Rubbing my eyes doesn’t help, though I do it anyway. All hopes I had of an answer appearing before me are lost when I open them and see nothing but my parent’s small, closed off yard. I’m not even sure what I was hoping would appear.
Maybe Elle…
Chapter Two
Eloise
I giggle and roll onto my back as Silas digs his fingers into my sides and bites at my neck. I was trying to work but that’s no longer an option. When Silas wants my attention, he gets it and, if he doesn’t get it, he tickles it out of me.
I hate being tickled. I don’t think I’ve ever met a person who enjoys it, if I am totally honest. Luckily he never takes it too far and stops after a moment.
Tickling seems to be the beginning of foreplay today because his biting becomes sucking and soon my laughter turns into moaning.
My phone rings as his lips touch mine. We both groan, annoyed by the interruption. Today is the first day in five weeks that we’ve both had the same day off together. Our schedules are always busy, juggling school, jobs and then our newest project. Until school is done with, we prioritise our romance last. That’s actually one of the reasons I chose to take things further with Silas. He’s like me in the sense that he doesn’t want his love life to sabotage his career.
“Leave it,” he whispers against my neck but I refuse. It might be the builders.
It isn’t; it’s my solicitor… finally! It has been six weeks since she posted the papers to Isaac. Maybe she finally has a response. I told her not to call until she does, purely because she charges me otherwise.
A feeling of dread overcomes me that I can’t place. “Hello?”
“Miss Blackburn.” Karen Browning’s high pitched voice sounds through the speaker. Surprisingly she has the voice of a child, yet it doesn’t detract from her poise and formality. It takes a bit of getting used to, though.
“What’s the news?”
“There isn’t any.” She pauses, leaving me to question what the hell she means. “I’ve sent the forms to all three addresses we have for him. I’ve sent the last two as signed for.”
“Okay. So… what’s the issue?”
“He is ignoring them.”
I blink. “Which means?”
“Exactly what I just said. This complicates things.”
“But he’s definitely receiving them?”
“Definitely.”
“He’s just… ignoring them?”
“Like I said.”
I blow out a breath. “Why? I don’t understand.”
“Nor do I.” I hear the tell-tale sign of her fingers tapping away on the keyboard to her computer.
“Is it the terms? Doesn’t he agree?”
“Until I speak with him, I won’t know. He doesn’t have any representation for me to converse with either.”
I bite on my lip and sit upright. Silas follows, his concerned eyes on me. “So what do I do now?”
“Two choices. One will cost you and one won’t.”
I don’t even have to ask her what those two choices are. I was hoping to avoid any kind of confrontation with Isaac. I’m not sure why; it just feels like this will be easier if I don’t have to communicate with him personally.
“Thank you, Karen.” I hang up after a swift goodbye and turn to Silas. “Fuck.”
“Is that an offer or a curse?” He jokes, trying to lighten the mood. No doubt he heard everything that was said.
I run my fingers along his smooth cheek before following it with a kiss and standing. “I should go.”
“Seriously? We haven’t had a moment like this together in forever.”
He’s right, I know it, but this has to be done. “I’ve got two days off. I need to make use of them.”
Silas, forever the understanding partner, nods his head and stands with me. “Do you want me to come with you?”
I let out a tired sigh, wishing I could just curl back up on his sofa and forget my troubles. “No, you’ve got enough to do already.”
He doesn’t push it and again I’m thankful for him and the calming energy he puts out into the world. I soak it up when he wraps his arms around me. “I’ll go into work today and change my day off.”
“Don’t be silly; there’s that shooting game you wanted to play. Hole yourself up in your room and have a day to yourself.”
He grins and kisses my nose, though now that Isaac is in my mind all it does is remind me of the way he used to do that. I hate Isaac for tainting something so sweet.
But then again, I hate Isaac for a lot of things. Four years just isn’t long enough of a gap between our meetings.
Silas walks me to the door, his lips on mine, and I see nothing but trust in his eyes when he lets me go.
Isaac would have insisted on coming with me. He’d have followed me to my ex and marked his territory the entire time. It’s shocking how different they both are. This was all I wanted from Isaac. Trust.
I mentally punch myself.
Why am I suddenly comparing them?
Damon: Are you free for dinner at mine?
Damon and I are still tight and are still friends. We’re living proof that men and women can be platonic.
Eloise: No can do. I have a ton of stuff to do today.
Damon: Tomorrow?
Eloise: My solicitor called. I’ve got to get in touch with you know who to discuss the divorce. I might have to take a trip home.
Damon: I’m coming over. This sounds good.
Eloise: I just said I’m busy!
He doesn’t respond. No doubt he’s getting into his car right now. I’m not about to tell him that I’m half an hour from home and stuck in traffic. If he’s that interested in seeing me, he can wait.
I drive back to my apartment, the same apartment that I lived in with Jordan. He moved out two years ago once he graduated. We keep in touch, though infrequently. It’s a shame but it is life.
“I did buy you ice-cream but I ate it,” Kira announces the second I step into my apartment. She fortunately took up residence in Jordan’s old room when he moved out. If she hadn’t, I would have had to look for another room mate.
