Page 15 of Anteros' Return

“Cakes?” He questioned.

“Yeah, I love to bake and design extravagant cake ideas. Whether or not I ever make them is a different story.”

“Do you need a taster?” he asked genuinely, unable to hide his stomach flipping smile.

“Maybe. Are you offering?” I teased.

“Of course I am. As long as I’m the only one, that is.” He grinned.

“That could be arranged.”

Present Day…

“Do you have everything you need?” I asked and Liam pulled on his coat.

“I do. I’ve already got my lunch.” He held up his favourite football team’s lunchbox with a smile.

“Good boy.”

“Do you think Coach will let me play tomorrow, Mum?”

“You know what you have to do if you want to play.” I wrapped my arms around him, squeezing him gently. “Maybe next week can be a fresh start for you, but you have to keep the attitude to an absolute minimum for starters.”

“Okay, Mum.” I knew he was upset, but he also had to learn that we couldn’t always get our own way. “I’ll see you after school.”

He kissed me on the cheek before running off towards Kayla’s car. Ashton sat in the backseat, waving frantically as Liam approached. I met Kayla on the first day of Reception. We hit it off and luckily so did our boys. She’d become my best friend, the only one outside of my family who knew who Liam’s dad was.

I waved them off before collecting my hair and pulling it up into a messy bun. I wanted to make Liam’s favourite cupcakes—rainbow sprinkle sponge with homemade vanilla icing—-as a surprise for after school. He’d finish every single one if I’d let him.

A smile played on my lips as I thought of my little boy. The one who had made me a mother. The one who, no matter the day I was having—good or bad—could bring a smile to my face and endless love in my heart.

I mixed the ingredients for the cake and baked it. After they cooled down, I began piping the icing onto the first cupcake. When there was a soft knock at the front door, I mindlessly went to answer it.

“Coming! One second,” I called, hurrying into the hallway.

Pulling the front door open, I never expected to see the man who left me. But there he was, as if no time had passed.

With no air left in my lungs, I just about managed to mutter one word.

“Beckett?”

7

Islowly made my way up the hill, which was harder than it looked, especially on these bloody crutches. I looked towards the familiar house, one that I’d spoken about buying many years ago.

Ten years ago…

“What kind of house would you want?” I asked Emily as she sat beside me in the library.

“Something I could do up and make how I want, you know?” She turned to face me, her smile reaching her eyes. “That house up on the hill would be an absolute dream.”

“But it’s practically falling apart,” I joked, turning the page in my science book. The same one I was supposed to be reading but couldn’t focus on.

“Precisely. That’s what I want.”

I never knew how much a house could mean to someone, but seeing Emily’s eyes light up when she spoke about what she’d do to it warmed my heart.

“Where would the pool go?” I teased.

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