Page 23 of Flirty Dancing

23

Smashed It

“Do you guys want to go for a swim? Or catch the drag show, maybe?” Archer asked Beau and Harley, his latest roommate combination. A sticky Sunday evening stretched ahead of them after a long, hot day of rehearsal, and Archer was ready to unwind a little.

“We can’t today!” Harley exclaimed. “It’s the volleyball game!”

“The what now?” Archer asked.

“At the end of every season, the dancers play a match. We’re allowed to use the courts during the drag show.”

“We’re playing volleyball? For real?”

“Didn’t anyone tell you? Game’s at six. It’s super fun,” Harley insisted. “I promise.”

“If you say so,” Archer said, reliving his memories from middle school gym class. “Super fun” seemed super unlikely.

When Archer arrived at the court with Beau and Harley, the rest of the crew was mostly already there, milling around in swimsuits. Archer’s eyes found Mateo immediately, so hot in small navy blue swim trunks it should be illegal. Dark body hair dusted his chest and made a tantalizing trail below his belly button.

“Okay, what are the teams?” Betty asked, snapping Archer out of his daze.

“I say we split up the tango duet partners,” Dominik suggested, “with the height roughly equal on both sides.”

“Height? What about the ability to actually play volleyball?”

“Pfft.” Dominik waved a hand. “Overrated. Everyone line up with your partner, and I’ll divide you into two teams.”

Mateo and Archer stood facing each other.

“You any good?” Mateo said, looking Archer up and down.

Archer laughed, gaze flitting over Mateo’s pecs. “Nope. You?”

“Captain of my high school team,” Mateo said, with a fake polish of his knuckles.

Archer raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Alright, middle school,” Mateo admitted.

Archer laughed again and pulled a skeptical face. “Do middle school teams even have captains?”

“Okay, fine. I wasn’t the captain. But you’re still going down.”

“Well.” Archer took a step closer, meeting Mateo’s intense gaze. “We’ll see about that.”

At first glance, the teams looked unfair, with Mateo’s strength and power on the same side as Gage and Dominik’s height.

“Wow, look at the team you put together for yourself,” Betty noted wryly, studying the group across the net. “Looks totally fair.”

“Didn’t you play in high school?” Dominik asked Betty. “I should think you can handle us.”

“You just said that didn’t matter!”

“Fine, you want to swap with me?”

Betty narrowed her eyes. “You know what? No. We’re going to destroy you.”

“Oh, yeah? Care to make it interesting?”

Archer groaned, aware that he was terrible at volleyball and there was about to be more at stake than bragging rights.

“What did you have in mind?” Betty asked, hands on hips.

An evil grin stretched across Dominik’s face. “Best of three. The losing duet partner has to pamper the winner for the day tomorrow, up until the show. Breakfast in bed, massage, whatever they want.”

Archer’s eyes snapped over to Mateo’s. He was looking back. Archer’s lips quirked. Interesting . Here’s a bet I don’t mind losing.

Betty snorted. “Deal. I like poached eggs for breakfast, no salt.”

Dominik snorted and started putting on a show stretching his shoulders. “Extra salt on mine, love.”

Betty shook hands with Dominik, then called her team over to the center of their court. “Okay, things got interesting. I think we all know how much is riding on this game, particularly how insufferable Dominik will become, and all the crazy shit he’s going to make me do. I need you to give it your all. Please. For me.”

“I apologize in advance—” Archer began.

“Not accepted,” Betty snapped. “You’re tall and strong and can jump ten feet in the air. I expect a lot from you, Archer.”

“Yeah, we can do this,” Caleb said, although Archer noticed him eyeing Ben, his duet partner, on the other side. He suspected that Caleb wouldn’t mind losing, either.

“Fuck yeah, we can,” Betty agreed. “Hands in for a cheer. ‘Dominik sucks’ on three.”

Betty served first and absolutely drilled one right at Dominik’s head. He all but shrieked and threw up his arms to protect his face. The ball careened off his forearm and went flying toward the water.

