling downstairs to rifle through the post.

I find the letter and grip it tightly in my hands.

I’m not married anymore.

Throwing the letter onto the ground, I drag my half-drunk arse to the living room and throw myself onto the couch face first before pulling the blanket over my head.

Eloise
:
I can’t deal with this right now.

I shake my head and throw my phone onto the chair by the fire. I need to sleep now. I can’t deal with this either.

Unfortunately sleep doesn’t come because the second I begin to doze, there’s a heavy banging on the door. It shakes the entire house, it booms so loudly.

“What the fuck?” I yell and sit bolt upright. Jocelyn rushes to the middle of the stairs, her eyes questioning the situation. “Stay there.” I peek through the peephole and take a step back in surprise.

“Who is it?” Jocelyn asks as my dad makes his way into the hall in his plaid pyjamas. He looks tired and I don’t blame him. It’s one in the morning. I notice his eyes immediately clock the blanket on the couch but I have no time to process his look of relief.

“It’s Darren.”

“Elle’s dad?” My dad asks, quirking a curious brow.

I nod and inhale a deep breath before opening the door.

“You fucking told her, you fucking cunt. Now there is nothing… NOTHING stopping me from ruining you!” He seethes and spit flies from his mouth, his finger only an inch from my face.

“What the hell?” Joss gasps and my dad moves to my side to defend me. I don’t need it.

“Go for it. You have no proof that I told her. She isn’t going to blame me.” I half laugh at him. “Go home, Darren.”

I try to close the door but his arm slams against it and he takes a step into the hall.

Remaining in place, I square my shoulders and keep a keen eye on his movements. Never again will I let this man lay a hand on me.

“You signed a nondisclosure agreement.”

“I did. I didn’t say anything, though. So what’s your point?”

“Who the fuck did then?”

I shrug and give him a wry smile. “You’ve lost, Darren. Cut your losses and go home.”

“You won’t hear the end of this.”

“I will,” I yell and take a step towards him. He’s so close now our noses are almost touching. “You will, because you’ll lose Eloise if you don’t and you know it.” His eyes flicker with fear and his body shrinks back. “Now I’m finally getting through that thick skull of yours. Forget it all. You can’t keep me from her. You can’t bully me or undermine me anymore.”

“She doesn’t want you, regardless.”

“That’s none of your business.” I say to him, my voice calm now. He’s defeated. He has nothing against me now, nothing to hold over me. “If you love your daughter as much as you think you do, rethink your life choices and the way you deal with shit. That’s the only way she’ll ever forgive you.”

Then I slam the door in his face and turn around. My dad and Jocelyn both stare at me before Joss finally asks if I’m okay.

“I just want to sleep.” I yawn to prove it and bid them both goodnight. I contemplate calling Elle to find out what the fuck just happened, but I know she’ll feel worse about her dad visiting.

I just hope she didn’t do anything seriously stupid in her drunken state.

“Son,” my dad says as I settle back on my front on the couch. “I’m proud of you.”

I don’t reply. I close my eyes, despite the adrenaline coursing through my body, and shut my brain off for some much needed rest. It doesn’t come quickly or easily, but it comes and I need it.

“I have officially lost the plot,” I say to Damon and Kira.

“I’ll say,” Kira snorts and a piece of popcorn hits me on the temple.

“I don’t know what to tell you.” Damon runs a hand through his hair to mess it up a little.

Staring out of the window to the empty parking lot, I wonder what Silas is doing right now. He’s called me a few times. We were supposed to be staying together at mine in Cambridge but he’s giving me the space I need.

Or don’t need.

I already know my answer.

“I’m done moping.” I turn to face them and pull my hair back into a ponytail. “Done with men. Done moping. Done fucking done, done.”

“Amen sister.” Kira tells me and stuffs more popcorn into her mouth. “You don’t need any of them. You’re going to Scotland in what… under two months?” I nod in reply. “Think of all the sexy, kilt wearing, Scottish lads, me lassie.”

I laugh at her failed attempt at the Scottish accent and Damon laughs along with me.

“You deserved to have a meltdown. I’m not sure how I’d feel having a parent like yours,” Damon says and I’m so happy to have him as a friend. He always knows just what to say to make others feel at ease. “I’m so used to being given the freedom to explore the world as I see fit… your dad is an arsehole.”

“He’s always needed control,” I respond hollowly. “Always.” Ever since I can remember.

