Distraction: The Distraction Trilogy #1

by A. E. Murphy

  Neither of them are wrong, but I don’t care about that.

  How could he betray me so badly?

  Chapter Twenty

  Isaac

  “You had no right to intervene!” My dad yells. “No god damn right!”

  “I know…” I admit, rubbing my tired eyes. “I know… I just… I was worried and she was being stubborn.”

  “She’s an eighteen year old girl! She’s allowed to drink and hang around with her friends, just like you did at eighteen!” He slams his hand down on the table. “She’s done a lot for us. She’s never been any trouble and, to be honest, she drinks and parties less than any other student in this bloody school!”

  I look between him and my mum. My mum won’t even make eye contact with me.

  I’ve been stupid. My emotions got the better of me. I was angry; I was frustrated and I had that stupid fucking tingle in my chest. I don’t know why I did what I did.

  “She doesn’t want to talk to you anymore. She doesn’t want to be in that class.”

  “She’s dropped out?” I blink, my heart heavy and a different kind of tingle now annoying the fuck out of me.

  “Right after she came and told me what you’d done and guess what, Isaac…” I wince at his sour, angry tone. “I love that girl to pieces, but she’s eighteen. I can’t fucking stop her if she wants to drop your class.” My dad never swears, so the fact he just swore has shaken me. “You had no right. None whatsoever.”

  “I’ll apologise; I’ll fix it.”

  “No you won’t. You’ll stay away from her and you’ll focus on your other students.”

  “I need to…”

  He slams his hand on the table, startling both me and my mum, his eyes blazing with an anger I haven’t seen in years. “You will stay away from the girl.”

  “Mum,” I try, hoping she’ll defend me. She looks away, shaking her head as disappointment swims through her eyes. “I was worried. She was intoxicated! That arsehole had his hands all over her. I didn’t think she was safe there.”

  “According to Eloise, that arsehole is the guy she’s dating and she was perfectly happy in his company. Again… she’s an adult.”

  “You did the same thing once. I know about the time she showed up at school still intoxicated from the night before and you called her parents then!” I argue, pointing at my dad. “You’re telling me if you passed a party where a girl is clearly being molested, you wouldn’t step in?”

  “What I did was what I had to do!”

  “She threw up in the cafeteria and fell down three steps, Isaac. She was a bit of a mess that day, as were a few of her friends.” My mother says softly. “It happened on school grounds and they were all underage.”

  “I don’t see the difference between protecting a young girl in school as opposed to protecting her if you happen to come across her outside of school.”

  My dad shoots me a glare, one that definitely tells me to shut up. “I understand that you think your intentions were noble, but what you did was worse than what we had to do. She is of age to legally drink. She’s not a child. She states she was happy where she was until you interfered. Her father is furious with her, has grounded her and she’s pulling out of a class because she can’t stand the sight of you. Think about what you did and how you handled it. What you should have done is called the Police to break up the party, like you should do if you happen to come across any student in that situation.”

  I stand and grab my coat from the couch, ignoring his suggestive tone in the latter sentence. “I didn’t come back here for this shit.”

  “Isaac,” my mother calls, sounding horrified.

  “Let him go and lick his bloody wounds. He knows he’s in the wrong.”

  I slam the door on my way out.

  He’s not wrong though.

  What the fuck have I done?

  It’s Wednesday morning and I’m shocked nobody knows what happened. I honestly thought Eloise would tell somebody we slept together as revenge. I thought she would have told other people what I did on Monday night. Instead, nobody seems to know a thing.

  It’s when she strolls through the door that I’m thrown off. I thought she’d dropped out of my lesson. It seems Hayley did too, because she looks shocked when Eloise walks in.

  They whisper for the first few minutes and I let them have their chat.

  I’m petrified I’ll do something to push Elle over the edge and she’ll tell people what we did together.

  I’m even more shocked when Garrett walks into my class, bowing when his classmates cheer. He strolls over to Eloise, leans down and kisses her deeply. My stomach twists.

  That same tingle I continue to feel at random times returns and I realise at this moment what it is.

  It’s jealousy and possessiveness.

  I don’t like him touching her… I don’t like the thought of anyone touching her.

  He continues kissing her for the longest time and everyone looks at me, wondering what I’m going to do about it.

  I want to rip his throat out. I want to slam him against the wall and punch him in the face until he no longer has one. I’ve never been violent on purpose before. I’m not about to start now.

  “Are you in this class?” I snarl and Garrett finally looks up, Eloise’s sparkling lip gloss spread across his lips. He looks dazed and I feel even more jealous. I remember that dazed feeling well. I remember exactly what those perfect lips can do to a man.

  “No, I’m just stopping by,” he grins, leaning in for another kiss. Eloise doesn’t even look at me. She only clutches the boy’s collar, holding him close and tight. When he finally pulls away, everyone cheers again and then they laugh when I push him from my classroom.

  I don’t chastise her. I don’t say a word. I just rub my chest and start the lesson.

  It’s not until the bell rings that I actually pay her an ounce of attention.

  “Eloise Blackburn,” I call, as she laughs and chats with her friends while packing away. “You’ll stay after class.”

