Distinction: The Distraction Trilogy #3 (5 page)

I stare at the hand gripping my own before raising my eyes to meet Isaac’s. He seems startled and dazed. “Is something wrong?”

He clears his throat and removes his hand from mine. “I just wanted to thank you. For agreeing to see my parents before you go back. You don’t owe me anything.”

My breath catches in my throat. I’m not sure what to say so I only nod and climb from the car. Has he forgotten that he’s basically blackmailing me with the divorce?

Instead of saying this, I wave at him over my shoulder and walk along my driveway. A smart person chooses their battles wisely and right now is not the appropriate time to go head to head with him.

My mum has opened the door and is smiling warmly at me. Her eyes move to Isaac’s car and her smile falters. She says nothing as I step past her and into the hall.

“Is Dad here?”

“He’s just taking a call in our room.”

Of course he is. He is always taking a call from somebody.

Her gaze lingers on me as we head into the kitchen. I can see the question brimming in her eyes.

I drop my bag onto the worktop in the kitchen and stroll over to the fridge. “I’m staying the night, if that’s okay?”

“Definitely. Stay forever.”

I snort as my eyes scan the shelves of food and drinks. I take out the apple juice and Mum hands me a glass when I turn.

“What happened? Did he sign? Should I plan a divorce party?”

I cringe. “Really? People have those?”

She shrugs and watches me like a hawk as I sip my drink and lean casually against the side.

“Why are you staring at me? It’s weird… stop it.”

“What was it like? Seeing him again?”

Blink. “Fine.”

“You don’t feel anything?”

She’s worried that I slept with him. I can tell by the tone in her voice. “Mum, we had lunch. We caught up. He dropped me off.”

“So why didn’t he sign?”

“He wants me to see Mr and Mrs Price before I go back.”

She rolls her eyes. “Sure he does…”

“Mum!”

“Don’t let him suck you back in. Remember how messy it was last time. Remember how you felt. Remember how he made you feel.”

I watch as rain begins to splatter against the window behind my mother. I try to count the droplets as a way to remove myself from this conversation, mostly because I hate the fact that she’s right. I need to stay strong and impartial to everything that is Isaac.

“What was he like? How did he react when he saw you?”

“Mum, stop being nosey.”

She smiles apologetically. “I can’t help it. It’s awful but it’s so interesting.”

“You’re so weird.” I snigger and down the rest of my drink before placing the glass in the sink.

My dad steps into the room looking clean and crisp in a grey suit. His greying hair is pushed back and his warm eyes crinkle with a smile. He pulls me into a tight hug and doesn’t let go until he’s satisfied that I haven’t taken a breath for long enough to make me dizzy.

I laugh and wobble back to the counter. “Hey Dad.”

“Did he sign?” He asks animatedly.

“I’m good, thank you. How are you?” I respond flatly. It’s no secret that my dad hates my ‘soon-to-be’ ex-husband. He’s made him the pun of many jokes over the years.

Surprisingly he doesn’t think much of Silas either. I think my dad just has a problem with me seeing any man, period.

Luckily, no matter how overbearing he can be, I love him. And even luckier, I no longer live with him so I only get his attitude in small doses.

“We aren’t talking about Isaac or the divorce.” I raise my hand and give him a firm look that lets him know I’m not playing around. “I will go home.”

“No problem, my lips are sealed.” He runs his fingers over the seam of his lips to further prove his words. “What are your plans?”

“I am going to meet up with Hayley and Tyler for a few.”

“So dinner isn’t possible?”

I shake my head apologetically. “Unfortunately not. I just ate lunch. Mum and I are watching a movie soon with snacks.”

“I’m in,” he replies before I can even offer.

Mum groans, obviously looking forward to some girl talk. I’m relieved; the last time we ‘enjoyed’ a girls’ night in, and I use the word ‘enjoyed’ loosely, she got tipsy and decided to give me a sex talk. According to her my dad is…

Christ…

I can’t even think it. It’s gross.

I hate her for that.

“We didn’t invite you,” she adds, scowling at her husband who just smiles back at her and reaches around to pinch her butt.

