Page 47 of Anteros' Return

After watching the players before us, it seemed as though patience and precision were required. All it would take was one wrong angle or a too-strong swing for your ball to disappear into the water or spiral off the course entirely.

“You ready?” I asked Liam.

“Watch and learn.” He smirked as Emily stepped back. She had given up and was enjoying the ongoing banter between Liam and me.

I kept an eye on Liam as he judged everything perfectly. He lined up his ball where he thought it should go before giving it a tap with just enough power to clear every single obstacle. We all watched as everything seemed to move in slow motion, watching and waiting for that hole in one…

“I did it!!” He grinned, jumping up and down with excitement at his triumph.

I took my place on the course, placing the ball in the same spot Liam did while he tried his best to distract me, and shit, did it work. I tapped the ball too hard, only for it to end up in the fucking water…Brilliant.

“So, how’s it feel losing to a seven-year-old, Beckett?” he teased.

“If you have to use cheating tactics to win then we need a rematch.” I laughed.

He gave me a genuine, heartfelt smile and said, “Don’t be a sore loser, it doesn’t suit you.”

“You know what, usually I hate losing, but I can cope with losing to you.” I ruffled his hair as he handed his mum his club and ball.

“Can I go and play over there?” He pointed over to the playground area between the course and the ice cream shop.

“Of course, just stay where we can see you.” Emily gave him a reassuring smile before he sprinted off in the direction of the other kids.

“How’s the ankle?” she asked, still keeping her distance.

“It’s fine. A little uncomfortable, but I expected that.” I gripped my crutches tighter. It was the only thing I could do to stop myself from kissing the most infuriating woman I knew. “Besides, I kind of forgot about it when I saw how much fun Liam was having.”

“You’re really good with him,” she complimented.

I knew deep down that I still affected her. I knew that, no matter how much of a front she tried to put on, she still had feelings for me.

“Why don’t you go and find a table, and I’ll get the ice cream.”

She sat down at a table close to the ice cream shop, already pulling out her purse, but there was no way she was paying. “You don’t need to do that. I’ll get it,” she offered.

“Put your bloody purse away, Em, I’ve got it.” I politely demanded.

“Fine, but I’ll get something for us next time.” She was adamant, but I just shook my head, knowing I’d never let that happen.

“I’m going to take a wild guess and say your favourite is still salted caramel?”

“How’d you remember that?” she asked, taken aback that I remembered more than just her old food order.

I leaned down close to her, bringing my lips to her ear as the warmth of my breath tickled her skin.“Because I still know my girl.”

17

“Because I still know my girl.”

Those words echoed in my head on repeat.

His girl?

How could I still be his girl?

Of course I still had feelings for him. You never got over your first love, did you?

After a long, well-needed shower, I wrapped a towel around my body, barely able to get Beckett and the words he said out of my damn head.

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