  None of her friends seem to find it odd that I’ve asked. They probably knew she’d get into shit for her public display of affection.

  I’m shocked that she does stay and I find myself lost for words.

  Eloise

  He locks the door and stares at me, neither of us saying anything. I know that if I open my mouth I’ll lose my temper and I figure he’s probably scared of what I’ll say if he does make me any angrier.

  After a minute I stand and grab my bag. I’m not waiting in here if he isn’t going to talk and I’m not going to say anything. What’s the point?

  I move to the door, relieved when he steps out of my way. My hand moves to the lock and suddenly his hand is on mine, stopping me from twisting it.

  He still doesn’t talk and neither do I. I figure he’ll let me go eventually if I ignore his presence.

  “Elle,” he finally says, releasing a solemn breath.

  The softness in his voice makes my eyes burn with remembrance. How could he betray me so badly? How could he hurt me like that?

  My hand tightens on the metal lock and his hand tightens on mine, almost as if scared I’ll pull away.

  “Elle, look at me.”

  I don’t and he still doesn’t move.

  “Elle…” His hand comes to my face and gingerly and tentatively pushes until my eyes are facing his. “I’m so…”

  Crack.

  My hand burns and his head whips to the side. I just slapped him. I’ve never slapped anybody before.

  We both stand, suspended in time. He looks as shocked as I feel inside and my tears spill when I see the red mark slowly appear on his cheek.

  “I hate you,” I whisper, pushing the honesty in my words forward so he not only hears it but feels it.

  His head snaps back, his eyes full of pain now on mine. “God… Elle…”

  I try to twist the lock, but his hand tugs my hand away and pins it above my head. My chest heaves as I stare into his eye
s, hating the longing I feel to have him close. I just want to hate him.

  He takes my other hand and pushes that against the door above my head, pinning both wrists with his one hand. His eyes stay on mine and I see my longing mirrored in his, my pain mirrored in his, but not my hatred. I don’t see hatred in his eyes. I see remorse.

  “I’m sorry,” he says quietly and rests his forehead against mine. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I keep going back to that night in my mind…”

  “You need to let go of me.”

  “I don’t want to,” he admits, stepping into me so my body is flush with his. I try to swallow but can’t. My body is betraying me and I need him to let me go before I forgive him, just to be given the chance to kiss him once more. “I don’t want to.”

  “I’ll scream,” I pant and he shakes his head, almost as if nuzzling my nose with his.

  “You’re not a screamer.”

  I feel his words in my groin. I feel him swell against my hip and sink my teeth into my lip. “Let me go.”

  “Forgive me.”

  “You ruined everything.” I try to tug my hands free, but his grip is tight and I’m too weak; weak of mind, weak of body and just plain weak for him.

  “I’ll make it up to you.”

  “Will you pay for my trip to France?” I snap, my anger returning momentarily.

  He winces and pulls his head back slightly. “If that’s what it takes.”

  Snort. “I don’t mean anything to you, remember?”

  “I was angry. I’m not used to being challenged like that. You said something hurtful and I said it back.”

  My mouth falls open. “I said something hurtful? What I said was the truth.”

  “You honestly believe I used you?”

  “What else would you call it?”

  He winces again. “I…” His cheeks swell before he blows out a breath. “Then you used me too.”

  Touché. “Let me go.”

  “Come to mine tonight. We’ll talk.” His eyes are sincere when he says this and I hate how badly I want to accept.

  “If you just want to talk then we can meet somewhere else. Or we can sit down right now, totally separated, and talk it out.”

  “Fine, but not here. Where do you want to meet?”

  Blink. “I don’t want to meet. I just want you to let me go.”

  “If you wanted me to let you go, you would’ve pulled yourself free already.”

  True. “Just…”

  “Don’t talk for a second.” He places his hand over my mouth and the door behind me begins to rattle.

  “Isaac?” Miss Hart calls through the door and knocks.

  “Fuck,” he hisses, his hand still over my mouth.

  “Isaac?” The door rattles again before her heels finally click away.

  “Please meet me tonight.” He practically begs in a whisper and the phone on his desk starts to vibrate. “Wherever you want. Whenever you want.”

  “No.”

  Suddenly I’m flying backwards, a hand back over my mouth. My heart starts trembling along with my body, beating so fast I can hear it, as I’m lowered to the ground behind Isaac’s desk.

  “Fuck!” He curses, both of us huddled in the corner of the room. “Katherine’s at the window.”

  Now I’m seriously panicking. “Your phone is on the desk.”

  “She’ll just think I left it behind.” He squishes us further into the corner. “I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have locked us in here.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have.” I shift out of my uncomfortable position, annoyed, when he pulls me back against his chest. I should tell him to let go of me, but the way he’s stroking my hair is soothing my terrified body.

  “I got jealous.” My body tenses. He continues. “I got so jealous, I was blind. I don’t know what I was thinking.” His hand stops stroking my hair and instead turns my head to face him. It’s an awkward position, but not an uncomfortable one. “I find myself in a situation where I don’t think I can let anyone else have you. I don’t think I could stand it.”

