Chapter Text
Buck groaned. Last night brought a bit more booze than he had originally intended. I wasn't paying, so of course I overdid it. Eddie had bought his drinks throughout the night, that much he remembered, but that was the extent of his memory. That and Annalise and Luke coming back looking a bit… frazzled, as he had said.
His phone dinged.
Eddie: Had fun last night. Paying for it now.
Something twisted in Buck’s stomach. Why did he word it like that? He makes it sound like we…
The bubbles bounced on Eddie’s side of the screen.
An image of Eddie appeared. Rough was an understatement for the way he looked. His eyes were heavy with exhaustion and his hair was sticking in multiple directions. Buck grinned.
Buck: Damn, that's hot
Eddie: Ha Ha, Buckley. Very funny.
Buck chuckled, putting his phone down on his nightstand. He hadn't left bed yet despite having been awake for nearly an hour. One last thing before I get up.
Buck grabbed his phone and laid back in his bed. He opened his camera, held his phone above him, and took a selfie.
He scanned the photo, but there wasn't anything terrible about it. Buck looked rough, with his bed-fluffed hair and worn-out eyes, but compared to Eddie, he looked pretty good.
With one quick motion, Buck clicked send, and sat up. His phone dinged once, then twice. Buck grabbed his phone as he went to the bathroom to brush his teeth.
Eddie: Anyway…
Eddie: Take a guess at what we’re doing this week…
Buck squeezed some toothpaste on his brush, holding it in his mouth as he typed out his message.
Buck: What night is it? Latin Night?
The bubbles popped up and disappeared.
Eddie: Yep
What would they be doing that week? Latin Night meant… Latin dances, so…
Buck: Honestly, I don't know, Eddie
Buck set his phone on the sink and brushed his teeth as Eddie typed his response.
Eddie: We're doing a…
There was a pause in the messages.
Eddie: Salsa! No idea what the song is yet, but I'll hear soon.
Buck typed a quick “sounds good” before continuing his brushing. Salsa? I guess I’ve heard of it. He rinsed the toothpaste out of his mouth and looked at himself in the mirror. He ran a hand through his hair and glanced at the time on his phone. 7:46.
“I should have enough time to make something for lunch,” Buck murmured to himself, leaving the bathroom and heading toward the kitchen. “Maybe I should…”
Buck: Hey Eddie, what do you want for lunch?
*
Eddie sat on the floor in Studio 3, his mind mushing together. Buck’s shirtless selfie aside, that partner of his asked what he wanted for lunch. He glanced at his phone on the floor beside him.
Buck: Hey Eddie, what do you want for lunch?
Such a simple question should not have boggled his brain.
Eddie: Not sure… surprise me?
An easy response. Too easy. Coward.
Buck: Can do, be there around 11
Now that it was 10:45, Eddie was getting restless. Buck was going to be there any minute and he had to look him in the face after that selfie. And all of the stuff from their night at Studio 45.
Looking back, nothing insane happened, but drunk Buck was certainly something Eddie couldn’t seem to forget. A couple of drinks in, and Buck got quite touchy. There was always an arm slung across Eddie’s shoulders, or a hand on his arm, or a knee touching his own knee. They shared an Uber to get back to their apartments, and Buck had passed out within the first couple of minutes.
Eddie closed his eyes, and there was Buck passed out, leaning on Eddie’s shoulder. Mouth open, drooling, and messy. But he was Buck.
The door opened and Eddie opened his eyes. “Morning, Eddie.”
It wasn’t Buck. “Hey Katy,” Eddie said, standing up. “What’s up?”
“Is Buck here at all?”
Eddie shook his head. “He should be here soon,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “What’s going on?”
Katy sighed before looking down at her phone. “Cameras are going to be in here right away. Higher-ups have some stuff they want you guys to do by tomorrow afternoon.”
“Ok?”
Katy paused, holding one of her hands up for a moment to pause. “Eddie,” she said, her brow furrowed. “Have you seen the socials? With you and Buck?”
“I haven’t looked at socials today, so no. Did something happen?”
“That’s a way of putting it,” Katy said, holding her phone up for Eddie to see. “Have a look.”
Eddie grabbed Katy’s phone and read the first article title. “DWTS same-sex pairing with sizzling chemistry going out?” Shit. Eddie clicked on the article, his stomach twisting as he began to read.
“Paparazzi leaked photos show Dancing with the Stars celebrity and LAFD fire fighter, Evan “Buck” Buckley, and his pro partner, Edmundo “Eddie” Diaz emerging from popular bar Studio 45 in Hollywood. This comes a few hours after the end of the Vegas Night live performance, prompting fans to question the nature of Buck and Eddie’s relationship. Is it just a partnership, or is there something more?”
Eddie bit his lip. I wasn’t careful at all last night. He quickly scrolled to the photos. Sure enough, he and Buck were front and center outside of Studio 45, Buck’s arm slung over Eddie’s shoulders, Eddie’s arm wrapped around Buck’s waist. They were attached at the hip. It could be worse I guess… He looked at the next photo.
It looked like it was taken right after the first. They were in the same pose, but instead of looking forward, they were looking at each other. The camera only saw Buck’s expression, but it was enough to make Eddie’s heart clench. Buck’s gentle eyes were soft, watching Eddie with a look of such… what was it? Admiration? Adoration? Love? Eddie shook his head. Either way, it was not good. “This may be a bit of an issue. I wasn’t careful.”
“Eddie,” Katy said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “If there is something you need to tell me, please tell me.”
