AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It’s the only thing I’m focused on at this moment, other than dancing.
I hastily sneak a peek at Eric, who looks completely unruffled by Ella’s revelation that I’m a virgin. He changes the subject, easing the panicked feeling in my chest.
“What do you think happens to Mikhail and Honor? Do they get fired? Or just get scolded?”
“Definitely fired. Ballet companies function with a level of trust. How can anyone at NYB ever trust either of them again?”
Biting my lip, I clear my throat. “That could be good for us, actually. I mean, that means more spots open up in the corps, right?”
Manon is just ahead of me. She turns her dark head at that, laughing cruelly. “Yeah, right. Let’s be real here. Your chances of getting picked to be in this company are basically zero. You should focus on finding a job teaching ballet at some kind of school for crippled children or something.”
My heart thumps in my chest.
Ella jumps right in before I can even really react. “You’re just pissed because your pill popping mom is in rehab again. Get a fucking life, Manon.”
Manon glares at Ella. “Back at you, Affirmative Action Annie.”
“Die in a fire, Barbie bitch,” Ella fires back.
“Watch where you—“ Eric says.
But before he can even get the thought out, Manon stumbles as she reaches the stairs. For a split second, it looks like she’s going to take a header straight down.
But at the last moment, Manon’s friend Roxie reaches out and steadies her. Manon sends us back a superior look, tossing her head and click clacking down the marble stairs.
Ella’s mouth curves into a smirk. “Entitled little priss. Anyway, let’s talk about Mikhail’s wife. Do either of you know who she is?”
I shake my head, absorbed in the drama. As we walk out of the New York Ballet, I’m just really happy that I have friends that will stand up for me.
Chapter39
Calum
Checking my watch, I consider leaving Emma’s office at the New York Ballet. I’m not accustomed to waiting for anybody, especially not for nearly fifteen minutes. I’m a firm believer that you teach people how to treat you.
Heaving myself up off the sleek leather couch, I glance around the well-appointed office. My movement alarms the little redheaded secretary, whose cheeks flame bright red as I approach her in the doorway.
She squeaks out. “Mr. Fordham, I’m sure if you wait for another minute or two?—“
I brush right past her, in no mood for her attempts to stall me. “Move.”
She stares after me for a moment, then hurries to catch up with me. “I just know that Mrs. Rosenburg is tied up with?—“
A door down the hall in flung open with full force, several people spilling out of it all at once. I see Emma first, looking chic as ever in her dark blue dress. Beside her are her fellow board members, Chase and Mark.
In front of all of them is Honor, bursting out of the room like a bullet leaving a gun. She holds her dark head high but she’s clearly sobbing, all but running down the hallway.
Seeing her gives me pause. It slows my steps.
What on earth is the prima ballerina doing running away in such hysterics?
Mark scurries after her, calling her name. “Honor?—“
Chase notices me standing only twenty feet to his right. He snakes out a hand and catches Emma, jerking his head toward me. She looks at me, clearing her throat in a way that suggests she is embarrassed.
It’s hard to tell with Emma though, as usual. Some combination of years of ballet training and Botox has wiped all expression from her face.
She flattens her hands against her fitted skirt and tucks a strand of hair back behind her ear. “Calum. I’m sorry, I was obviously…” She looks down the hall after Honor, taking a deep breath. “We asked you to come in for a reason, as you can see.”
