“Yeah, well, she always liked you. I guess I should have seen it coming when I had you hang with her,” she said, eating another almond bar. “She has a lot on her plate with her mom being a dance mom at times. I love her, and now I see it was good for Scarlet to get in trouble. Even if she is going through shit with the other dancers, she comes in to work. She is a fucking terminator. She won’t stop. Hell, in some ways I’d say she’s dancing even better than before.”
“That’s because I make her happy,” I half-joked.
“Yeah, you do,” she said. “You surprised us all by standing by her, even when I knew you weren’t even seeing her. I must say, I’m impressed.”
My chest tightened a bit. We always had each other’s back, and to hear she was proud of me meant a lot to me.
“So, you let her get to the top and that’ll shut her mom up,” she said. “She needs to realize she can’t live her dance dream through Scarlet.”
I sighed heavily. Scarlet and her mother were at an impasse, though she had been talking to her through her family and Priscilla.
“At least for now, you’re out of the doghouse with me.”
“Oh yeah?” I said, winning the virtual race.
“Fuck!” she screamed at the game. I laughed. She sucked, but she was back and we were getting along, and that was good. “You know if Lance wasn’t taken, I’d love to date him.”
“You’d have to pry him away from Kayla.”
“Well, I guess I’ll settle for Erik or Ace.” She was watching me to see if I freaked out, but I knew she wasn’t serious at all.
“Whatever.”
“I’m kidding,” she said. “I’m still sort of dating Kyle.”
“He still putting up with you?” I teased.
She slapped my arm.
My phone went off and I picked it up. Michel? Why would he be calling? “Hello,” I said in a questioning way.
“Tyler,” he said. “I’d like to know if you can meet at my studio on Tuesday. I don’t think you have a game, right?”
“No,” I said. “Everything okay?”
“Yes. Priscilla and I have come up with an idea and would like to know if you can help us out.”
Michel had been an amazing father figure to Scarlet, and he had also been a great support to me. “Yeah. I’d be happy to.” He gave me the address for the place in Tribeca where he was working and we firmed up a time. “Great, see you there.”
I told Zoey, but she had no idea what he wanted. I wasn’t worried, and after a few more games, we were best buddies again.
The Tribeca warehouse Michel invited me to was a closed set that had a guard with a headset who had to make a call to check if he could allow me inside. Right before I was ready to give up and head home, Priscilla appeared dressed in a leotard and track bottoms. She had a smile on her face and a pass to hand to me. “Sorry for the mix-up. It’s chaotic here today.”
It appeared to be an empty lot outside, but I’d take her word for it. “Where are we?”
“Dance Nation,” she said with a laugh. “Michel works as an advisor and instructor for the choreography when needed.”
I gave her a nod and we walked in silence for a few steps.
“I’m sorry for the way I behaved that day. I was wrong about you. From what I hear, Scarlet’s doing great at the company.”
“No doubt,” I muttered. Scarlet had been an amazing dancer before and after witnessing her strength, drive, and dedication to dance, I expected no less.
“Anyway,” she said. “I want to apologize to you both. I hadn’t given you and Scarlet a chance. You being a part of this today shows just how much I had misjudged you. I’m sorry. I hope in time we can all get along and you’ll come back and let me make up for that dinner.”
“Sure. Thank you,” I responded.
“From what I understand, the ballet company and your club have had some publicity regarding the two of you,” she said. “We’re hoping what you can do today can help make it right.”
“I’d love to help out the foundation. I love the work Crane does. It would be good to show my support for the program, and for Scarlet too.”
Scarlet appeared at the warehouse door in a light gray leotard and skirt, her hair twisted up in two buns. Her big eyes and bright smile broke through the rainy day as she rushed forward, threw her arms around me, and kissed me.
“Hello,” she exclaimed once back on her feet. “I didn’t tell you I had come because I wanted to surprise you.”
I was surprised and turned on, but, time and place. “Do you know what’s going on?”
“I was just escorting Tyler over to the trailer,” Priscilla said.
I followed them around the side of the building to a trailer where Michel was standing out front with a male dressed in all black and a stack of clothing in his hands. He beamed at me.
“Tyler, so happy to see you. This is Reese. He’s our costumer for today.”
I raised my brows. “What’s going on?”
He held up a danseur outfit and shoes in the same pale gray as Scarlet’s. “Your size. This one is for practice.”
“For what?” I asked. Neither of us was a part of the joint program or event.
“It’s not to be in the show, but for the show,” Priscilla explained.
“We do need you to practice,” Michel said as Reese opened the trailer door. “Scarlet, you come with us.” He winked at me.
I blew out and got another kiss on the cheek from Scarlet. Oh, the things we do for love. The tights were quite tight and so was the tank, but unlike Javier, I put on a dance belt. After slipping on the shoes and Reese getting me to put on slightly better fitting tights, I walked out and over to the warehouse. Inside, there was a set made to look like a dance studio complete with a backdrop that looked like the New York skyline and large factory windows. In front of it were cameras and lights.