I could tell her… what’s the worst that could happen? Eddie considered her words for a moment, taking a breath. The air in his throat hitched. She tells the other producers, then the they tell the higher-ups, and I’m either kicked out or made to be a poster child. Shit. Eddie shook his head. “No, nothing’s happening. What do the higher-ups want?” Eddie asked, sighing.
Katy blinked once. Then twice. “Well, the higher-ups want you to take Buck to a Salsa club. They gave you a few options that I’ll let you look at.”
Eddie groaned. For running a dance competition, they certainly did not know how to pick clubs. It was always some random, uber-popular joint that literally everyone knew. There was nothing sacred in the mosh pits of the countless LA clubs. Eddie knew that, and some of his partners saw it. “You know my answer to that,” Eddie said, shaking his head.
“Yeah, yeah. I know it’s a no, but you need to at least break even with them. You may lose your job if you don’t.”
He pursed his lips. “What if…” Eddie began, trying and promptly failing to get his words in order. “What if I… proposed an idea to them? A different club. One for Salsa.”
“I don’t know Eddie. You can try whatever you like. What I will tell you is that the higher-ups did see those photos, so be careful. They are… interested to say the least.”
He let out a slow breath. Katy pressed her lips together and released a sigh. “I’ll send a message to the Executives and Showrunners. They should be able to squeeze in a meeting after the first rehearsal cycle.”
Eddie nodded his thanks, though his nerves spiked at the thought of facing the very people who had taken such a sudden interest in his partnership. “Thanks, Katy.”
Katy didn’t stay much longer, so he had plenty of time to begin his review of the clubs. Three names. All trashy places. They never fail to achieve my expectations. The door opened, and in came Buck with two bags over his shoulder.
Eddie grinned.
*
Buck never realized how much actually went into the Salsa until he danced it for hours on end. Eddie drilled him on technique for a while before they broke for lunch. Even as they ate chicken salad bowls, thoughts of foot positions and foot work roamed free in his head. They hadn’t even danced to their song yet, much less started choreography. Buck didn’t even know the song they were doing.
“So, Eddie,” Buck said, stabbing a piece of grilled chicken with his fork. “You never told me what song.”
A bright smile appeared on Eddie’s face. He put his fork down and clapped his hands together. “We are dancing to a Selena song. That is all I’m going to tell you right now.”
“Wait, Selena… as in Quintanilla?”
“Yes,” Eddie said, nodding. “As in Quintanilla. That’s all I’ll say for now until the cameras are on.”
They finished their lunch, cleaned up, and returned to the studio. As they walked back to Studio 3, Nikolai met them. He didn’t say anything, but Buck couldn’t help but notice the air shift a bit as Eddie and Nikolai made eye contact, watching one another with a fiery glare. Even as they began rehearsal again, Buck noticed that Eddie’s dark eyes gleamed with an unfamiliar intensity.
It would have scared him if it didn’t make his pulse quicken and skin run hot.
When the camera crew came into the studio, Eddie immediately flipped his token TV personality on. Buck stood across from Eddie as he had the previous two weeks, waiting for Eddie to start talking. “Great job last week,” Eddie began, cueing Buck to begin reacting. “Three more sevens. How are you feeling about it?”
Buck was thrilled, but he was hoping for something different this week. “I’m feeling good. I want more.”
Eddie laughed. “I’m glad to hear. Well, looking toward next week, we have a brand new dance. We are doing a Salsa to Selena’s El Chico del Apartamento 512.”
Buck grinned for the camera. Isn’t that a song about liking someone, like, romantically? Despite himself, Buck continued nodding along as Eddie talked a bit more. Once the camera man gave them a thumbs up, Eddie stopped talking and went to sit down on the couch. “You’re getting better in front of the camera, Buck.”
“Was I not before?”
Eddie looked to the side, returned his gaze to Buck, and blinked. “Well, you weren’t bad,” he said, grinning a bit.
Asshole’s teasing me. “Shut up, Eddie,” Buck said, plopping down on the couch beside him. “Freakin’ jerk.”
“Who, me?” Eddie said, putting his hand on his chest. “No…”
“What? Was your chicken bad?”
Eddie chuckled and shook his head. “No, it was actually really good. Thanks, by the way.”
“Good, because I made that this morning.”
“You and your homemade food…”
“Tell me,” Buck said, grinning. “Should I bring homemade salsa next time?”
Eddie furrowed his brow. He thought about what Buck said for a moment, and cringed as his words finally clicked. “Jesus, Buck,” he said, cringing. “That was low-hanging fruit. I need you to bring your Salsa — like the dance — game next time.”
He stood, his figure glowing as the sun peeked through the windows. “Why don’t we start learning some of this choreography?”
Buck nodded, chuckling at himself.
*
Eddie cleared his throat and put his hands on his hips. Buck, who was laying flat on the studio floor, groaned as he turned his head. “Eddie, that was actually brutal,” he said, his voice hoarse.
Eddie shook his head, walking over to Buck’s bag to grab his water bottle. He grabbed the bright blue bottle, swished it a bit, and rolled it to Buck. “Drink some water,” he said, grabbing his own water bottle. “You sound like I ran you over with my truck.”
Buck sat up, uncapped his water bottle, and took a deep drink. “Kind of feels like it too,” Buck said, taking a heavy breath.
He was drenched with sweat, which Eddie found interesting. For a guy whose job it was a lift people and carry them out of burning buildings, Eddie’s choreographies certainly seemed to be significantly more physically demanding. At least from what he had noticed. “Are you telling me that the Salsa is tougher than the Jive and Quickstep?”
