Page 13 of Anteros' Return

The hall was filled with Maggie’s family and friends, all wanting to celebrate her birthday. She could barely contain her excitement as everyone sang happy birthday to her.

Liam and Ashton cheered as she blew out her candles.

“Happy birthday, Maggie!” I grinned.

“Oh, Emily, it’s beautiful! You didn’t need to go to any trouble for me.” She reached up and softly patted my cheek with her hand.

“Don’t be silly. I loved baking this for you.”

“Yeah, Maggie, happy birthday!” Liam beamed, flopping down onto the chair beside her. The way he stared at the cake told me he couldn’t wait to get a slice of it.

“Thank you, my boy. Let me guess, you want some of my cake, don’t you?” She slid the knife into the sponge, cutting him a slice before handing him the plate.

“Thank you, Maggie.” He beamed as he accepted his slice.

Maggie was Mike's grandmother. She was hoping with all she had left in her that I’d go on a date with him, but she was going to continue being incredibly disappointed.

“Oh, darling, you’ve got more around your mouth than in your belly.” My mum laughed as she wiped away the remnants of icing from Liam’s lip.

“You outdone yourself on that cake, sorry I didn’t have a chance to tell you before it was cut.” Mike appeared as if on cue.

“You would have been able to tell her if you weren’t late.” Maggie scolded.

“I’m sorry, gran, you know how things can be at the office.” He apologised before placing a kiss on her cheek.

“You’re forgiven, my boy.” She giggled.

“Sarah, do you mind if I steal your daughter away?” he asked my mum.

“Not at all.” Mum practically shooed me away with him as he couldn’t hide his smile.

He led me outside the social club hall, the cool evening sending goosebumps over my skin.

“Thanks for making her birthday cake. Not many would have on short notice, let alone for no charge.”

“It was my pleasure. She’s been a big part of Liam’s life. It was from him too.”

“How’s he doing? He was complaining to me about the match on Saturday.” He stepped closer to me. “Do you think it was Beckett’s doing?”

“Care to expand on that?” I asked.

“I just mean, do you think Beckett asked Daniel to bench Liam?” He rubbed at the back of his neck as he spoke.

“No, Mike, I don’t. I think Liam grew a smartass attitude and decided to use it on the newest target. It has nothing to do with Beckett.” I placed my hand on the door handle, not needing to be reminded of Beckett every bloody five minutes.

The discomfort of being here lingered like an ache in my chest, a feeling I couldn’t shake no matter how many times I’d tried. Wherever I looked I was reminded of Beckett, and if Ireminisced hard enough, I could still hear his laughter as he dragged me here late at night. I squeezed my eyes shut, keeping my back to Mike.

Ten years ago…

“Come on, Emily.” Beckett laughed, squeezing my hand as we walked behind the social club in the dark.

“We’re going to get into trouble, Beckett.” I whimpered, worried about someone catching us sneaking around.

“Don’t worry about it. Nobody will catch us out here.”

The back of the social club hall late at night was a peaceful, secretive place, tucked away from the rest of the world. The air felt cool, carrying a faint scent of damp earth and moss, mixing with the soft fragrance of greenery that surrounded the space. The hall itself, a large, old building with its weathered brick walls, stood quiet in the dark, its shadow stretching long across the grass.

He lifted me effortlessly onto his back as I wrapped my legs around his waist. The scent of his aftershave invaded my senses when the wind blew. He stepped onto the wooden decking as it creaked gently under his feet.

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