But now I’ve got to get over it and get on with my life. He can’t control me any longer or any aspect of my future. That’s all on me and if I don’t get my act together, I’m going to ruin it.

And Silas, I need to talk to him too. The wedding may have only been three days ago but I’ve had enough time to think. I just don’t feel stable enough in my own mind and heart to have a partner. Silas just isn’t right for me. I’d know it if he were.

“What about the inn?” Kira asks after I voice my thoughts.

“He wouldn’t be that cruel.” I say softly. Silas is a lot of things, but cruel isn’t on the list at all. I can’t really put anything negative on the list other than the fact that he’s too opinionated at times and won’t listen to reason. Other than that, he has always treated me with respect.

Maybe I’m making a mistake, ending things…

No.

I need to grow the fuck up and start making decisions that will inevitably make me happy. This whiny ass little bitch person that I am now isn’t happy.

“Still…” Damon nods towards the three bouquets of flowers that rest on the counter. They arrived this morning, all from my dad, Silas and Isaac. “This is just mental.”

“It’s messing with my hayfever.” Hayley sniffs and shakes her head. “As if they all sent you flowers on the same day.”

“I know, right?”

“We should do something fun. Let our hair down.” Kira totally changes the subject without warning, something she does frequently.

“Right now?” I ask and check the time. It’s mid-afternoon and everything fun shuts soon. “I don’t want to drink.”

“Cinema?” She suggests and Damon nods his agreement.

The thought of sitting in a pitch black room with nothing but silence and noise is actually kind of perfect. “Good plan, Kira.” I stand and pat her on the head. “You’re paying, right?”

She snorts and rolls her eyes. She clearly doesn’t realise that I’m not kidding.

It’s not until we get to the cinema and Damon and I leave her to buy the tickets that she actually realises we’re serious. The way her head whipped around in search for us when she was told the amount and we’d vanished had us hiding behind the sweet stall in hysterics. It’s okay though because we’ll get the popcorn, and dinner afterwards.

I have great friends. My dad may be an arsehole, I might be divorced and about to separate from my long term boyfriend who I just went into business with, but I truly do have a great and fortunate life.

Silas
:
Did you get the flowers?

Eloise
:
I did. They’re lovely, thank you.

Silas
:
You didn’t message me.

Eloise
:
I was genuinely going to as soon as I got home.

Silas
:
You’re out?

Eloise
:
Just went to the cinema and for dinner with Kira and Damon. I’m home now.

He doesn’t respond for a while. I know I’ve probably upset him but he can’t expect me to just sit inside and wallow while I sort out the mess I’ve made. That’s unrealistic.

Silas
:
It’s useless isn’t it?

Oh dear. I genuinely can’t answer that. I’m not doing this over text.

Eloise
:
Let’s talk in person.

I begin to pace in my apartment, back and forth, as I wait for his response and when I get it I feel like throwing my phone against the wall and my head out of the window.

Silas
:
So you can break my fucking heart to my face? No thank you. Forget it.

Shit. I can’t deny it because it’ll give him false hope. What do I say?

Eloise
:
I’m so sorry, Silas.

I’m not surprised when he doesn’t respond but I do feel a sudden weight lifted. The pressure I felt over our relationship and future is no longer there and I can breathe deeply once more.

Eloise
:
Is Isaac visiting this weekend?

John
:
Nope, why?

Eloise
:
I’m coming to spend the weekend with you.

John
:
What’s the occasion?

Eloise
:
1, I need a break from everything. 2, I just quit my job. 3, I just broke up with Silas. 4, I haven’t seen Judith in a while. 5, Do I need an occasion?

John
:
I’ll prepare your room.

Eloise
:
And the ice cream.

John
:
And the ice cream.

I grin, relieved that he said yes.

John
:
Bring some good movies with you this time.

Some might find it weird that I’m close to my ex-husband’s dad but I don’t see why. Anyone that knows me knows that I didn’t have grandparents growing up. My mum’s parents died when she was in her twenties and my dad’s parents died when I was only seven.

John is kind of like that for me, although I won’t say that to him because it might insult him.

I don’t care what anyone thinks or says.

John
:
I’m serious. That ninja crap with the cartoon characters was terrible.

Eloise
:
You’ll watch what I bring and you’ll be happy about it.

John
:
You know I will.

