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.

“What a dick,” Caleb muttered.

Archer gave him a weak smile of agreement, but his heart sank.

“What did you mean about Mateo being unprofessional?” he asked Caleb later at dinner.

“You’ve heard the stories, haven’t you? He got fired from the role of a lifetime for being ‘unprofessional.’”

The other conversations around them quieted, heads turning in their direction.

“Like how?” Archer asked.

“Same old. He started drinking and partying, missing rehearsals, making demands of everyone to treat him like a fucking god. And I guess he was an asshole to Abby. Refused to even talk to her backstage.”

Abby Hodge was perhaps the most famous trans actor in America these days, certainly the most famous to ever make it big on Broadway. She had even been nominated for an Oscar this past year. And Mateo was … here. With Archer, who couldn’t get a job to save his life. Ouch.

“So, why is he working here?”

Dominik shrugged. “No one knows. He hasn’t exactly been making friends.”

There was murmured agreement around the table.

“This is his first season?” Archer asked.

Dominik nodded, purple mohawk bobbing. “Yeah. We were all shocked as hell when Stewart introduced him the first day. One thing’s for sure though,” he added, popping open a can of sparkling water. “That man can dance.”

The conversation drifted onto other topics, but Archer’s thoughts stayed on Mateo. How does one go from being the toast of Broadway to toiling in a tiny cabaret show upstate? He finished his stuffed peppers in silence.

“Cabin tonight?” Caleb asked him, feet bumping under the table.

Archer’s stomach quivered. “No way, man. No drinking for me.”

“Come on, Archer,” Dominik interjected. “Cannonball contest!”

“Everyone’s doing it.” Betty poked him and grinned.

Archer groaned. “Okay, fine. I can beat you all sober, anyway.”