Destruction: The Distraction Trilogy #2

by Murphy, A. E.

“The one near Zone?”

  “Yes.”

  “The one where Hayley’s mum works? Old Lloyds?”

  Fuck. “I don’t know.”

  “I could call her and check,” I point out, still disbelieving him and letting this feeling of dread consume me.

  He glares at me, “What the hell would you do that for? You’d make yourself look silly.”

  “It’s not the first time though, is it?” I bite out, no longer wanting to hold back from the shit I haven’t been saying to him.

  “What now?”

  “You’ve been drinking regularly with the guys from work.”

  His mouth drops open. “Are you checking up on me?”

  “Nope, just wondering why you haven’t said anything.”

  “I didn’t realise I fucking had to.” He runs his hands through his hair and stomps into the kitchen. “Can we stop this? It’s stupid. So what…”

  “Don’t… don’t you dare.” He blinks, shocked at my tone and honestly, I’m shocked by the harshness in it too. “I’m not allowed to party; I’m not allowed to drink with friends; I’m not allowed to have fun if it involves anybody but you and sometimes Kira; I’m not even allowed to buy myself some fucking underwear. I’m on such a fucking short leash… yet you… you can do whatever you want to?”

  His mouth opens and then closes, before opening again when he finally decides what to say. “I sent you money to have fun!”

  “With Kira. Your specific instructions were for me to have fun with a female friend.”

  “And you did and you continue to.”

  He’s just not getting it. He’s not getting it and it is frustrating the hell out of me. I want to throw something. I want to cry. I want to walk out. “You’re such a hypocrite. You’ve been lying to me.”

  “When have I lied?”

  “Just then! You said you hadn’t been drinking when you had.”

  “Because I didn’t want to upset you!”

  My hands fist by my sides. “I’m not you, Isaac. Yyou don’t have a stupid leash!” I know I’m yelling. I can’t recall a time I’ve yelled so loudly. “I feel suffocated!”

  “I’m just trying to protect you!”

  “Well stop!”

  We stare at each other for a long moment, my chest heaving whereas his is calm and his breathing is soft. His lips part and his pupils dilate. “You know, you’re actually really sexy when you’re mad.”

  “Go fuck yourself,” I spit and spin on my heel before stomping back upstairs.

  “Elle…”

  “Nope. Not interested.”

  “Elle.” his tone is whiney this time. “I’m sorry… I just…”

  I push the door shut behind me with my arm and climb into our bed, making sure to pull the blanket over my head and hold it tight to me.

  He doesn’t come in. He knocks on the door instead. “Elle? I’m sorry. I’ll give you more space. I just don’t want you to get hurt and I know on a personal level what boys your age are like.”

  “I wouldn’t know; I never talk to any.”

  I hear him blow out a breath. “You’re right. I’m suffocating you. I’m sorry. I just… I can’t stand the thought of losing you, especially not to some arsehole who will never treat you right.”

  “I’m not talking anymore.”

  “Elle…” The door opens and seconds later the bed dips. “Don’t hide from me.”

  “You lied.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Doesn’t help this situation right now. I’m too…” I whip the blanket from my head and stare at him, our faces inches from each other. “I’m hurt, actually. Pretty sure our vows stated that we’d be trusting and faithful and we’d never keep things from each other.”

  “It’s been a really hard month, Elle,” he whispers, brushing the backs of his fingers against my cheek. “It’s been so fucking hard. It’s easier when you’re here, but when you’re not… It’s miserable. I miss you and I’m working a job I hate that is draining me dry of any and all energy my body has.” His forehead knocks against mine. “Just bear with me. I’ll do better and I’ll learn to trust you more.”

  That was seriously the wrong thing to say. “You’ll learn to trust me more?”

  “Elle.” I yank back as he pitifully says my name. “You know…”

  “You’re so infuriating! I haven’t done anything to damage your trust in me!” My anger and disappointment rise further. “Where were you really?”