“Gross,” I gag dramatically and move into the living room. “I have to polish an assignment off. Make yourselves useful and fetch me a beverage.”

A tea towel hits me in the back of my head as I’m leaving the kitchen. Giggle.

“Why didn’t you ever have another kid?” I ask as I sit on a cushion on the ground in front of my mum who is sitting on the couch. She pulls my hair back and braids it before releasing the braid and starting again. I love having my hair played with.

“Because you were a nightmare,” my mum says. “And I was too selfish to have another. I couldn’t handle being pregnant or handle a baby when you were a toddler.”

“You were a little shit.” My dad agrees.

“And by the time you calmed down, you were in full time school. There was no way I was starting again.”

My dad looks at me from his prone position on the other couch to the left. “She used to cry herself to sleep at night until you turned three.”

“I wasn’t that bad,” I pout but I really was. I was a spoilt little git according to everyone who knew me as a child. I remember being naughty, even now. The tantrums I’d throw to get the toy I wanted, the way I’d speak to my mum… I was horrid.

I am the reason that I don’t want kids.

“It’s your fault though. You always gave in. I still remember thinking that if I cried I’d get what I wanted. It always worked.”

My dad grins and nods to my mum. “I didn’t give in. She did.”

“Please,” I snort. “You were worse than she was. I didn’t have to cry to get what I wanted; I just said I wanted it and you got it. At least she tried to say no.”

He opens his mouth to argue but quickly shuts it again. He knows I’m right.

“I’m going to make your hair greasy,” my mum says, pulling my hair free.

“I don’t care. That’s what shampoo is for.” I rest back against her knees and tilt my head back until she comes into view. She pinches my nose and shoves me off her. My dad seems to find this hilarious.

Huffing, I take the seat beside her and try to focus on the movie.

I love my parents. They’re great parents and it doesn’t matter how old I get, I’ll always need them.

In small doses.

I’ll always need them in small doses.

I smooth my hair back and stare at myself in the mirror. I wonder if she noticed my greys, or the fact I’ve lost weight. I wonder if she noticed how tired and bored I look. Does she know that I’ve missed her every single day? Would she care?

When did I become so insecure about my looks again?

Sighing gravely, I pull the box out of the bag and walk into the room. “Dad?”

He takes one look at the embarrassed expression on my face, one look at the box of light blonde hair dye in my hand and doubles over with laughter.

Hayley, who coloured her hair an amazing copper brown over the past few weeks, pulls me in for the tightest hug. It’s sad that it has been almost five months since we last saw each other. That’s life though.

“I’ve missed you,” She says as we hold each other tightly in the middle of the pub.

“I’ve missed you so much more,” I respond and pull back so I can hug her partner, Tyler.

He’s so handsome and charming. It’s rare that you find a man at our age who is so well put together, mature yet fun. He really brings out the best in Hayley, not to mention he has the strangest, yet most wonderful green eyes I’ve ever seen. It’s a light shade, like the colour jade. They hide things. I’m sure pf it. Hayley hasn’t said much but I know that this man has his secrets, as do we all, I suppose.

“Hey beautiful,” he tells me softly and I almost swoon.

Hayley scowls playfully at me, warning me away before rolling her loving eyes to her partner and quirking a brow at him. “Beautiful?”

He winks at me and ducks when she aims a slap at his head.

I laugh at their good natured fun and take my seat.

“I’ll get drinks, cranberry and vodka?” He asks me, nodding to my half full glass.

I nod and thank him, then wait for him to leave before grinning at my friend. “I love him.”

She grins back, looking like the cat that got the cream, “I know, right? He’s amazing.”

“I can’t believe you’re marrying him.” I don’t say this with any amount of disdain. I mean it as I say it. Hayley has never been able to settle down. “I knew the right man would hook you one day.”

She shrugs and her cheeks turn slightly pink. “How are things with you?”

“Fine, fine.” I wave her off and hold out my hand. “Let me see the ring.”

