Page 25 of Flirty Dancing

25

Two as One

They were cooling down after rehearsal early Thursday afternoon when the backstage door clanked shut and light feet trod up the stairs. Archer looked up at River’s gasp, then almost let loose a screech himself when he saw the figure entering the stage.

“Abby Hodge,” he said in disbelief, and in unison with at least four others. The last time he had seen her was on Lynn’s television screen at the Oscars in her midnight-blue Valentino gown. She was in blue again, loose linen shorts and tank top, graceful brown leather sandals, hair in a perfect, sleek bob, and lips bright red. She looked every bit the movie star. Archer snapped his mouth closed and tried to stop staring.

Abby’s eyes had already found Mateo.

Mateo stared back. “Abby,” he stammered. “You’re—What are you doing here?”

She smiled. “It’s nice to see you too.” Her tone was teasing, but her smile was uncertain.

“Right. Sorry, I—” He noticed the fifteen other people staring at them. “Uh, this is Abby Hodge. Abby, this is… everyone.”

“Hi.” She beamed at them, her eyes sweeping the room. “Nice to meet you all.” Her gaze went back to Mateo. “Eva is actually a good friend of mine and she invited me to see the finale.” She shrugged. “I thought I’d surprise you.”

“I’m surprised.” They watched each other another few seconds, the silence deafening. “Well, I’m done here. Would you like to go grab that coffee?”

She nodded once, movie star smile back in place. “I’d love to.”

Mateo quickly gathered his things and led Abby back toward the steps. His eyes met Archer’s on the way by.

Good luck , Archer mouthed at him.

Mateo nodded, shoulders tense. Thanks , he mouthed back.

Archer sent them all the good vibes he could muster as they disappeared down the steps.

When Archer came back early for the six o’clock show, Mateo and Abby were sitting together at the piano in the greenroom. Abby was slowly teasing out the right hand of a piece Archer didn’t recognize.

“There he is,” Mateo said when he saw Archer come in. He stood. “Abby, this is Archer. Archer, Abby.”

“It’s an honor to meet you,” Archer said, shaking her hand. “You’re so talented.”

“Thank you, Archer. You are too, from what I hear. Mateo hasn’t shut up about you the whole day.”

Mateo gave an indignant gasp while Archer grinned. “Is that so?”

Mateo poked Abby. “You said we were cool!”

Abby laughed. “We are. But I had to get one shot in.”

“Fair enough.” They shared another smile.

“Well.” Abby stood, too. “I’ll leave you two to get ready for your show. I can’t wait to see it.”

“I hope you aren’t expecting too much—”

“Oh hush, Mateo. If you’re involved, I know it’s amazing.” She hugged him. “Maybe you two can stop by my cabin for a drink tomorrow?”

Mateo nodded. “We’d love to.”

“It was nice to meet you, Archer.” She swapped cheek kisses with Archer and slipped from the room.

“So? It went well?” Archer asked the second the back door closed.

Mateo slumped onto the piano bench like his legs were about to give out. “Really well,” he breathed. “Really, really well. We talked for hours. I’d forgotten what a great friend she is.”

“I’m so happy for you,” Archer said, sitting next to him and pulling him in for a hug.

Hugging Mateo was so easy, even easier than dancing with him, the way their bodies melded together so perfectly. Archer never wanted to let go.

When the hug ended, Mateo pulled away, opening his mouth to say something, but then the back door wrenched open and they heard Dominik screeching.

“NOBODY MOVE! ABBY HODGE SHOOK MY HAND!” He appeared in the greenroom, grinning from ear to ear. “Mateo, why do you get to have such cool friends? I can’t believe she’s here! Oh my God, is Abby Hodge going to be watching us tonight? I am literally dying.”

But Mateo barely seemed to notice Dominik’s theatrics. He bumped shoulders with Archer. “Thanks. I’m happy too.”