“Yes,” he said without a moment to spare. “It feels like you are doing something… different with your choreos. Like this one is more difficult.”
Eddie paused. I guess I have been a bit… tense mentally since the whole Nikolai-being-a-asshole-to-my-face thing. Must be carrying over to my dancing. He sighed, watching Buck for a moment. “I want-”
Before Eddie could begin, there was a knock on the studio door. A head poked around the corner. “Hey, do you think we can get a clip of you guys for the package before you head out?”
More cameras. “Sure,” Eddie said.
Maybe it would be better to tell Buck what he wanted on camera. Rally the viewers behind Buck’s improvement and the challenges he faces as he grows as a dancer. It’s a basic strategy, but if it isn’t broke, I’m not going to fix it. The camera crew was already set up by the time Eddie looked at Buck again. “I should probably let you know before the cameras start rolling that we are going out to a club sometime this week. Maybe tomorrow, or the day after.”
“Cool. What kind of club?”
“Salsa. I have a couple of good ones in mind, but I need to decide which one to go to. Is there a day that works best for you for this?”
Buck blinked, bringing his knees to his chest. “I don’t know, maybe the day after tomorrow. I think that works.”
“Okay, I’ll plan for that.”
“Hey, Eddie, we’re all good over here whenever you’re ready,” one of the camera crew members said, giving a thumbs up from along the wall.
Eddie glanced at the crew and nodded before turning to look at Buck. “One last thing, then we’re done for the day.”
Buck nodded, the clack of the clapperboard cueing Eddie to begin. “Good rehearsal today. How are you feeling about the choreography so far?”
“It’s different. It feels more difficult than the other ones.”
Eddie pasted on a TV smile. Sell it, Eddie. “I’m actually glad to hear that, Buck. I want to challenge you, especially as we go week-to-week. It’s tough, but I think you can take it. After all, you are the firefighter Buckley.”
Buck laughed, scratching the back of his neck as he looked away. Then he looked back, and Eddie’s heart nearly stopped. Buck’s bright lips were curved in a grin, which would have been enough if it weren’t for those blue eyes watching him from behind those lashes. Evan Buckley was truly a sight to behold, with his bright blue water bottle clenched between the fingers of his right hand, still gleaming with beads of sweat dripping down his forehead, and flushed from their rehearsal. God, he really is… something in person. Eddie sucked his bottom lip into his mouth and bit down. Cameras.
“Thanks,” Buck said, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. “Eddie.”
The lead member of the camera crew, a young woman with a black ball cap, cleared her throat. “Thanks, Buck. Thanks, Eddie. We will be back tomorrow to record some more footage for the package.”
Eddie nodded, and the camera crew collected their gear and left the studio. “I think I’m going to head out for the day,” Buck said, lifting his bags over his shoulder. “See you tomorrow.”
“Ok. I’ll text you tonight about the club-thing,” Eddie said, grinning.
Buck nodded, making his way to the door. “Sounds good. Good luck.”
“Thanks. See you tomorrow.”
And Buck was gone.
A hop, skip, and a much needed coffee later, and Eddie stood outside the conference room. A couple of voices from inside sent his stomach swirling. The door clicked open to reveal a woman, and the swirling leapt into his throat. The woman turned to look at Eddie. “Good afternoon, Mr. Diaz. We’ll be with you in just a moment.”
Eddie nodded quickly, drawing his hands down his face. Meetings stressed him out. On the bright side, the quiet hall made him feel a bit better.
That moment passed a bit quicker than Eddie would have liked, the comforting silence in the hallway vanishing as the woman returned to usher him into the room.
A long conference table sat parallel to the doors, allowing four sets of eyes to settle on him. Then five sets as the woman took her place to Eddie’s right. Jeremy and John, the two Executive Producers, straightened their notepads in front of them. Angelica and Ryan, the two Showrunners watched him unnervingly. Eddie glanced at the woman who had ushered him in. I don’t recognize her… she must be new. Angelica noticed Eddie looking at the woman, grinning before clearing her throat. “This is Aubrey, the intern.”
“Ahh,” Eddie said, clearing his throat to try and break his voice through the discomfort staring him in the face. “Nice to meet you, Aubrey.”
Aubrey nodded. Then Jeremy cut in. “Let’s cut to the chase, Mr. Diaz. We heard from Katy that you were questioning our decisions regarding the club this week for you and your partner? Is this true?”
Eddie wanted to throw up. “Yeah, that’s what I’m here to discuss with you. I, uh, like the idea actually, but I wanted to throw some ideas out about where we can go.”
“So Paradise X, Posh 88, and Love Club are not your ideas of fun?” John asked, furrowing his brow.
“Well, they’re not exactly known as Salsa clubs,” Eddie said. “They are more like… mosh pit style clubs.”
“And,” Jeremy asked. “We can pay the DJ to play some Salsa music.”
Eddie refrained from muttering a Spanish profanity under his breath. “Yes, but it takes away from the true experience and identity of Salsa as a dance. If you want me to give Buck the best opportunity to understand Salsa, you should hear me out.”
The Executive Producers glanced at one another, then over at the Showrunners. Ryan, who seemed to be a mile or two away mentally, seemed to check back in. “If our proposed clubs are not what you are thinking, then what are you thinking?”
Eddie silently let out a breath. This may be a bit easier than I thought…
*
Buck was tossing a salad in his kitchen when his phone buzzed. He glanced down, double tapping on the screen to see who it was. Hopefully Maddie can still make it to dinner…
No Maddie. Thank goodness.
Eddie: I arranged for the club tomorrow night.
