Venus: Solar Mates, #1

By Mia Harlan, Hanleigh Bradley and Silver Springs Library

My memory loss is so bad I can't remember half the stuff I've done. So how am I supposed to make one relationship work—let alone three?

 

I'm Venus and I've got amnesia. Or at least I think I do. 

My memory's filled with black holes. Why can't I remember my childhood or the parents who raised me? How did I end up in this random small town, and why can't I remember what happened five minutes ago?

I somehow end up on a road trip with Neptune, a girl who I barely even know. She ditches me in a small town called Silver Springs with no money, no phone, and no way to get home. So I need to find her. Stat. 

What I find instead is a wart on the tip of my nose. How did that get there? 

It's no wonder the three Hotter than the Sun men I meet don't seem to realize I exist.

★ Ernest, who owns an anti-romance bookstore, is more interested in reading.

★ Stefano, the doctor who claims he's in the mafia, says he doesn't date patients. News flash: this wart isn't going to fix itself.

★ And Chett, the famous guitarist for Not a Vampire, has a son who seems to hate me.

The planets must be misaligned—or I might be cursed—because the gaps in my memory are growing. I'm falling for Ernest, Stefano, and Chett, but how can we have a happy ever after when I can barely remember who they are?

Venus is a standalone in the Solar Mates Series set in the Silver Springs shared universe and comes complete with a happily-ever-after. Scroll up to read this fun, quirky romance today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hanleigh Bradley
• Release date: Sep 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201896768

Book preview

Chapter One

Venus

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Where are we going again? I ask Neptune as she pulls off the highway.

She lets out an exasperated sigh but doesn’t reply.

I’m not even sure why I agreed to go on this road trip with her. I barely know the girl, and I can’t actually remember saying I would go… or getting into the car. Not that either of those things is particularly unusual. At least not for me.

My memories are kind of like my name—Venus. A planet surrounded by the empty void of nothingness that is the galaxy. Some vivid memories, wide expanses of nothingness, and too many black holes.

Thunder echoes around us, and lightning flashes up ahead, illuminating the empty country road. I spot a sign that reads Welcome to Silver Springs.

Are you sure you’re going the right way?

I’m sure, she says, her hands tightening on the steering wheel.

I think we’re lost. That or she’s taking me to the middle of nowhere so she can kill me and bury my body.

We’re not lost, she snaps, taking a right turn and entering a residential area. We got tickets to a Not a Vampire concert, remember?

There’s no way a famous band like Not a Vampire would hold their concert out here, I say with a pointed look out the window.

We turn onto a small street and drive past a small shop called The Magical Rooster. Inside, I spot some dildos flying near the ceiling and—

What are we doing here? I ask Neptune, staring blankly out the window. I have no idea where we are. Where the hell is this girl taking me?

The rain seems heavier now, almost torrential. It pounds against the car as the windshield wipers race back and forth, struggling to keep up.

We’re in Silver Springs for the concert Saturn gave us tickets to, remember? Neptune lets out a heavy sigh.

Oh, right, the concert. I nod, pulling the VIP ticket out of my sweatpants. It’ll be nice to see Saturn again.

Neptune grunts in acknowledgement. I wonder what’s gotten her panties in a twist. She doesn’t seem to be in a very good mood.

I still can’t believe she dropped out of college to be a band groupie. I shake my head at the ticket.

She’s not a groupie. Slash, Ajax, and Draikh are her… Neptune pauses, boyfriends.

"She’s dating three guys?" I ask. Why didn’t Saturn tell me? Did I just forget? Or is Neptune messing with me?

It’s not like I can really trust the girl, considering I barely even know her. She’s just a weirdo from our dorm who keeps popping up uninvited. Like I’ll be doing my homework and look over and find her sitting on my bed reading from her chemistry textbook. Or I’ll be on my phone at lunch and suddenly there she is, sitting across from me, not saying a word. Creepy!

I have no idea why I agreed to travel with her halfway across the state to see Saturn’s favorite band. I guess maybe I promised her I’d go? I can’t actually remember doing it, but that isn’t saying much. No matter what my doctors say, I’m pretty sure I have amnesia.

Is that guy covered in fur? I ask in surprise as I see a huge man in a hockey jersey—who looks like a mix of human and long-haired polar bear—holding an umbrella as he crosses the street.

He’s a Yeti. Neptune runs a hand through her dark brown hair.

I stare out at the pouring rain.

