Page 16 of Anteros' Return

“There wouldn’t be a pool, just a beautiful garden full of flowers.”

“Sounds like the perfect peaceful place.” My hand brushed hers as she grabbed her pencil.

“What’s going on here?” Harry interrupted the moment, his figure appearing next to the table Emily and I sat at. Mike tailed him, coming up next to him as his gaze bounced between Emily and me.

“Nothing. I was studying for my science exam when I saw your sister, so we decided to keep each other company.”

“Hmm, alright.” I didn’t know if Harry believed anything that came out of my mouth when it came to Emily but fuck it.

“Beckett, we need to get to practice.” Mike smiled, but it was directed towards Emily.

“Alright, coming.” I shoved my books into my bag before facing Em and saying, “I love the idea.”

Harry raised a brow. “What idea?”

“Don’t you have practice to get to?” Emily scoffed as she turned her attention back to her English notes and gave her brother the cold shoulder.

Harry cleared his throat but then covered it up with a laugh, clearly not wanting to push her further. “We’ll see you after practice at the car.”

I smiled softly, playfully rolling my eyes at Harry, as Emily peeked up at me between her dark lashes.

Present day…

It may have been her dream once, but as time passed it was ours. There were days we’d sneak up here and talk about what we’d do to the property. But now it was occupied, and it looked the complete opposite of what we’d planned. Flowers adornedthe front garden, an array of brightly coloured petals front and centre. Something I knew Emily would have approved of. It had a certain homey feel to it, making me think how I used to dream of something like this with the girl I loved.

I approached the door and knocked , waiting for someone to answer. When no one did, I knocked louder.

A woman’s voice sang from the other side of the door. “Coming!, One second.”

I took a second to view my surroundings and the one thing I couldn’t help but notice was the porch swing that hung beside the door. Something Emily used to express how much she’d love one.

The second the door swung open, all the air left my lungs.

Emily.

There she stood after nearly nine years on the threshold of what we dreamed would become our family home. Her auburn hair was bundled up on top of her head, dark rimmed glasses framed her emerald eyes, and remnants of icing sugar dusted her cheeks.

“Emily?” the words tumbled out of my mouth, barely a whisper, as if they’d been lodged somewhere deep in my chest for the past nine years and had finally found their way to the surface. But the shock of seeing her again, the rush of recognition, the overwhelming swirl of emotions left me stumbling for air, my heart thumping too loud in my ears.

I wasn’t ready for this. Hell, I hadn’t even known I could be ready for this.

“Hi.” Her response was distant and the complete opposite of the sweet, loving one she once had.

“Sorry, I must have the wrong house. I’m actually looking for the home of one of the kids on the team.”

“No, you got the right one.” She breathed.

“Wait… You’re Liam’s mum?” I almost choked on my own words, my face a picture of shock and confusion.

“Yes, Beckett. He’s my son. I’m his mum. He’s not here. Now, please go if you have nothing else to say.”Wow… I was Beckett to her again. The last time she called me that was when we first met. Before we got to know each other. After that, I was always Beck to her.

I had nothing else to say, or I did, but I couldn’t find the damn words. I stood there frozen and silent, amazed that the woman I loved was standing right in front of me.

She didn’t say another word. She just shut the door on my face.

Ten years ago…

“So, how many kids can we fill this house with?” I asked, a smile playing on my lips.

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