Page 23 of Anteros' Return

“Right, now that Liam is busy, what was that at the pitch today?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at my brother.“What about it? I was warning him to stay away from you.” He scoffed, leaning back against the booth.

“I appreciate that and all, but I honestly don’t need you doing that. You’ve been doing it since I was a teen.”

“He should have listened back then.”

“And if he’d have listened then I wouldn’t have that wonderful little boy, would I?” I glanced over at Liam who was enjoying the 2p machines.

“Fair point, but I couldn’t take the way he was looking at you. It’s as if he has no fucking idea what he’s done.”

“Will you calm down? If I choose to speak to Beckett while he’s home, that’s up to me. It has nothing to do with you, do you understand?”

“Em—”

“I said, do you understand?”

“Alright, I understand, but I won’t stand for him hurting you again, especially since it’s taken you this long to get over him.” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

If only he knew that there was no such thing as getting over Beckett.

People always said you never forget your first love, and I could easily say how true that was, considering I was living it.

Ten years ago…

“I’m telling your brother,” Beckett said with a playful grin.

“You can’t! He’ll beat the shit out of you!” I protested, my heart racing at the thought.

“Do you think that scares me? I’d take a beating from him every day of the week if it meant we didn’t have to hide what we want anymore.” There was a fierce determination in his voice. He knew what he wanted and nothing would stand in his way.

Suddenly, he leaned in, cupping my face gently. Our eyes locked, and I could see the love he had for me shining through.

“I love you, Emily Ryton.”

His words hit me like a wave, crashing over me so suddenly I forgot how to breathe. “You love me?” I echoed, barely recognising my own voice as disbelief flooded my mind.

“Yes, Em, I love you. I love you so damn much.” He brought his lips an inch from mine, the tension between us electric. “Never second guess my feelings for you.” He pressed a soft kiss to my lips, a promise wrapped in tenderness. “Never second guess my love for you, cupcake.”

“I love you too.” My voice was barely above a whisper. A tear escaped and trickled down the side of my face until his thumb caught it.

He kissed me again, deeper this time, pouring all his feelings into that moment. Everything we kept hidden was finally coming to light, and as I melted into the kiss, I knew we were stepping into a new chapter together. One where love didn’t have to be a secret.

Present day…

With Liam at Ashton’s for a sleepover, I relaxed in the bath, letting the warm bubbly water wash away the day. I never imagined seeing Beckett would hurt as much as it did. Seeing the resemblance between him and Liam was startling. I already knew they had similarities, but it was different when the two of them stood next to each other.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the way he looked at me today. As if I was still the only girl in the world to him. I couldn’t help but wonder how true that was.

Stop it!I scolded myself.

He left us both. He didn’t want us. He moved on to new and better things.

I let my head fall back against the tub, not wanting to open my eyes because despite all the heartache and upset, I felt that ache in my chest. The same ache I’d had for the past nine years. Each breath was a reminder of what I’d lost, a sharp pang that resonated in the quiet of the bathroom.

The water swirled around me, warm and inviting, but it was a thin veil over the turmoil beneath. Memories surged like waves, crashing over me—his laughter, the way his eyes glowed with mischief, the promise of forever we once whispered to each other. Those moments were etched in my mind, vivid and beautiful, but they were distant stars now glimmering but unreachable.

I lathered soap over my body, letting my hands trail across my skin. It was the first time in years that I felt that tightness in my lower belly. That urge. Seeing Beckett did something to me. It was like he brought that part of me back to life. It was as if he resurrected it from the grave I buried it in. I circled my fingers over my clit, letting my head fall back once again, my mind going back to our first time together.

Ten years ago…

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