“You’re welcome.” Mateo’s gaze was soft as it landed on Archer.

For a split second, it felt like the end of a date, and Archer’s eyes went to Mateo’s lips, before he scolded himself for being ridiculous. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” he said, hoping Mateo couldn’t see his blush in the dim light.

“You bet.”

Archer fell asleep with the thought of Mateo’s long, strong body lifting his as they moved in the moonlight.

7 I Like You

“Morning.” Caleb plopped down next to Archer on the bench at breakfast. “Where’d you end up last night? Your bed was empty when we got back.”

“Oh, I … went for a walk.” His night with Mateo didn’t feel like something he wanted to share. “Did you have fun with Eva?”

“Hell yeah, she’s fucking hilarious. She told us this story about the time when she was just starting out and she lost her bra right before the show, so she had to borrow one from a waitress and stuff it with bar rags. But then the waitress’s shift ended in the middle of her show, and she came on stage and demanded Eva give it back. Eva refused and the woman tackled her, and they ended up wrestling and everyone thought it was part of the show.” The table cracked up around him, and Archer laughed with them. As cool as it would have been to hang out with Eva, he had no regrets.

They had time to kill before rehearsal at two, so they all headed down to the dock for a swim and sunbathing. Caleb didn’t leave his side, touching his arm or thigh to get his attention, offering to get him a drink from the cabin, and even brushing a piece of wet hair off Archer’s forehead when they climbed, dripping, out of the water.

When it was time to head to the theater, they traveled as a pack. Caleb slung an arm over Dominik’s shoulders, laughing at one of his jokes, then took hold of Archer’s hand.

“One sec, Archer.” Caleb pulled him back when they arrived at the theater, while the rest of the crew tramped through the stage door.

“What’s up?”

“Archer…” Caleb smiled up at him through his long eyelashes. “In case it isn’t obvious, I like you.”

“Oh.” He was surprised to hear Caleb say it out loud, and his cheeks flushed. “I like you too.”

Caleb smiled. “That’s good.” Then he leaned forward and kissed him.