Betty smiled. “One–nothing,” she called. “Could you get the ball for me please, love?”

Betty was… well, she was fucking awesome at volleyball, is what she was. She was tiny, so she couldn’t help with blocking, but she picked up every goddamn ball that came within twenty feet of her. She was blindingly fast and knew where the ball was going to end up before it got there.

“You’re amazing ,” Archer said, slack-jawed, after she chased down another shank out the back of the court, safely returning the ball to the other side with a windmill swing.

“Thanks,” she said, panting and brushing sand off her shoulder from her dive. “I played on the state beach volleyball team in high school.”

“You did?”

“Yeah.” She grinned. “But then I blew out my ankle, and, once I recovered, I decided to stick with dance.”

“God. We might just win this thing.”

Mateo was pretty good too, which did not surprise Archer much… although, to be honest, he was more focused on Mateo’s rippling muscles under his warm ocher skin.

When those rippling muscles smashed another ball through his block, Archer smiled and offered Mateo five under the net. “Nice spike,” he said.

Mateo smiled and slapped his hand. “Thanks.”

“Hey!” Betty scowled. “No fraternizing. And tighten up that block, Read. Your thumbs should be together.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, with a sidelong grin at Mateo and a mock salute for Betty.

They won the first game 25–23 after an argument about whether the ball was in or out. “The beautiful thing about beach,” Betty said, stomping over to the line, “is the ball imprint doesn’t lie. It was clearly out.” She pointed to the mark that was a hair outside the line.

“Fine, if you’re going to be technical about it,” Dominik grumbled.

But Dominik’s team came out swinging for the second game, now knowing what they were up against, and they won 25–21.

“Okay, huddle up,” Betty said, after allowing them a brief water break. “I cannot be Dominik’s bitch tomorrow, I just can’t. So if you’ve ever cared about anything in your entire life before, I need it to be this game. Archer, listen. You can take Mateo. When you jump to block him, I want you to jump like you know you’re going to shut him down. That ball is yours. I need some solid penetration.”

“Penetration…?”

“Archer. Focus, goddamnit. Get your hands on his side of the net, like right in his face. Can you do that?”

“I’ll do my best.”

She glared at him.

“I mean, yes,” Archer amended. “Absolutely. I can do that.”

“That’s what I thought.” She smacked his butt. “Let’s go.”

The next time Mateo went up for a hit, Archer jumped, and with all this might, pushed his hands over the net right into Mateo’s space, thumbs together, telling himself I am blocking this ball.

And he did.

It rebounded off his hands with a satisfying, fleshy thud, slamming into the ground at Mateo’s feet.

His team went nuts.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Betty bellowed, throwing her arms around him. “That was amazing!”

Archer had to admit it felt pretty fucking good. Particularly when he glanced over at Mateo, who looked impressed.

“Nice block, Archer,” he said, nodding. “Guess I’m going to have to stop taking it easy on you.”

“Oh, you were taking it easy, were you? Let’s see what you’ve got, Dixon.”

It quickly became the Mateo and Archer Show—Mateo’s team set the ball to him whenever they got a chance, and Archer was right there blocking him. Archer got him at least half the time, and by the time they rotated to the back row, they were both grinning and extra sweaty. Once they were both into the front row again, it was tied at 24.

“Cap at 27?” Dominik called.

“Nah. Next point wins,” Betty said, collecting the ball for her serve.

“Alright,” Dominik sang. “Guess it all comes down to this. No pressure, B.”

Betty hammered her serve at him. It wasn’t a great pass, but he got it up in the air, and Grace set it to Mateo. Archer lined himself up with Mateo and jumped, pushing his hands forward with everything he had. Mateo swung hard, and the ball slammed into Archer’s hands and flew back into Mateo’s chest. He flailed at it, but it hit the ground.

“Nooooo!” Dominik cried, collapsing to his knees.