So far it’s been turbulent. Kira and I get on well but sometimes we grate on each other and that’s fine. We’ve learned when to turn and leave the room in order to save our friendship.
Unfortunately for her she never did score Damon, although she did score Jordan for a few nights. She still swoons over him.
“What’s going on then?” Kira asks, running her fingers through her short, layered bob.
“She’s going to see Isaac,” Damon responds for me as I pad into my room and begin packing my overnight bag.
“Why?”
Eye roll. “You’re both so nosy.”
“This is juicy gossip. Why do you need to see Isaac?” Kira jumps onto my bed, effectively messing up my neat bedding. I frown. “I thought you paid for that snotty solicitor to deal with this for you?”
“I did.” Blowing my fringe from my face, I check the list in my mind and then check my bag.
“So… what went wrong?” Damon leans against the door jamb with a tub of ice cream in one hand and a spoon in the other.
“I thought you’d eaten it all?” I give Kira an accusatory stare as Damon dips the spoon into the tub and stuffs more than he can manage into his mouth.
She ignores me. “What’s the plan of action? Why do you have to see him? Can’t you just call him?”
I blow out a breath. “No.” Giving them both a pointed look, I snatch the ice cream and spoon from Damon. “It’ll be more effective if I go to him myself. I have a feeling he won’t be partial to a phone call from me.”
“Start at the beginning.”
Eye roll. “There isn’t a beginning. He’s ignoring the forms so I’m going to demand he sign and post.”
“Does he actually have them though? Maybe they got lost in the post?”
“Karen assures me he signed for the last two packages.” I fill my mouth with th
e chocolate flavoured frozen treat and close my eyes for a moment. That’s so good. “I’ll be back.”
“What if this is what he wants, though?” Kira points out, running her fingers through her short black hair. “What if this is all a trick to get you to go back to him?”
They both stare at me expectantly and Damon snatches the ice-cream back before I can stop him. Both of them are clearly eager to hear my answer.
“Stop it; stop with the drama. It’s not a big deal.” It really isn’t. I don’t feel a thing for him anymore. I was just a kid when I was in love with him. It was stupid. It also hurt me so badly that I repressed a lot of it. It’s probably not a healthy coping mechanism, but it helped at the time.
I hate him for what he did but I don’t dwell on it. It’s not my every waking or sleeping thought anymore. In fact it’s rare that I think of him or what happened at all.
“I just can’t believe you’re going to see him for the first time in…” Kira’s eyes glaze over as she calculates the length of time in her mind. “A hella long time.” How she’s graduating this year I have no idea. “Should I come?”
I grab my bag and carry it into the bathroom. They both follow like ducklings to their mother. Crazies. “I’ll be fine. I’m looking forward to seeing my parents too.” I shove a few toiletries in the bag as well as a spare toothbrush.
“Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Damon asks, concern etched onto his features.
I laugh a little. “Yes I’m sure. There isn’t much point in us staying married is there? Especially not now I’m with Silas.”
“I like Silas. He’s a good guy.” Damon speaks softly and checks his watch. “When are you leaving?”
“As soon as I’m ready, which is why I need you both to leave me to it so I can pack my shit in peace.”
Kira groans but nods and shuffles into the living room. Damon lingers for a moment longer, his concerned eyes scanning over me for any signs of distress. He finds none and follows Kira. Thankfully that’s over with.
“Wait…” Kira suddenly blurts and I realise that I spoke too soon. “What happens if he refuses?”
“Then I call my solicitor.”
“You sure you aren’t going to call ahead?”
“No, I’m not giving him the chance to make an excuse to not give me what I need.”
Damon grins over the back of the couch. “That’s my girl!”
I wink at him and pull out my phone. “I’ve got a shit tonne of stuff to figure out.” I’m not even sure where he’ll be so I have some calls to make. “I’ll catch you both later. Kira, if you’re feeling generous I could really do with a sandwich or something.”
Isaac
There’s a light tapping at the door as I’m scrambling eggs in a pan on the stove. I switch off the hob and wipe my hands on a tea towel before heading to the door.
I wish I’d checked the peep hole because nothing could have prepared me for this shock. My heart stops and my hand on the door handle grips the metal curve so tightly pain radiates through my entire arm.
“Elle,” I say, my voice sounding a lot stronger than I feel.
She slides her sunglasses on top of her head, revealing those gorgeous green eyes I once loved so much. They’re as stunning, if not more so, than I remember. They used to see straight through to my soul with so much love and admiration. Now they simply show nothing but dispassion.
“I would have called ahead but I didn’t want to give you the chance to cancel,” she states and moistens her lips with her tongue. “Or excuse yourself before I arrived.”
Her voice has changed. It’s not a huge change but it’s noticeable. It’s slightly deeper, more womanly and less girlish. Her accent has changed too, which is unsurprising given the fact she’s lived in Cambridge for the past few years.
“May I come in?”
I realise that I’m gaping awkwardly at her. This surprise visit has thrown me for a loop. How did she even know I was here?
“No,” I respond before I can stop myself.
