Page 55 of Anteros' Return

I’m glad he did. It went downhill so quickly.

I know it did, but believe me, that boy had the best day, so thank you again.

Are you free next Saturday? I thought we could go out. Just the two of us.

I tapped my thumb on the side of my phone, wanting to say yes more than anything in the world. I mean, Kayla would have understood and Beckett was worth complicating everything for once again, but I couldn’t bring myself to say yes… I just couldn’t.

Thanks for the offer, but I can’t, I’m busy. Sorry.

No worries. I get that you have a life and can’t just drop everything for someone who left you all those years ago.

It’s not that… I genuinely already have plans.

Maybe before I leave then?

Maybe.

Before he leaves…

That was a thought I well and truly wanted to erase from my mind.

20

“Well done, boys! Another cracking win!” I cheered as the team cheered with me. “You all played incredibly well!”

“Beckett, do you want to award the player of the match trophy?” Dan asked, handing me the weekly trophy.

“Our player of the match is Liam!” The pride might have radiated off me, but all eyes were on Liam—who looked like he might burst from the inside out. His mouth dropped open in shock before stretching into the biggest grin I’d ever seen. His hands flew up into the air in a silent victory cheer before he turned to me, beaming like he'd just won the World Cup.

“Right, we’ll see you lads on Monday, enjoy your weekend!” Dan lit up as he high-fived them all.

As I lifted my gaze, I caught sight of Emily standing amidst the empty spectator stands. Her hair danced and swirled in the chilly wind, framing her perfectly flushed cheeks that had endured over an hour in the cold. The pale pink hue of her skin contrasted beautifully with her auburn hair, making her look like a delicate painting brought to life.

“C’mon, Liam, I’ll walk you over to your mum.” I started off in Emily’s direction with Liam right beside me.

“Beckett?” he asked, shoving his arms into his team coat.

“What’s up, mate?”

“Did you only choose me for player of the match because you know my mum and want to make her happy?” He stopped, waiting for me to do the same and give him my attention, which I did.

As I crouched down to meet him at eye level, a warmth prickled at the back of my neck—the kind of feeling you get when someone’s watching. I didn’t need to look to know Emily’s gaze was on us. The kind of weight only her eyes could carry.

“Listen, Liam, I made my feelings about you being player of the match when you scored those three banging goals today and made that quality assist. It has nothing to do with your mum being my friend but everything to do with the crazy amount of talent you have.” I smiled. “Trust me. You’re incredibly talented and you deserve that trophy today.”

“Thanks.”

Over the past week, I’d only seen Liam at training, and he still had an upset attitude towards me. Deep down I knew it was because he overheard the talk of me leaving. Emily had put his quietness this week to being extremely busy at school but that wasn’t it.

“Mum! I got player of the match!” Liam sprinted to his mum the second he saw her waiting for him with open arms. She gave him that same heart-stopping smile she always had, only this time it was so much bigger.

“I’m so proud of you!” She scooped him into her arms, spinning him around.

“He deserved it,” I interrupted as Emily placed him carefully on the ground.

The tension between Emily and I hung in the air like a thick fog. That woman was my kryptonite, and I hoped damn well that she knew it too.

“What are you two doing this evening?” I asked, wanting to break the silence.

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