Page 44 of Anteros' Return

“I just need to fill in some paperwork to send over to your doctor in Spain. You can get your leg washed up while I’m gone, the supplies you need are on the side over there.” He nodded with a smile before heading out the door.

“I’ll leave you to get washed up and changed.” Hearing the doctor mention Spain sobered my feelings, leaving me with that undeniable ache that Beckett would soon be leaving. I tried to remove my hand, wanting to eliminate myself from the inevitable situation, but Beckett wasn’t allowing that to happen as he carefully swung his legs over the bed.

When he pulled me between them, I let out a small gasp—soft, involuntary—as the heat of his body met mine. His hands were firm but gentle, my skin prickling at the contact, the closeness stirring something deep and electric.

It was that sensation I knew all too well—the rush of breathless anticipation, the way my heart stuttered as his warmth surrounded me. It was comfort and danger wrapped in the same breath—an ache I hadn’t let myself feel in a long time.

His hands found my waist and brought me in as close as possible. Our eyes were level with one another's. With my lips inches from his, I had never felt so safe and wanted at the same time, but I knew deep down that he was leaving. Whatever this was would just be something to pass the time until he was gone.

“Beck.”

“Fuck, I haven’t heard you call me that for so long.” He exhaled the warmth of his breath mingling with my own.

“Because we aren’t what we once were, you know that and so do I.”

“No, we’re better than what we were.” He held me tighter, and I couldn’t pull away even if I wanted to.

16

Holding her like this reminded me of old times, times I’d never bloody forgotten, times I never wanted to either. My heart tightened, making me realise just how much I missed her. My eyes dropped to her lips. I was unable to tear myself away from her. Her words brought me crashing back down to earth

“Beck,” she repeated.

“Stop saying my name like that, Em.” I tightened my hold on her waist as she let out another small gasp. She loved the feeling just as much as I did, but I knew she was too stubborn to admit it. “What happened between us wasn’t our fault. We were just too fucking stupid to realise.”

“That doesn’t change anything. You could have gotten on a plane, you could have come back.”

Hearing her whisper those words cut me the same as the first time she said them. I mean, I could have fought harder. I could have come back to see it for myself, but no, I gave up too damn quickly! But the idea of seeing her truly move on so soon after I left would have cut me. One thing was for sure. I was determinedto show her just how much she meant to me. She might have thought I was here for Liam, but in reality, I was here for her too.

“Did you ever think I didn’t get on a plane because the thought of seeing you with someone else would have killed me?” I asked.

“I can’t do this with you, Beckett. You’re here for Liam. What we had is in the past; it doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Of course, it matters.” I cupped her neck and brought her closer, our lips now brushing. All the memories and nostalgia came flooding back.

The door opened, and the doctor stepped inside, stopping in his tracks. “I’m sorry to interrupt. Shall I come back?” the doctor asked, much to my irritation.

What a cock block.

Cheers for that one, doc.

“No, it’s fine. We’re done here.” Emily removed herself from my hold. I felt the sudden rush of coldness, and I didn’t like it. Not one damn bit. “I’ll wait out there for you.” And with that, she left.

Fuck.

“Okay, you’ll need to take these crutches with you, just in case you need any extra assistance if it gets too uncomfortable or too much.” He glanced over at me. “I would also suggest that you rest, especially today.”

“No can do. I made plans with my son, and I won’t be letting him down.” I was adamant. I had missed so much time with Liam as it was. I wasn’t going to ruin his afternoon. “I’ll use the crutches today to give me that little bit of additional support.”

“Beckett, don’t do anything that could set you back. You haven’t even started physiotherapy yet.”

“I plan on being back on that pitch as soon as I’m cleared. I won’t do anything that could ruin that.” That was the truth, ofcourse it was, but as much as football was my life, so were two other people.

“Good. If you need anything at all, you know where I am until you leave.”

“Thanks, Doc.” He took my arm as I stood, unsure of how I would do with applying weight to my ankle for the first time.

Fuck, it felt weird, and he was right. There was a little discomfort, but I’d be fine. It wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.

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