“Call me later. We’ll catch up.”
“Sure,” I tell him before hanging up and race from the room to try and catch up to Professor Franklin to decline his offer. Unfortunately he’s nowhere to be seen.
I’ll just have to tell him at our next class.
******
“I’m taking you home tomorrow,” Kira announces with a huge grin on her face.
I look up from my book. “What do you mean?”
“I mean it’s the first day of break, so I’m driving you home. You’re going to show me your hometown and then we’ll come back in time for work.”
Seriously?
I squeal and jump up to throw my arms around my friend. “You are amazing. Thank you!” I pull back. “But why?”
“You’ve been a miserable cow this week. You need to see your husband and yo’ momma.”
She’s not wrong, although I don’t relish the thought of seeing Isaac. I want to see him, I miss him, but I can’t deal with his moods right now. His dad was right; he’s become a miserable bastard and I don’t know why. He didn’t even cheer up when I apologised for shouting at him.
I feel like I’m on a see-saw with him. We’re just never on a level ground at the moment.
“Thank you!” I plant a wet one on her cheek. “Are you staying here for the night?”
She nods. “Yep, hence the bag I brought with me.”
It’s more like a suitcase. “How much shit you got in there?”
“Shut it, it’s mostly snacks.” She reaches inside and pulls out a tube of Pringles. “Nom.”
“I’m in love with you even more now.”
Isaac
I head into the lion’s den, aka my old teaching grounds. Classes are in session so I don’t suspect that I’ll run into anyone right now.
The halls are silent save for a few students loitering, no doubt skipping their class in plain sight. I ignore them and head towards my father’s office.
He has a new secretary. I immediately notice her when I step through the door and into the small room where students sit and wait to see their head teacher.
She smiles at me and tells me to go on through. My dad must have called ahead and told her I was coming.
It feels strange being back here.
After grabbing the plastic case full of paperwork from his desk, I give the secretary a wave and step back into the hall. My legs take me to my old classroom. I’m not sure if this was a conscious choice or not, but as soon as I see the young man in there, teaching my lesson, a strong wave of nostalgia hits me and I instantly hate the guy for having what I want.
What I want?
I scratch at my head and bite on my lip as I watch him through the open door.
What do I want?
Images of Elle come to mind, along with the images of me being back in Cambridge, in my old life. I suddenly find it hard to breathe and decide it’s best that I leave well enough alone. I made my decision and I’m happy with it.
My phone rings and rings but I don’t answer it. I’m not even sure why. There’s no excuse for me not wanting to speak to Elle; I just don’t.
“You going to answer?” Dad asks, his curiosity getting the better of him. I shake my head, quickly pocketing the phone. “Why not?”
“It’s nobody important.” My heart freezes at my own words. I can’t believe I just said them out loud.
“Bills?”
I nod, still lying with no idea as to why.
“Did the money I give you get you by?”
I nod again. It didn’t, but then he doesn’t know how much debt we’re in at the moment. It’s not a massive amount, but it’s more than I’ll be getting at the end of the month on payday. “Thanks for that.”
“No worries. You know I’m always here if you need me. You paid more than enough into your mum’s healthcare trust.”
He’s not wrong. I think of the amount of money I gave him last year and a deep longing to take it back hits the front of my mind. I shake my head, trying to rid myself of this sudden greediness that seems to be overwhelming me.
There’s a knock at the door and my dad stands. I watch him exit the room, wondering if he can see straight through my lies and deceit.
“Eloise!” he practically yells with happiness and I don’t believe my ears. “Who’s this young lady?”
“This is Kira,” I hear Eloise respond and my father introduces himself to her, no doubt shaking her hand.
“Come on in, both of you.” He tells them and they make their way into the room.
I instantly recognise Kira and the sharp blue eyes she owns, framed by thick black hair and skin as white as snow. She’s very pretty. I’ve seen her in photos on Eloise’s Facebook, but they don’t do her justice.
Her smile is sweet and friendly as she steps into the room, followed by Eloise and then my father. She glances over at my mother, who is currently sat in her usual chair, distracted by the TV.
“I’m Kira; you must be Isaac.” She says softly when her eyes leave my mother and hit mine. I nod and stand, enveloping her small hand in mine. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“All good I hope,” I respond like some huge cliché.
Eloise clears her throat as I drop Kira’s hand. I turn to her and almost physically melt under her green eyed gaze.
Her being here scares me. Her seeing me worries me. If there is anyone that can see through me, it’s Eloise.
What if she finds out everything before I can fix it? She’ll never forgive me.
This thought hurts me more than anything.
I can’t lose her over this stupid money bullshit; it’s not worth it.
“Hey you,” she says with a small smile on her lips.
Chapter Nineteen
Eloise
He kisses my cheek briefly and sits back down on the couch.
It stings, his quick dismissal of me like he only saw me twenty minutes ago instead of three weeks. I’m not sure what I was expecting though, maybe a broad smile and a kiss to defeat all others. That’s how he’s always greeted me in the past.