Michel came over to where I stood. “The media is especially keen on your relationship, and I had an idea and ran it by Priscilla. Why not use the publicity to help with promotion? The sales weren’t doing well and with all the work, it would be a financial deficit for all involved. However, from what I understand, both of our companies have gotten press requests on the relationship despite the somewhat disastrous showing at the stadium.” He waved over at the man in the director’s chair and others working the lights and dressing the set. “This wonderful group of people volunteered to help out with the creation of a promotional trailer for the Crane Foundation and the joint program event.”
“I’m thrilled and honored to be a part of it,” Scarlet announced as she took my hand.
“Me, on film, dancing?” Fuck me. Then again, it was for a great cause, and the funding was needed. I had only one reservation. “I’ll do it, just make sure I don’t look too much like a fool.”
Scarlet squeezed my hand. “You can dance.”
“You weren’t bad when we worked with you before,” Priscilla assured me.
“Great.” Michel motioned for us to begin warming up. “Now we practice.”
They worked us hard for hours, but I didn’t care because I was dancing with Scarlet. We went over some of the routine I had learned in the practices, but this time I had Scarlet to work with and I wanted to do right by her. I lifted her until the ascent and landing were fluid. I held my arms until they felt like they were going to break while Scarlet twirled and leapt, making it all look easy. Even so, she was right at my side with extra encouragement. After a good catered lunch, we were stretching again, this time joined by a familiar face—Christophe.
“So now you’ve warmed up,” he said. “Let’s practice.”
I smirked. Of course he’d come and have us start a new practice for him. Scarlet’s face at his presence more than made up for it.
Christophe was relentless, but I didn’t waiver and neither did Scarlet. I moved my body in any position he wanted me, and then when we had gotten good enough for him, he had us change into another leotard. This time we al
so got a little makeup and they put us to work on the filming. I understood the dance to be our relationship illustrated in movement. Scarlet started with her innocence, her touches light on me, our movements more apart. Slowly, as the dance progressed, our bodies moved closer together, until she was molded to me, moving in a rhythm. It was passion, sex, fire, and love.
We didn’t need to work at getting that on camera. When I looked at her, it was everything about her—the beauty, strength, humor, all of it—that I loved, and when we reached the end, we glided to the ground in a sensual embrace.
The director called cut, Michel gave a clap, and to my surprise, Priscilla did too.
“Scarlet, Tyler, that was good,” she said enthusiastically before turning to Christophe. “This could work.”
“Watch your holds, Tyler, they are a little long,” he said.
Scarlet’s head dropped and I could see she was disappointed he hadn’t said anything to her. I stroked her arm.
Christophe came over. “Scarlet, you’re quite the firebird. You’ve made me reconsider my thoughts about you.”
Her face lit up like he had given her a gold medal. “Thank you.”
I took it that was high praise. If I could add my own opinion, I’d say she was a flawless force—perfection. She danced into my heart with every move she made and I was sure it was love. We loved each other.
“Let’s restart,” Christophe said, and I took Scarlet’s hand and fell in love with her all over again.
“OH, LORD, YOU’RE NOT IN bed with Tyler, are you?” Zoey asked.
I let out what sounded like something between a moan and a giggle. Tyler had found an erogenous zone behind the bend of my knee and was doing something creative there with his tongue. Zoey had caught us still in bed on my day off.
“Call back in two hours,” he yelled out in the background.
“Tell him he’s full of it,” she said, and I giggled.
I’d leave that for them to discuss. Tyler was due to leave for practice, but had more time to get there when he left from my place. Perhaps he should move in?
Before I went with that train of thought, Zoey screeched, “Le Parc is sold out!”
What she didn’t know was that she was the third call I’d received with that news, the first two being Michel and Priscilla. The trailer had been broadcast internationally as well as all over social media, and it had been such a hit that the New York Ballet and New York F.C. as well as the Crane Foundation had decided to try to team up together for an extended dance with professional athletes and ballerinas. That was the best part—well, that along with Yasmine and Javier being forced to showcase our dance in their promotional presentations. After all that had happened, it was good for the two of us to turn it around and be a part of the success.
“Thank you for the flowers,” she said to the both of us.
We had sent them to her as congratulations for finally being made a soloist. I was happy we were both doing well in the company.
My call waiting sounded and Zoey, wanting to get on with her day, ended the call. I wanted to as well once I heard the voice of the person on the other line.
“Scarlet, are you there?”
I sat up. “Ma.”
She hadn’t spoken to me since our fight, although I did hear regular updates from everyone else. What could be the reason for her call now? Dread weaved into my thoughts and I fired off questions concerning her health. “Are you feeling all right? Did you have to go back to the hospital?”
“I’m doing fine.” She told me she didn’t have to go into the hospital, her blood pressure was down, and she was much better.
“That’s good,” I replied politely. We went quiet and Tyler rubbed my back.
“Tyler there with you?” she asked.
“Yes, he is,” I said confidently. The days of hiding our relationship were gone. I went as far as holding the phone out for Tyler to speak into it. He gave me a wolfish grin, but spoke down the line.
“Yes, I am, Ms. Ricci.” He gave me a kiss and handed it back to me.
“Tell him thank you for the lilies,” she said once I was back on the phone.
I raised my brows. “He sent you lilies?”
