Page 17 of Flirty Dancing

17

Shifting

Archer toweled his hair dry after his shower, relishing the quiet of his room. He had passed on going down to the cabin tonight—didn’t feel much like partying with the others after another Caleb-Mateo showdown at the theater. Caleb had thought it would be a good idea to break from the choreo during the Bollywood finale of Around the World to go dance through the audience. The guests loved it. Mateo, not so much.

“What the fuck, Caleb?” he had growled as soon as they were in the greenroom.

Caleb rolled his eyes. “Here we go.”

“Here we go? Sorry for not being on board The Caleb Train, I guess!”

Caleb laughed. “Wow, you went ahead and said it right out loud. Can’t do anything that takes attention away from Mateo Dixon, Broadway star!” he said, punctuating his words with jazz hands.

“Give me a fucking break.” Mateo jabbed a finger at him. “This is not about me, this is about you continuing to do whatever the fuck you want, including leaving your fellow dancers hanging out to dry while you strut around the theater like a goddamn folk hero.”

“The audience loved it, Mateo,” Grace chimed in. She shrugged and began to peel her sari off. “What’s the big deal?”

There were a few murmurs of agreement around the room.

Mateo’s jaw flapped. His eyes met Archer’s.

“It’s not the choreography, Caleb,” Archer said tiredly. “It’s hard for the rest of us when we don’t know what’s going on up there.”

Caleb narrowed his eyes at Mateo, ignoring Archer completely. “The crowd was eating it up. Maybe it should be in the choreo.”

Mateo threw his arms out. “Then let’s fucking talk about it and plan for it, and not spring it on everyone in the middle of the show!”

“Oh, right, talk about it, as if you’d listen to a word I said.”

“For God’s sake, fine, let’s have a fucking meeting about it tomorrow, then.”

“And who’s going to make the final decision at this ‘meeting’?”

So it went, back and forth, around and around, on and on.

Then Caleb pulled the same stunt at the second show. This time, Grace joined him.

Mateo didn’t say a word to anyone after, slamming his locker shut and stomping out of the greenroom.

Caleb had spent the entire walk back to the dorm bitching about Mateo. “He is such a dick! Why did they even hire him here anyway, after what he did to Abby? Who would even want to work with him?”

Archer suddenly couldn’t listen to Caleb trashing Mateo for another second. “It’s not true, you know.” The words burst out of him.

“What’s not true?”

“What you told me earlier. You said he was horrible to her, but that’s not really what happened. They were friends.”

“They were?”

“Yeah, they got along great. He just lashed out at her one time when he was—when she confronted him about something. They had a fight and he told her she only got the role because she was trans.”

“Is that what Mateo says happened?” Caleb asked, skeptical.

“Yes.”

Caleb considered a moment. “Still a dick move.”

“Mateo would completely agree with you, and he felt terrible about it. He still does. And, you know what, his parents had both just died and he was dealing with being this huge star. That’s a lot for someone to take.”

“I guess.” Caleb shrugged. “Doesn’t mean he’s not a total douche.”

Back at the dorm, Archer needed time to himself—the role of peacekeeper-slash-doormat was really beginning to wear on him, and he’d had enough of the fucking drama. He took a long shower, dawdling until he knew Caleb and the B-Boys would be gone, then headed back to the room and its solitude.

Unfortunately, the events of the night continued to loop through his brain, so it was a welcome distraction when his phone buzzed with a message from Lynn. Archerrrrr! How are you? How are things?

He flopped onto his pillow, considering. His moment with Mateo felt too private to share, and he really didn’t want to rehash all the mind-numbing dance troupe dramatics. Hey! They’re okay… but what about you? How’s living with Sasha going?

Lynn had reported earlier that the transition was fairly seamless, although Sasha was not happy with the way Lynn hand-washed her delicates and hung them up to dry around the apartment, and they could not agree on what brand of coffee to brew at home.

It’s good! Lynn replied. Really good. That’s actually sort of what I wanted to talk to you about. Sasha said I should move in permanently. So… I don’t think I’m going to renew the lease on my apartment.