Where are we? I ask, looking around. I glance down at the VIP concert ticket in my hand. Are you sure this is the way to the concert?

I’m sure! Neptune snaps, like I’ve asked her the same question a million times. It’s no wonder we’ve barely spoken on the drive here.

Never mind. I sigh, setting it down on the dashboard and taking out my phone.

Welcome to the supernatural town of Silver Springs, Neptune mutters.

I stare down at my phone. Why do I have it out again?

I shrug, pull up the romance book I’m in the middle of, and get lost in the story. At least when I read, I rarely have memory loss.

We’re here. Neptune straightens her white button-up dress shirt. She looks like she’s going to a meeting and not a concert.

That was such a short drive! I say in surprise. I don’t even remember getting off the highway, but we’re in the heart of a small town. Guess time really does fly when you’re reading a good book.

The sound of rain hitting the cobblestone street echoes around us. Cute little shops line both sides, looking warm and cozy, their lights shining in the gloomy streets.

Doesn’t it seem like it’s always raining lately? I ask Neptune.

It does, doesn’t it? Her shoulders slump as she stares out the window and sighs. It’s been a really crappy week.

I set my phone down in the empty cup holder and turn to her.

I didn’t know you hated the rain, I say. Not that I know much of anything about the girl, so I shouldn’t be surprised. But it feels nice to learn at least this one thing. Maybe once we get to know each other, we could even be friends.

I need to run a quick errand before the concert, Neptune says. Can you wait for me in the cafe?

I don’t mind coming with you. I smile. It’s not like I have anywhere to be.

No. Neptune practically shoves my umbrella in my hand.

But—

This is important, Venus. I need to figure out who cursed—

My mind kind of goes blank. I look around. We’re parked in front of a cafe. Is this where the concert is going to be? I ask Neptune uncertainly.

For the last time, no! The girl looks like she’s going to tear her hair out. She can’t possibly be annoyed with me. I’ve been nothing but nice to her this entire trip. Even if I only remember a few bits and pieces.

Fine. I roll my eyes. Rude much?

Look, just wait for me in Jewels Cafe. I’ll be back in half an hour. An hour tops.

She shoves me and my umbrella out of the car. I quickly move up the steps to the cafe to get out of the rain. I always carry one around, just in case.

I turn back toward the car and watch Neptune drive off. Reaching into my sweatpants pocket, I realize I left my phone in the car. And my wallet, too.

Neptune, wait! I shout, chasing after her, but she doesn’t stop, leaving me in an unfamiliar town whose name I don’t even know, alone, with no money and no phone.

Chapter Two

Venus

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I open my umbrella and walk back to Jewels Cafe. Just as I reach the front steps, two women step out.

The one with long wavy black hair and sunkissed skin grimaces as she takes a sip from her to-go cup.

Something wrong with your coffee, Mars? the short-haired brunette asks her.

I forgot to add sugar, Mars groans.

Argh. That’s the worst.

Isn’t it? She glances back toward the cafe, then shrugs and waves her hand over the coffee cup. It’s all right. I’ll just cast a sweetening spell.

I think she’s kidding, but little sparks of magic drop down into the cup.

My brain feels a little foggy, and I stop to look around. What am I doing in front of Jewels Cafe? Wasn’t I just chasing after Neptune’s car? I guess I must not have caught her and turned back?

Two women walk past me. One sighs happily as she takes a sip from her to-go cup. What would I do without magic? she asks.

I look around and find myself standing in front of Jewels Cafe. My shirt is damp and I shiver slightly as I close my umbrella. I’m about to step inside when I spot a Not a Vampire concert ticket on the ground. It’s not a VIP one, like mine. I reach into the pocket of my sweatpants, only to realize I left it in the car.

I pick up the ticket and enter the warm, brightly lit cafe. The door chimes above my head and classical music plays softly in the background. There aren’t any other customers inside, just the blonde barista, who’s smiling at me from behind the counter.

Welcome to Jewels Cafe. I’m Amber. What can I get you?

I inhale the welcoming aroma of caffeine and pumpkin spice and start to smile. I could use a warm drink since my clothes are still a little damp from chasing after Neptune’s car. Except I don’t have my wallet… which is why I was chasing after Neptune’s car.

Can I use your phone? I set my umbrella down in the bucket by the door and move to the counter. My friend—well, she’s not really my friend, just a girl I know from college—but she just drove off with all my stuff.

