Page 29 of Anteros' Return

“You sure?” Harry asked, taken aback by his offer.

“Yeah, I’m bloody starving.” Beckett leaned on his crutches with a boyish grin.

“You’d have to be to eat that.” And just like that, in the late hours of Saturday evening, Harry and Beckett shared a laugh, one they hadn’t shared in a while.

After they left, I looked down at the notepad, skimming my fingers over the piece of paper and tracing my thumb over his writing. Pulling out my phone, I scrolled through my contacts and there it was as clear as day. His phone number.

B.

The truth is, I never deleted this number. I could never bring myself to do it.

12

The following morning I was awoken by a loud ping from my bedside table. Reaching for my phone, I saw her name flash up on my screen.

Cupcake.

The truth is, I never deleted this number. I could never bring myself to do it.

Hey, it’s Emily. Come by the house at 12. Liam will be home by then.

Morning, I’ll be there. Do you want me to bring anything?

No need, see you at 12.

I arrived at Emily’s at 11:55 a.m. My nerves were at a minimum. Surprisingly, I was more excited than anything else, despite notknowing how Liam would actually take to the idea of spending time with me. He already didn’t like it on the pitch.

Seconds after I knocked Emily answered the door. There was no denying how beautiful she was. Her natural auburn waves cascaded over her shoulders. She wore a dusting of makeup on her face and jeans that hugged her in all the right places.

“Come in.” She smiled, but it was clear there were nerves behind it. She was scared and worried about Liam. About how he would react.

I stepped inside and shrugged off my jacket. “Thanks for this.”

“There’s no need to thank me.” Em took my jacket and hung it on the hook in the entryway.. “I want this for the two of you.”

“I know he’s not a fan of me for whatever reason, but I plan to try, Em. I want to be the best father I can be to him,” I promised.

“I know.” She turned to the stairs. “Liam, can you come down, please?” she called, and within seconds, footsteps pitter-pattered on the floor above. “Follow my lead.”

“Planning on it.”

“Yes, Mum?” He came bounding down the stairs in what looked like his favourite premier league team shirt. Gutted it wasn’t a La Liga one but that could change. “Oh, you’re here.” He puffed out his cheeks, letting out the air he held inside them. Like he was disappointed.

“Liam, Beckett is an old friend of the family.” She pushed a stray hair from his forehead as he watched her intently.

“Okay, but why is he here?” He questioned.

“He’s been in Spain a while, but since he’s back, he would love to get to know the boy I’ve described to him. Not the one with an attitude.” I stood there, waiting for her to work whatever magic she had up her sleeve. “How does that sound? Can you do that for me?”

“Alright. I guess.” He shrugged and gave her a lopsided smile.

“Good boy. Now, do you want to help Beckett set the table for lunch?”

“How about I cook the three of us some food and you don’t worry about a thing?” I asked, Liam glancing over towards me with a softer expression.

“You don’t need to do that.” She protested but Liam stepped in.

“Let him,” he demanded in the cutest way possible.

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