Distraction: The Distraction Trilogy #1

by A. E. Murphy

  She laughs loudly. “Where the hell are you?” My eyes roam to Isaac and I wince. “Never mind. I told him you’re with me and because my mum is awesome she confirmed that you’d just nipped out to get coffee, but she’s pissed at you too.”

  “Thank you.” I let out a breath of relief and run my fingers through my hair. “You need to get your arse here now. I have a feeling your dad might check.”

  “He’s a wanker. Why aren’t I allowed the same freedom you have?”

  Isaac wraps his arms around me from behind and rests his chin on my shoulder.

  “Because he’s a controlling cunt. Now, are you coming?”

  I bite on my lip as I try to sort out the plague of thoughts rushing through my mind. “Can you come and get me? And umm… bring me some clothes and underwear.”

  Hayley’s cackle is loud and piercing. “Oh my god! You were about to do the walk of shame! I should just leave you, but I’m not that mean. Where am I getting you from?”

  “The apartment building off Robert Street.”

  She falls silent for a moment and I hear her stuffing things into a bag. “And who lives there?”

  “I’ll tell you later. Just get me out of here.”

  “Coyote ugly moment? Is that why he can’t drop you off.”

  I wince and Isaac laughs silently, his chest shaking against my back. “Kind of. Will you hurry?”

  “I’ll text you when I’m almost there.”

  Thank the lord for a friend like Hayley.

  I ignore the twenty missed calls from my dad and turn to kiss Isaac. “I’ll call you later.”

  “Are you going to tell her?”

  I have no idea. “I can trust Hayley.” He looks sceptical. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. It’ll be nice having somebody on our side, though.”

  Isaac

  I watch her from the window as she runs to her friend’s car and dives into the back seat. Before it drives away I see her take a bag and start rummaging through before leaning forward and planting a kiss on Hayley’s cheek, who is still laughing.

  This could be bad for both of us. We were so fucking careless.

  I just hope it doesn’t rebound badly.

  But even if it does, I’m not sure that I even care. Of course I care about shaming my family and I’d definitely care if I lost my job, but I just can’t go another day without her anymore.

  Seeing her with that prick really opened my eyes. If I let her go, I’m losing the best thing that has ever happened to me. She’s it. I can feel it. I don’t care that we have to sneak around. I don’t care about the stress. All I care about is her happiness. All I care about is her.

  I know she feels the same.

  We can do this if we play it safe. If we pay attention and remain apart when we need to, we can do this.

  Isaac: Good luck with your dad.

  Eloise: I’m done with being chained… I’ll call you later to moan about him.

  I smile, having no doubt that she will. I miss our late night phone calls on the nights she couldn’t sneak out.

  Eloise: P.S. We can do this!

  And she can clearly read my mind.

  Isaac: That we can and it will be amazing.

  Eloise: Last night was amazing.

  Isaac: Agreed.

  My own phone rings and I quickly answer when I see it’s my dad. “What the fuck did you do?”

  Oh shit. “Huh?”

  “Susanna just quit… she just bloody quit.”

  Oh dear. “I didn’t do anything!”

  He hangs up and I hang my head in shame. Maybe leaving her at the restaurant wasn’t the nicest thing, but in my opinion it was necessary. I should probably fix this.

  I knew getting involved with my mum’s carer was a stupid idea. I really need to stop letting my dick make all of my decisions.

  I call her number and pray that she answers.

  “Hello?” Thank god.

  Now what do I say? “It’s Isaac.”

  “Oh.” Her voice darkens. “What do you want?”

  “I would just like to apologise for my behaviour last night.”

  She lets out a laugh and it’s not because she finds something funny. “You mean how you left me stranded out of town with no way of getting home?”

  “It was an emergency.” It was actually, but I can’t tell her why. “I thought your brother would give you a ride.”

  “I didn’t know you’d gone until ten minutes after he’d gone. I knew the queue for the toilet was long. I thought you were still fucking waiting.” Yikes, angry Susanna is not a Susanna I’d like to meet face to face.

  I wonder if Eloise is going through this with her dad right now. Nah, hers will be worse. That man is way too protective.

  “I am genuinely sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. Can I please make it up to you in some way?”

  “Nope.”

  “Look… my mum and dad really like you. Whatever happened with us is my fault, not theirs.”

  She snorts condescendingly and it really grates on my nerves. “That’s the only reason you called isn’t it? Because your dad was angry.”

  Maybe. “No, I was going to call. I was just embarrassed.”

  “Well, I’m not interested. Go call somebody else.”

  “I am genuinely sorry. I’ve never done something like that before. My emotions overrode my better judgement.”

  She doesn’t speak for a long moment and if it wasn’t for the background noise on her end, I’d think she’d hung up. “What happened?”

  Ah shit. “I umm… had a really bad stomach.” She remains quiet. “An extremely bad stomach.”

  “I’m not sure I’m seeing your point.”

  This is fucking mortifying. “My stomach was really bad and the queue was too long.”

  “Oh.” She drags the word out and then clears her throat. “But the drive to town must have taken ages.”

  I cringe and bite on my knuckle for a moment. “I umm… didn’t make it that far.”