Buck: Awesome! Glad to hear
As the bubbles bounced on Eddie’s side of the messages, Buck finished tossing the salad and set it on the counter beside the spot cleared away for his lasagna. He hadn’t made this much food in a while, aside of course from his meal prepping for lunch with Eddie. Buck checked the timer on the microwave. 30 more minutes. Has Eddie finished yet?
Buck glanced back at his phone.
Eddie: Meet me at Sonido Fuego at 7. Some friends of mine are doing a gig there, so it’d be nice to show up for them.
Buck: Sounds good… is it just us going??
Buck looked over the message. His thumb hovered over the send button, but didn’t press down. That isn’t mean is it? No, I should just… Without any further hesitation, Buck pressed send. “There is no way that sounds mean, right?”
Eddie’s bubbles popped up, then went away. They returned, then disappeared again. Oh no. Buck turned his phone off. There was a knock on the door.
Buck took a moment to breath. Deep breath in… and deep breath out. He walked to the door and looked through the peep hole. He released on sigh and opened the door. “Hey, Buck,” Maddie said, smiling at him.
“Hey, Mads,” Buck said, allowing her to come in. “Food will be done soon.”
“Good,” she said, hanging her purse on the coat hook along the wall. “Lasagna, right?”
“Yeah,” Buck said, trying his best to calm his breath. He needed to see if Eddie had texted back yet.
Buck closed the door and walked back to the kitchen. He grabbed his phone and opened his messages. Nothing yet. “Everything ok?” Maddie asked, sitting down at the island across from Buck.
“Everything’s fine, just waiting on a text from Eddie.”
Maddie put her elbow on the island and reseted her chin in her hand. She smiled. “Hmm.”
Buck’s brows knit together. “What’s with that look?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just glad to see you enjoying something.”
“Like… waiting for a text and the lasagna?”
“Evan,” Maddie said, tilting her head. “I think you know that’s not what I’m talking about.”
Buck pressed his lips together. “Dance, right?”
Maddie nodded. “I still can’t believe your on Dancing with the Stars. And with Eddie Diaz too.”
His phone buzzed.
Eddie: I can ask if Petra and Blue want to join us. I think they’re doing a Salsa too.
Buck: I think that would be good
Eddie: 👍 I’ll text Petra.
Buck set his phone down and smiled. “Seems like good news,” Maddie said, tapping her fingers on the countertop.
“Yeah,” Buck said, glancing at the microwave timer. “Good news. We’re going to– wait, I probably shouldn’t tell you. Show secrets, you know.”
“I understand. So… how’s Eddie?”
“He’s good. A nice guy.”
Maddie made a “hmm” sound and looked at Buck. She stood, walked to a cupboard with the plates and bowls, and grabbed two salad plates. “Do you want some salad, Buck?”
“Sure,” Buck said, sighing and walking around the island to take a seat. “Thanks.”
Maddie dished up two plates of salad. As she was grabbing silverware, she paused. “So,” Maddie said. “There was a tabloid.”
Buck blinked. “A tabloid?”
“Some paparazzi photos of you and Eddie. They were leaked.”
“Wait, really? Do you have them? Can I see?”
Maddie pushed one plate across the island for Buck, and pulled her phone from her back pocket. There was a moment of silence as she searched up the tabloid. “Here,” she said, handing her phone to Buck.
“DWTS same-sex pairing with sizzling chemistry going out?” Buck’s stomach dropped. He skipped the text and went straight to the photos. They were outside of the bar they were at after the live show. The first photo wasn’t bad, but it was the second that made his mind swirl. Why am I looking at him like that? I know I had a couple to drink but…
“Evan,” Maddie said, sitting down. “I want you to know that whatever is going on, you can tell me, okay?”
Buck was quiet for a moment. “Maddie, I have to be honest. I’m not sure what is going on here.”
“That’s fine, but know that I am here.”
“Thanks, Mads,” Buck said, taking a breath. “I think I need to text Eddie.”
Buck stood, his hands shaking a bit as he grabbed his phone and walked to the living room.
Buck: Hey Eddie. Just saw the tabloid.
It didn’t take long before Eddie responded.
Eddie: Are you ok?
Buck: I’m fine. Why didn’t you tell me?
Eddie: To be honest, I was worried about the club stuff. I forgot to talk to you about it.
He sighed. Going to the club was going to be tough with paparazzi trying to hunt them down.
Buck: If we are going to do this, how are we going to go about it?
Eddie: We need to be more careful. Do you have sunglasses?
Buck: Yeah
Eddie: Baseball cap?
Buck: Yeah
Eddie: Wear them when you leave.
Buck: Ok
Buck chewed his lip and clicked his phone off. Well, this is not definetely not ideal. He wandered back to the kitchen, where Maddie was checking the lasagna. “Everything alright?” she asked, closing the oven door.
“Kind of,” Buck said, exhaling. “He saw the tabloid too, but he said he forgot to talk to me about it. I don’t know, Maddie.”
She walked up to him and put her hands on his shoulders. “Things will be alright. You want to do this competition, right?”
Buck nodded.
“So then do this competition. Work through the scary parts and do your absolute best.”
He smiled, then looked up at the microwave timer. One minute left.
*
Eddie sat in his car outside of Sonido Fuego, ball cap and sunglasses on. He glanced at his phone, re-reading the message Buck sent over 10 minutes ago.
