“That sucks…”
“Yep.”
Isaac stands awkwardly holding two glasses before him. Hayley peels her body from mine and takes hers. She stares at herself in the mirror, her eyes puffy and swollen, her face blotchy and pink, her makeup in clumps around her eyes, but she still smiles a genuine smile. Then she downs her champagne and throws her arms up in the air.
“I’m getting married in this dress!”
“That you are,” I say and look at my best friend. “Is it our turn now? Because we’re getting hungry and I think Lauren is ready to close up the shop for the day.”
Lauren shakes her head and holds up her hands. “Take as long as you need. I’ve been paid for the day.”
“See?” Hayley grins. “Help me out of this thing.”
We do so behind a partition as Isaac browses the dresses, pretending to be interested. I can’t help but giggle when he holds up a dark blue dress that is half his size and says, “It matches my eyes, don’t you think?”
Winking at me, he places the dress back on the hanger and picks up another. “This one would show my ankles and I just hate my ankles.”
That one has us all in hysterics. For the first time today I’m actually happy that he’s here.
“Maybe you should shave them,” I suggest.
“Waxing keeps the hair away for longer.” Jocelyn puts in unnecessarily.
“She would know,” Hayley adds and I want to throttle her. “Try on the dark ones first. I’m loving the colour against your complexions. You’re both so pale.” She then picks up her phone and grins. “I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you…?” She darts from the room before I can finish. “Going?”
“I’ll go first,” Jocelyn says, snatching the dress from the hanger.
“The neckline is a bit awkward on that dress. You have to twist it before you pull it through the loop.” Lauren calls as Jocelyn disappears behind the partition.
“Isaac, are you coming to the wedding?” Jocelyn asks loudly.
“Probably not.” He responds and I see his eyes scan for an escape route. “My dad is though.”
“You should go. It’ll be fun. Won’t it, Eloise?”
Am I missing something? “It’d be a bit awkward. Wouldn’t it, Isaac?”
His brow quirks. I don’t know what he’s thinking but the look he’s directing at me isn’t one I want directed at me.
“Not at all. It has been four years after all. We can’t really avoid each other.”
That’s not what he was saying earlier. Is it wrong of me to not want him there solely so I can enjoy myself with Silas?
I’m an awful person.
“If you take a date, Isaac, it won’t be awkward, will it?” Jocelyn suggests and my heart starts beating heavily.
“I guess not,” Isaac agrees. “But that’d be rude. The invitation doesn’t say we can bring another person.”
“I guess you’ll have to take somebody who is already going to the wedding.”
Isaac’s eyebrows shoot up faster than mine do at her audacity. “I guess I will.”
“I can think of a few people…”
“I’m going to find Hayley.” I say, frowning so deeply I’ll have wrinkles come the morning.
Pushing past Lauren, I try to slow the beating of my heart and the ache in my chest. I’ve moved on… I don’t care. So why does this fucking hurt like it does? I don’t want to see him with a date! I don’t want to see him flirt in front of me! I don’t want to see somebody else flirt with him!
It’s unfair. I tried to keep Silas from him. I tried to avoid catching him at his dad’s. I stayed away for four years for him.
“You have a face like thunder,” Hayley tells me, covering the mouthpiece to her phone with her hand.
I cross my arms over my chest and wait for her to hang up after saying about a hundred ‘I love you’s.
“Are you fucking kidding me, Hayley?” I snap. “What are you doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“Jocelyn is all over Isaac…”
“So?”
“So?” I scoff. “What do you mean ‘so’?”
“You’re not together anymore.”
My mouth falls open as she checks her makeup, using her phone screen as a mirror. “Whether or not we’re together is not the point. This is fucking cruel.”
“Jealous?” She shoves her phone into her bag and raises her brow at me.
Yes. “No. That’s not it. It’s just…”
“Get over it. He’s not yours. You aren’t his.” Her narrow shoulders shrug as she pinches my cheek like a grandma would a child. “What’s the big deal?”
“What game are you playing?” Why is she doing this to me?
“I didn’t know Jocelyn would like him… it’s not like you two are friends so there’s no sisterhood being broken here. What do you want me to say?”
“I can’t believe you invited him here. Why would you do that to me?”
“I’m sorry.” She looks sincere. “I thought it would be good for you both. For four years I spied on Isaac’s dad for you and visited him to keep him company, though not as much as you wanted. There are things… things I learned about Isaac that I didn’t tell you.”
“Like what?”
She chews on her lip and looks through the window panes on the door to make sure nobody is listening. “Have you ever noticed how there are no pictures of him as a child anywhere?”
I open my mouth to argue this fact but I can’t. She’s right. I just never noticed. “I…”
The door opens with a jingle and Lauren pokes her head outside. “We really need to get you fitted, Eloise. I’m sorry to disturb you.”
I nod and place my hand against the door before turning back to Hayley. “What did you find out?”
“He was in rehab after you broke up.”
“What?” I squeak, choking on the word.
She nods, her eyes wide, imploring me to believe her. “I know. I don’t know why but I overheard a voicemail left for John from Isaac. He said that Warrick Retreat was nicer than expected. I googled it. It’s a rehabilitation facility.”
