Page 14 of Anteros' Return

“Why are we here anyway?” I asked.

“I just wanted to see you.” He beamed, causing my heart to race.

He placed me down, his eyes meeting mine the second he spun around.

“But you see me at school?” It came out as more of a question than anything. The thought caused a heat of blush to cover my cheeks. I prayed he couldn’t see it in the darkness of the night.

“Not in the way I’d like to see you, though. I can’t look at you like this.” He tucked a stray hair behind my ear. “I can’t be as close to you as this.”

“Beckett…”

Present day…

“Em, are you okay? You kind of zoned out for a second.” Mike asked, his brows knitting together in confusion.

“I’m fine. I was just thinking that’s all.” I pulled the door back open, not wanting to stay outside much longer. It only brought back memories I didn’t want to see or think of.

“About him?” Mike questioned, that knowing expression on his face that I was all too familiar with. I hated when he looked at me like that.

“Why the fuck does everything have to involve Beck?!” I snapped. I was sick of people always bringing him into the conversation when it had been nearly nine years.

“Beck?” Mike raised his brow, noticing right away how I used Beckett’s nickname.

“It was a slip of the tongue. Does it matter?!” I gave him no time to answer. I was pissed off to the point of being ready to leave. “He left me pregnant and alone, yet everyone brings him up at any opportunity they get. If I’m upset, happy, or annoyed—or any other emotion, for that matter—everyone thinks it’s about him!”

“I didn’t mean?—”

“I’m going to get Liam, and I’m leaving. Maybe next time I see you, you’ll be able to keep his name out of your mouth for once.”

I swung the door open, deflation skimming my spine at how a nice evening had turned into a shit show.

“Liam, baby. Let’s go,” I called across the hall.

“Okay, Mum.” There was no protest as he grabbed his jacket and ran over to me with speed in his step. “You okay?”

“I’m good, sweetie. I just want to get home before it gets too late. You have school tomorrow.” He slipped his hand into mine as we left the venue quickly while going unnoticed. I didn’t want to engage in any more pointless conversations.

Later that evening, I lie in bed with Liam curled up beside me, Beckett’s words still ringing in my head as clear as they did all those years ago.

“I like you, Em.”

I snuggled down beside Liam, turning off the light and blanketing us in complete darkness.

“I love you, Mum.” Liam muttered sleepily. In a matter of minutes, he’d be completely out.

“I love you too, angel.” I ran my fingers through his hair as he closed his eyes and started to drift off.

Why weren’t we enough for you?

Why did you throw us and what we had away?

That was the last thought I had that evening as I dozed off holding my son in my arms.

Ten years ago…

“What have you been drawing?” Beckett asked from beside me in the car.

“Cakes.” I smiled.

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