On his way to realizing his Olympic dream, Tom Alan Baranowski finds himself in the midst of a dilemma. His traditional Japanese coach is insisting upon an arranged marriage between his biological daughter Erika and adopted son Tom Alan, who are partners on the ice. Tom Alan loves Erika, and his coach literally saved his life, rescuing him from an abusive home. How can he say no?<br><br>Somewhat resigned to his “not so bad” fate, everything changes when Tom Alan meets British ice dancer Milo Fisher. The spark between them is almost hot enough to melt the ice beneath their blades, and the two fall into an affair.<br><br>What about Erika? What about loyalty? What about gold? For Tom Alan, the impossible throw quadruple jump is suddenly the least difficult thing in his life.

Quadruple Flip

Tom Alan flinched; he actually thought the slight man was about to strike him. And if he had, if he had, no way would Tom Alan have fought back. Maybe out of respect, maybe because he felt he had it coming.


Tsuchino took his son by the shoulders and started to cry. “Now I am ashamed of myself.”


“Ku areba raku ari.” The elder sat beside his son on the bed. “I am a worrisome old man,” he said, his face in his hands. “I am wrong to act this way—in front of a child. It is not right.”


“I’m not a child, Papa. I am a man. Perhaps soon, someday, your equal.” He didn’t know if he dared say such a thing, if that was disrespectful by Japanese standards. He’d lived there long enough, but somehow, he still didn’t know all he should. He just wanted to say something helpful. “I’m sorry you’re upset. Papa?”


Chapter 57