Buck: Omw
Rehearsal had been kind of uncomfortable after the Eddie-forgot-to-tell-Buck-about-the-tabloid-thing, but that discomfort was killed as soon as Petra walked in with Blue. They came in for a tandem practice since they were dancing the same style. “Surprisingly enough,” Petra had said. “He needs help figuring out what to do with his hips and emotion. I think working with you two will help him.”
For a stripper, it was surprising just how much Blue was confused by the hips in Salsa. After 45 minutes of trying to break the motion down, he finally began to get it. Then he couldn't stop doing it.
Eddie grinned at the memory. A car pulled up next to his and parked. A dark-haired man in sunglasses stepped out of the passenger side, meeting a woman with sunglasses shielding her eyes at the front of the vehicle. Petra and Blue. Eddie opened his car door and stepped out. “Hey guys,” he said, locking his doors. “How was the rest of rehearsal?”
Petra smiled, drawing her glasses down her face just enough to look over the brims. “Good,” she said, puckering her lips. “Speaking of which… looking hot tonight, my friend.”
Eddie chuckled, putting his hands up. “Hate to come to a place like this underdressed.”
Blue pointed a finger and spun it around. “Please, I need to see the full sha-bang.”
With an exaggerated sigh, Eddie complied. He flashed a couple of poses — grabbing the lapels of his open blazer, putting a hand on his hip, running a hand through his gelled hair — before giving Blue a little turn.
“What is happening here?”
Eddie turned around, finding Buck walking up from behind him, wearing the hat and sunglasses Eddie had recommended. “Oh, hi Buck,” he said, his cheeks warming. “Not much. They wanted to see my outfit for tonight.”
Buck lowered his sunglasses and looked Eddie up and down, nodding as his eyes slowly scanned Eddie’s outfit, then his face. “Looking good, Eddie.”
With a bashful grin, Eddie’s cheeks grew warmer.
“Maybe we should head in,” Petra said, her eyes watching Buck and Eddie carefully. “Find a spot to sit while we can.”
Eddie turned to look at Petra and agree, but she was already halfway to the club entrance with Blue in tow. “Oh,” Eddie said, looking back at Buck. “Let’s go, I guess.”
The interior of the club was cramped and hot. The brightly painted faces of the walls were hidden behind what seemed like hundreds of black and white photos and posters in Spanish. Petra and Blue managed to grab a booth among the sea of people waiting for the band to begin their set. Eddie slid into the booth on the opposite side of Blue and Petra. Buck slipped into the booth next to Eddie, his eyes fixed on the people packed nearly shoulder-to-shoulder. “This place is packed,” he said, raising his voice over the people surrounding the booth.
“Yeah, usually is,” Eddie said. “A lot of people here because of the band too. Speaking of which.”
A man stepped onto the stage at the front of the club and took the microphone off the stand. “Good evening, everyone. We’re going to get started soon, but in the mean time, how are we doing tonight?”
The crowd cheered. “Awesome! Glad to hear it! Oh, would you look at that,” the man said, glancing over toward the edge of the stage. “Here they come.”
Members of the band began filtering onto the stage. Eddie leaned close to Buck. “We can sit and watch a couple songs if you want.”
“Sure. I’ll work my way into it.”
Those couple of songs passed more quickly than Eddie thought they would. The salsa dancers on the floor danced in the narrow slots allowed between one another, executing twists and turns with sharp precision. Eddie glanced at Petra, who glanced back with a smile. He offered a hand to Petra. She nodded and stood up.
“I’m going to dance the next song with Petra,” Eddie said, tapping Buck’s shoulder.
Buck nodded and stood to allow Eddie through. Petra met Eddie in front of the booth with a big grin on her face.
*
The music throbbed from the speakers as the singer began singing in Spanish. Buck leaned back in the booth, his eyes following Eddie and Petra as their silky movements melded into one another. Eddie’s eyes were bright with glee as he spun Petra with command. Buck grinned. So that’s what it should look like. “They’re pretty good,” Blue said, raising his voice over the music.
“Yeah,” Buck said, turning his head just enough to both talk to Blue and keep Eddie and Petra in his peripheral. “They are good. They are pros after all.”
Blue shrugged. “I suppose. So, how’s it with Eddie?”
That drew Buck’s attention fully to the man across from him. “Good. Why?”
“No reason. Just wonderin’.”
Buck nodded. Yeah, no reason. Why did I get so defensive? It’s not like he thinks I’m… surely that’s not what he was getting at. I mean, I'm not, so there's no way. “Yeah. How about Petra?”
Blue chuckled. “She’s the best. Tough coach, but certainly not the toughest I’ve had.”
“Really? You’ve had a tougher coach than Petra? Gonna be honest, she kinda scares me.”
“Oh yeah,” Blue said, leaning across the table. “My football coach in highschool was a piece ‘a work. We called him Boogie. He was… an interestin’ guy. Helluva coach, though.”
“Boogie? Where’d that name come from?”
Blue thought for a moment, then snorted. “He used to siphon gas outta parked cars at the local businesses. He’d get caught, and he’d, well, boogie. He’s a quick ol’ man.”
Buck laughed. “Where’d you play?”
“Little high school in Tennessee. Graduated with, like, forty people.”
Blue was tapping his fingers to the beat of the music as Buck thought. “So,” he began, treading carefully through his question. “How did you go from high school football player to a stripper?”
“That’s a long story. To keep it snappy, there was an opportunity to make a lot of money, and I bit. I enjoy what I do.”
The song slowly quieted and came to a close. “I heard you did a couple of gigs in Vegas,” Buck said, his eyes holding Blue’s. “That’s where you hit it big, right?”
