Destruction
By A. E. Murphy
Copyright © 2015 A. E. Murphy
Kindle Edition
All rights reserved.
DEDICATION
To Rivka, my editor and my friend and also a fellow author. We have to experience the bad in order to appreciate the good. Things will get better. They always do and until they do, know that you have a friend with you always.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Contact Details
SINGLEISH
Acknowledgements
To my dear friend Elizabeth Butts, one of the greatest women I know. I’m so honoured to have met you and to be able to call you friend, even if it’s from afar you’ve been a constant in my life for a while now and I love you for it.
To my readers, for forever supporting me and being so patient. You’re all amazing and I love writing for you, nothing gives me more pleasure. Except maybe cake... and hot biker dudes but let’s not go into too much detail.
Elisia Goodman of Dedicated Ink. You continue to amaze me with your determination to get stuff done. You’re one of the smartest, bravest women I know for going after your dream. I wish you all the best and I love you to pieces.
Charlena Barclay… smells.
Kidding! I love you lots, without you I’d go crazy every day, you understand me on a level that most people don’t and nor will they ever.
Rivka, I hereby promise to never use: whilst, before, and you’re not wrong ever again. I’m considering taking a crash course in grammar. I seriously have so much to learn and I’m grateful to have you to save my work from myself. I’m such a menace and my grammar sucks, you’re not wrong. *Giggle*
Prologue
Eloise (To everyone who matters): Hi, France is great. I’ll be home in 2 weeks… also I got married yesterday. Love you <3
Mum: I think I need to lie down…
Dad: To whom? If it’s who I think it is… Why aren’t you answering your phone?
Dad: It is, isn’t it? Are you pregnant?
Dad: He’s your TEACHER! This will ruin you. Do you hear me? If anyone finds out about this…
Dad: ANSWER YOUR PHONE!
Hayley: You think you’re so funny… I’ve been gone for, like, fifteen hours… I knew I should have dragged you with me.
Hayley: Your dad just called. Holy fuck… you’re not kidding? WHY WASN’T I INVITED?
Hayley: IF YOU DON’T ANSWER YOUR PHONE THIS SECOND I’M GOING TO KILL YOU IN YOUR SLEEP! I’M COMING BACK RIGHT NOW! I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR THIS, ELOISE BLACKBURN BITCH HEAD FACE FLAPS!
Mum: Are you sure this is what you want? I think it’s rushed and stupid but it’s too late to change it now… well, you could always have it annulled if you haven’t done the deed yet. At least I think that’s how it works. Will you answer your phone? Your dad has lost his mind just so you know… thank you for that.
******
Isaac (To everyone who matters): Dad, I’m in France. I’ll be home tomorrow. Long story short, I got married. See you soon.
Dad: We’ll talk when you’re home. Until then I’ll be drinking a bottle of whiskey and figuring out damage control with Eloise’s father. And yes, he’s severely pissed off. I just hope he doesn’t have a gun this time. P.S. Your mother says congratulations…
Chapter One
Isaac
I wait patiently with my bag in hand for my dad to pick me up as he insisted he would do. Taxis and cars go by and even though I should be cold and frustrated, I’m not. I honestly can’t stop smiling.
“At least somebody looks happy,” my dad calls tiredly through the open window after pulling up.
I throw my bag in the boot and fold myself into the passenger seat. “I am.”
“Be honest, Son.” He pulls away from the curb, his eyes as tired as his voice. “Is she pregnant?”
“What am I, eighteen? Shit no, she’s not pregnant.”
He shakes his head slowly. “You love her that much you’d give up everything you’ve worked for?”
“How have I given everything up exactly? She was eighteen when we first even did anything. Not that it’s any of your business.”
His hands clench on the steering wheel, turning his knuckles white. “Of course it’s my business! Not only are you my now married, son, but you’re also my staff and Eloise was my student. My student who I was supposed to protect!” I open my mouth to respond but he raises his hand, immediately silencing me. “Your career is over, at least for a little while.”
“Don’t be unreasonable.”
“It’s both of your words against a shit load of judgemental people if anybody finds out about this. People in town know how close Eloise is to our family. Nobody is going to believe this fairy tale bullshit.”
He has a point. “We’ll make them believe. We’re married…”
“Again, she’s a minor.”
“Was a minor, three years ago may I add?”
I feel his burning anger before I see his sideways glance at me. “This has come too soon after Diplock. That’s still an ongoing case; you are aware of that, right? You and Diplock were sort of friends. They’ll think this is some kind of conspiracy to trap young, vulnerable females.”
I wet my drying lips as the reality of his words sinks in and causes a torrent of emotions to batter against my ribcage, panic being the main emotion. “Eloise and I aren’t and never were like Diplock and Shannon. He did take advantage of her.”
