Page 53 of Anteros' Return

“You shouldn’t have bothered. You’re leaving, and I probably won’t see you much after you go back to Spain, so I’d rather you just be a coach with Dan and that’s it.” I felt sick. His words destroyed me, and the fact he could barely look at me made it ten times worse.

“Liam…”

“Leave it. Let’s just go home.” He closed his eyes, but as he did, I could have sworn I saw a single tear escape and trickle down his cheek.

Dealing with all this was never in the cards for me. I was supposed to come home for a couple of months to recover in my own way, and then fly back and be the man I once was. But now, everything I had planned was slowly going to shit.

What the fuck was I supposed to do?

19

Isaw the car pull up outside from the kitchen window. I wiped my hands on a tea towel, barely able to keep still. The anticipation buzzed through me as I hurried to the door, already smiling. I couldn’t wait to see Liam’s face, to hear every detail tumble out of him all at once. I didn’t know the extent of what Beckett had in store for him today, but I knew it was most likely top class.

As I opened the door, Liam stormed in, his face twisted in anger—his cheeks flushed, his eyes narrowed and dark with frustration. His little hands were balled into fists, and his mouth was pulled tight into a hard line. It was a look I didn’t recognise, and I thought I’d seen them all.

“Hi, baby, how was your day?” I asked, hoping it would pull him out of the funky mood he seemed to be in.

“Fine.” He huffed, already storming up the stairs. His feet hit the steps with force, each one louder than the last, like he was trying to make the whole house feel his frustration.

I turned to face Beckett, who had just reached the door. He wore an expression I couldn’t work out, and I was truly at a loss for words at the pair of them.

“Why is he upset, Beckett?” I remained calm, but my eyes might have sang a different tune as Beckett stood there silent for a moment.

“I don’t know. We had an amazing day, and then when the team manager mentioned me playing for them, I turned him down and Liam’s mood changed.” He sighed.

“Right, so that doesn’t explain why he’s upset.”

“I don't know what happened exactly. Maybe he didn't like the business talk. The manager at Bluehaven kept pestering me about a team switch." I could tell Beckett was upset as well, and I had to admit I hated seeing him that way.

“Beckett, what you need to understand is that Liam is obviously getting comfortable around you. He’s wanting to do more together, and now he’s getting a reality check. He knows you’re getting closer to leaving. It’s hitting him hard.”

“What am I supposed to do, Em?” He sighed. “I can’t not go back, can I?”

“I didn’t ask you to stay years ago, and I won’t ask you now. You do what’s best for you.” I couldn’t say it with a smile because as each day crept closer, it was getting as hard for me as it was the first time. “I need to go and check on Liam. I’ll text you.”

“Em.”

“I’ll text you, Beckett.” I began to close the door when I paused for a second. “Thank you for today. Despite his upset now, I know Liam loved every second of being there.”

“He’s my son, Em, and even if he doesn’t know yet, I don’t want to upset him.” The angst on his face was clear, and I could tell he was practically counting down the hours until he had to leave and not in a good kind of way.

“I know you don’t. I understand, I truly do, I guess we just need to work around everything.”

“Yeah, I guess we do.” He breathed out. “Text me.”

“I will.”

No more words were said, he turned his back to me and walked away.

After closing the door, I made my way up to Liam’s bedroom. As I waited outside for a second, I noticed how silent he was inside. I tapped once before entering.

“Why are you hiding up here, little man?” I asked as I wandered over to him as he looked out of the window. “What are you looking at?”

“Nothing.” He sighed heavily.

I followed his line of sight, and realised he was watching Beckett leave.

“Liam?” I whispered.

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