  “Oh.” This time she says the word as a single syllable. “Yikes. Are you okay now?”

  No… I’m fucking not. “Yeah. Can you not tell anyone that piece of information?”

  “I’m a nurse, Isaac. I’m not that kind of person. You should have said something.”

  Blink. “Would you have said something?”

  “Was it really that bad?”

  “It was worse.”

  “Yikes.” She lets out a laugh. “So it’s not because you don’t like me?”

  Ah shit. “Umm… no of course not. I just wasn’t thinking straight.”

  I hear the smile in her voice. “Great. Well that brings me a bit of relief.” She chuckles a little. “I should call your dad and apologise.”

  Phew. “Thanks, Susanna.”

  “Pretty sure I told you to call me Sue.”

  She did? “You did?”

  “Didn’t I? Oops… okay well call me Sue.” Does anybody call her Sue? “Oh and one more thing! Could you keep an ear out in school?”

  “What for?”

  “Some little idiot smashed my brother’s car window last night.”

  I scratch my neck, that tingling itch back once more. “Oh no, what a git!” That didn’t sound convincing. I really need to work on my acting skills. “I’ll keep an ear out. If it was a kid from our school they’ll brag about it sooner or later.”

  “That’s what Eloise said.”

  Huh. “You spoke to her today?”

  “No, my brother called her about ten minutes ago, before he called me, and then you called me and now I need to call your dad. It’s like a game of Chinese whispers.”

  It is? “Right. Well I guess I’ll see you at my parent’s house.”

  “Call me,” she announces, hanging up.

  Isaac: I thought we agreed you’d keep away from that arsehole?

  Eloise: Don’t worry. You really need to trust me.

  Isaac: It’s him I don’t trust.

  Eloise: I
’m sorry but I’m laughing because that line is such a cliché. I’ll call you later and you can moan at me then.

  Isaac: I’ll be waiting.

  It’s ten minutes before another text comes through.

  Dad: Did you shit by the side of the road?

  Blink. What the fuck?

  Dad: HAHAHAHAAHAHA!

  I don’t respond. How fucking mortifying.

  Eloise

  “Nope, I’m not listening this time. I’ve said I’m sorry and I know I should have called, but I forgot. I was tipsy and tired and I crashed.”

  “You’re grounded,” My dad yells, his face turning purple.

  Eye roll. “You can’t ground me! I’m eighteen. I have two jobs and I go to school. If I want to unwind during my time off, I bloody well will!”

  “Calm down, both of you.” My mum snaps but we ignore her.

  “While you live under my roof, you’ll obey my rules!”

  I laugh a little; it’s an angry laugh. “No. I’m legally an adult…”

  “Then act like it!”

  “I did! Last night.”

  He goes pale and I cringe along with my mum at my outburst. “Until you leave for University, you’re to come home after work and school without delay.”

  “No.” I shake my head, determined to make a stand for once. “I’ll go and hang out with my friends. I’ll stay at Hayley’s. I’ll enjoy my last few months that I have with everybody and you can’t stop me.”

  “I didn’t raise you to be this way.”

  “That’s because you raised me in a fucking box! I’m done!” I grab my bag and keys and then march to the door. “Call me when you’ve stepped into the twenty first century.”

  “Aren’t you going to say anything?” My dad has now turned on my mum.

  “I agree with her.” For the first time my mum actually defends me and my dad does not look happy about it. They start arguing about her undermining his authority and how it’s her fault I am this way. What way am I exactly? I don’t do anything wrong. Not really.

  “This is your fault.” My dad spins and faces me, his face resembling that of Violet’s after she eats that bubble gum in the Willy Wonka movie.

  “Don’t you dare blame her! I’m sick of you blaming her! You say you’re protecting her, but blaming her for your irrational behaviour is damaging her. It’s no wonder she wants to leave.” I watch my mum as she grabs her coat and car keys before marching to me the same way I marched to the door. “Let’s go for a drive.”

  “Sure.” I blank my dad as we exit, relieved when he doesn’t follow us onto the street.

  Mum unlocks the car and we climb in. “Are you being safe?”

  Seriously? That’s the first thing she asks? “Umm… seriously?”

  “I’m taking you to the doctors and then we’re going for coffee and we’re going to chat. Then we’ll see a movie or something and wait for your dad to call and apologise.”

  I snort at the latter statement. “Dad won’t apologise.”

  “He knows he’s wrong. He loves you; he’s just scared you’ll end up stuck here, working two jobs and struggling. He doesn’t want to lose you, but he doesn’t want you to do something stupid.” She smiles warmly at me and I realise just how much we look alike when we smile. “So, contraception, food, movie and then hopefully home.” She smiles wider. “Oh and I know you’ve been sneaking out.”

  Blink. “I…”

  Her hand covers mine on the console. “I get it. It’s hard being young. Just please don’t get pregnant and please, I’m begging you, don’t get stuck here.” I release the breath I was holding. “Do you want to tell me about him?”

  “Who? Dad?”

  “No.” She rolls her eyes. “The guy you’re sneaking out to see.”