She slips her left hand into mine and I admire the sparkling cluster of gems that rest upon a thin gold band. It’s beautiful. It’s surprisingly her in every single way. If I were to walk into a jewellery store to pick her a ring, it would be this one.

“Nathan Weston himself made it.”

My eyes snap from the ring to hers. “You’re kidding?”

She shakes her head, still grinning, and twists her hand in the light, making the diamonds sparkle. “It’s insane right? Apparently it was my Tyler that helped Nathan get clients for his business a few years back.”

“Crazy.” Nathan is the well-known owner of a chain of jewellery stores around the UK. I’ve heard they even branched over to France and Germany, but I can’t be certain.

“Do you still have the ‘Forever Connected’ charm bracelet?” She asks and I immediately rub my naked wrist where it used to sit.

Isaac got me the bracelet as a gift when I was his student. That was just when Nathan Weston got started, I think. The bracelets were a huge hit. I see them on women all the time and even men have their own version.

“It’s in my jewellery box.” Buried right at the bottom and out of sight, where it has been since the day after I left Isaac.

She must see something in my eyes that makes her change her mind about the subject. “I do have something to ask of you, even though you totally don’t deserve it.” She flips her dark hair over her shoulder and smiles at Tyler as he makes his way back to us with three glasses in his hands. The love in her eyes is sickeningly sweet.

“Out with it.”

“I want you to be my maid of honour.” She raises her hand before I can say anything and I freeze with my mouth hanging open and my body tensed with excitement. “I know you have a ton on at the moment, but we...”

“Yes. Yes. Yes! I can’t believe you’re letting me have this.” I feel my eyes burn. “We seem to have drifted so much over this past year.”

“That’s my fault,” Tyler puts in and slides my drink towards me before taking a sip of his own beer. “I’ve been keeping her busy.”

He’s right in a way. They’ve been on a couple of trips over the past year and I know that between school and work Hayley has dedicated her time to him, as she should have done.

“It’s nobody’s fault,” Hayley says, smiling warmly. “We’ve all been a bit occupied and that’s fine. Life goes on. You know what they say; a real friend isn’t a measure of how often you see each other, it’s how you’re there for each other that counts.”

“Something like that.” Tyler smirks and winks at his fiancée, kissing her temple and relaxing back into his seat.

“So, shall we discuss the elephant in the room?” Hayley asks quietly and I know she’s referring to Isaac.

“There’s nothing to talk about really. It was so strange seeing him and speaking to him for the first time.”

“Did you get a rush of feelings or anything dramatic?”

I laugh a little. “No. He’s promised to sign the papers tomorrow.”

“Thank god.”

“Not you too…”

“I just want to see you happy.” She holds up her hands defensively. “He didn’t make you happy.”

Why do people keep forgetting that I already know this? “I didn’t tell him about Silas.”

Her mouth drops open. “Why?”

“I was scared he’d make this divorce even harder for me.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“Babe…” Tyler frowns at her but she ignores him.

“I want you to be happy, Elle. You know that. I just… you were so bad after the first time. It took you ages to recover.”

I roll my eyes heavenward, wishing I hadn’t said anything. “I know, I know.”

“When do we get to meet Silas?” Tyler asks and I’m grateful for his intervention.

“We’ll set a date soon.” I grin, finally giddy over something. “You’re going to really like him, Hayley. He’s such a good guy.”

She relaxes and her smile returns. “Is it true?”

“Is what true?”

“Do black guys really have bigger…?” Tyler slaps a hand over her mouth before she can finish that sentence but it’s too late; we’re both already cackling wildly.

We finish eating the sharing platters that Tyler ordered for us before ordering food. The restaurant is quiet considering how many people are here, not that I’m surprised.

I’m glad when our old gang shows up by chance. It’s not surprising as it’s a small town and there are only three places to drink. They all come over to say hello, Riley included despite the fact he’s Hayley’s ex. It’s been a long time since I saw any of them beyond the internet. They’re all doing amazingly well and it makes me so happy to see.

I’m only the butt of a few jokes with regard to my husband. I expected a lot more but it seems everybody has grown up a little since we last met.