“Technically, yeah. Started small in Nashville, then I got recruited to a tour, then a couple shows in Vegas. Nothin’ too crazy.”
“Dude, I'm a firefighter in the LAFD. I can't say my life is anywhere near yours.”
Eddie and Petra wandered back to the booth, poking at one another. Buck stood to let Eddie into the booth before sitting back down. “Who are you kidding, man,” Blue said as Petra adjusted in her seat next to him. “You get to save lives and put out fires. Your life is pretty cool, you gotta admit that.”
The structure fires always made Buck feel like a superhero. “Walking through fire tends to have that effect on people,” Bobby had told Buck early in his career. “But you can't let that be the sole reason you're here.”
The whole ‘saving a woman dangling from an overpass with one arm’ thing was cool, he had to admit, but where the heck was he now? Dancing with the Stars? Learning to dance? The fame and popularity were certainly taking over his life…
“Yeah,” Buck said, his stomach swirling.
Eddie nudged Buck's shoulder. “You good?”
Buck glanced over at Eddie. He looked… warm. “Yeah. You?”
“Couldn't be better, Buck! Petra killed it out there.”
Eddie glowed with life, as if he was basking in the lights rotating around the dance floor. Sweat glistened down the back of his neck as he turned to talk to Petra across the table, letting Buck watch him a moment longer before returning his eyes across the table.
“You know, Buck, you should take one of us out for a spin. Petra said, glancing at Eddie. “I think you'd have fun.”
“You want me to… take one of you for a spin? Wouldn't it be weird for a guy to dance with another guy here?”
Petra pursed her lips and tilted her head. Then she looked across the dance floor. Buck followed her eyes, where he found a variety of couples dancing: men with women, men with other men, and women with other women. “No one cares here, Buck,” Petra said, her voice lowering to a gentler tone than he had ever heard from her. “There’s no need to worry.”
Buck turned, his chest tightening. I could dance with Petra, but I've never danced with her. I could dance with Eddie, but I… Buck’s chest was getting nearly unbearable. “Are you sure?” Buck’s voice grew small.
“Absolutely sure. People here care more about dancing than who they dance with.”
Buck looked at Eddie, who sat patiently, glowing eyes and all. He looked like he wanted to break back onto the floor. With a steady breath, Buck stuck out a hand.
A ridiculous smile bloomed on Eddie’s face as he grabbed Buck’s hand. “Let’s kill it, Buck,” he said, nodding his head with anticipation.
The next song slowly began, allowing Buck time to lead Eddie to a spot on the dance floor. This wasn't the first time he'd danced with Eddie in a public setting, but this didn't feel the same. No cameras, no one paying attention as far as he was aware. Just the music, dancers whisked away to their own worlds in the dancing lights. It was private. Intimate, even.
“Buck,” Eddie said, pulling his attention back to the man in front of him. “Frame.”
Buck nodded, bringing his arms up into the rigid, steady frame he used for Quickstep. Eddie tapped Buck’s shoulders with his index fingers. “You can relax a bit. No judges here.”
With a breath, Buck relaxed. Eddie linked his right hand to Buck’s left as Buck placed his own right hand onto Eddie’s back. And he could feel everything: Eddie’s breath, his weight shifting between feet, the anticipation of dancing again. “Ready?” Eddie said, giving Buck’s left hand a small squeeze.
Buck nodded, closed his eyes, and felt the rhythm. The beat started small, then slowly built, swelling the tension until it burst. Buck stepped forward, feeling Eddie’s body shift in response, moving away and toward him as Buck indicated. What to do? They did the Salsa basic for a while, stepping forward and back as the music crescendoed and decrescendoed. There had to be some pieces from the choreography that they could do. With a quick motion, Buck cued a turn. Eddie responded, twisting around. As Eddie turned, Buck switched hands to put them into a handshake hold.
Buck put a bit of pressure through his hand to tell Eddie “Go past me,” a cue that Eddie picked up with ease. “Trying some of the choreo, Buck?”
Buck’s shoulders tensed. “Parts of it,” he said, swallowing hard. “Is that alright?”
Eddie laughed. “Of course it is.”
The next few moves flew by mere muscle memory, much to Buck’s relief. With a few quick movements, Eddie’s hands flew up to rest around Buck’s neck, while Buck’s own hands rested on Eddie’s waist. They moved forward and back, back and forth, giving and taking away from one another. The lights around them seemed to blur. Eddie’s eyes were locked on Buck’s, but Buck couldn’t tell if he was waiting for the next cue, or if he was just looking because they were inching closer together. Something in the back of his mind told him that he shouldn’t be getting this close to him, but Buck ignored his mind and continued moving.
Eddie’s eyes were heavy, curiously making their way around Buck’s features. Buck allowed his own eyes to do the same around Eddie’s face, leaping from his eyes to his nose, from his cheeks to his… lips. Eddie’s lips parted and Buck snapped his eyes back to meet Eddie’s gaze. Eddie smiled, which made the butterflies leap into Buck’s stomach. “Hey,” Eddie said, his voice soft as he watched Buck’s face. “Can I ask you something?”
The butterflies flew around faster. Buck felt like he was going to be sick. He nodded. Buck couldn’t help but notice that their steps had gotten smaller.
“This might sound weird, but are you–”
The crowd cheered. Eddie turned his head to look at the band, which cued Buck to look as well. The various members of the band were taking bows. The man who had spoken earlier grabbed the microphone again and said, “Thank you everyone! The band is going to take a break for a bit, but they’ll be back soon!”