“Exactly!” His hands leave the steering wheel as he throws them up in the air to emphasise his frustration. “Exactly. Now do you see where I’m coming from?”
I remain silent, thinking of ways to try and smooth this over. “I’ll leave the school for a while, get another job until it blows over.” Of course I’m hoping he says not to. I’m hoping that he tells me we’ll figure it out while I still have my career in teaching. I’m not stupid though.
“And we’ll pray that that protects your reputation.”
I shrug. “I’m not sure I care. I love her. She’s worth it.”
“It’s times like this that love is irrelevant. I know you love her; I see the way you look at her. I trust you and I trust her, but I’ve watched you grow closer. I know you’re telling the truth. You aren’t the kind of man who takes advantage of young girls and, to be honest, Eloise is far too strong to ever let you.” He pauses and the silence between us is almost dramatic. “I hope she is at least.”
“We’ll figure it out.” I scratch my neck and stare ahead. “What’s done is done. I’m a grown man. I know what I want and I’m happy with my decision.”
“Elle is still young, Isaac. She doesn’t have a clue what she wants. What if she decides in a couple of months that she’s changed her mind? You’ve screwed u
p your future for no reason.”
I shrug. “If that’s what she decides, then that’s what she decides. She knows her own mind. It’ll hurt but I won’t regret it.”
“So, are you leaving town? Going back to Cambridge?”
I sigh. “No, I’m staying in town. I’m looking for a new place and I’m living there with Elle whenever she comes home.”
“A new place and no job… sounds like a great plan.”
I bite my tongue to stop myself from lashing out. I get why he’s angry and I’ll let him have that. I’m his son; he’s worried and thinks I’ve made a mistake. He’ll soon change his mind. “I have savings that will tide me over until I find a job. Don’t worry about that; I’ll figure it out. I’m not leaving you and Mum right now.”
I see the spark of emotion in his eyes before it diminishes. He was worried I’d leave. As messed up as this situation is, he wants me around still. This is good news.
“When’s Elle coming back?”
“In two weeks.”
“Surprised she didn’t come back with you.” His voice is gruff.
“I wouldn’t let her. She’s got two weeks left of her trip and I want her out of the way while I do damage control and find us a place to live.”
He blows out a long breath before finally saying, “You just couldn’t fall in love with someone your own age, could you?”
I smile. “Nope.”
“Well, like you said, what’s done is done. Good luck with damage control. Try not to get stabbed again.”
“Duly noted.”
“If it makes you feel any better, Mrs Blackburn has been talking her husband round. She’s not happy about it, but she’s not stupid either. She knows the more she pulls that girl, the more she pushes her away.”
Yeah, Elle isn’t one who likes to be controlled; I’ve learned that the hard way. I smile at those memories as I twist my wedding band around my finger. It feels foreign and out of place, but not in a bad way. I’m just not used to it being there.
I miss her already. I wish I didn’t have to leave her in France, but we just can’t afford for me to stay there for two more weeks. I’d have to buy a new ticket and get us a new room, seeing as she’s sharing with Hayley. That’s money that could go towards a new place and a new life for the both of us.
I’ll give her a special honeymoon one day. I’ll give her anything she wants to make her happy.
“I know a few places in town are hiring; I circled them in the newspaper at home.”
I stare at my dad, wondering when the hell he found the time to do that over the weekend.
He shrugs innocently. “I can’t have you back in my school for a while. I’m sorry, but it’s too risky for all of us, not just for you. I wasn’t sure if you’d be leaving or not, but figured I’d better have something prepared if you decided to stay.”
Good point. “I love her. I had to do it.”
“I get it. I’ve felt that love. I feel that love every single day for your mum. I just wish you’d waited. Eloise deserves to experience life a bit first. She’s going to university and she’ll be coming home every weekend while her friends are partying and dating and having the time of their lives.” He releases the tight grip he had on the steering wheel and glances at me. “You should have let her have that.”
“She doesn’t want it.”
“Yet. She doesn’t want it yet.”
“I know it’ll be hard.”
He lets out a laugh. “Son, you’ve never been in a relationship before. When the thrill of this one wears off, and it will, you’ll look back at this conversation and think, well fuck, I wish I’d listened and just waited.”
I ignore him; he’s not right. Eloise is different and so am I. I can keep her and she can keep me. This is our choice; this is what we want.
“On another note, I’m glad you’re sticking around for your mother. She’s deteriorating fast.” His eyes mist over with sadness as the same emotion torments me deep inside. “Her Alzheimer’s is progressing far quicker than expected, as you know, and… I appreciate you sticking around.”
“For you too,” I state, sharing a moment with my dad that we’ve never shared before. “I’m sorry I was such a dick growing up. I just wanted out. I was bored and needed… well… Whatever I thought I needed, I didn’t find.”
