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

So he smiles back at the girl as he pulls his wallet from his back pocket, and when she asks if he needs any assistance—her term, she actually uses the word assistanceas if she’s been coached on how to be politically correct with customers—he doesn’t glare at her or get angry or indignant. He just says no, he’s fine, thank you, and takes the ticket she hands him. The crowd parts like the Red Sea before Moses as Ryan wheels through the turnstile and towards his usual spot.


Chapter 47