That was such an age ago. It doesn’t feel like four years; it feels more like twenty. It’s surprising how much people change in such a small space of time, although when Riley laughs hysterically over the bubbles he’s blowing into his drink I realise that maturity only came to a few of us.

“Oh my god,” Hayley says, staring at something over my shoulder not five minutes after our old gang left us to go and do their own thing. As nice as it was to see them, we’re all in different places now and the exchange, though nice, was also awkward. “Guess who just walked in.”

I know already. I feel those familiar tingles break out over my skin, the tingles I get when only he is near.

“Is he stalking you? Is he here on purpose?” Hayley whispers, still staring at him.

“Stop staring at him.” I roll my eyes before looking over my shoulder to catch a glimpse of him. His startled blue eyes meet mine. I see him say something to the man he’s with before placing his jacket on the back of a chair and coming towards us. “No. He isn’t.” I reply to her question because I can see in his eyes that he’s just as startled to see me as I am him, even though he knew I’d be coming out tonight; I told him so myself. I genuinely believe that we’ve just bumped into each other by mistake.

He stops beside the table and smiles warmly at us. “Hi, Hayley.” His eyes come to me. “Hi, Elle.”

The way he says my name is so soft and warm. It reminds me of how he used to say it when he was close to climax. A warm pressure happens between my thighs so I press them together and focus on everything but the image of Isaac thrusting into me.

“Isaac,” Hayley clips, her chin raised defiantly.

I bite on my lip to stop myself from laughing at her ridiculousness. Isaac raises his eyebrow and his lips tilt up at the corners.

“Tyler Banks, fiancé to this amazing woman.” Tyler stands and they shake hands before he retakes his seat.

“I won’t intrude on your time; I just thought I’d come and say hello. I didn’t want to be rude.” Isaac’s eyes come to mine. “Until tomorrow, Elle.”

He walks away and it’s not until he’s back at his table that I realise I didn’t say a word. What on earth is wrong with me?

“He wants you,” Tyler tells me quietly before bringing the beer to his lips.

Blink. “What?”

“You heard.” He shrugs a little and scans me with sympathetic eyes. “He wants you.”

“He hasn’t called me at all in four years.” That doesn’t sound like the behaviour of somebody who wants me.

Tyler’s eyes move to Hayley, who is watching him expectantly. She doesn’t believe him any more than I do. “I’m a man.”

“We know you are, sweetie.” She pats his chest.

He growls a little but I see the humour in his twinkling green eyes. “I know men. Men know men.”

“Silas said this same thing to me when we went to the cinema a few weeks ago and the popcorn guy was
apparently
flirting with me.” I put in and drain the rest of my drink. “I think he was just being friendly.”

“Did Silas get upset about it?” Hayley asks, leaning forward a little.

“No, he doesn’t ever get upset about anything. He’s so calm.”

“What’s he doing with your crazy arse then?”

“Ha ha,” I deadpan and go to stand, ready to get another round. “Same again, guys?”

“On me,” Tyler interrupts and pushes me back into my seat. “I’m a man. Men get drinks.”

“That makes me sad for your man wallet.” Hayley pinches his arse as he walks behind her to get to the bar.

I merely sit and laugh at their exchange. “Thank you for yet another drink.”

He waves me off and pushes past another table.

“Do you think Tyler is right? Did you get that vibe from Isaac?” Hayley whispers, covering her mouth with her hand when she says the name Isaac, probably so Isaac doesn’t lip read his name. She’s so ridiculous.

“Honestly, I don’t think so. It was all a bit surreal though.”

“I bet.”

“It felt more like he was… sorry… guilty.” I pause for a moment, trying to think of another way to explain it. “Yeah. Just guilt and sorrow.”

“Oh.”

“Yep.”

The urge to turn and look at the man across the room is almost unbearable but I refrain, purely because I don’t want him to think we’re talking about him behind his back.

I want to ask Hayley to describe what he’s doing. I want to ask her if he’s looking at me. I don’t though, purely because I don’t want her to read into it and think that I still want him or that I still harbour some feelings over him.

Which I don’t.

Like I said, it’s all just so surreal.