Page 9 of Anteros’ Return (Zelus U: Prequel)

8

T he following morning, I stood beside Daniel with the team as they awaited what I guessed was his usual speech.

“Right, boys, you know what it is we want today?” Daniel asked.

“A win?” Liam quizzed, arching his brow.

He was my kid alright with winning on the brain at all times.

“Beckett, do you want to take this one?” Daniel smiled, leaving today's team talk to me.

“Yes, we want a win. Of course we do, but we also want to see you working as a team. Every time you step onto that pitch, you’re not just playing a game. You’re showing up as a team, and that means we support each other. When one of us scores, we all celebrate. When someone makes a mistake, we lift them up and keep pushing forward. Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about giving your best and learning together.”

“Alright, Mr. Ashmore.” Liam agreed as the rest of the team followed along and nodded their heads.

Did he just like what I had to say? Wow.

“So, you’re going to go out there, play your hearts out, and most importantly, have fun together! I believe in each and every one of you. Now, who’s ready to show what we’ve got?”

“WE ARE!” The team erupted in unison, and I felt so incredibly proud despite not knowing them for that long.

As the boys ran off to continue warming up, Daniel slapped my back in camaraderie. “That was some speech, you sure you don’t want to do this full time?”

“They’re great kids, but I don’t belong in Chester anymore. I see it now.”

“You outgrew it, huh?”

“I guess you could say that.” I shrugged, stealing a glance at Emily who was deep in conversation with Harry on the sidelines. It was good to know that Liam had people in his life who supported him. That he didn’t go without that just because he didn’t have me in his life.

The game got underway, and as we shouted motivational orders from the side of the pitch, the boys killed it. Liam scored a hat trick within the first ten minutes, which shocked Daniel, but after seeing him play this week I wasn’t. I knew he had it in him. I knew he had talent. He was something special, that was for sure. I watched his celebration with Emily, holding his hands up in a heart and pointing at her, and I had to admit, it was adorable. It reminded me of when I used to look for her in the crowd when I was having a stellar game.

Ten years ago…

Scoring the winning goal was always a dream of mine but dedicating that goal to the girl I was falling in love with was even better.

As I shot the ball into the back of the net, I looked to where I knew she sat. Kissing my index finger, I pointed to her.

Her blush was as inevitable as her brother's glare, but I didn’t care. I wanted her to know that even when I was on the pitch, I thought of her and scored for her.

For her, the fallout—and Harry’s wrath—would always be worth it.

Present day…

As I watched Liam play, nostalgia washed over me. His attitude during gameplay was the complete opposite of what he directed at me. It was infectious. Every sprint down the field, every determined tackle, reminded me of my own childhood on the pitch. His drive was palpable, a fierce energy that lit up the eyes of many. I couldn’t help but admire his love for football, a passion I had carried with me for years. And still did.

The match ended 6-1 with us in the lead, and Daniel was as over the moon as was I. The team retreated to the changing room as I stood on the sidelines for a moment longer, unable to take my eyes off of Emily.

The way her hair blew around her in the gentle breeze. The way her eyes sparkled as she spoke to her brother. The way her laughter made my heart thump a little harder. The list was bloody endless. The second she clocked me watching her, so did Harry, and it didn’t take him long to storm over to me.

“Listen, Harry, I don’t want any trouble, alright?” I removed my hands from my crutches, holding them up in a gesture that showed I wasn’t trying to cause problems.

“There won’t be any fucking trouble, as long as you stay away from Liam and Emily.” He seethed, not giving two shits who was eavesdropping. “You should have listened all those years ago. I should have never said that it was okay for you to date her.”

“With all due respect, I wouldn’t have listened to you back then. And I don’t see why I should now either.” I squared up to him, suddenly not caring about getting into an argument with him. Crutches or not.

“Because in a few weeks you’ll be on your way back to Spain, and they’ll be forgotten about once again. And then I’ll be the one picking up the pieces just like I did almost nine years ago.”

He fisted my hoodie, his knuckles white with rage, and for a moment, I thought he would follow through and knock me out. But before anything could escalate, Emily was there, pulling him away. It wasn’t to protect me. It was to prevent him from making a mistake he couldn’t take back.

“Harry, let’s just get Liam and go,” she urged, her voice firm yet full of concern. She pushed him back gently, her eyes softening as she met his gaze. “Please.”

Harry hesitated, his anger faltering under her plea. Finally, he stepped back, but not without throwing one last glare in my direction. “Your cards are marked, Ashmore,” he said, his voice low and venomous, each word laced with an unspoken threat.

“Mummy! I scored a hat trick, did you see?” Liam came bounding up to the three of us, unaware of what unfolded between us less than a minute ago.

“I saw, baby. You were amazing.” She flung her arms around him, lifting him up into her hold.

“Coach gave me the player of the match!”

“It was truly deserved, Liam. You played a great game.” I smiled, shaking off Harry’s warning, though the irritation from his words still buzzed just underneath my skin.

“Thanks,” his reply was a lot softer than his usual snippy attitude.

“Thank you, Mr. Ashmore. He’ll see you on Monday for training.” Emily half smiled, not wanting her son to think there was anything wrong. Or that we had history. Every piece of me hated that she referred to me as Mr. Ashmore.

I watched the three of them walk away as Liam threw his head back with laughter, and that’s when it hit me like a fucking truck at full speed. I had missed out on all those precious years. Years I knew I’d never get back but years I knew I could make up for.

“Shall we head for a celebratory lunch?” Daniel asked, slapping his palm on my shoulder.

“You know what, as great as that sounds, I think I need to speak to my parents.” I replied as Daniel looked at me with a quizzical look. “Liam is my boy, my son.”

“Mate, I?—-”

“I know his intake information had no father’s name, but the dates are the perfect match and Emily was the love of my life. She wouldn’t have been with someone else.” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “My parents knew she was pregnant. They must have, so why didn’t they tell me? And why don’t they have a relationship with my son?”

“Only they have the answers you need, mate.”

“You’re right. I guess I’m just scared of what they’ll say.” I sighed.

“Come on, let me give you a ride back.” After we collected our stuff from the match and all the kids were with their parents, Daniel strolled back to his car with me following. “By the way, who’s taking you to get this cast off?”

“I was going to go on my own. I don’t need anybody fussing.”

“Tough. I’m taking you, you’re not going alone.” Daniel responded.

“You won’t let me decline that either, will you?” I chuckled.

“Will I fuck.” He laughed a throaty laugh.