Right now, as Mr Price strikes up a conversation, asking what our plans are today, I watch Isaac with no small amount of disdain. He seems so irritated, guarded and displeased.
I take my seat beside him and place my hand over his. He doesn’t turn it over so we can lace our fingers together; instead he sits silently listening to the conversation between Kira and Mr Price.
“Didn’t you, Elle?” Kira giggles and I was too busy staring at Isaac’s blank profile to hear anything before that.
“Huh?”
“I was just telling John about your incident in the cafeteria a few weeks ago.”
I cringe, shuddering at the memory. I’d just bought lunch and was on my way through the cafeteria. I stumbled, grabbed hold of Kira’s arm and her tray toppled to the side, shedding its contents onto a poor unsuspecting law student.
“Those floors are slippery,” I grumble when they both continue laughing.
Isaac isn’t even paying attention. He’s now tapping away on his phone after a text came through.
“We should go,” I say, giving Isaac a nudge with my elbow as he stuffs his phone into his pocket. “You coming?”
He blinks himself out of his daydream and shakes his head. “You girls go have fun. I’ve got a few things to take care of.”
Pain sears through my very soul. “You don’t even have an hour for me?”
His eyes become round with regret. “Of course I do, but not right now. I’ll meet you in a couple of hours, okay?” He hooks an arm around my neck and kisses my forehead.
I sigh contentedly and hug him tight, even though he barely reciprocates with the one arm he uses to hug me back. “Fine, call me?”
“Sure.”
Mr Price glances between us with worried eyes. I look away, hating the pity I see there.
Pity at what, though? Isaac and I are fine, aren’t we?
Kira follows me out with John on
our heels. I still see Isaac through the living room window and my heart aches when I see how he’s slumped forward with his head in his hands.
Why the sorrow? I want to run back in there and hug him and tell him that I love him and that I’m here. I want to take whatever pain he’s harbouring away, but something tells me he won’t appreciate it.
Fuck… that hurts like hell.
“Everything okay?” Kira asks, eyeing the window I’m staring at. “Isaac seemed…”
“Yeah.” I shake my head, unwilling to address whatever the fuck that was back there. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to my mum. She’s going to love you.”
It’s my dad who greets us at the door and his wide smile and tight hug tells me he’s definitely happy to see me. I return it before introducing him to Kira.
“So what are you two ladies getting up to today?”
Kira shrugs. “We’re just seeing how it goes. Elle has to be back to start work at seven.”
“Wicked! Does this mean I can take you ladies to lunch?”
I wince. I doubt Kira wants to be stuck having lunch with my dad.
Shockingly she grins excitedly. “Sounds great to me…”
“Call me Darren,” he responds, leading us into the living room. I’ve missed this house.
“Where’s Mum?”
“She went to Scunthorpe for the day with friends. No doubt she’s shopping.” He rolls his eyes playfully. “I could call her?”
“Nah, I’m good hanging with you.” I turn to Kira. “Want to see my old room?”
“Is it as embarrassing as my room?”
I shake my head, thinking of her Twilight posters and huge cardboard cut-outs of her favourite celebrities lining her bedroom walls. “Nothing is more embarrassing than your room.”
She slaps my arm, feigning offence, and follows me up the stairs.
My room hasn’t changed since the day I left. Nostalgia hits me like a heavy wave of ice cold water. I shudder as an overwhelming push of emotion threatens to destroy my calm façade.
Kira notices. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m an adult now.”
“Yep, sucks doesn’t it?” Her arm goes around my shoulder. “Come on. Let’s have lunch with your dad, see Isaac and see all this tiny little town has to offer.”
I rest my head against hers for a moment, glad of the support. “You’re awesome; you know that, right?”
“Duh.” she grins.
My dad drives us to the place I went on Valentine’s Day when Isaac and I broke up and he decided to date his mum’s nurse, who also happened to be my ex Justin’s sister. It was awkward.
I compare my time with Isaac now to my time with Isaac then. He used to act like he needed me to breathe, but recently he’s been acting the opposite. Ever since our argument about money, nothing has been the same. On the phone he’s distant. He acts like I’m the last person he wants to be talking to; his tone is always clipped and almost bored sounding. And today, when I was in his presence, he barely even looked at me.
I feel… hell I don’t know what I feel.
“Chicken and bacon salad,” I say to the waitress when she comes to our table. Kira orders the lamb and my dad the steak.
Good choices.
I chose a light meal mostly because the turmoil my relationship is dealing to my body is making me feel nauseous.
“It’s good to meet Eloise’s friends. We haven’t had the chance since she started university.”
Kira smiles at me. “She’s great; we have a blast together.”
“That we do,” I agree, thinking of our many days and nights of laughter. “She’s my second Hayley.”
My dad chuckles and points at me with the drinks menu that he’s been fiddling with for the past few minutes. “Don’t let Hayley hear you say that.”
My phone lights up with a text and I pray that it’s Isaac. It’s not, but I’m not disappointed.
Damon: Two aerials meet on a roof - fall in love - get married. The ceremony was rubbish - but the reception was brilliant.
I let out a bark of laughter, startling Kira and my dad. “It’s Damon.”
