Ryan Talonovich is the star of his college hockey team, until an accident during practice leaves him confined to a wheelchair. The doctors say he'll walk again but a new season is already underway and he's been replaced on the team, which leaves him feeling alone and betrayed. What's the use of fighting to get back on the ice now?<br><br>Then he meets Dante Espinosa, a short track skater on the city's speed skating club. Though he has to work overtime to afford his sport, Dante is hell on ice, and dreams of making the cut on the U.S. Olympic Speedskating Team.<br><br>Their love of the ice brings them together, but too many obstacles stand in their way: Ryan's struggle with therapy. The memory of Dante's first boyfriend. Lack of funding to the event, Dante's harassing boss, a skating friend in love with him, and Wil Dietrich, who will do anything to win.

Power Play

“It’s just something to fill up space,” Ryan says softly. Dante turns to smile at him and suddenly he’s all too aware of how close they really are right this moment, mere inches apart—he can feel Ryan’s breath on his neck, and his hair casts a shadow across his friend’s face where it falls to block the light from the computer screen. I could kiss you now,Dante thinks, studying Ryan’s mouth. What would you do if I did that? Push me away, kiss me back?Ryan’s tongue licks out between his lips, wetting them, and Dante tells himself he’s going to do it, he hasto. He’s never been this shy before. Ryan’s eyes slip closed—see?Dante thinks, leaning closer. His hand covers Ryan’s on the arm of the wheelchair. He wants you to.


A knock on the door stops him, and then Mrs. Talonovich’s bubbly voice calls out, “Ryan, dear? I have milk and donuts for you boys. Open up.”


Chapter 30