His Needy Mate (San Noctis #1)

Chapter 1

Archer

The train's horn startled Archer awake.

He had fallen asleep. It made sense, given this was his fourth mode of transportation in three days.

He needed to get as far away as he could.

He'd used every dime he had, every resource to escape.

Because that was what he needed to do. He no longer felt safe in the world he'd built. No longer felt loved.

It was time for change. And though he didn't have a plan, movement was the only option. The further away he could get, the better he would be. Maybe then he could suppress the memories of what had happened. Of the people who had let him down.

Growing up, Archer knew his family was different.

His brother and parents were harsh on him.

They expected much more than other parents and family members did with their children.

There was also a separation between them.

Archer's brother, Brock, was always doted on.

He was made to believe he walked on water and hung the stars in the moon.

He could do no wrong. Yet Archer couldn't even stand correctly.

He was berated endlessly, told he was too much and too needy.

He’d learned from an early age not to cry. Even when hurt, he would dry up his tears and let the nurse at school bandage him up. Or if he was at home, he would tend to his own wounds. It was easier that way.

They left him behind often, going on trips out of town or on lavish vacations. They had more than enough money to bring him along. They simply chose not to. It was a neglect in the most insidious way, trickling through his life year by year until he saw no point in trying.

The night they died was during one of those particular excursions.

They had taken a private plane to an island, only to not make it there.

They went down in the gulf, and though he was only sixteen at the time, Archer didn't get notified until the story ran in the paper.

It was as if no one knew he existed. He went to public school, he attended his classes, he did his homework. And it was like he was invisible.

It wasn't until he was about to graduate that he met Robert.

Robert had just moved to town. He was a disgruntled young man who hated the idea of spending his senior year away from all the friends he had.

He was a loner, and when he saw Archer by himself, he took the opportunity to get close.

They realized they had enough in common between their favorite TV shows and striking independence that they hit it off.

And the next five years were some of the best of Archer's life.

He finally had a friend; someone he could hang out with and spend time learning about. They would go to movies and shows. They got jobs at the same place. And together it felt like he had someone who actually wanted to see him, who wanted to know who Archer was.

But then one day, on a cool August night, Robert came home drunk and angry. His words splintered Archer's heart, turning the last five years into a nightmare.

"You're so fucking needy, Archer. Always wanting to touch me, always wanting to cuddle and hold hands.

I'm not your goddamn boyfriend. I don't even like you.

I've put up with you for years because I felt bad.

But now you just cling and it's obnoxious.

I just want to breathe, to have time to myself. Is that so much to ask?"

Archer bit his lip until it bled. He didn't want to answer because he knew the question was rhetorical.

He knew there was nothing he could say to change what Robert had been hiding.

So he listened and he waited. He let Robert spew the harsh words until he ran out of steam, until his body collapsed on the couch, his drunkenness making him black out.

Then Archer went to his room and packed a bag. He didn't rush, didn't make a big deal. He simply loaded his life up into a few bags and took off.

Now he was days away from the place he'd called home for so long, alone and heartbroken. It wasn't what he envisioned for his life. To know that the friendship he had believed in was a lie, that it was one-sided, had hurt. He didn't know if he'd ever recover.

When the conductor announced they were nearing the station where he was supposed to get off, Archer stood and reached for his bags. It was time for the next leg of the journey, whatever that may be.

After getting to the stop and exiting, he looked around. This place was different than anywhere else he'd been, much smaller. He'd only chosen it because the train was leaving as he arrived at the station, not because he truly wanted to go where it was going.

Looking around, he took in the vast number of trees.

It was as if the forest closed in on the train station.

How had he not noticed them along the journey?

They had to go on for miles. As intimidating as it seemed, it was also vibrant.

His skin warmed despite the sun not being out and his body felt lighter than it had in a long time.

It was like he'd found home, like he was meant to be here.

Archer shook his head. What kind of thoughts were those? It didn't even make sense. He was just tired and delusional.

He moved over to the station window. "Hello," he said to the young man there.

The guy was blowing bubblegum and twirling his long curly hair. He looked over to Archer.

"Yeah, what can I do for you?"

He popped a bubble and Archer smiled. Oh, to be a carefree teenager who only had to worry about chewing gum and playing with their hair.

"I'm new to town and I was wondering if there was somewhere I could rent or stay."

The kid stopped and looked at Archer with a curious glance this time, like he was truly seeing there was a person in front of him. "Um, I don't know, man. There's not much here. San Noctis isn't a tourist destination. We're a random stop. That's it. I don't even know that we have a hotel."

Archer scowled at the thought. What kind of place didn't have a hotel? Everywhere had hotels. Even teeny-tiny towns had, like, a bed and breakfast, right?

"Then I guess I'll just walk around for a bit till the next train."

The kid shrugged, then pointed to the glass where a piece of paper was taped up. "You got two days till it gets here. Good luck."

Archer's eyes went wide at the knowledge that he would have to find somewhere safe to be for forty-eight hours. And truly, he didn't want to leave San Noctis. What a strange name for a town. It was so comforting already, like the place was welcoming him.

He didn't believe in magic or all that woo-woo stuff. Astrology and the cards and all the things he heard people talking about in high school didn't make sense to him. How could something like the universe decide your fate? And if it did, why the hell did it hate him?

He adjusted his bags so they would be more comfortable to carry and then left the station.

When he walked down the large steps and pushed open the door, it revealed even more beauty than he'd seen on the platform.

The trees were still as vast here, but it was also quaint.

The town was beautiful and rustic, a mix of small homes and businesses dotting the landscape.

The street was winding and he could see a bit of everything from his viewpoint.

Archer took in a deep breath, sighing when he released it and felt free. So what if he was needy and clingy? So what if he was somewhat codependent?

He didn't need Robert.

He didn't need the people who he was supposed to consider family.

All he needed was himself. He would find a way. He would find a new life, hopefully here in San Noctis.

He wound through the streets, noting all the different houses and businesses he passed.

He didn't see any signs labeling anything available to rent or looking for job help.

It was as if the town sustained itself somehow.

They weren't pushing people away, but they also weren't welcoming anyone new.

It was a strange juxtaposition and Archer didn't quite understand.

It didn't upset him. It was more amusing, like some hidden secret he'd stumbled upon.

His stomach grumbled at one point, and he took it as a sign he needed to eat something. When a lone diner came into view in a thick section of trees, he trudged ahead. The place was small on the inside, so he dropped his bags at the table near the door and then went in to place an order.

Every eye turned to him when he walked in.

He felt a bit like a deer in headlights, or maybe a piece of art in a museum, with the way they inspected him.

Not enjoying the idea of confrontation, he shuffled over to the counter where a young girl stood in baggy overalls and a paint-splattered shirt.

She had a paintbrush tucked in a bun at the top of her head, and her eyes sparkled.

Like, literally sparkled. Archer blinked and rubbed his eyes, not sure what to make of everything going on around him.

Was he still asleep on the train? Was this all a dream?

"Hi," he said, waving a hand. "I’m looking to get some food."

The girl smiled. "Well, then you're in the right place. What can I get for you?"

He looked past her to a wooden chalkboard menu. On it were specials along with some basics. Knowing his wallet was thinning by the second, he settled on a burger and fries with water. The girl took down his order, yelled it out to the cook, and then rang him up.

"I'm gonna go sit outside if that's okay. I can come back in and check when it's done."

The girl waved her hand at him. "No problem, hun. I'll bring it out to you. My name is Leah, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Leah," he said. "I'm Archer. You wouldn't happen to know of any places for rent around here, would you?"