Page 65 of Anteros' Return

“Thanks, Beckett.” He high-fived me. “Hope physio is alright!” He smiled before running off to his friends who were now waving in my direction.

After I dropped Liam off, I was surprised to have a message waiting from Em. I quickly opened it.

So, how were those school mums?

Why? You worried about me, cupcake?

I stared at the screen, expecting to see those three dots to indicate she was replying, but instead I saw nothing. Just the notification that the last message was read.

You know what, you were right… I’ll tell you about it later.

That must have hurt to admit.

What? That you’re right? No, not in the slightest.

Are you sure about that?

Well, maybe just a little bit.

I waited for a moment, watching those three dots happily on the screen until a new message popped up.

How was Liam?

Wonderful.

I was wondering if I’d be able to pick him up after school and take him to the park, is that alright?

Of course, I’ll let the school know.

Oh, and by the way, good luck at physio.

Thank you.

I hated the fact that I was confined to the physiotherapy room, despising that I was having to regain the strength and fitness I worked so hard on. The smell of liniment and sweat lingered in the air as I pushed through each exercise with determination.

“How’s that feeling?” Daniel asked from beside Issac, the physiotherapist the team had assigned to me.

“Alright. It hurts a little, but I can push through.”

“Take it easy. We don’t want you to overdo it,” Issac smiled as he jotted a couple of notes down on my file.

My muscles ached and trembled under the pressure, but I knew that this was what it would take to get back on the pitch. Through gritted teeth, I envisioned myself scoring the winning goal and earning cheers from the crowd. I was determined to make a successful comeback and prove to myself, my team, and my family that I was ready for battle once again.

“That’s good. Keep it going,” Daniel encouraged as he clapped his hands together.

“Excellent work, Beckett. You’re right where I need you to be.” Issac held up his hand, stopping my final exercise.

As I wrapped up the session, exhaustion washed over me, but I was filled with hope and determination for my journey back to the league. I just didn't know what that meant for Emily and me.

23

The morning of Kayla’s wedding had arrived, and she was like a kid on Christmas. I had never seen her as excited as she was at this very moment.

“I bet Ashton’s excited, isn’t he?” I smiled as I sipped my cup of tea.

The wedding was being held at an English country hotel, nestled in the heart of the countryside, the estate sprawled across acres of luscious-green lawns, framed by ancient oaks and whispering willows. The hotel itself stood proudly at the centre—a grand, ivy-clad manor that glowed golden in the afternoon light, its tall windows reflecting centuries of history and quiet luxury.

Beyond the terraced gardens, a lake lay still and glassy, catching every flicker of sunlight like it was made of liquid silver. In the distance, the faint laughter of the wedding party floated through the air, mingling with the scent of roses and fresh-cut grass.

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