“Yes. Did you tell him they’re my favorites?” she asked.
“No,” I admitted. Talking about Ma had been a sore subject and thus one I avoided. “He knows they’re my favorites too.” I squeezed his hand. “I hear you’ve been on vacation?”
“Yeah,” she said jovially. “You all sending me to the Bahamas to rest was a lovely idea. Thank you.”
I sighed and smiled. I had been pleased when I was offered to be a part of the plan. We had always wanted for Ma to take a break, but she was always too involved with looking after all of us, even though we were all grown. “I’m happy…we’re all happy that you went.”
“It was paradise,” she enthused. “Where Vince and I stayed, they wouldn’t let me lift a finger.”
“Good,” I said with a lift in my tone.
“Good job on that video. We’ve been showing it all over town. Everyone is just as amazed and proud of you back here. Tyler was good too,” she added.
“Thank you,” I said. “I’ll let him know.”
We went quiet again. She broke the silence this time.
“I’d love for you and Tyler to come to the house for dinner on Sunday, please.”
“Sunday dinner?” I looked at Tyler. He nodded to accept for his part. I wanted to go, but I wanted to know where things stood in our relationship now. “Are you sure?”
“I am,” she said. “I’ve missed you, Prince—” She stopped herself. “Scarlet.”
“It’s all right to call me Princess,” I said and swallowed. The name was a nickname and a part of me. I owned it.
“Well, I want to be part of your life again,” she said. “You’re my heart, my beautiful daughter. I love you.” Her voice caught, making my heart constrict.
“I know, and I love you too,” I replied, my voice cracking.
“Ask her what we can bring,” Tyler said as he wiped the tear from my face with his thumb.
“Tyler would like to know what to bring to dinner,” I said to her.
“Just bring yourselves,” she said. “That would be a wonderful start.”
My heart expanded. I wanted that so much.
“Yes. We’d like that too.” We talked for a while and she caught me up on everyone, even though I would see them all soon.
When we reached a break in conversation, she reiterated, “All right, then we’ll see you both on Sunday.”
I smiled at Tyler. “See you then.”
The bouquet of lilies Tyler bought for my mom was large and hard to hold on to, but Tyler had two cheesecakes and a fruit salad and his hands were full, so I had to wrangle it myself. We only had to make it to the door where Antony came out and met us. He helped put the flowers on an end table and the cheesecakes in the freezer.
“Sorry to you both,” Antony said after we were done. “She’s my baby sister, and I just freaked. I’m sorry I beat you up.”
Tyler scoffed. “You hit me accidentally. If it was Zoey, I’d probably react the same way. Everything is fine now.”
Tyler and I both wanted to leave what had happened in the past. I accepted his apology and the kiss he placed on my cheek. I also told him, “There’s no need for fighting—I believe I have proven I can handle myself.”
“I know that now,” Antony said. “Tyler showed he could do right by you. I mean, he danced with you on film—that took some balls.”
Tyler gave me a look that warmed my heart. “It was for a great cause and the proceeds helped out the club, the ballet company, and the foundation.”
I was more than pleased. It was amazing how much had changed. We’d gone from being thought to ruin the joint program to saving it. After our successful promotion, we were both working with our companies to help promote, support, and maintain it in the future with other teams and companies.
T
yler went into the kitchen and was surprised with a hug from Ma as she stopped cooking to greet us.
“I told you not to bring anything,” she scolded, but her tone was light. “Thank you for the beautiful flowers and cheesecakes.”
I led him back into the den where he rejoined Antony, Vince, and Phillip after I accepted their hugs and watched them all exchange pleasantries with Tyler. That alone made the dinner a success, but I still had more to talk about with Ma, so I left them to help her out in the kitchen. I stirred the bisque she had prepared and let out a complimentary sound of approval when she brought up a spoonful for me to taste.
“Divine,” I said. “I miss our dinners.”
“I miss you, Princess,” she said then motioned for me to take a seat at the small table. “You’re probably wondering why I stopped talking to you.”
“Because I had a boyfriend and you thought I’d end up pregnant and leave the ballet.”
“That was part of it,” she said. “I wanted you to do what I wanted, like you’ve always done. I just wasn’t ready to…” She looked down and rolled the end of her apron.
“To let me go,” I finished for her. “I love that you care and supported my dancing my whole life. I didn’t just do ballet for you, I did it because I love to dance. I gave everything I had because I love dancing. Even if I never become a principal, I’m never giving it up.”
“I’ve heard about the same,” she said. “You know when I called Christophe that day…did he tell you what he told me?”
I shook my head.
“He said he was proud of you for messing up. He also said it was time for me to let you go.”
I was so surprised that I was speechless.
“You both proved as much to me. You stood up and fought on your own to stay in the company,” she said. “I’m proud of you, Princess. I’m not proud of how I handled things, and I wanted to tell you I was sorry for a while, but I didn’t know what to do. I wondered if I still had a place in your life, if you still needed me.”
She was looking at me, her eyes shining, and mine got all teary.
“I’m always going to need you, Ma, but I also needed to grow up and live and have a relationship too. It’s not like it used to be. I can have a relationship too.”
Match Pointe Page 20
