Page 20 of Flirty Dancing

Archer faced his troupe. Most of them looked amused, including Caleb. Mateo’s face was a storm cloud. “Sorry, guys.”

Dominik grinned at him. “It’s fine, bro. We’ve all been there. Well…” His eyes shifted. “Most of us.”

Stewart sniffed. “Indeed. This reminds me of the morning after Matthew Broderick’s bachelor party. Quick warm-up, Archer, then fall in.”

He didn’t get a chance to talk to Caleb until the first break. He sat next to him on the floor for a stretch. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

Caleb smirked and pulled his cowboy boots off to rub his feet. “I tried. You were out cold, princess.”

“Were we, uh… Did we…” He leaned closer to Caleb and lowered his voice. “Did you sleep in my bed?”

Caleb grinned. “You don’t remember?”

Archer’s cheeks flushed. “No.”

“Yeah, we both passed out in your bed. Nothing happened, though.”

Archer breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay, good.”

“Ouch.”

“No, it’s not that, it’s—”

“Relax. I’m messing with you. Trust me, if we fucked, you’d remember.”

Heavy feet stopped next to them. Archer looked up to see Mateo’s frown. “Hey, Mateo, I’m really sorry—”

Mateo shook his head. “I was right about you.”

Archer furrowed his brow. “Right about what?”

“You’re just here to party.”

“What?” Archer’s stomach dropped. “I’m not—”

“Look.” Mateo’s face was twisted with distaste. “All I’m asking is that you do your job like a fucking professional, and part of that is showing up on time.”

“I’m sorry, I—”

“Save it, Archer. I don’t give a shit about your apology.”

Archer’s jaw wobbled as Mateo turned to leave. Yeah, he messed up, but Mateo didn’t have to be such a—

“Look who’s talking,” Caleb mumbled.

Mateo stopped and marched back. “Excuse me?”

Caleb sighed and rolled his eyes. “Nothing.”

“Say what you need to say, Caleb.” Mateo looked huge, towering over them where they sat, hands on his hips.

Caleb stood. “It’s rich, you lecturing us about being professional.”

Mateo’s eyes darkened.

Jaw clenched, Caleb stared back.

Mateo opened his mouth, then closed it again. Then he whirled and stormed off, barking at the troupe to get in formation.

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