Page 33 of The Way We Dance

When she realized I had her same talent, she made sure I had all the same opportunities she had. I attended top notch dance schools and climbed to the top quickly.

All it took was two years on stage in New York to realize I had been living her dream and not my own. That I was not cut entirely from the same cloth as she was.

"Are you ok, dear?" she asked, cutting into my silent trip down memory lane.

"Yes, of course," I cleared my throat. I knew being poised and proper was a requirement from Galena. In the world of dancing, losing your poise was the same as losing your dignity. I may slip at times but I refused to slip in front of my mom.

"What do I owe the pleasure of your call? It has been weeks."

"It has, I apologize. I have been industrious with Brisé. I have a wonderful advanced class." I debated on whether I should mention the work with Ty, but I was sure she would scoff and encourage me to steer clear of anyone that played such a barbaric game.

"That is wonderful. Are the finances in good standing?"

I blanched because that was a tough question. A part of me wanted to tell her it was none of her business, the other part of me felt she deserved to know since she had helped me get on my feet with this apartment.

Plus, she was most likely just worried about how I was doing and money was essential to staying in business.

"I am good." Again I left out the part about Mr. Peyton paying me a pretty penny to help Ty. "In fact, that is one reason I am calling. We have our first recital coming up in December and I would love it if you joined us."

"Oh dear, that sounds…." I waited and prayed she would say yes. It made no difference to me, but I had to hold up my end of the bargain and provide a celebrity for the show. "….Dreadful," she finished.

"It would just be a small appearance. After all, everyone’s parents here know who the great Galena Metrovik is. It would be a thrill for them to meet you."

"I absolutely abhor children, you know that." She was not wrong. Apart from me, she steered clear of kids my entire life. She didn't know how to speak to them, how to be warm to them. The only reason I was different was because I was hers, and she could mold me to fit her personality and way of life.

"These are great kids, amazingly talented. Your presence could play a small role in the success of a future star. Who knows?"

"Oh, Giselle. Darling. Let me think about that for a while. I am usually dancing around Christmas and I need to be sure I can clear my schedule. I am sure you understand?"

I did. I knew I was asking my mom to do something completely out of her comfort zone. We had actually discussed situations just like this when I left the stage and she told me she had her own discomforts she battled with. She understood, to an extent.

"Of course, mom. If you cannot make it, I completely understand. I would be a fool not to ask you, though."

"Never hurts to ask, darling," she breathed.

We spent the next hour catching up with each other and keeping a rather pleasant conversation. My initial anxiety of speaking to her ebbed and I was able to fill her in on a few more things about Brisé. I left out the trouble with the break-in and the presence of Ty Black.

I mentioned Sam, though, and despite her aversion to kids, she gave me great advice on how I should help him and ways I can lure him back into dance. I had to start by showing him support in things he found interesting. He needed to see the good, bad, and ugly of whatever he was inspired by.

We hung up the phone and as much as I usually dreaded those calls, I felt lighter than I had in a long time. I decided to skip my workout and find something on TV to watch instead. It was not something I normally did but today felt different.

I flipped around the channels for a bit before stopping and sitting up quickly at what I was seeing.

The Atlanta Jets were playing the San Francisco Anchors in their first preseason game and Ty's face was on the screen. His helmet was in his hand, his hair was a mess, and the profanity coming out of his mouth was obvious, even without being able to hear him.

"Black is not happy and rightfully so. He may not have started it, but he threw the first punch and that is an automatic ejection."

"And a fine."

"You are right about that. He is going to have to keep his cool this season or teams will target his temper on purpose just to get him off the field. He may be struggling this preseason but he is not going to stay that way long. He will be a target."

"He was already looking better today. He looked lighter on his feet. Now he sits the rest of the game in the locker room."

The announcers were breaking down everything that happened before I tuned in and I sat in shock that the same man that spent time in my studio, classical walking and leaping, was the same man I saw on TV. Not to mention, that was the same guy that made excuses to walk me home out of some gallant nature.

He was different from the Ty I saw at his practice, as well. Nothing that I saw was what I expected to see when I turned on that TV.

All sides of Ty were hot, sexy, and enticing. I was cold and controlled, but I was also a woman. Ty was the epitome of the saying "sex on a stick" and there was no way I could lie if I was ever asked what I thought about him. It took all of the before mentioned control to stay professional with him.

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