“Hurt you. I understand.” Phoebe’s voice was soft. “But just so you know. Alek believes in you. He always has. So do I.”
Tasha’s eyes stung. She blinked.
Phoebe moved them off to the side where they had more privacy. “You’re one of the most talented skaters who’s blades ever touched the ice. But the one thing missing has been self-confidence. You’ve listened to what everyone else said. You tried to be whatever they wanted. It wasn’t until you wouldn’t let your mom push you into another pairs partnership that your skating career soared.”
Tasha nearly laughed. “I forgot how badly we argued over that.”
“I can see why you’d want to forget it.”
She sighed. “I guess I just thought I was over everything that happened in the past. That I’d put it behind me.”
“You mean Drew?”
“Drew and Kristen.”
A beat passed and another. Phoebe rubbed her neck. “Kristen was heartbroken over Alek.”
“What happened between them had nothing to do with me. She was like a sister to me. She was the only one who knew…”
“Knew what?”
Knew the truth about how badly Drew treated Tasha. When he’d dumped her, she’d had no one to talk to. If she’d told Alek the whole truth, he would have hurt Drew and maybe himself in the process.
She swallowed. “Nothing.”
Phoebe’s expression was compassionate as if she understood. “I told Kristen cutting you off was a mistake, but she decided to go no contact with anyone that reminded her of Alek for her own sake. It never had to do with you.”
“It sure felt that way. I’ve tried…”
“You have but keep trying. It’s never too late.”
She wasn’t sure about that.
Phoebe touched her shoulder. “I know you came to Berry Lake to figure out what comes next, but maybe you should figure out you.”
Tasha flinched. “Me?”
“You’ve been in the spotlight since you were born. You’ve always been aware of what others think of you and their expectations for you. Both people you know and strangers. Even after you retired.”
Tasha hated how much that was true. “Direct hit.”
“Sorry, not sorry. But I want you to try to one thing for me.”
“What?” Tasha asked.
“Believe in yourself. Trust yourself. Love yourself. Once you do, everything will fall into place.”
If only… “You make it sound easy.”
“It’s not. But trust me, it’s doable.” Phoebe smiled softly. “I booked a room at the Huckleberry Inn. I’m here to support you with the show and with whatever else you need. I’m not driving home until tomorrow.”
Affection for Phoebe rushed through Tasha. More than once, she’d wished the woman had been her mom. She hadn’t gone so far to throw a piece of sea glass in the bay, because she loved her parents, but she’d considered it. “Thanks. I’m happy you’re here. I didn’t tell my parents I was helping with this show.”
“That’s understandable.” Phoebe glanced around. “Yelena would have been all over the performance.”
That brought a laugh. “You’re right. I love her, but I wish Mom were more a mother than a coach. I had plenty of coaches but only one of her.”
“Never doubt her love for you and your brother.”