  My heart misses a beat and a shiver runs through me, causing goose bumps to prickle along my arms.

  “And I know I can’t have you,” he whispers quietly, his hand resting along my jaw. “I know it’s not possible.”

  “Yeah…” I nod once and try to turn away, but his hand won’t allow it. “I know.”

  “You’re so young.”

  I frown at that.

  “I have something for you.” He reaches into his back pocket, mindful of his legs, just in case she’s still looking through the window. I doubt she is. “I got it for your birthday, but never gave it to you, mostly because I was worried you’d read into it and then…” He shows me the gift box and allows me to move away before taking it softly. I have no idea what it is. The gift box is long, silver and rectangular in shape. “I was worried you wouldn’t.”

  My breath catches when I lift the lid, revealing the beautiful charm bracelet inside. “Forever Connected…”

  “You know the brand?”

  “I’ve always wanted one.” I stare longingly at the white gold chain, with its tiny links ready for attachments. “These aren’t cheap. Why would you get me this?”

  He doesn’t answer. Instead he lifts it from the box and I notice a single charm dangling in the centre. It’s the shape of a tiny book, translucent green.

  “Why a book?”

  He clears his throat. “Green’s my favourite colour and a book is… well it was the only charm I could find that could kind of signify how we met.”

  “It’s… I can’t accept this.” I place the box on his lap and pull my hands away. He grabs my wrist and quickly clicks the charm bracelet into place. It fits perfectly and it’s so light and beautiful. “I really can’t accept this.”

  “I’m not taking it back. Besides, it’s too late. There’s only a seven day return policy unless it’s faulty.”

  I hold the small crystal book between my fingers and consider yanking the bracelet off. It’s too precious to harm and it means too much to spoil over such a betrayal.

  “I’m not forgiving you.”

  “That’s not why I’ve given it to you.” He frowns, closing the gift box and shoving it into my bag. “I just… I don’t even know what to say to you. I wouldn’t forgive me if I were you. My dad is furious at me, by the way…”

  Blink. “Welcome to the club.”

  “I’m sorry.” He sits up and peers over the desk, before looking back at me with the same amount of remorse in his eyes as earlier. “I hope you can forgive me eventually.”

  I finger the crystal once more, shifting onto my knees and looking at him in the eyes. “Thank you for my gift. I adore it.”

  He smiles and for a moment I return it, before peering over the desk myself and checking that the coast is clear. “Stay, a little longer.”

  Is he joking? “Your guilt is making you crazy. If we get caught, we’re going to have a lot of explaining to do.”

  Why am I the only adult in here right now?

  “Break it off with Garrett.”

  My eyes widen with surprise. “What?”

  “Break it off with Garrett.” His eyes have narrowed.

  “I don’t think you’re in a position to be demanding anything from me.”

  “And I can’t stand that twerp. He’s not good for you.”

  “And you are?” He immediately closes his mouth at my words. “I like Garrett.”

  His eyes get dark and almost dangerous. “How did you suddenly go from drunken night of fun to full blown making out in public?” Then they get even darker and definitely dangerous. “Did you do something stupid?”

  “Define stupid.” I’m not liking where this is going.

  “Did you sleep with him?”

  “And if I did?”

  “I don’t want to know.” He looks away and closes his eyes. “Just go. Make sure nobody sees you leave.”

  My phone starts to ring. I pull it
from my bag and wince at the name flashing. I don’t answer, but it doesn’t matter because Isaac saw it. He wasn’t lying when he said he felt jealous; I see the flash of it in his eyes.

  “I’ll see you in class on Friday.” I stand and quickly dust myself off with my hands.

  He follows me to the door, remaining silent. “Please come to me tonight.”

  “I don’t need to. We’ve spoken already. What’s the point? This isn’t going anywhere.” I open the door a crack, looking out before pulling the door open all of the way. “I’m not worth losing your job over.”

  And with those parting words I walk away and I don’t look back.

  It’s when I’m lying in bed at midnight, playing with my new bracelet and struggling to sleep, that a text comes through.

  Isaac: What if it could? Would you try?

  I don’t even have to guess what he’s talking about. I instantly know. The unfortunate thing is, I don’t know the answer to that question. At least I think I don’t, but then my thumbs seem to move across my screen anyway and type the answer for me.

  Isaac

  Her text comes through and I open it with trembling hands.

  Eloise: You owe me a trip to France.

  I smile, unable to contain myself, before stuffing my phone under my pillow and rolling onto my front. I can still smell her scent on the sheets; it’s intoxicating.

  When my phone vibrates again twenty minutes later I snatch it eagerly, hoping it’s something good and praying it’s not a last minute rejection.

  Eloise: Open the door.

  I do as she asks and pull her inside. Before she can even speak, I’m claiming her mouth in a kiss that rules over all others.

  She wraps her arms and legs around me as I close the door behind us and she trembles when I carry her to the bedroom.

  I’m not sure how it happened. I’m not sure when it happened, but this girl has become my addiction and suddenly I don’t care about anything else but sinking into her and making her mine.