Their barrage of questions continued until Archer’s defenses were weakened and he told them he had rehearsal and hung up. He leaned against the railing, head drooping. Why did his parents make him feel like such a loser? He slapped at a mosquito and headed back to his room. The others were gone. He looked at his bed.

Five minutes later, he had brushed his teeth and was burrowing under his covers when a text came in from Betty. You coming?

Ummmmm …

You’re already in bed, aren’t you?

Little bit.

Sad.

The saddest.

Caleb says hi.

What? No, he doesn’t.

Fine, he didn’t exactly say hi, but he
asked me where you were.

Gross.

He’s hot.

Yeah, but … And psychotic.

Well, one out of two ain’t bad.

You go for it, then!

Maybe.

Archer laughed. Good luck.

It wasn’t until he woke up in the middle of the night and stared at the ceiling for a while listening to Caleb snoring that it occurred to him that Mateo must have asked someone which room was his.

5 Blurry

Thursday was a blur. They ran through Retro again and also had to learn the hip-hop show. Mateo was all business, barking orders and nagging at him about his turnout. “It’s not ballet, Archer. You need to settle into your knees.”

“I am,” Archer muttered through gritted teeth, not quite loud enough for Mateo to hear. He wanted sexy, smoldering tango Mateo back, or the uncertain, fumbling Mateo who came to find him in his room, not the drill sergeant ragging on him about his knees.

They were taking a water break when Caleb approached. “Mateo’s extra pissy today, hey?”

“Mmm,” Archer replied, pulling his heel back for a quad stretch.

Caleb chewed his lip for a moment, looking uncustomarily sheepish. “Listen, I’m sorry about taking your clothes and stuff yesterday.”

Archer dropped his foot. “Thanks. I appreciate it, Caleb.”

“It was supposed to be funny.”

“Yeah. It wasn’t.”

Caleb shrugged. “Your body is scorching hot though.”

Archer took a drink of water, considering. “Are you hitting on me while apologizing?”

“Maybe.” Caleb’s normal mischievous grin crept back. “Is it working?”

Archer chuckled and shook his head. “No.”

“Damn it. Better try something else.” Caleb winked at him and sauntered away. Archer watched him go. Awfully cute, though. And, he had to admit, the attention was flattering, considering he had been rejected by everyone and everything the last five months.

“If you’re done daydreaming, Archer”—the drill sergeant was back—“we’re taking it from the top.”