  “I was at that place down the main street near Zone, like I originally said. The one with the bay windows.”

  I don’t believe him. “Who were you with?”

  “I was honestly alone. I had a beer and I came home.”

  “Alone?” My chest tingles at the thought of him sitting with another woman. Is that why he’s lying? Is he seeing somebody else? Is he seeking comfort from somebody that isn’t me?

  No… I’m not doing that to myself. I trust him.

  I have to trust him.

  “Really?” I rasp, my voice barely with me right now. My body feels almost painful. Nothing is right about this situation.

  “I promise. It was just me and the bar staff and the locals.” His lips touch mine briefly and he pushes me back onto the mattress before I can push him away. “I hate coming home to an empty house so I try to delay it as much as I can. Plus beer makes me drowsy, so sometimes I’ll have one and then I’ll come home and sleep.”

  His words touch me and force the anger that I’m clinging onto to dissipate. I’m being childish. I’m asking him to take a step and I’m sat here accusing him. I need to calm down and sleep on this.

  I stroke the back of his hair and pull his head to my chest. He relaxes against me, his head snug between my breasts. “Don’t lie to me again. We don’t need that in what we have. We need honesty if we’re going to work long distance.”

  “I know.”

  “And no more controlling me or making me feel shit for unwinding, seeing as you have been doing the same.”

  He nods against me and moves his body into a more comfortable position. “I really pissed you off.” He says and I growl, not wanting to touch on that subject right now. “I’ve never seen you so angry, apart from the time you slapped me.”

  “Don’t. I don’t want to think about it.”

  “I wasn’t lying when I said you’re sexy when you’re angry.” He kisses the swell of my breast and gives it a soft lick as his hand works at the tie of my robe.

  “Don’t.” I push his head away by placing my palm on his forehead. “Can we just go to sleep?”

  He frowns but doesn’t push it. “Fine, but only if you take the dressing gown off.”

  I do as he says and watch as he throws it on the floor, which is littered with his clothing. Slob.

  “Are we all made up now?” He whispers as he curves his body around the back of mine.

  Are we? “Does this mean I can enjoy my first year experience like a normal person?”

  He tenses but nods against my neck, placing a gentle kiss on my shoulder. “I’ll try to be more… less… I don’t know. I’ll just try.”

  “Thank you.”

  “How did you get home early?”

  “Train. I wanted to surprise you.” Turning, I rest my arm over his chest and hold on tight.

  “What about work?”

  “She hasn’t put me on the rota for the next two weeks. She doesn’t like me and I have a horrible feeling I’m going to get fired soon.”

  He sighs deeply. “It’s okay, we can afford it. I’ll just send you money each week.”

  “You shouldn’t have to. I can provide for myself.”

  His lips touch my forehead, instantly soothing me of all stress. “You are providing for yourself. I’d rather send you money and know that you can come home on the weekends. One day you’ll graduate and you’ll be earning more than me.”

  “Doesn’t that bother you? I know some people get weird about that.”

  “If it happen
s, why would it bother me? It means I’ll get a new car.”

  I laugh. I can’t disagree with that. “Me too. How’s the building coming along?”

  “Slowly, but I’m getting the hang of things.”

  This makes me a lot happier. “And my dad? Is he being… amicable?”

  “As amicable as one can be to the man who stole his daughter.”

  I laugh louder and roll fully onto his front so my hips are between his legs and my head is on his chest. “I think I might dye my hair dark brown. What do you think?”

  “That’s random, but to answer your question, I think I’ll divorce you if you do.”

  “My hair, my rules.”

  “Nuh-uh, my hair, my rules, my wife.”

  “It’ll be nice to have a change.”

  He rolls us over and kisses me sweetly, his tongue barely teasing mine as his soft lips move languidly with my own. “Mine.”

  “Fine. I won’t dye my hair.”

  “Good.”

  I gasp when he adjusts his hips and poises himself at my entrance. When the hell did he pull down his boxers? “Ready?”