Archer’s stomach curdled.

I’m really sorry, Lynn continued. It doesn’t make sense to keep living in that shithole when I’m proposing to Sasha anyway, you know? And who can say when it will even get fixed. My lease is up in three months and I’m not going to renew it.

Archer cursed himself for not seeing this coming. Of course, Lynn was going to go live in Sasha’s much nicer apartment. With the impending proposal on top of the 9021-hole… Lynn had no reason to stick around. That makes sense, Archer replied. Thanks for letting me know.

But you can still crash with us until you find a place.

Thanks, but I wouldn’t want to impose on the newly engaged! Speaking of which, do you have a new proposal plan?

Yes! Okay, I was thinking we should go away somewhere! For like a weekend, a mini-vacation, something romantic and not too far.

Love that idea! Archer dutifully helped Lynn brainstorm ideas—the Hamptons? Cape Cod?—but his stomach was swirling. Homeless. Jobless. Hopeless.

Okay, I’ll keep you posted if I book anything, Lynn said as their brainstorming wound down. And don’t worry, your plants are doing great! They love Sasha’s. Lots more light. You should see the grin on little Spot’s face.

Good to hear. Thanks, Lynnie. Night. He was putting his phone down when there was a sharp knock at his door. He jumped a mile. “Come in?”

The door pushed open. It was Mateo.

Archer’s stomach swirled in an entirely different way. He had never gotten over how handsome Mateo was, and seeing him tonight, framed in the doorway, with wet hair and loose gray sweats… He was even hotter than normal. “Oh, hey.” Archer’s cheeks heated. “What’s up?”

Mateo’s brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Archer said quickly, wondering what his face had been showing.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, it’s only… my roommate in Manhattan. She’s moving in with her girlfriend and I guess I’m officially homeless now.” The panic fluttered in his chest. “Although my mom would disagree.”

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry.” Mateo came in and perched on the chair at the desk.

“Yeah.”

“But you’ll find something, right? Someone in Manhattan has to need a roommate.”

“Maybe.” Archer sighed. “Or maybe this is the final sign that I should give up and go back to Ohio.”

“I don’t know all the details, of course, but… you’re talented, Archer. I don’t think you should give up.”

Archer shrugged, cheeks flushing hotter. “I don’t know.”

“What if…” Mateo straightened a pad of paper so it lined up with the edge of the desk. “What if we auditioned together?”

“What?” Archer laughed. “I love that you’re thinking about auditioning again, really, that’s so great, but… not with me!”

Mateo gave him a sharp look. “Why not?”

“Because you’re Mateo Dixon!” Archer could imagine his Mateo poster on the wall behind where he was sitting. “Your agent will get you auditions. You don’t need to do open calls like me.”

Mateo rolled his eyes. “Okay, one, stop calling me Mateo Dixon like it’s a thing. And two, I haven’t had an agent since everything went to shit.”

“You could get one again like that . Any agent who watched this show would be clamoring to sign you.”

“No agents are watching this show.”

“They could be! I heard that lots of people from the business vacation here. You never know who’s in the audience.”

“Well… I still think we should audition together. It would be fun.”

Archer imagined how it would feel when Mateo inevitably booked the role at audition one, while he chalked up rejection number thirty-eight. He decided to change the subject back to whatever had brought Mateo here so late. “So… what’s up?”

“Oh, I was wondering, do you think Eileen’s invitation for tea is still open?”

Archer blinked. “I’m sure it is.”

“Great. The sooner the better.”

“Now.” Eileen settled across from them in her floral armchair, eyes wide with concern. “Tell me what’s been going on.”

Archer and Mateo were on her couch, saucers in hand, coffee table laden with finger sandwiches and still-warm baked goods.

“I don’t know,” Mateo said. “Everything is a mess. We’re so sloppy, and no one seems to care about the show.”

“What makes you think they don’t care?”

“It feels like the job is not a priority for them, that they aren’t taking it seriously. I try to keep them in line, but… that only makes things worse.”

“Well.” She tilted her head. “Perhaps this crew needs a leader.”

