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

“Just being silly.” Arkady sighs, and Cade puts an arm around Arkady’s waist, holding tight.


“Your feelings are never silly, and you’re beautiful. I want you next to me for this, but if you’re not ready, I can do it alone,” Cade says in a low voice, his breath ghosting over Arkady’s ear. When he shivers, he feels Cade’s hand tighten on his hip, and it causes a flash of lust.


Cade isn’t ashamed to be seen with Arkady and his stick, even to be pictured with it. Arkady wants to feel like that, too. He wants to be proud of who he is. He survived a terrible accident and an attempt on his life. He’s still here. He’s not going to hide from the world because he’s not the man he was before, physically at least. He’s starting to realize he’s much the same man. The changes are small.


Chapter 34