“Oooh, what did he say?” Kira asks at the same time my dad enquires, “Damon?”
“Another friend from Uni, he’s cool.” I respond and show her the message.
She pouts a little. “He’s never sent me a joke message.”
“Tell him off then,” I chuckle as I quickly respond to the text.
Eloise: I said: Doc, I can't stop singing the 'Green Green Grass of Home'. He said: 'That sounds like Tom Jones syndrome'. 'Is it common?’ I asked. 'It's not unusual' he replied.
“What did you say?” She snatches my phone away and giggles. “That’s actually a good one.”
My dad continues playing with the menu like the poor third wheel he is right now. I shoot him an apologetic smile as my mood shifts from morbid to giddy. “Sorry, I’m being so ignorant.”
My father’s entire demeanour softens. “Don’t be sorry; it’s good to see you so happy.”
My giddiness soars further and suddenly I wish I ordered the steak too.
Ah well, less calories in a salad. My arse is starting to swell from all the junk food I’ve been eating. I think I’ve gained my freshman ten pounds already and I’m only in my fifth month.
“How’s the building coming along?”
“Building?” Kira interjects.
“My dad is renovating an old building. He’s turning it into a leisure centre of sorts. It’ll make this town so much better. It’s so boring here.”
“Cool.”
Dad places the menu down as our food is placed before us. “It’s coming along great. I have to admit, that husband of yours learns fast.”
I smile proudly. “Good.” And then another thought hits me. “If he’s doing a good job, why isn’t he on the rota more?”
My dad frowns, perplexed. “He’s on there as much as he needs to be. Why? Does he want more hours?”
I spear a piece of lettuce with my fork and shake the dressing from it. I’m too proud to tell my dad that we need more money, so I only shrug as a response.
His eyes narrow suspiciously but he doesn’t press the issue. “So, Kira, what are you majoring in?”
“Same as your dear daughter here - Business and Economics.”
“How’s it going?”
She sneers a little. “It’s awful. I’m terrible at it. I’m switching to something else, I just haven’t decided what yet. I’ve been trying to find what I’m good at for a while now.”
“You’ll figure it out. Why not take a few different courses outside of university? Things you find interesting perhaps?”
Kira looks thoughtful for a moment. “That’s not a bad idea actually. Thank you, Darren.”
He seems pleased with himself for helping and Kira now has a look on her face that screams ‘girl on a mission.’
Damon: Teacher: "Kids, what does the chicken give you?"
Student: "Meat!"
Teacher: "Very good! Now what does the pig give you?"
Student: "Bacon!"
Teacher: "Great! And what does the fat cow give you?"
Student: "Homework!"
Again I laugh out loud. He’s such a plonker.
Isaac finally texts me at three, which is annoying because we have to leave at four in order for me to get back for work on time.
We head back to my house and I give Kira the grand tour and tell her my plans for it as we wait for Isaac to get home.
“You’re going to make a kick arse architect.” She determines by the end of my excited rambling. “For real, you picked the wrong course this year.”
“Amen to that.”
“I’m so jealous. You have everything figured out.” Her face turns wistful. “You’ve got the house, the career plans, the hot husband…”
I kick her on the butt gently. “You’ll have it all one day.”
The grass is always greener.
“I hope so.�
�
“I might take interior design on the side. It won’t hurt to have that qualification.” I add, just as Isaac walks through the door. I race past Kira and throw my arms around him.
He places a hand on my hip as the other snakes around my back and I immediately notice it’s because he has a bag in the hand at my hip.
His soft, warm and slightly moist lips touch my neck before he releases me entirely.
“Hey, you.” He leans forward and kisses my lips for a long moment, enough to make me melt into him and want to take him upstairs so I can undress him and show him just how much I’ve missed every single glorious inch of his body. “Hey, Kira.”
“Hello, Isaac.” She twists a lock of her black hair around her finger. “How was your day?”
He dips his head. “It was boring. How was yours?”
“It was great,” I respond, smiling brightly at my friend. “My dad took us to lunch and then we went for a walk through the park and got way more ice cream than we could handle.”
“Way more, and I love ice cream so that’s saying something.” Kira giggles and Isaac motions for us to go into the room, which we do. “I didn’t believe Eloise when she said everybody knew everybody. We got stopped nine times in total. Everybody was so eager to see her.”
I blush a little. “Eight of them asked me if I’d married you.”
He winces. “Word travels fast.”
“Unfortunately,” I agree as I gauge his reaction to try and get a glimpse of how he feels about that. He has none.
He senses my eyes on him and smiles warmly before sitting beside me and pulling me into his side.
“You two are just adorable!” Kira grins from the chair by the fireplace. She takes a picture as I gaze lovingly up at my husband.
“Thanks for bringing her home.” Isaac gives me a squeeze and kisses the end of my nose. He mimes the words, “I love you.” And I return them with a smile, scrunching up my face when he nips at my nose with his teeth.
“Stop it,” I giggle, pushing him away and pulling myself up into a sitting position.
Destruction: The Distraction Trilogy #2 Page 24