I don’t even know how to process this information. “What does that have to do with you inviting him today?”
“Nothing. I just felt like it was time for you both to put shit behind you.”
“Well…” I give her a pointed look. “In future, don’t!”
We head back inside and the sound of Isaac’s laughter and Jocelyn’s girly giggle carries through to the shop area.
“Fuck my life,” I hiss and Hayley puts her hand in mine and whispers, “I’ll have a word with her.”
Isaac
The day, surprisingly, has been a fun one. After the girls decided on pale green dresses, I took them to a restaurant on the way home for something to eat and drink.
The food was good and the company, though tension floated between them, was also good. The girls were loud, giddy and drank way too much. They enjoyed themselves, though, and that’s the main thing.
I’m a little disconcerted about the fact Jocelyn’s hand found my leg on more than four occasions. I wasn’t really sure how to react and nobody else saw so I couldn’t use their eyes as an excuse to push her away. She’s not subtle. That’s for sure.
Eloise seemed to be cool towards her though she didn’t voice whatever was on her mind. It’s not until I’m about to drive them back to their homes that it clicks.
She’s jealous.
I’m not sure why this satisfies me to no end. It unleashes a flutter in my chest that spirals into my stomach. I find myself wanting to grin. If she’s jealous then she still…
“I’m calling shotgun,” Jocelyn calls and Eloise’s eyes shoot to her. I see her frown and again that flutter takes a hold of my chest. I bite hard onto my lip to stop myself from grinning like an idiot.
“That’s fine,” Hayley tells Elle, giving her a pointed look.
“Sure.” She agrees, b
ut even I can see that it’s reluctant.
We climb into the car and Jocelyn immediately starts playing around with the radio. She and Hayley start to sing along loudly but I don’t hear Elle in the choir.
Not my problem.
I turn the radio up and join in, making sure to nod my head in time with the music, laughing when they both start singing parts to each other and then to me.
“Where is everyone going, by the way?” I ask when we finally enter my hometown.
“I’m staying at Hayley’s,” Jocelyn tells me. “You know where that is, right?”
“Elle?” I ask, looking at her in the rear-view mirror. She’s looking out of the window, clearly unhappy. “Elle.”
“I’m staying at home.” She replies, though she doesn’t look at me.
“Okay. I’ll take you last then.” Her house is between my dad’s and Hayley’s so it makes more sense this way.
Jocelyn pouts at me but doesn’t argue. I thought she would but I’m kind of glad that she didn’t.
She does, however, kiss me on the cheek and slide her neatly scribbled phone number onto my thigh with the palm of her hand. “Thank you for a great day, Isaac.”
Shameless. She’s shameless.
Hayley thanks me too and they both wave as they walk to her house. I wait at the curb for Eloise to move from the back of the car to the front. She doesn’t even shift her position, so I pull away after adjusting the mirror so it’s aiming solely at her.
I want to say something… anything. I just don’t know what. Because of this, the journey to her house is silent.
“Thanks for the ride,” she says softly, almost sweetly, when I pull up at her parents’ driveway.
“Do you want me to pick you up tomorrow and take you to your car?”
She still doesn’t look at me. Instead she pushes open the door. “No, that’s okay.”
“Elle…” Her head slowly turns and her sad, tired eyes come to mine. “I’m sorry for today.”
“Don’t apologise. You didn’t do anything wrong.” And then she stands and closes the door behind her.
The urge to climb from the car and chase her down overwhelms me so I kick the car into gear and speed away.
Only one thing lingers through my mind the entire night.
She got jealous.
She still cares.
I sleep with a smile for the first time in a long time.
Chapter Eleven
Eloise
“I behaved like a child yesterday.” I admit to my mum as we walk down the long road that leads to Isaac’s dad’s home.
“Yeah. Though I understand why you felt the way you did. It was wrong of them to force you into that situation. I’m actually really disappointed in Hayley.” She frowns, highlighting the wrinkles I’ll be sure to have in a few years. “Not only did she risk causing problems between you and Silas…”
“He trusts me.”
“She put you in a situation that you weren’t comfortable with yet couldn’t really back out of without letting her down and looking like the bad guy.”
“Exactly!” I cry, glad that she agrees. “But whatever… I shouldn’t have acted like the spoilt ex bitch, you know? Isaac deserves to move on.”
“Just not right in front of you. He had to have known how you’d feel.”
“He didn’t really instigate the flirting though.”
“True.” She links her arm with mine. “The sooner you’re both divorced, the better. When is your next appointment?”
“We’re meeting with our solicitors in a couple of weeks to discuss finances and how everything should be split. I want it solidified so it can’t be called to attention in the future.”
“You think he’d do that?”
“No, but I’m not taking any chances. We do this properly or not at all.”
“Good girl.” Her smile is warm and full of pride. “When did you get so smart?”
“Not when I eloped, that’s for sure.” I snort and she laughs with me. “I’ve always wondered…”
“What?”
