Page 64 of Anteros' Return

I stripped down to my boxers before climbing beneath the covers. My ankle was throbbing a little from possibly overdoing it in the garden but seeing the look and smile on Liam’s face made it worth it. I typed out a quick text, one I couldn’t wait any longer to send before drifting off to sleep.

I had to admit, sleeping under the same roof as my family filled a void I didn’t know I had. It was definitely one I wanted to fill permanently. The spare room would never be enough, not where Emily and I were concerned, and I knew I’d do whatever it took to get back to where I belonged.

The next morning, I was woken by the sound of Liam’s laughter floating up the stairs, followed by Emily’s. It was easy to imagine what waking up to those two everyday would feel like. And it was more than what I imagined it would be, so much bloody more.

After freshening up with what I found in the guest en suite, I pulled on my joggers and T-shirt before heading downstairs. Once I reached the kitchen, I leaned on the doorframe to admire Emily in her fitted jeans and turtleneck. Her hair was thrown up in a messy bun as loose curls fell in her face. She handed Liam a plate with freshly cooked pancakes.

“Beckett!” Liam gave me a lopsided grin, his hair unbrushed, before shoving a forkful of pancake in his mouth.

“Morning, mate. You ready for school?” I sat down beside Liam who was too engrossed in his breakfast to notice.

“I guess.” He shrugged.

“Actually, do you want to take him this morning?” Emily turned to face me before putting down a plate of pancakes in front of me.

“I’d love to and thank you.”

“I’ve got to pick up everything I need to get started on Kayla’s wedding cake. It’s next weekend, you know.” She flashed me the cutest smile I’d ever bloody seen. Of course I knew it was next weekend. It was one of the only things I could think about. “Have you got physiotherapy today?”

“Yeah, at lunchtime. I’m feeling optimistic, though. I think it’ll go well.”

“I hope so.” She clutched her cup of tea as she leant her elbows on the island. “By the way, I can’t promise you won’t get mobbed at the school gates.”

“By Liam’s mates?” I asked, arching my brow as Emily smirked.

“Oh, no, no, no.” She leaned a little closer as Liam was doing his best to control his laughter. “I’m talking about the mums.”

There was only one mum at the school gate I’d be bothered about, and I was looking right at her.

The two of them could barely control their laughter as I joined in, the three of us cackling in unison. I swear I hadn’t felt this comfortable in such a long time.

“That’s fine by me. I only have eyes for one anyway.” My gaze met Emily’s with an unmatched intensity, causing her cheeks to turn a pretty shade of pink. “We better get going. I don’t want him to be late.”

“See you.” She gnawed at her lower lip ever so slightly, clearly hoping I wouldn’t notice but she should have known by now… I noticed everything.

We arrived at the school gates with plenty of time to spare. Liam chatted nonstop on the way there, and it was just another thing to add to my list of blessings since I’d come back. The funny thing was, they all seemed to include Emily, Liam, or both of them.

“Oh my, you’re Beckett Ashmore!” a woman around twenty years older than me gushed. “My husband loves you!”

“Thank you.” I smiled as Liam chuckled from beside me, obviously remembering our previous conversation with Emily.

“You know, you’re on my list.”

“I’m sorry, list?” I asked, not having a clue what she was referring to.

“Yes, you know, the kind of list that if given the chance, we’d be allowed to have a pass with said celebrity.” She inched closer to me, clearly not caring that our children were present.

“I don’t know what kind of pass you’re referring to, but the only pass I enjoy is the kind on the pitch.” I placed my hand on Liam’s shoulder. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get my girlfriend’s son to school.”

As we walked farther down the path, Liam glanced at me with a quizzical look in his eye. “Your girlfriend’s son? Mum isn’t your girlfriend.”

Yet.

“Thanks for pointing out the obvious there, mate. I just said what was needed to get rid of her.”

“Oh, crazy list lady. Yeah, makes sense.” He laughed as I helped him slide his arms into the straps of his bag. “Just don’t say it again,” he warned with a cheeky glint in his eye.

“Protective of your mum? Good boy. That’s how it should be.” I handed him his drink bottle as his friends called him from the far gate. “Have a good day. I’ll pick you up later if your mum agrees.”

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