Archer eased into the room, avoiding eye contact with them, and crawled under his covers, nearly weeping with relief as his body sank into the mattress.

“You are.” Beau’s words were muffled.

“Then please, trust me. There is no one else for me.”

Trust … The word throbbed through Archer’s head. Do I trust Caleb? He tried to give himself over to sleep, but sounds and images from the day played in his brain like a television recap—being late for the show, Mateo’s seething anger, Ben and Beau’s fight, Caleb with Steve … It took Archer a long time to fall asleep, despite his exhaustion.

13 Cheating

Archer woke up feeling hungover Thursday morning, shoulders screaming in protest when he stretched. In an unusual turn of events, his three roommates were still quiet lumps under rumpled blankets. Archer studied Caleb in the bed next to him, long lashes resting on his smooth cheeks, plump lips parted as his chest rose and fell in the steady rhythm of a deep sleep.

The image of Caleb kissing Steve under the tree flashed in his mind again. It was a goodbye kiss, I swear … Archer’s chest throbbed. He was no lovesick kid; he knew the realities of dating. They hadn’t had any sort of conversation about their relationship status, and Caleb hadn’t broken any promises. Still … Archer’s shoulders weren’t the only thing hurting a little this morning.

Looking for a distraction, he grabbed his phone and saw the Hello? text from his dad again. Shit, totally forgot. His parents would be stewing by now, but it would only get worse if he waited longer. He forced himself to tap out a reply.

Hey, Dad. Sorry, yesterday was crazy. I
meant to get back to you.

A reply came right away. Busy day dancing? We called on your birthday.

Yeah, at nine thirty, Archer thought. Yes, thanks, I saw that after my late show. Do you guys have time for a call now?

Your mother’s out.

Okay … Do you want to call me when
she gets home?

Three dots, but no reply. Archer rubbed his eyes and looked over at Caleb again. He would have to wait and see, he decided. Give Caleb a chance to prove himself, but be careful not to get hurt. It was only for the summer, after all. No need to be so precious about it.

With another futile glance at the unanswered message to his dad, he sat up. He didn’t often get up early enough to catch the staff breakfast window, and his stomach rumbled at the thought of a huge plate of waffles. He eased off the bed, rummaged in his drawer for clothes, and snuck out to go shower.