“Why has dad never moved us from Lily Hill?” I’m not sure why the question comes to mind.
“He has little dog syndrome.”
I let out a bark of startled laughter. “What?”
“You know? Big fish, little pond. In a city he’d be swallowed up by all of the businessmen who own way more property than him. Here he has so much standing and respect because he owns twice as much as anyone else.”
“Oh.” I guess that makes sense. “Do you think I should do that? Stick to one place? Is it a wiser investment?”
“I don’t think so. I think you were meant to make your mark on the world as a whole, not just a town.”
I grin, hoping that she’s right. “I graduate in a month. How did that happen?”
“I know…” She taps her head against mine for a moment. “I’m so proud of you for not getting pregnant.”
“Mum…”
Isaac
“Good morning, John.” I recognise the voice as belonging to Sharon, Elle’s mother. “I hope I’m not intruding but I felt like walking down with Eloise.”
“Not at all. Morning, Elle. You look… rough.” My dad tells her honestly. He’s an idiot. You never tell a woman they look rough.
“She’s a bit on the ill side.”
“I’m fine. I was up all night studying.” I hear Eloise respond as I step onto the landing. “I have an exam tomorrow. It’s an informal one but it’s still important if we want a chance at working alongside Professor Matterson.”
“Who?” I ask as I descend the stairs.
“He’s the founder of the architecture department. He’s amazing.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” My dad beckons them into the living room and I follow shortly after.
“We won’t stay long. I’m actually heading back to Cambridge today,” Elle tells us, though her eyes avoid my own. “I wanted to say goodbye and pick up my car.”
“How are you feeling now? We haven’t had much time to call lately… considering…” Dad trails off, clearly referring to Silas and everything else. His wary eyes flicker to me. I shrug, trying to tell him that it’s okay to talk about it. I need to get used to it. I don’t want to… but I need to. “How is your partner, Silas was it?”
I’m actually surprised he hasn’t asked her about him sooner.
“He’s great. He’s actually in Bristol at the moment. He has family there.”
“He’s also overseeing Elle’s new venture so that she can enjoy time with her friends,” Sharon states almost proudly and her accusatory eyes come to me. I understand her vehemence. I held Eloise back whereas this guy is a fucking saint. I get it. I don’t need to be chastised for it though.
“New venture?” I ask as Elle snaps at her mother for divulging things she shouldn’t. “What new venture?” I push, hating that I’m missing something about new Elle.
“I’m…” her tongue skims over her lower lip as she looks around the room nervously. “I’ve bought an Inn. It’s about twenty minutes from Bristol and so close to the River Boyd. It’s beautiful. We’re in the process of fixing it up.”
Wow. “That’s… that’s amazing, Elle. I’m so happy for you.” I want and need to hear more. I want her face to light up as she talks about ceiling designs and skirting boards and other such things that are usually boring. She makes them interesting… or she used to. “I’d love to see it sometime.”
“Sure. When it’s finished it’ll be open to the public.”
That was a subtle rejection. Ouch.
“And this is something you and your young man are doing together?” My dad presses.
Eloise nods.
“I’m happy for you and I wish you all the best. I will certainly be one of the first to visit.”
Sharon checks her watch and nudges Eloise, who winces when she too sees the time. “We should go.”
“I’ll see you out.” I stand and wait for them all to say
their goodbyes before leading them to the door.
“Mum.” Eloise passes the car keys to her and gives her a look that has Sharon moving to the car without objection. Then she turns to me and my palms get clammy. “I want to apologise.”
She does? “For what?”
“For the way I behaved yesterday.”
I’m confused. “Huh?”
She steps closer and smooths her hands over her hair. Her fingertips press the studs further into the bun, keeping it in place. My nose immediately locks onto that rhubarb scent that always made my cock twitch. “I won’t lie to you. I got jealous.”
She said that out loud. She admitted it.
“I had no right to get jealous.” Her hands fall to her sides and her eyes, sparkling with sincerity, scan my face. “Although I don’t think anyone would blame me… look at you. You were mine once upon a time.”
The flirtatious Eloise I once knew is shining brightly from the depths of her green eyes. “I only ever wanted you, Elle.”
That flame in her eyes is doused. “Right. Of course you did.”
“It’s true! I know I… things ended badly but there hasn’t been a day that has gone by that I haven’t regretted it. Which you know all ready.”
She rolls her eyes. “I don’t want to rehash any of it ever again. I just want to call a truce. Starting from this point forward, can we just pretend like none of it ever happened?”
“Elaborate?”
“The marriage, the gambling, the affair, all of it…”
My heart clenches, “You had an affair?”
“What?” Pause. “NO! You did!”
“I bloody well didn’t.”
“Umm… yes you did. With that Petal bitch from the casino.”
She’s joking… right? “You told me you believed me!”
“And stupidly I did until I caught you both together.”
I’m so fucking confused. “Elle, what are you talking about?”
“The day I left, Hayley and I followed you. You went straight to the casino. I saw you holding that… that home wrecking little slut’s hand with my own eyes!”
Distinction: The Distraction Trilogy #3 Page 11