Sometimes being a private landlord, as opposed to going through an agent, is trying. For example my tenants have moved without warning and I have to go down there to inspect the house to make sure it’s all up to scratch as they’re demanding their deposit back ASAP.

I had plans this weekend. I was supposed to be going to see a show with my co-workers.

Pulling up outside of my previous home, I take note of the outside. It looks good; the front garden is well kept and I notice the handle on the gate has been fixed since the last time I visited. This is good.

Using my key, I open the door and step inside. The house smells lived in and it looks lovely on first glance. There are no visible marks or cracks in the empty hallway. The tiled floor is shining; I can see they cleaned it before they left. My tenants were every landlord's dream. I wish they hadn’t moved so suddenly. Now I have to find new tenants.

Isaac
:
Can you put me another ad in the paper?

John
:
Already done. Is everything okay there?

Isaac
:
It’s spotless as I knew it would be. They even left cookies on the stove.

John
:
Kelly makes the best cookies.

My dad, when introduced to my tenants, made fast friends with them and Kelly made him cookies when he’d pop by to oversee repairs. In the beginning quite a few were needed, but not for the past two years. There was one mishap with the fuses blowing due to faulty wiring but we got that fixed and my dad got cookies.

Isaac
:
I’m done, put the kettle on.

I triple check before leaving the empty house, sighing gravely the entire time. I hope wherever Kelly and her husband are venturing to brings them happiness.

My back hits the closed door as the chill air strokes across the bare skin of my arms and face.

John
:
You can’t. I’m not home.

Oh. Surprising.

Isaac
:
Where are you? It’s okay. I have my key.

John
:
I’m home. I’m busy. You can’t come.

My frown is so tight my forehead aches.

Isaac
:
Since when have you ever been too busy for me? I won’t get in the way. I’m tired and I’ve got a ton to do tomorrow. I’ve just driven for two hours.

I start walking to the car, pondering what it is that my dad could be doing that he doesn’t want me to see. It hits me and I stop in the middle of the pavement.

Isaac
:
Are you with a woman?

John
:
It’s not like that. She just showed up.

Isaac
:
Who?

My hand clenches on the phone at the thought of my dad moving on. I wouldn’t blame him, my mother isn’t herself any longer and he deserves to be happy, but it still hurts to think about.

John
:
Eloise has come to spend the weekend with me. So you can’t stay. She doesn’t want to see you.

That’s not quite what I was expecting. I climb into my car to move out of the way of people walking around me and stare at his text.

This is the chance I’ve been waiting for.

Isaac
:
You didn’t text, you didn’t know I was coming and I don’t know she is there. Got it?

John
:
Got what?

Isaac
:
Exactly.

This is my moment. She can’t avoid me now.

Well, she could try to leave but I won’t let her.

The image of handcuffs around her dainty wrists comes to mind. I feel an instant stirring in my lower region and a fluttering in my stomach that I can’t blame on hunger. Well… not hunger for food anyway.

After nipping into the supermarket on the way to my dad’s, I can’t help my nerves. It’s odd because I shouldn’t be nervous; she was my wife.

Was.

The fact I’m divorced still hasn’t sunk in yet.  I don’t want it to ever sink in. I should have tried harder before it was finalised. I should have ignored it for longer.

I’m an idiot.

******

“Dad?” I yell as I walk into the house. I already know he’s here but if I’m going to pull this off and pretend I’m not a stalker, then I need to be convincing.

“Uh-oh,” I hear my dad mutter and something clatters in the kitchen.

“Did you know?” I hear Elle hiss as I’m padding down the hallway.

“No,” my dad lies and shushes her. He swings open the door, revealing dark blue eyes set in a flour covered face. “Son?”

I grin at him. “The tenants have moved out so I’ve been to inspect the property. I wanted to surprise you.” I hold up the two bags of food.

My dad smirks and shakes his head, keeping his hand on the door handle to the kitchen. “Now isn’t a good time.”

“Don’t be stupid.” I push past him, which is harder than I thought it would be. He’s strong for an old man. “I can’t drive home now; it’s getting late.”

He finally budges and allows me access to the kitchen.

I don’t have to fake my surprise at seeing Eloise. My shock is genuine, but it isn’t because she’s here, it’s because of how she looks.

She gives me a little wave and quirks a brow at me as my eyes eat up her form, hungrily, desperately. She’s in nothing but blue shorts and a white vest top. Her body is toned, curvaceous and delicious. I want to wrap my arms around her and drag my fingers over every inch of flesh. I haven’t yet seen her in anything so revealing and, by God, she is all woman.