“ARCHER!” Archer was walking across the center green Saturday afternoon when the shriek reached him.

He turned. It was Lynn, barreling toward him, holding her hat with one hand. Sasha followed behind, towing their suitcases. Archer’s smile was so broad it hurt his face. “Lynnie!”

She threw herself into Archer’s arms. “Hiiiii! I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too!” He hugged her hard. “I can’t believe you’re actually here!”

“Me neither, especially after hearing about it all summer!”

Sasha puffed up to them, sweat already sliding down her temple in the heat. “Hey, Archer,” she said, with a hug of her own.

“Hi, Sasha. Wow, you two look gorgeous!”

They were both wearing long, flowing pastel summer dresses and wide-brimmed hats.

“Oh, these old things?” Lynn declared with a wink.

Archer knew Lynn had done a special shopping trip to pick out some memorable outfits for their sure-to-be-memorable weekend.

“Where’s your cabin?” Archer asked.

“One-oh-five, I think?” Lynn said, digging in her bag for the keys.

“Ooh, a nice one! Right down by the water!”

Sasha frowned at Lynn. “I hope you didn’t spend too much, love.”

Lynn booped her on the nose. “Don’t you worry about that.”

Archer pointed them down the right path. “I’m on my way to grab some food before the show, but your cabin is that way.”

“Yes, we should go get settled in, but we’ll see you at the theater! Which show is tonight again?”

“ From the Heart , the contemporary one. Then tomorrow is the big finale.”

“And when do we get to meet Mateo?” she asked with a grin. “Not to mention Caleb! And I really need to meet Dominik. And Betty.”

Archer laughed. “Maybe if you’re good, I can give you a backstage tour between shows.”

“Yes!” Lynn whooped. “Perfect. We’ll be on our best behavior.”

“I mean it, Lynn! No one knows about me and Mateo.”

“It’s still a secret?” she said, sharing a look with Sasha.

“It’s better this way,” Archer explained. “We’re waiting until we get back to the city. No drama if no one knows. It all has to go perfectly tomorrow.”

Lynn mimed zipping her lips closed. “Promise.”

After the first show, Lynn and Sasha waited in their seats as instructed while the rest of the crowd shuffled out.

“Hey!” Archer popped out onto the stage and waved them up the stairs. “Come on up!”

Lynn squealed and rushed up to him. “Oh my God, Archer! You were so fucking amazing! You made me fucking cry . And I do not cry.”

“So gorgeous!” Sasha agreed, kissing his cheek.

“And, fucking hell, I think I got pregnant watching you and Mateo.” Lynn fanned herself. “You two are scorching hot.”

“Shhh!” Archer hissed, craning his neck to peek around the masking draperies to make sure no one had heard.

“Sorry,” she whispered. “But damn .”

Despite himself, Archer grinned. “Thanks. Let me introduce you.”

He led Lynn and Sasha into the greenroom and over to where Mateo was pulling on a T-shirt. “This is Mateo. Mateo, this is my roommate—er, former roommate Lynn and her girlfriend, Sasha.”

Lynn beamed. “Mateo! It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Mateo leaned in to kiss their cheeks. “Likewise.”

“You are an amazing dancer,” Lynn said. “I can see why Archer likes you so much.”

Archer cleared his throat, cheeks heating. “Thanks, Lynnie.”

Mateo laughed. “It’s okay. I like him too. A lot.” He threw a smoldering look at Archer, causing his cheeks to flush further.

“If you look at each other like that very often,” Lynn said with a chuckle, “trust me, everyone knows.”

Archer dragged his eyes away from Mateo’s. “Come on, then, let’s meet the rest of them.”

Lynn, Sasha, and Betty hit it off right away, and Archer could barely pry them apart. “Okay, you guys can talk about the best art galleries in Brooklyn another time. We have another show to get ready for.”

“Yes, heaven knows Archer Read is never late for anything,” Lynn said with an eye roll.