Archer took a sip of his tea, eyes darting between Eileen’s wispy frame and Mateo’s bulk on the dainty couch.

“Maybe.” Mateo shrugged. “But Stewart’s gone again, so…”

“Yes, Stewart is certainly a wonderful director, but, as you said, he’s not here. You are the leader, Mateo.”

“Me? I’m not a leader.”

“Archer said that Stewart put you in charge when he left. That was for a reason.”

Mateo snorted. “Clearly the wrong reason. Caleb hates me, and everything is a disaster.”

“Caleb doesn’t hate you,” Archer cut in.

Mateo threw a side-eyed glance at Archer. “He hates me.”

Archer paused and took a muffin. “Okay, he hates you a little.”

“What would you say your leadership style is, Mateo?” Eileen asked, leaning forward and studying him.

“I don’t have one.”

“Hmm.” Eileen took a sip of tea. “What do you think, Archer?”

Archer turned and narrowed his eyes at Mateo. “I would say he’s a lead-by-example type. Responsible. Methodical. Dedicated to his craft. He does what others should do.”

Mateo met Archer’s eye. Archer smiled, sure he could detect a faint blush to Mateo’s cheeks.

Eileen nodded. “That sounds right, from what I can tell. And it’s admirable. But maybe it’s not the most effective style for this group? Maybe they need a leader they can connect with.”

Mateo shifted. “Connect? Not really my thing.”

“Nonsense. Of course, you can connect. You’ve connected with Archer, haven’t you?”

“Um—I—”

Archer wanted to melt into the cushions while Mateo floundered.

“Yes, it can be difficult to connect with everyone ,” Eileen continued, much to Archer’s relief, “but I think, Mateo, some of them can sense the wall you have up.”

Mateo bristled. “I don’t have a wall.”

“Er…” Archer shared a glance with Eileen. “There might be a tiny wall, Mateo.”

Mateo looked between Archer and Eileen. “I don’t, I—” He slumped back against the couch. “Fuck.”

Archer placed a reassuring hand on his knee. “Look, it’s not just you. Caleb is a lot, and the B-Boys clearly have their own… issues. But I know you have what it takes to get everyone together.”

“Something to think about,” Eileen said, raising her cup to her lips. “Now, have one of these muffins before they cool, won’t you?”

The next afternoon, Archer was lounging on the dock with Caleb, Gage, River, and a handful of other dancers, baking in the scorching July heat, when a shadow fell over his face. He cracked an eye open against the glare and saw the dark shape of Mateo against the bright blue sky. “Hey!” Archer smiled up at him. Mateo hadn’t hung out on the dock with them in weeks.

“Deigning to join us, are you?” Caleb drawled from his towel.

Mateo squinted. “Seems that way.”

Archer shuffled his towel over to make room for Mateo’s. “Welcome.”

Caleb leaned back, folding his arms under his head. “Careful, Mateo. You wouldn’t want to accidentally relax and have fun.”

Archer shook his head. “Jesus, Caleb. Give him a break.”

There was a silence on the dock. A few of the others exchanged glances.

“I was just joking,” Caleb said with a pout.

Something inside Archer snapped—the growing feeling of wrongness burst out from wherever he had been stuffing it down. He got to his feet. “Caleb,” he said. “Can we talk for a minute?”

“Um, sure?”

Heart racing, Archer turned and walked down the dock and up the steps of the cabin porch, Caleb following. Archer led him around the side, where they had at least a modicum of privacy.

“What is it?” Caleb said when Archer stopped and turned to face him.

Archer rubbed the back of his neck. “Listen… I’ve had a lot of fun with you this summer.”

“I’ve had fun, too, Archer.” Caleb took Archer’s hand.

Archer blew out a breath and took his hand back. “But…”

Caleb’s face fell. “But…?”

“But I… I don’t think I can be in a relationship with you anymore.”

Caleb’s eyes grew impossibly wide, searching Archer’s face. “You’re serious?”

Archer nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry.”

“But why?”

Fuck. Archer struggled to find the words for the wrongness that had become impossible to ignore and was, in fact, growing by the minute, now that he had freed it. “I don’t think that, ultimately, we are compatible.”