  I shake my head almost frantically. “No. It’s not serious. We know it’ll end soon, so we’re just… I don’t know… enjoying each other’s company for a while.”

  “Well you know I’m here if you decide you want to share.”

  For once I actually love my mum without a single ounce of resentment.

  And then she adds, “And I’m here if it ends in heartbreak.”

  If only she knew.

  “Thanks, Mum.”

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Isaac

  I’m sat in class. It’s the first day back after the term break and I’m so tired. I remember this kind of tired though. It’s the same tired I got before when I was seeing Elle at night. I’ve missed this tired.

  Eloise: Guess what I had fitted yesterday.

  I look up and it genuinely looks like she’s focusing on her work. Her pen is moving across the paper in front of her. That girl has skill.

  Isaac: A brain?

  This time she does look up and she hits me with a look that could kill.

  I chuckle discreetly and wait for her next message, taking a swig of my water.

  Eloise: Let’s just say condoms are a thing of the past.

  I really wish I wasn’t drinking when she said that because I just sprayed Shannon with the water in my mouth. I slam my hand against my chest as the class laughs at me.

  Eloise winks, laughing with the rest of them, and gets back to work.

  “Disgusting,” Shannon snaps and storms out of the room, no doubt to clean herself up.

  “Don’t worry, Sir. She’s had worse in her face.” Wesley jokes and Hayley slaps him upside the head.

  “Settle down.” I clear my sore throat and pick my phone back up.

  “That’s so unfair,” Hayley snaps. “I almost got thrown out of class for using my phone last week.”

  I give her a pointed look. “I think you’re forgetting who’s here to learn and who’s here to sit bored whilst you pretend to learn.”

  Eloise: I thought it would be a nice surprise.

  Isaac: I was worried about the accident we had on Valentine’s Day. I was going to discuss it with you but wasn’t sure how to bring it up.

  Eloise: Oh don’t worry, I’m not pregnant. You should have just asked me… stupid.

  I catch her eye and wink.

  Isaac: Get back to work.

  I finish classes with a warm feeling in my chest and a lump in my pants. I’m not complaining.

  ******

  Okay, I take back everything I’ve said about not complaining and enjoying the warm feelings.

  “Who are you texting?” I’m frowning, I know I am, but she’s been glued to her phone for the majority of this movie.

  “It’s just about the building.”

  “What about the building?”

  “Umm…” She hesitates and locks her phone, trying to snuggle into my side. “I’m helping pick the colour scheme for the lobby.”

  “It’s not even near ready yet. Why are you discussing it now?” She winces and my chest lets out an angry throb. “Elle?”

  “It’s nothing, I promise.”

  She just lied… she just fucking lied to me. I sit up straight and move away a little, pausing the movie so I can concentrate. “Who are you discussing it with?”

  “Why does it matter? I never ask who you’re texting!”

  Now I’m definitely concerned. “Elle, this is how trust issues start. Who are you texting?”

  “Justin,” she blurts and holds her hands up defensively when my eyes narrow and my jaw clenches.

  “Justin? The guy you said does not have your number?” She definitely said that.

  “I did not say that! You know I gave it to him on Valentine’s Day!” And now she’s getting defensive.

  “You said you’d stay away from him.”

  “I have been staying away from him.” Her phone jingles. She winces and I make a grab for it. “What the hell are you doing?”

  “I want to see!” She stuffs it in her bra before I can grab it. “Let me see!”

  “No.” She shakes her head and folds her arms over her chest. “I can’t believe you don’t trust me.”

  Fuck. “I do trust you.”
>
  “Like hell you do, arsehole. I’m not showing you my phone. That’s my private conversation.”

  “Why the hell not? If you have nothing to hide then what’s the big deal?”

  Her face darkens and her voice lowers to a hiss. “You think I have something to hide?”

  “Yes, because you’re fucking hiding it! Now show me your god damn phone!”

  “Go fuck yourself. I’m leaving.” She snatches her bag from the ground, but I grab her arm before she can go anywhere. I know I’m probably being irrational, but I can’t help it. There’s too much of a green haze over my eyes and my chest is burning with pain and jealousy. “Isaac! I’m not showing you my phone!”

  I release her and flop onto the couch. I can’t be arsed with this. “I hope he makes you happy!”

  Eloise

  I gape at him. “You are such a bloody child.”

  “If you don’t give me your phone and let me see for myself, don’t bother coming back.” And then he adds. “For two weeks.” Relief floods through me.

  “That’s fine… you’re taking up way too much of my Justin time anyway.” This is ridiculous. This is insane. What the hell are we doing?

  I’m not doing anything wrong. The texts are genuinely platonic in every sense of the word. The problem is Isaac’s attitude; he’s so bloody bossy and controlling sometimes. I get enough of that shit at home from my dad and even he doesn’t look through my phone.

  He grunts, still frowning at the TV as I collect my things. I think he genuinely thinks I won’t leave.

  He’s wrong. “See you in two weeks.” I make sure to slam the door behind me.

  I’m not surprised when I hear it open not long later and I’m even less surprised when he pulls me back into his apartment, slams me against the wall, rips off my clothes and sinks inside.