“Right?” Betty agreed. “He’s late more than anyone!”

Archer’s jaw flapped. “You—I—”

“Yes, yes,” Lynn soothed. “We’re going.” She kissed Archer on the cheek. “See you tomorrow.”

“Lynn and Sasha are great,” Mateo said, watching the two of them leave.

“Yeah,” Archer said fondly. “I’m really going to miss living with Lynn.”

“Have you had a chance to look for an apartment yet?”

“I took a quick look at some roommate-wanted ads yesterday.” Archer pulled a face. “It was scary.”

“You know…” Mateo said slowly. “I have an extra room in my apartment. You could stay with me. While you look for something.”

“Really? Even though we’re…”

“Yeah, I know the timing is a little weird but… you need a room and I have a room. It doesn’t have to be anything more significant.”

A thousand-pound weight lifted off Archer’s shoulders. “If you’re sure…”

“If I’m sure?” Mateo said, eyes crinkling. “This is basically me begging.”

Archer wanted to throw his arms around Mateo, but he remembered just in time they were in the greenroom with fourteen other people. “Yes. Thank you. That would be… perfect.”

“Good.”

“Good.”

Archer stepped onto the darkened stage. Mateo’s shadow waited for him. The audience hushed as the first strains of music filled the theater. Archer took his position, in third, arms extended. He exhaled. The spotlight turned on and illuminated them both.

Their eyes met.

Mateo’s beauty took his breath away.

Archer’s heart crashed into his rib cage, a bird that refused to be contained, that needed to fly.

So, he flew.

He pirouetted and reached for Mateo. Their hands met, firm and yet gentle. Mateo grasped his waist, then his thigh as Archer dove toward the worn boards. Then his waist again, his shoulders, as the music took them. Their arms and legs threaded together, weaving a story, a spell that captured them both. Mateo lifted Archer to the swell of the music, held him. They breathed at the same time, their sweat mingling on flushed skin. The thump of Mateo’s pounding heart vibrated through Archer’s hand when he rested it on Mateo’s chest. His fingers brushed Mateo’s face, and then they turned and came back together once again. Archer fell, Mateo caught him, safe and secure in those arms.

The audience vanished; it was only the two of them as one. As Archer stretched and turned and leaped, he knew Mateo was there, right where he was supposed to be, perfectly in sync, never a hand misplaced, never a missed beat. Archer lost himself in the dance, let the emotions take over, put every grain of every feeling into his legs and toes and arms and fingers, neck, torso—his body as fluid as the flame that burned inside him.

When the music faded and the roar from the audience rushed back, they held hands and bowed, then exited the stage while the others went on.

They stood in silence in the shadows, watching each other, chests heaving. Every hair on Archer’s body stood on end. His every cell, alive and wanting.

“Mateo,” he breathed.

Their lips met, bodies wound together again, slotting together perfectly. Archer dissolved into an ocean of bliss.

It wasn’t until they heard their next cue that they broke apart, panting.

Mateo nodded, took Archer’s hand, and squeezed.

He didn’t need to say anything.

After the show, Archer tingled, as if he and Mateo were tied together by an electric wire, humming and singing with an undeniable current.

He stole glance after glance at Mateo as they changed and stored their gear. Mateo was always looking back.

When there was nothing else left to put away and the room had thinned out, Mateo approached him. “Archer.”

“Yes?” He waited, pulse humming.

Mateo leaned in, his lips nearly brushing Archer’s cheek as he whispered. “Tonight… would you like to—I think we should… that is, do you—”

“Are you asking me out on a date?” Archer winked, eyes sliding over Mateo’s face, taking in every inch of skin, every hair, wanting to remember this moment.

Mateo closed his eyes briefly, embarrassed. “Yes, and doing a terrible job at it.”

Archer tilted closer, lips grazing Mateo’s cheek in turn. “Yes, I would love to, thank you.”