“Yessss!” Betty screamed, launching herself into the air. Her team exploded into cheers, while Dominik’s team fell onto the sand, groaning.

“Archer, you beautiful man!” Betty cried, throwing her arms around Archer and kissing his cheek over and over. “You beautiful, beautiful man. Oh God, I’m so happy right now.”

Dominik sighed, eyes raised to the sky. “Fuck.”

“Poached eggs,” Betty said, pointing at him. “Soft. Some multigrain toast, please.”

The teams gave three cheers then shook hands along the net, Betty’s team gloating and making plans for their servants’ upcoming day. Mateo and Archer were at the end of their lines.

“Good job,” Mateo said, holding Archer’s hand longer than required for a handshake. “You really shut me down.”

“Betty’s a good coach,” Archer said, waving off the compliment.

“So…” Mateo brushed some sand off his arm. “What can I get you for breakfast?”

“Oh, you don’t have to—”

“No, you won the bet.” Mateo gave half of an elegant bow. “Let me serve you.”

“Er…” Why am I blushing? “Okay, if you’re sure. A coffee and a breakfast sandwich, please… but only if you bring your own breakfast to eat with me.”

“Deal.”

The next day was Archer’s best day at Shady Queens so far.

Mateo knocked at his bedroom door at ten o’clock on the nose, as agreed.

“Your breakfast, my lord,” he announced, carrying the coffee tray with great ceremony.

Archer sat up, scrubbing his hand through his hair, wishing he had thought to wear a shirt to bed. “Oh, thanks.”

Mateo placed Archer’s coffee on his bedside table and handed him his sandwich, then took a seat in the desk chair. He had the same breakfast for himself. The crinkling of the wrappers was loud in the otherwise silent room.

“Yum,” Archer said after swallowing his first bite. “They’re so good here.”

“They are good,” Mateo agreed, picking up his coffee. “But not as good as homemade crepes—they’re my breakfast specialty.”

“Yeah? I love crepes.”

“Maybe I’ll make them for you one day.”

The one day hung in the air, given that there were only two weeks left in the season. Does he mean… back in the city? One morning, after we—

Mateo cleared his throat. “So, do you think we’ll be ready for the finale?”

“Absolutely.” Archer’s answer was immediate. “We’re so close already. And there’s plenty of time still.”

Mateo smiled softly. “You’re always so optimistic.”

Archer paused before his next bite. “Am I?”

“You are. All summer, you’ve been the one encouraging me, telling me it’ll be okay, we can do it. It’s… it’s nice, having someone positive like that.”

“Oh… that’s—Thanks.”

“No, thank you.”

Archer smiled into his sandwich.

They ate in companionable silence, then Mateo stood to collect Archer’s wrapper when he was done. “So, what else can I do for you today?”

“You really don’t have to—”

“A bet’s a bet. I’m all yours.”

Archer’s tongue twisted itself into a knot while his face’s temperature cranked up a few degrees. “I can’t think of anything right now…”

“Well, I’m at your beck and call. You let me know if you need anything.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

They stared at each other.

“Want to go for a swim?” Archer asked.

“Sounds great.” Mateo smiled. “Let me carry your towel.”

When they got down to the dock, it looked like several of the others had had the same idea. Caleb and Ben were there, as were Harley, River, Seta, and Yuki. Ben was rubbing sunscreen onto a very pleased-looking Caleb’s back.

After they spread their towels out, Mateo held out his hand to Archer. “Here, I’ll do you.”

“You’ll what?” Archer wheezed.

Mateo chuckled. “Your sunscreen, Archer.”

“Oh. Yes. Sure.” He handed his bottle to Mateo, then turned his back, ignoring the smirk Caleb was giving him.

The sunscreen was cool on his skin for a second before there was nothing but the sensation of warmth and Mateo’s big, strong hands on him. He was very thorough, gliding his fingers firmly over every inch of exposed skin, including Archer’s neck and sides and right along the waist of his swim trunks.

