Page 26 of Anteros' Return

“What happens when you return to Spain?” Mum asked, bringing me back to earth with an almighty bang.

“I don’t want to think about that right now. I just need to explain myself to Em before anything else.”

She gasped. “Beckett, what do you mean? That’s your career!”

“He’s my son, and right now, I’m still in a bloody cast. My main focus is him and getting better.”

“Beck is right, this isn’t just about him anymore. Do you want a lift to Emily’s?” Dad asked, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Please.”

After a twenty minute car journey, my dad dropped me at Emily’s front door.

“Go and explain everything, son.” The old worn leather crunched as he turned to face me. “She’ll understand.”

“Will she? She thinks I abandoned her.”

“Then tell her you didn’t,” he ordered.

“At least I know why everyone hates me now.”

“Fuck everyone else. This is about you building a relationship with your son. Let Emily see you’re the man you always were and that you didn’t leave them for the game.”

“Alright, I’ll call you when I’m done here.” I nodded curtly before making my way to Emily’s door.

11

Ihad just relaxed on the sofa with my homemade pizza when there was a knock on the door. It felt like the hundredth one of the day.

I looked through the peephole, seeing Beckett waiting on the decking.

What more could he possibly want?

I took a deep breath and opened the door. Just as he did all those years ago, he took my breath away. He wore sweat shorts despite the weather—I guessed jeans were a no go with a cast—and an oversized hoodie. The years had been good to him, but when I looked at him, I still saw the same boy I said goodbye to at the airport all those years ago.

“Hey.” He smiled, but it didn’t fully reach his eyes.

“Hi.”

“Is Liam here?”

“No, he’s at his friends for a sleepover. Did you want to speak to him?” I asked, not sure where this conversation was going.

“I actually came to talk to you.”

I knew we had things to talk about. I needed to know what happened when it came to him just as I’m sure he was curious about things.

“Come in.”

I held the door open for him before following him through to the living room. He wobbled slightly on his crutches and something in me couldn’t see him struggling. I helped lower him onto the sofa as his gaze met mine briefly.

“Thanks, I guess I’ve been overdoing it.” Much to his surprise, I propped his leg up on a cushion on the coffee table. “You didn’t need to do that.”

Brushing off his thanks, I sat down beside him, keeping my distance.

“I didn’t know you were pregnant. I wouldn’t have stayed in Spain if I had known.” He started, letting out a deep breath.

“But you never came back for me regardless. Why?” I fought back the tears, thinking back to those endless lonely nights I endured when he left.

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