Their eyes met. Mateo smiled. “I’ll pick you up at your room in thirty minutes.”

Archer shivered. “Make it twenty.”

Nineteen minutes later, Mateo was rapping on Archer’s doorframe. “Ready to go?”

Archer smoothed his hair with one last look in the mirror. “Where are we going? Night out on the town?”

Mateo took his hips and pulled him in for a kiss. “Would it be ungentlemanly if I took you straight back to my room?”

“Do you care if—?”

“I don’t care who sees. I don’t care who hears. I don’t care what anyone thinks. I just want you.”

Archer’s heart tried to squeeze its way through his rib cage. “Then yes, please, and hurry up about it.”

Archer barely remembered the walk down to the cabin, aside from the feeling of his fingers laced through Mateo’s. He barely remembered climbing the stairs and rushing down the hall, only Mateo’s warm hand in his, tugging him along.

But he remembered Mateo’s bedroom door slamming closed as Mateo kissed him against the back of it. He remembered Mateo’s hands on his body, pulling his shirt up, pushing his shorts down. He remembered every kiss.

He remembered the way they moved.

Archer reached for Mateo. Their hands met, firm yet gentle. Mateo grasped his waist, then his thigh, his shoulders. Their arms and legs threaded together, weaving a story, a spell that captured them both. Mateo lifted Archer, held him. They breathed at the same time, their sweat mingling on flushed skin. The thump of Mateo’s pounding heart vibrated through Archer’s hand when he rested it on Mateo’s chest. His fingers brushed Mateo’s face, and Mateo held him, so safe, so secure in those arms.

The only thing that existed was the two of them as one.

“So…” Archer traced Mateo’s strong jaw with his finger. “We’re doing this? We’re telling people?”

“I can’t wait any longer,” Mateo murmured, eyelids fluttering. He kissed the fingertip that drifted over his lips. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Oh, God. Don’t say that. I don’t want to find out.”

Mateo chuckled. “Fair point. It’s been quite the summer.”

Archer kissed Mateo’s pec. “When did you first know… you wanted this?”

“This?” Mateo took Archer’s hand and laced their fingers together and kissed the back of it. “From the first moment I saw you.”

Butterflies danced around Archer’s stomach. “Really? All summer?”

“Remember when we were blocking out our pas de deux in the clearing?”

“Yeah?”

“And I did the full-on fucking pirouette-into-tour like an asshole?”

“What?” Archer laughed. “That was fucking hot.”

“Such a show-off.”

“Trust me, it was appreciated. You’re hot when you show off. But why didn’t you say anything, ever? I thought you hated me!”

Mateo barked a short laugh. “You ended up with Caleb so fast. But I took my shot, Archer. Remember your birthday? I got like two hours of sleep that night so I could get up at four in the morning and ice your fucking cake.”

“You did?”

Mateo groaned and covered his face with his other hand. “Was it not completely obvious? I thought you were rejecting me. For Caleb!”

“No! I… Fuck! I thought it was just a cake.”

Mateo arched an eyebrow. “Do I seem like the type to stay up half the night baking cakes for my coworkers?”

Archer groaned too. “When you put it that way, I’m an idiot.”

“Yeah.” Mateo pushed a piece of hair back off Archer’s forehead. “A sweet idiot, though. A beautiful idiot.”

Archer propped himself up on an elbow, sliding his fingers around Mateo’s neck. “An idiot who would like to kiss you now.”

“Please.”

A while later, they flopped back onto the mattress, panting. Archer rolled onto his side and studied Mateo’s perfect profile as he got his breath back. His eyelids drooped and the idea of time briefly flitted through his head. “We should probably get some sleep,” he murmured. “Big day tomorrow. Er, today.”

“But you’ll sleep here with me?” Mateo snaked his arms around Archer’s waist and pulled him closer. “You’ll stay?”

Archer smiled in the darkness. “I’ll stay.”