“Until now…” He finishes for me, referring to Elle.
I nod, smile and rest my head back. “Wake me up when we get there.”
Eloise
Hayley and I exit the airport, both of us feeling giddy and excited to be home but equally sad to have had to leave.
“I really, really, can’t wait to climb into my bed and sleep. I bet Mum put my butterfly bedding on. I bet she washed it using that strawberry scented liquid crap too.” Hayley sighs wistfully, doing a three sixty turn with her arms out. “That’s what I’ll miss the most when I go to University.”
“I’ll miss you kicking me all night every night.” We both know that I’m not going home with her. I’ll be going home to my husband.
Husband.
Giggle.
I’m a married woman. I want to shout it out loud, but refrain from doing so with difficulty. Besides, I’ve been doing it the past two weeks in France and it’s shocking how many of the passers-by thought I was talking about myself and Hayley.
“You’re still glowing. I might get married just to get that glow.” Hayley pinches my cheek and points towards the drop off point. “I think he’s for you.”
I look and sure enough there he is, my husband, standing in dark jeans and a white top with an extremely large bouquet of flowers in his hand.
My legs carry me forward and I drop my bags, throwing myself at him. Wrapping my legs and arms around him , I inhale his scent and taste his smiling lips. “God I missed you.”
“I missed you more.”
“Don’t mind me; I’ll just carry three suitcases,” Hayley grumbles, pulling my bag along with hers.
“I should help,” Isaac says as I tuck his beautiful blonde hair behind his ears and plant kisses all over his face. I slide down his body and snatch my flowers, inhaling their fragrance deeply. So pretty. “Hi Hayley.”
“Hey, Sir.” She scratches her chin as Isaac piles the bags into the boot of the car. “Do I call you ‘Sir’ still?”
“Isaac is fine,” he responds, his eyes drifting to me as he closes the boot.
“Did we get a house?” We all climb into the car and buckle up.
Isaac nods. “We did, but…” He brings my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “It needs a lot of work doing to it.”
My eyes light up as I smile wide, feeling even more excited than before. “Really?”
“I forgot that that piece of information would probably excite you.”
“Duh.” I hold his hand over the console and turn back to look at my friend, who is already texting. I roll my eyes and leave her to her messages. “What about the job situation?” We’ve spoken a few times over the past two weeks while I’ve been away and, even though I feel awful that he’s lost his job, I don’t regret slipping that ring over his knuckles and kissing the top of it after saying ‘I do.’
He winces and shakes his head. “I haven’t heard back yet.”
“You will; don’t worry. I’ll be transferring stores.”
“Is that definite?”
I nod, smiling again. “My tuition for university is already paid. My accommodation is paid for the next year, so I’ll be able to put towards home, after expenses. We’ll just have to stretch our money.”
His face falls. “I can provide for you just fine; you won’t need to be sending money back.”
“Okay, well then I’ll save it towards future holidays and petrol costs.”
He kisses my hand. I love it when he does that. “We’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, you will be,” Hayley adds absently, her eyes still on her phone. “It’s like a real life love story; everything works out good in the end in love st
ories.”
I raise a brow, along with Isaac. “For the first time ever I think I see how lucky you are to have me and not that.”
“Hey!” Hayley snaps, giggling profusely. “I’m not that bad.”
“How did damage control go?” My voice sounds nervous even though I tried to sound normal.
“Well, your dad punched me.” Now I’m angry. “But I let him have that one. That’s all he did. He hasn’t been back since.” I blow out a breath, calming myself effectively. “I think your mum likes me; she said you’d love the house and that, as different as you and your father seem, in that way you’d be similar.”
“My mum is sweet; she’s a bit of a pushover but she’s a good person.”
“Now that I agree with,” Hayley puts in, stretching out on the back seat. “This is so weird. I’m in my teacher’s car and he’s been sleeping with my best friend.”
Face palm.
“I’m just saying it’s weird, not that I don’t approve.” She adds.
“You approve anybody with a penis and a six pack.”
She laughs and nods. “Yeah, I agree with that too.”
After dropping Hayley at her family home, we don’t waste another second driving to our new one. I’m giddy and excited to see what he’s chosen for us. I know he’s worried that I’ll think it’s a dump, as he’s said many times during the drive home, but I don’t care.
It’s ours; it’s special; it’s our first house together and I get to fix it up.
“I love it!” I announce before we’ve even fully pulled into the driveway.
There is a garage but the door is broken. I don’t care. We’ll fix it.
“The windows are in good shape but they’re thin; we’ll need double glazed, particularly in the front room.” Isaac explains, taking my hand after I exit the car.
Destruction: The Distraction Trilogy #2 Page 1