The music had ended, but Buck hadn’t even noticed. Eddie hadn’t seemed to notice either. He did seem to notice when Buck took his hands away from Eddie’s waist, bringing them back to his sides before crossing them across his chest. Eddie brought his own hands to his side, blinking a couple times and pressing his lips together into a tight smile. “You were going to ask me something?” Buck said, tilting his chin down a bit.
Eddie didn’t say anything for a moment, taking time to look at Buck. “No,” he said, shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter.”
“You sure?”
Eddie nodded.
*
Eddie buried himself in rehearsals for the rest of the week. Buck’s choreography execution got better every time they rehearsed, but it wasn’t those rehearsals that he lost himself in. He had a hand in choreographing the opening number, which consumed any other time that he had during the day. It was a massive combination of Cha Cha, Rumba, Salsa, and Samba, with dashes of Bachata and Merengue, all of which the pros and troupe members needed to learn within the week.
Those rehearsals paid off in the end. The opening number on the night of the show went on without a hitch, leading to a standing ovation from the audience and judges. Once that was done, Eddie returned backstage to change into his costume for his and Buck’s Salsa. The costume department kept it pretty down to earth compared to the previous week’s Quickstep. He was going to be the Selena character in their choreo, so the costume department went with a simple tri-color striped polo with form fitting burnt orange slacks. Nothing too crazy, but something with enough personality to stand out as a distinct feature of the show.
Eddie stood in a changing room, looking at himself in the mirror. The muffled voices of dancers and stars on the other side of the door seemed far away. “What are you doing, man?” Eddie said, staring at himself in the mirror.
The club had been fun, there was no doubt about that. Sonido Fuego was a great place. But it wasn’t that that lingered in his mind anytime there was a long enough moment of quiet. It was the moment on the floor with Buck’s hands on his waist, looking at him with heavy eyes that still watched him every time he closed his eyes.
Eddie ran his hands down his face. “This isn’t right,” he muttered to himself, cradling his face in his hands. “This shouldn’t be happening. This can’t happen.”
A knock on the door made him drop his hands off his face. “Hey Edmundo, are you alright in there?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just… looking at my costume.”
“Sounds good. The first couple is dancing in about five, so you should come out soon.”
Eddie felt a pit open in his stomach. “Yeah, will do.”
He glanced at himself one more time in the mirror, ran a hand over his hair, turned around, and opened the door. “There you are,” Petra said, smiling.
The costume department went all out with the flashy outfit for Petra and Blue’s Salsa, putting Petra in a bright orange Latin dress with ostrich feathers around the back of her hips. Her hands disappeared into the feathers as she put them on her hips. “Let’s get moving. Buck’s already waiting out by the balcony.”
Eddie nodded. As Petra left the costume department, Eddie followed behind her. He sighed, trying to calm his mind. There was no point in spending the energy he needed for their performance on something that had already happened a couple of nights before. “Hey, Petra,” Eddie said, matching her pace. “Do you know how he’s doing?”
“Who? Buck?”
“Yeah. I just… after the club, things feel like they’ve been…” he paused. “Different.”
Petra furrowed her brow. Then she sighed. “Edmundo, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about the whole club-thing.”
Eddie felt the blood drain from his face. Words dodged him, so he chose to stay quiet instead. “Edmundo. You need to be honest with me. How close to Buck are you?”
She was being careful, thank goodness. “We’re partners. We’re as close as we need to be.”
Petra stopped walking, closed her eyes, and took a heavy breath. She muttered something in French. “We do not have the time I want to take on this subject, so I will not press any further, but after this live, we need to discuss this.”
With that, she forged ahead, taking Eddie with her.
By the time they reached the balcony, Andria and her partner, Jared Styles, were already on the floor. Samba music echoed through the ballroom, accompanied by the occasional cheers as Jared and Andi performed a trick. As they danced on the floor below, Eddie noticed Buck glance over. Here we go. Buck smiled, to which Eddie tried his best to return a smile.
Buck shuffled his way over to where Eddie was standing behind a line of people by the balcony railing. “Hey,” he said as he got closer. “Looking good.”
“Thanks.”
Buck didn’t look too bad himself, with the white shirt cut halfway down his chest, orange leather jacket, and orange slim cut pants. The costume department had shined his black dance shoes. Eddie sighed. “Everything all good, Eddie?”
No. You and your stupid eyes have been there every time I close my eyes. “Yeah, I’m just thinking about the order.”
That wasn’t a total lie. They were going towards the middle of the pack, which wasn’t ideal. Buck shrugged. “That just means that we have to hit it out of the park. Stick out so the people remember us and vote, right?”
Eddie nodded. “Exactly.”
Andi and Jared struck their final pose on the floor below, the audience roaring with cheers as the music ended. They gave each other high fives and made their way to the judges’ table.
Two sevens and a six later, and the next couple danced. Then the next, and the next, and the next. It was when Nikolai and Caroline Lovelace took to the floor that Eddie signaled to Buck to go backstage to prepare for their dance.
“Ok,” Eddie said, taking a deep breath. “Rehearsals went well. How are you feeling, Buck?”
Buck nodded. “Feeling pretty good. I’m so ready to get out there!”
Eddie grinned. “I’m glad.”
The music in the ballroom ended with a bang and the audience roared to life with cheers. “Alright, here we go.” Eddie said, taking another breath.
From just offstage, Eddie could see Nikolai and Caroline getting their critiques from the judges. All of the judges seemed happy enough with the dance. Let’s double that excitement. The commercial break cut as Nikolai and Caroline ran to the balcony, giving the crew a chance to clean the floor and prepare for the next number. Buck walked to a corner and began practicing some of the choreography.