  A squeak escapes me when he pushes aside the fabric of my underwear and slowly sinks in.

  His face is alight with mischief. “I love you, Elle.”

  A shiver runs through me and a gasp of pleasure is all I can respond with.

  Chapter Nine

  Isaac

  The first few days of Elle’s homecoming are basically full of mundane tasks, according to her. I’m not there, so I can only know what she tells me. The cupboards are stocked and the cleaning is done by the time I get home from work each night, which is definitely nice, and I know that I need to repay that little blessing.

  If I were still a teacher I’d be at home with her now.

  I just hope her mother and my parents are keeping her amused during their visits. I’m sick of smelling bleach when I come home, although her dinners are just perfection.

  I should really cook for her soon, but I’m just so exhausted all of the time.

  Elle is not going to be happy when she sees the state of me. There was an unfortunate accident involving myself, Tony, some guy called Simon and a large bag of cement dust. We had to get hosed down so I’m soaking wet, covered in lumpy grey shit and filthy from head to toe.

  I’m not wrong. She’s not happy to see me like this and has me strip in the garden before hosing me down herself.

  “Can I come in now?” I beg as she scrubs at my neck with a foamy sponge that stinks of lemons. “Please?” My teeth chatter and I just know I’m going to get ill if I remain out here for another second.

  She sighs, nods and wraps me in a towel. “I’ve put the fire on in the room.”

  “You can’t, the chimney…”

  “Has been cleaned and I’ve had the fireplace checked over. Just go relax and I’ll run you a bath.”

  “Why the hell couldn’t you have done that in the first place?”

  She throws my clothes into a bin liner and drops it by the door before locking us in and guiding me into the room. It’s warm, too warm, in the best possible way. “Because that’s cement powder; it clogs the piping.” Makes sense I guess. “Get warm.”

  And then she’s gone and I hear the bath running only two minutes later.

  When she comes back down, she places a robe over my shoulders and kisses my cheek. “You look all cute and snug.”

  “Cute?”

  “Like a bug in a rug.”

  “Like a bug in a rug?”

  “Stop repeating what I’m saying.”

  “Let me find my manhood that you just completely destroyed with those comments.”

  She giggles and I take this spare moment to admire her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes. It’s moments like this, the little moments when she shows how deeply she cares for me, that make me love her so much more.

  I think I might just be the luckiest man alive.

  I have an intelligent, independent, beautiful, charming, fascinating and funny young woman. She’s mine. From her red hair down to her pink painted toenails, she’s all mine and she loves me.

  I startle her by pulling her onto my lap as I sit snuggled in the corner of the couch. I don’t hesitate to let her know just how obsessed I am with her in only one kiss.

  Her sigh is one of contentment and warmth. I know she feels the same way I do right now - happy, settled, stable and in love.

  I hope this feeling never ends for either of us.

  Eloise

  “I don’t want this to end,” I pout, holding Hayley’s hand as we skip down the street behind her younger brother. Both of us are dressed as dead teenagers because neither could afford a new outfit, so we just tore up some old clothes and added blood and fake gashes. Her little brother is Iron Man and an adorable one at that. We watch closely as he knocks at doors and accepts each treat with such good manners. “I don’t want to leave Isaac; he’s being so bloody attentive.”

  “You’re so lucky. The guy I’m dating in Boston belches and farts every three seconds. He’s lucky he’s hot.”

  I cringe. “Yeah, that’s gross.”

  “So is the smell.”

  Yuck. “Anyway, last night he cooked for me and cleaned up afterwards. We sat for hours in front of the fire, just talking and play fighting… I don’t think I’ve ever loved him more. Best birthday ever.”

  Hayley pouts. “That’s what I want. I want all of that and more. Does he have a big penis?”

  “I’m not answering that.”

  She grins wickedly. “He has a big penis.”

  “Shut up. You’re not funny.”

  “I’m not trying to be funny; I’m trying to be nosey. Threesome?”

