Chapter Six
Archie
Archie’s knuckles were white against the handlebars, his grip so tight it felt like he was trying to squeeze the frustration out of his body. The wind whipped against him as he tore down the empty road, the roar of the engine drowning out the angry thoughts racing through his mind.
Brogan lied. No relationships, huh? No strings, no complicated history? And yet, there Jade stood in the doorway, smug as hell, practically claiming the place like Archie was just a visitor.
Archie gritted his teeth and twisted the throttle harder, the speedometer climbing.
He had liked Brogan. Really liked him. He’d let himself believe, for once, maybe this could turn into something.
That Brogan was the kind of guy who meant what he said.
That maybe Archie had finally found someone who didn’t come with baggage packed by an ex with an axe to grind.
Should’ve known better.
Joe’s house was still a few miles away, but Archie didn’t feel like slowing down. If anything, he wanted to push the bike past its limits, let the reckless speed shake loose the anger clawing at his chest.
Until he saw the flashing lights.
“Are you kidding me?” he muttered under his breath as he eased up on the throttle. The patrol car was already parked on the shoulder, waiting. And just as expected, Officer Rafael Duarte was stepping out, adjusting his belt like he had all the time in the world.
Archie sighed, cutting the engine and pulling off his helmet, his jaw set tight. “Rafael.”
The officer didn’t bother with pleasantries. He glanced at the bike, then back at Archie, eyes narrowing. “You got a death wish, kid?”
Archie glared, crossing his arms. “I’m not a kid.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” Rafael shook his head, unimpressed. “Racing through the back roads like some reckless teenager. You know how fast you were going?”
Archie exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair. “Look, I’m not in the mood for a lecture.”
“Too bad,” Rafael shot back. “You should lose your damn license for that stunt. You could’ve killed someone. This isn’t San Diego.”
Archie clenched his jaw, the frustration he’d been trying to outrun settling back into his bones. “There’s no one out here.”
“There’s you,” Rafael paused. “And I doubt your cousin would appreciate scraping you off the pavement.”
Archie narrowed his eyes, irritation crackling beneath his skin. “You don’t even like me. Why do you care?”
Rafael sighed, like Archie was exhausting him. “It’s not about liking you, Archie. It’s about me not feeling like reporting a crash tonight.”
Archie didn’t respond, just shifted his weight onto one leg, waiting for the inevitable.
Rafael pulled out his notepad. “License.”
Archie gritted his teeth but handed it over.
The ticket was written up in a matter of minutes, the quiet scratch of the pen only making Archie’s frustration worse.
“Slow down,” Rafael said simply, like he wasn’t in the mood to argue anymore. “Before you do something stupid.”
“Where are you going in such a rush?”
“Joe’s house.”
“Joe’s house.” He stared at the duffle bag tied to the motorcycle. “I thought you moved in with that Irish teacher.”
“I moved out.”
“Why didn’t you move in with us, then?”
“I have my reasons.”
“Drive safely or you will lose your license.”
Archie snatched the paper from his hand, shoving it into his jacket. He wanted to snap back, but what was the point? Rafael wasn’t wrong.
As he took off, he made sure he maintained the posted speed limit.
Rafael was right. This was a small town, not a city like San Diego.
He had to be mindful of the speed limits.
He still couldn’t see what Andrew saw in Rafael.
Who marries a cop? He rode to Joe’s, parked in the driveway, and grabbed his duffle bag.
Archie stepped onto the porch, the wooden boards creaking beneath his boots.
The air in Foggy Basin was thick with damp earth and pine, and for the first time since leaving Brogan’s, he let himself breathe in deeply.
He had nowhere else to go; at least nowhere that felt like home, but Joe had opened his door without question.
A baby’s cries drifted from inside, thin and demanding, and Archie hesitated, one hand hovering over the doorframe.
He’d never been around newborns much. Didn’t know the first thing about them.
But before he could second-guess himself, Joe appeared in the doorway, dark circles under his eyes, his shirt wrinkled, but still wearing that grin.
“Archie,” Joe said, pulling him into a firm hug. “Welcome to the chaos.”
Archie laughed, though there wasn’t much happiness in him these days. “Sounds like you could use some sleep.”
Joe sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Yeah, well, Joseph runs the show now. Mimi’s at the hospital, so it’s just me and the baby tonight.”
Archie nodded, shifting his weight. There was something comforting about the normalcy of it—Joe exhausted, baby crying, life moving forward. Meanwhile, Archie had torn down his bridges in a single day.
Joe led him inside and poured him a drink without asking. The liquid burned as it slid down his throat, but the fire felt good. Settling into the couch, Archie sighed. Joe watched him, sensing the weight on his shoulders.
“You going to tell me what happened?” Joe asked.
Archie swallowed hard, setting the glass down before he started gripping it too tightly. “Jade. Brogan’s boyfriend. He threw me out.”
Joe’s brows furrowed. “Threw you out? Just like that?”
Archie nodded, staring at the wall beyond Joe’s shoulder, as if looking anywhere but at him would make it easier to say.
“He’s marrying Brogan.” The words tasted bitter.
“I let him in because he said he was Brogan’s boyfriend.
After a while, he told me with this smug look that I had to move out ‘like yesterday’. ”
Joe didn’t interrupt, just leaned back, waiting for Archie to unravel it all.
“I never even saw it coming,” Archie muttered, hands curling into fists. “I thought,” He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter what I thought. He wanted me out, and he made sure I knew it.”
Joe exhaled slowly. “So you left.”
“I had no choice.” Archie clenched his jaw, the memory replaying in his mind—Jade’s icy stare, the finality in his voice. “And I never want to see either of them again.”
The words settled heavy between them. Joe knew better than to offer platitudes, knew there was nothing to say that could make it less painful. He simply refilled Archie’s glass and handed it back.
“You’re here now,” Joe said. “And that’s enough for today.”
Archie took the drink, nodding. He wasn’t ready to let go of the hurt. Not yet. But at least, for now, he wasn’t carrying it alone.
“Your key is hanging on the wall in the kitchen,” Joe said.
“Thanks.”
Joe’s phone rang.
“Yeah, Archie’s here.” Joe looked at Archie. “No, I don’t think he wants to see Brogan now.”
Archie shook his head. No, he didn’t want to see him at all. He didn’t need the drama from a liar.
After Joe ended the call, he faced Archie. “Rest easy, Andrew said he doesn’t know where I live. He won’t tell him either. Andrew didn’t understand why you didn’t stay with him and Rafael.”
“Rafael gave me a speeding ticket on my way over here? I don’t like him.”
“Were you speeding?”
“Yes, but he didn’t need to give me a damn ticket.”
“That’s how he is and why he still has a job. Gay and all. It’s difficult being gay in a small town. Be careful.”
“I rather be here.”
“Your room is the first one on the right. If you need anything, let me know.”
“Thanks.”