Oh… um, yeah, sure. Amber comes around the bar and hands me her cellphone.

I don’t miss the fact that she positions herself between me and the door. Do people come in here asking to use her phone and just make a run for it?

She unlocks it, but as soon as I take it from her, she suddenly transforms into an old lady.

A second passes. I stare at the old lady. I didn’t even notice her come in.

Are you going to call someone? Her voice quavers slightly and she raises one thick, gray eyebrow in question.

Call someone? I ask, following her gaze to the phone in my hand. I do remember asking Amber to borrow her phone, but I don’t remember her actually giving it to me. I guess she must have gone into the back and I blanked on the whole thing.

I need to call Neptune!

She’s the one who drove away with your stuff? the old lady asks.

How did you know that? I ask. Oh, were you in the cafe when I was talking to Amber?

The old lady frowns. Then she transforms into Amber in front of my eyes.

I look at Amber then down at the phone in my hand. Oh, thanks, I say. I’m just going to call Neptune.

Amber frowns at me. Did I zone out again? My memory problems can make conversations challenging sometimes. But I find that if I just keep talking, that helps.

Neptune has my phone and wallet, I explain. Not to mention my backpack. And my concert ticket.

Oh, are you here to see Not a Vampire? Amber’s entire demeanor changes, her voice going up in pitch as she practically bounces on her toes.

Yeah. We have VIP tickets… in Neptune’s car. She drove off with them, too.

She didn’t! Amber gasps. Call her. Tell her to come back!

I open the calling app on her phone and pause. Shit.

What? Amber asks.

I don’t even know her number.

You don’t? Amber looks crushed.

I try to think of someone else I can call, like my old roommate, except—I only know my own number by heart. That’s not very helpful though, is it?

I'm the same. I only know my number and Julian’s. He’s one of my mates.

I stare at Amber, unable to process what she just said to me. Then I look down at the phone. I don’t know Neptune’s number, I groan.

A few seconds pass in silence. Do you know where she lives?

On campus. She’s not from here. I’m actually not sure where she’s from. But she did say she’ll be back in an hour tops. Is it okay if I sit here and wait?

Of course. Amber grins. Do you want a drink while you wait?

That would be awesome. But I don’t have any money with me.

Don’t worry about it. It’s on the house.

Is Amber giving away free drinks again? a voice calls from the back room, and a handsome blond man steps behind the bar. I’m Julian. What can I get you?

Just a coffee, thanks. I pick the cheapest thing on the menu, not wanting to take advantage, and introduce myself.

Julian pours it into a pretty mug with a fuchsia jewel on the side. It matches my hair, and I smile as I make my way to one of the tables by the window.

So, which song is your favorite? Amber settles across from me with a steaming mug of her own. Is it ‘Blood Witch’? ‘All the Lights Go Out’? ‘Hotter than the Sun’?

‘Planets in Your Eyes’, I tell her. My roommate used to listen to it all the time.

I love that one too. Amber hums the chorus and grins. I love all their songs. But my favorite’s ‘Blood Witch’! They sang it live right here at the cafe a year ago! It was so amazing. I was this close to Damien Starr!

Wow, you’re a huge fan, huh?

I am. Amber turns to look at Julian, who’s busy wiping the counter. Juli surprised me with tickets. They’re not VIP like yours, though. How did you score something like that?

My roommate. She actually deferred for a year to go on tour with Not a Vampire. She should be in town this weekend.

Wow. Amber sighs happily.

You mean she dropped out of college to follow a band around? Julian asks pointedly. Something tells me he doesn’t like the way Amber’s fangirling over the band.

Actually, Saturn’s dating—

Ajax, Draikh, and Slash, Amber squeals. It’s all over Screech.

My mind feels a little hazy, and I stare down at my coffee and struggle to remember what we were talking about.

How do you know her? Amber leans forward in her seat.

Know who? Neptune? We go to college together.

Amber seems a little confused. I kind of am, too.

I don’t know why I agreed to go on a road trip with a girl who’s practically a stranger, but she’ll be back soon. I hope. Because the alternative is that she ditched me out here with no money, no clothes, and no place to stay.

Chapter Three

Chett

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Jet as good as drags me into the cafe to escape the rain. I should probably tell him off for nearly taking my arm off, but I’m still getting used to having my eight-year-old son around. And he’s definitely not used to me yet.

Chett?

Shouldn’t he be calling me Dad by now? It’s been six months since he came to live with me. Six months since Social Services called and said I