  I slap her arm, berating her further with a scowl that could kill. “Are we done yet? This is so boring.”

  Hayley checks the time on her phone and nods. “We’ll start heading back now.”

  “Tonight is going to be so much fun!”

  “Dancing, drinking, partying, meeting guys...”

  “Everything minus the last part for me.”

  “I get it, you’re married. Stop throwing it in my face!” Hayley laughs and releases my hand so she can grab the back of her brother’s costume and guide him in the right direction.

  Meanwhile, I wrap my arms around my frozen form and pray we get to Skegness quickly. Thanks to Hayley, transportation has been arranged. We just have to get Isaac and go.

  Isaac

  I sit in the back of a minivan with Hayley and Eloise on either side of me. Their friends, who I don’t recognise, chat loudly in the seats ahead, turning back every so often to join in the conversation and take pictures.

  I feel awkward. This isn’t fun.

  I’m more than a decade older than these people. Part of me is wishing I’d told Elle to go with her friends, but there is no way in hell I’m letting her travel to Skegness with a bunch of guys. I can pretend to enjoy myself; it’s only one night.

  Who knows? If I fill myself with a few shots, I might actually end up having fun.

  “Smile,” Elle hisses and I know she’s annoyed at me for being a wet blanket, but I can’t help how uncomfortable I feel.

  I force a smile and kiss her nose, my eyes wandering over the fake blood trickling from her mouth and ears, as well as the large, fake gash on her neck. Her hair is in loose pigtails and her skirt is far too short, but she does look good.

  “You’re going to be the only person that isn’t dressed up; you know that, right, Isaac?” Hayley giggles, looking me up and down. “Fake blood? You can be dead teacher. We can pretend we’re a field trip gone wrong.”

  “I’ll pass,” I say, sinking into the corner and keeping my eyes on the window. Elle quickly forgets I’m here and enjoys the conversation. Thank God.

  The first club we enter is crowded and I’m glad to see I’m not the only guy here over twenty eight; it makes me feel a little better.

  I manage to push through to the bar with Elle’s han
d in mine and order us two shots and two drinks. If we’re going to drink, we might as well do it the right way.

  She downs hers eagerly after clinking our glasses and waits for me to do the same. Two seconds later I’m ordering another and she’s dragging me over to Hayley, who seems content to suck the face of one of the guys we drove here with.

  “Dance, dance, dance,” Elle chants in her friend’s ear and Hayley finally releases the dazed looking male.

  When Hayley nods her agreement, Elle reaches for my hand but I pull back. I’m unwilling to dance until I feel at least a small buzz of drunkenness. She looks disappointed but leaves me with the guys.

  It’s not lost on me the amount of eyes that follow my girl and her friend as they make their way to the crowd of dancers by the DJ.

  Even more eyes go to them when they both start dancing, and it’s definitely not lost on me that not only is Elle a good dancer, but she and Hayley are only a few moves away from joining the ranks of elite female strippers.

  My mouth goes dry as I watch them move together, laughing and smiling at each other as they lose themselves in the music. My eyes remain on Elle, no doubt intense and full of lust like the throbbing length in my trousers.

  It’s normal, I chant over and over in my mind. In this day and age teenage girls and older tend to dance this way.

  The crowd gathers and I can’t seem to catch more than a few movements of the girls. Too many dancing people crowd them.

  It’s then I notice that the guys I was standing with have left me to join the crowd. I quickly gulp down my drink and slam my glass on the table before pushing through in search of the beautiful red head, fearful of the attention she might have garnered.

  When I do find her, I’m not wrong. I watch as she shakes her head at a young male who seems to want to dance behind her, basically by rubbing his crotch against her arse.

  He seems to accept her no with a huge smile and a wink before turning his attention elsewhere.

  It’s then that my eyes connect with Elle’s and the wicked grin that lights up her face scares me a little.

  I try to run, but she has a hold of me before I can take a step.