Arkady has dedicated his life to the world of ballet. He is known as the bad boy of the dance world, and is an ever rising star. Then he gets injured in what is at first thought to be a tragic accident but turns out to be so much worse. He's lost ballet, and his life feels unbalanced. A friendship with his no-nonsense physical therapist starts him on a new path. He has her friendship, a more honest relationship with his parents, his beloved dog Lou and, for the first time, maybe love in the form of an artist with a disability of his own. But the past isn't done with him yet.

Rise Again

“Yeah, but you made it, so of course it’ll rock,” Arkady says with feeling. He steps back from Cade when he hears a door open and the click of heels. When Cade looks up, he’s smiling.


“You’re about to meet my mom,” Cade says quietly, and Arkady turns and spots a beautiful middle-aged woman in a green dress coming toward them.


She has chestnut-brown hair, done up in an elegant bun. She has the same dark eyes and tanned, golden brown skin as Cade does. She walks up to them, smiling. Her makeup is subtle but perfect. She looks so well put together, and Arkady’s glad he’s meeting her in a suit.


“Mom, meet Arkady Alkaev. Arkady, meet my mother, Abby Bassin.” Cade introduces them both with a smile, and his smile is the same as his mother’s, the same shape, only her lips are a little fuller.


“Hello, Arkady. I’ve heard a lot about you. So nice to meet you.” Abby smiles, and it sounds like she means her words.


Chapter 33