It felt so fucking good that Archer bit his lip, horrified that he might actually moan with pleasure. He certainly hoped he didn’t look as flustered as he felt. Mateo touched him all the time during their dances, of course, but something about the smooth, slippery rubbing on his bare back… “Thanks,” he rasped when Mateo was done.

“I think I got everywhere,” Mateo said, handing the bottle back to him. “Didn’t want to miss any spots.”

“Yeah.” Archer’s heart was pounding against his rib cage. “I don’t think you did.”

Mateo was right there for him, all day. Carrying his things, bringing him lunch, and reapplying sunscreen in the afternoon.

“I could get used to this.” Archer grinned when Mateo held the door to the theater open for him on their way in. “I like having you around.”

“I like being around,” Mateo said, softly—so softly that Archer was not sure he was meant to hear it.

Archer turned to smile at him. “Well, I guess you’re off duty now. It was nice while it lasted.”

“Yeah.” Mateo looked down at his feet, then back up at Archer. “You heading down to the cabin tonight after the show?”

Archer grinned. “Yeah. See you there?”

“See you there.”

Archer showered quickly but spent a bit longer than normal choosing his late evening post-show outfit, going with a red shirt and beige shorts that looked good against his glowing tan. He stared at himself in the mirror while he fussed with his hair, which was now a little longer than he had kept it in Manhattan. There was a strange feeling brewing inside him, some energy that was building, tingling, and seeking an outlet of some sort, telling him to… do something.

I can’t do anything though , Archer’s brain argued. I can’t be the cause of another disaster breakup that destroys what we’ve built back up.

But the feeling was still there.

When he got to the cabin, he spotted Mateo right away on the couch with a few of the others. He looked gorgeous, a loose, easy smile on his face, hair wet, lounging with one long, sculpted arm stretched out along the back, legs sprawled, and a buttery-soft olive green T-shirt hugging his every muscle. Archer grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat next to Mateo.

“Hey.” Mateo clinked their bottles together. His dark, smoldering eyes bored into Archer’s.

“Hey.” Archer took a sip, not looking away.

Betty flopped onto the couch next to Archer. “Ah, what a day.” She sighed happily. She patted Archer’s leg. “Thanks to you.”

Archer forced himself to look at Betty. “What did you get up to? I didn’t see you all day.”

“Well, after breakfast, Dominik did my laundry for me while I had a nap, then he drove me into town so I could peruse the used bookstore with a pack mule on hand. That guy can carry a lot of books.”

Archer chuckled. “Amazing. Hope you found some good ones.”

“Did you hear what Beau made me do?” Daniella added with a giggle. “I had to rub his feet!”

The group groaned appropriately, then there was a lot of laughter as the rest of them shared their servant-for-a-day stories. Archer half listened, his body humming with its nearness to Mateo.

Do something, his gut said.

Archer looked at Mateo. Mateo looked back.

Archer opened his mouth to say something right as the music got cranked up and Shania Twain’s “Any Man of Mine” started blaring. The other lounging employees whooped as they hopped to their feet and began pushing furniture back.

“Yeehaw,” Dominik cried. “Off your asses, everyone!”

Archer put his drink down, then stood and took Mateo’s hand. “Come on, let’s dance.”

They didn’t touch in line dancing, of course, but that something was still there, connecting them. Archer was intensely aware of where Mateo was at every second, like he was being pulled in that direction, as if his center of gravity was outside of his body and desperate to return to its home.

One song turned into several, and their eyes continued to meet, again and again.

Do something.

“Hey,” Archer yelled into Mateo’s ear as one song came to an end. “Do you want another drink?”

Mateo smiled, and for some reason it looked a little sad when he shook his head. “Thanks, but it’s been a long day. I’d better get to bed.”

“Okay,” Archer said. “Well…” It’s better this way, his brain reminded him. Safer. “Thanks again for… everything today.”

“You’re welcome.”

The other voice, the one in his gut, was finally quiet while Archer watched Mateo’s back disappear down the hall.

It’s better this way, his brain said again.