“Compatible? What are you talking about? We get along great!”

“Yes, we do, but…”

Caleb’s huge brown eyes were breaking Archer’s heart a little. “Just say it, Archer.”

“Sometimes, when I see the way you treat other people, I wonder if we are a good fit.”

“Other people?” Caleb frowned, then it dawned on him. His face hardened and he let out a sardonic chuckle. “You’re talking about Mateo, aren’t you?”

“I guess… mostly.”

“Unbelievable.” Sad Caleb was gone. Angry Caleb was in his place. “I knew you had a thing for him.”

“I do not!”

“Oh, please. You’ve wanted Mateo from the second you arrived here. Should have known you were settling for me.”

Archer took a step back, off balance from the turn this conversation had taken. “I wasn’t settling, Caleb. I liked you—”

“You just like Mateo better.”

Archer rubbed his forehead. “Well, right now I kind of do!”

Caleb gasped.

“You’ve been so awful to him, showing up late on purpose, criticizing his every move, when all he’s tried to do is what’s best for the show—”

“Oh, the show, the show, the show! I am so sick of hearing about the show!”

“It’s the entire reason we’re here, Caleb!”

“Yeah, it’s really not, Archer. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you! Nobody cares!”

“You should care! I care! And M—” He stopped.

“And Mateo cares,” Caleb finished in a singsong. “What a perfect little couple the two of you will make.”

“Look”—Archer sighed—“I hope we can still be fr—”

“Fuck off, Archer.” Caleb smiled and waggled his fingers in a wave as he backed away. “Fuck right off.” He whirled and bolted. Archer started to follow, but Caleb paused when he got to the bottom of the stairs and turned to the gang on the dock, who were watching, wide-eyed.

“HAVE FUN FUCKING ARCHER!” Caleb shrieked to Mateo. “YOU TWO CAN HAVE THE PERFECT SEX THAT’S RIGHT ON TIME AND ACCORDING TO PLAN! DON’T FORGET TO BE ONE HOUR EARLY!”

The kitchen crew who were halfway up the stairs snickered behind their hands as Caleb stalked up the path. Everyone in the cabin had no doubt heard the screeching, too. Archer considered throwing himself into the lake. But first, he looked at Mateo.

Mateo was horrified. Dominik and Gage clearly thought Caleb’s outburst was hilarious and were doing a very poor job pretending they weren’t laughing. Betty, Daniella, and River watched Archer with concern etched across their faces.

Archer’s feet were frozen to the deck, cheeks burning hotter than the sun. Oh God, oh God, oh God. He considered bolting up the path, under the pretense of chasing Caleb, but no. He couldn’t avoid them forever. They’d all be dancing together in a couple hours anyway.

He sucked it up and trudged along the dock, eyes on his feet.

“So… not a good breakup?” Betty greeted him.

“I’m really sorry you guys had to see that,” Archer said, avoiding Mateo’s stare. “That was… Caleb…” He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I didn’t say anything like that, Mateo, he was angry and I—”

“It’s okay,” Mateo rumbled. “I figured that was Caleb being Caleb. What an ass.”

The guffaw Dominik had been trying to hold in burst out. “According to plan, though! Classic!” He dissolved into a fit of giggles.

“Shut up, Dominik.” Betty glared at him and gave Archer a hug. “You okay?”

“I guess, but… that sucked,” Archer muttered into her shoulder.

“Yeah, breakups suck, but still better than dragging something out that doesn’t feel right, right?”

Archer’s eyes flicked over to Mateo. Mateo was watching him back. “Yes,” Archer said. “Right.” He cleared his throat. “Guess we’d better get moving. Show’s in a couple hours.”

Mateo’s face pinched with concern. “Are you going to be okay dancing with Caleb? You guys aren’t paired much, but—”

Archer shook his head. “No, I’ll be fine. You don’t need to change anything for me. I’m with you tonight for Latin anyway. I’m sure Caleb will be able to handle sharing the stage with me.”

Mateo cocked an eyebrow. “Are you, now?”