Her expression doesn’t change. “I’m not sure why you’re being awkward, if I’m honest.”
I laugh a little. “We haven’t seen each other in four years and here you are.” She blinks but remains silent. “Not even a ‘hello, Isaac’ or a ‘how are you, Isaac’…”
“Hello, Isaac; how are you, Isaac?” She parrots, rolling her eyes. “Better?”
My mouth falls open and a sharp pain stabs me in the chest. Who is this person standing before me? My Elle would never have been so rude.
She’s not your Elle. My brain screams at me.
Is that what I was expecting? Is this why I didn’t sign the papers?
“Look… you’ve literally imposed on the first day off I’ve had in six weeks. Can we just get this over and done with?” She snaps, her brows furrowing and making her look so much younger than she is.
“I… I’ve imposed?” I laugh humourlessly. “You’re at my dad’s door.” She blinks again but seems unaffected by my words. “He’s doing okay, by the way,” I add.
“Good.” Her eyes soften as she says this and it seems genuine. I don’t really care at this point. I watch as she pulls an envelope from her bag, the same envelope that’s been delivered numerous times now. “Would you like to do this over coffee?”
“Do what?”
“Don’t be coy, Isaac. It doesn’t become you.”
I choke on a laugh. Did she really just say that? “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think it were your father speaking through you, Eloise.” I mentally cheer when I see her wince slightly; just the edges of her eyes creased and her lips thinned for a brief second. It was fleeting but I saw it. I step outside and pull the door closed behind me. “So you’re here about this?” I point to the envelope.
She nods. “Yes, clearly.” Her long fingers pinch the edge of the envelope as she holds it out towards me. I immediately notice how her fingernails are perfectly manicured with a sparkling gem on the tip of each. My Elle never bothered over things such as her nails.
Another part of my memory of her shatters.
“Why now?” I ask, though I’m not sure that I want to know the answer.
She doesn’t respond, simply pushing the envelope forward an inch, forcing me and my manners to take it. I watch as she rifles through her bag. Her layered, red hair falls around her face as she searches for something and then finally hands me a pen.
“I’ll need to get my solicitor to look it over.” I tell her, ignoring the pen she holds out for me.
“You don’t have a solicitor.”
How does she know this exactly? “Then I suppose I’ll have to get one.”
Her teeth sink into her lower lip, scraping over it in a way that makes me think back to all of the times she had those luscious lips wrapped around my… “It’s just the preliminary stuff. It’s just to set things in motion. You don’t need to have your solicitor look it over.”
My brow rises. “I’ll let my solicitor be the judge of that.”
“Isaac…”
“Elle.”
“Why are you being so awkward? Just sign it. I’ll take it back to my solicitor and then we’re done until we have to decide how to split everything.”
“Split everything?”
“Look…” She runs her fingers through her hair, forgetting about her sunglasses which clatter to the ground. She ignores them and so do I. I’m unwilling to be a gentleman towards such a cold person. “I don’t want anything of yours. I’m not going to fight you for the house or for anything you’ve accumulated over the years.” She finally crouches down and picks her sunglasses up.
This surprises me. “Then what do you want?”
“A divorce.”
I swallow in an attempt to shift the burning emotions warring inside. When I chose to marry this girl… woman… divorce wasn’t an option. Even when we separated, it never crossed my mind. Divorce isn’t something I’ve ever truly agreed with. I’ve always judged o
thers on this type of permanent separation. I always thought that as long as one wasn’t abusive to the other, they should fight to be together.
I made that judgement, yet I didn’t hold up to my own standards.
Even so… divorce just seems so messy and final.
“That’s what you want?” I ask.
She levels me with a blank stare. “Yes. Don’t you?”
“No.” I respond honestly and I see a flicker of emotion in her eyes. “Why now?” I repeat my earlier question.
Shrugging, she pulls her vibrating phone from her pocket. She’s so well put together in a black pencil skirt, white shirt and a black blazer. She looks ready for a job interview or a funeral. “It’s time.” I see her lips twitch when she reads whatever is on her phone screen.
“You’re getting remarried.” I’m surprised that I manage to keep my voice level despite the pain that slices through me. It’s pain that I should have got over a long time ago.
“No…” She looks at me as though I’m crazy and I know I’ve hit a nerve as her voice rises a few octaves. “I’m not… it’s not…” Her eyes come to mine and she clears her throat. “Don’t pry, Isaac.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I push the door open, giving her a view of my back. “Drive safe.”
“The…” I hear her say before I slam the door behind me.
I’m not sure why I’m so angry. I’m not sure why I can’t stand to look at her a moment longer.
I’m not sure what I’d hoped to gain by forcing any of this.
I should have just signed the fucking papers.
Eloise
My entire body locks in place as I stare at the door which he just shut on me.
He said no…
He said fucking no.
What now?
I can’t afford a messy divorce. I don’t want a messy divorce.
My anger gets the better of me. I raise my fist and bang on the wooden door, my eyes narrowed and my determination set. “Isaac!”
He doesn’t respond so I keep on banging.
Distinction: The Distraction Trilogy #3 Page 2