Julianna’s voice echoed through the ballroom, starting some interview questions before asking for the scores. “Seven,” Anne-Marie said, holding her paddle.
“Hey, Buck, let’s get into position,” Eddie said.
As Buck moved behind the prop wall just on-stage, Marcus said, “Six.”
A moment later, Laurant said, “Seven.”
“Awesome,” Julianna said through the microphone. “Caroline and Nikolai’s total is twenty points. Remember, voting is open and will remain open until the last couple receives their scores. If you want these two lovely people to continue on, you need to vote. Back to you, Adolpho!”
Adolpho gave his short introduction to the package before the lights dimmed and the package played on the screens overhead.
“One of the main elements of the Salsa is an energized sensuality that I want Buck to really focus on for this dance.”
While the audience watched Buck and Eddie work with Petra and Blue on their Salsa, Eddie found his position in front of the prop wall. There was a door with a large plate that read “512.”
Eddie took a final breath, and the package wrapped up.
“Dancing the Salsa, with his partner Eddie Diaz, it’s Buck Buckley!”
There was a split second where the spotlight highlighted the door and 512 plate. Eddie stepped up to the door and as the band played the first three beats, he pretended to pound on the door.
There were a few beats before Buck opened the door, and they went to work.
*
Buck was breathing hard. “Man,” he said, offering a hand to Eddie and lifting him off the ground. “We totally killed that choreography, Eddie.”
Eddie nodded, a smile on his face. Buck slung an arm over Eddie’s shoulders, while Eddie slowly looped an arm around Buck’s waist. They walked toward the judges’ table, where Anne-Marie was glowing with glee.
Adolpho met them about halfway. “Wow, wow, wow,” he said, shaking his head. “I think we all loved that Salsa. Great stuff, guys. I think Anne-Marie wants to get started right away.”
“Yeah I do!” Anne-Marie said, standing up. “You guys, that was incredible. Its just, so hard to believe that you started dancing like, what, a month ago?”
Buck nodded, feeling the little squeeze of encouragement from Eddie’s hand on his waist.
“Buck, I am just… in awe at how much you’ve done. That was the best dance of the night! Very well done!”
The audience erupted with life. “High praise from Anne-Marie. Don’t forget to lock in your score. How about Marcus?”
“Buck, that was easily your best dance. You were so relaxed through the dance, your frame was strong, and you executed your steps with really good awareness of where you were putting your feet. There was one spot where you got a little stiff through the body, but you fixed pretty quick. Well done, Buck.”
Again, the audience cheered, Adolpho motioned in Laurant, and he stood so fast that his chair tipped backwards. “Buck, my darling, you completely devoured that Salsa! Eddie, my dear, that was a wonderful choreography. I have to say, you two certainly have some spicy chemistry,” Laurant said, fanning himself with his hands. “Be still my poor dancing heart.”
The audience whooped and whistled. “I think you nailed that energized sensuality part that Eddie was talking about in the package. I have to agree with Marcus that you did get a little stiff, but you fixed that. Just try to stay consistent, alright? Very well done, my darling.”
Again the audience cheered. Buck looked at Eddie, who leaned into his side but didn’t look at Buck. “Alright you two,” Adolpho said. “Go up to the balcony to get your scores. Next is a Cha Cha from the real-estate mogul Jerry Richardson and his partner, Anastasia Kucharov.”
“Hey, Eddie. You alright? You're quiet again.” Buck said, leading Eddie as they jogged up the stairs.
“Yeah, I'm fine. Just gassed from the Salsa.”
The interview with Julianna was fast and their scores arrived faster. Anne-Marie: Eight. Marcus: Seven. Laurant: Seven. And the second the cameras shut off, Eddie was gone. He didn’t return until it was time for elimination.
The cast stood at different positions on the stage, the red light bathing the ballroom in a heavy tension. Buck and Eddie were placed near the stage-left exit, which Buck felt meant something good. Hopefully it means something good, otherwise I’m gonna feel kinda dumb. One by one, couples were announced to be safe. Petra and Blue were first, then Andria and Jared. One by one, couples left the stage. All but four couples had left. We are moving on, right? “Roxanne and Jeramiah, you are the final safe couple!” Adolpho said, making Roxanne throw her arms around Jeramiah’s neck.
Just like that, it was Buck and Eddie, Caroline and Nikolai, and Jerry and Anastasia left.
“While not necessarily the bottom three, one of these will be going home tonight. And the couple going home, is…” Adolpho said, the red lights washing over them.
For a long moment, the ballroom was dead silent. What if it's us? I never actually thought about leaving so early on.
“Jerry and Anastasia.”
The slow music began, giving the eliminated couple a chance to hug and make their way to the floor to give their final interview. “I’m going to go say goodbye to Jerry and Anastasia, then I need head out, okay?” Eddie said, pressing his lips together in a grin.
Buck nodded, his stomach growing a hollow feeling.
“Okay, thanks Buck. We made it.” Eddie said, patting Buck’s shoulder. “See you tomorrow.”
With that, Eddie went down where a crowd of stars and pros had gathered to give hugs and say goodbye to Jerry and Anastasia. As much as he wanted to join the group, to follow Eddie, his legs were locked in place. They were in the bottom three, and very well could have faced elimination, and Eddie just walked away by himself. His breath hitched. If he could help it, he was never going to allow them to fall behind. He never wanted to quit dancing. He never wanted to quit dancing with Eddie.
Buck took a breath, cleared his throat, and forced himself down the stairs to the gathered group.