My mouth dries when I reach her face and see her new haircut. It suits her, maybe even more so than her long hair. She’s cut it short, to her chin, and has it fluffed up at the back where it rises in layers from the base of her neck.

“Isaac,” she breathes and clears her throat as our eyes meet. Her flour covered fingers reach to tuck her hair behind her ears. “It’s good to see you.”

“You too,” I croak. I need a drink, desperately. I need a sip of her lips, her essence. Why the fuck did I let her go? I’m a foolish man. “I didn’t realise you were here.” My eyes finally drag from her to assess the mess. It seems they are making some kind of bread. “Having fun?”

“Your dad is sharing a few family secrets with me.”

I tense. She can’t be talking about…

“Banana bread, being the first.” My dad slaps me on the back, effectively cutting off my line of thought. “And my famous bread and butter pudding.”

“Nice,” I say, feeling relieved. “May I help?”

Elle looks uncertain for only a brief second before nodding with a genuine smile. “Of course.”

I place the bags on the small, round kitchen table to my right and vow to put them away later. Elle points to the sink, so I wash my hands and move to stand beside her.

“My dad hasn’t done this for a while,” I say, watching as they knead the dough on the counter. “It works better if you separate it into smaller balls.”

“I knew there was something I was forgetting,” he grumbles and we both start pulling the dough apart and rolling it between our hands.

Elle can’t quite get the dough to form a ball without cracks along the surface so I take the opportunity to touch her. Her body tenses as I slide behind her and place my arms along hers. Cupping our hands together around the dough, I show her how to gently roll it and then pinch the bottom.

Her close proximity is intoxicating. I breathe deeply, ignoring the scent of banana, cinnamon and flour in order to search for that familiar rhubarb.

“Like this.” I tap her hands onto the flour and cinnamon and roll the dough again. Her arms remain loose but not floppy as I guide her and her body slowly begins to relax. I dip my head so my jaw brushes against her cheekbone.

Her hair is soft against my cheek and smells so sweet. I want to nuzzle the back of the long, shapely neck that her hair no longer covers. I want to kiss from the top of her neck to the base of her spine. Does her skin still taste as good as it once did?

Every inch of my body tingles with anticipation. If I shift slightly forward, just slightly, my aching cock will be touching her.

I just don’t want to disrespect her like that.

“I think I’ve got it,” she says, sounding breathy and husky. Her tone isn’t helping my predicament. I don’t want to let her go.

“Smooth.” My dad mutters the word, elongating the ‘oo’.

“What was that?” Elle asks my father genuinely as I give him a look that screams ‘Shut up!’

“I was just saying that these are going to be delicious. Look how smooth they are.” He points to the dough balls on the baking tray. “I’m so hungry.”

“Are you staying for dinner, Isaac?” Elle asks. She doesn’t look upset by the prospect, merely curious. I want to tell her that I’m staying the night but I’m worried she’ll make an excuse to leave.

“Yeah, just dinner though.” I spot the lasagne sheets on the side by the kettle and smile. “I haven’t had your lasagne in years.” I move to wash the flour, cinnamon and sticky dough from my hands. “Is that okay? Feel free to say no. I won’t be offended.”

“Don’t be silly.” She hits me gently with a tea-towel and rolls her eyes. “This is your home more than it is mine. I’m happy to see you, actually.”

Surprising. “You are?”

“Yeah, should I be angry to see you? Sad?”

I panic for a moment before I see that she’s teasing; her smirk says as such.

“I’ll start cleaning.” I grab the dishcloth and a bottle of spray.

“I’ll do the dishes.” My dad moves to the sink.

“And I will start preparing the lasagne while the bread cooks.”

“And then chess?” Dad asks and it’s my turn to roll my eyes.

“And then chess.” She grins.

“How are things?” I ask them both as I slide the cutting board over to my dad for him to wash.

“Good, Elle has this great idea for your mother.”

I glance at Elle and notice that her cheeks have turned pink. “It’s silly really…”

“Your mother has an obsession with babies, as you know, so Eloise has bought her a doll that cries and laughs.”

She shrugs. “I saw a video online and thought it would be worth a try. The family of that dementia patient said that it really calms their mum.”

“I suppose it makes sense, stepping into her world rather than trying to pull her back into ours?”

“Exactly.”