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 returns Mrs. Talonovich’s smile and before she can get out of the van, he tells Ryan, “I understand, baby.” And he does. If he has to keep their relationship hidden from Ryan’s parents—and the skate club—he can do that.


Ryan tugs on his sleeve again. “Thanks,” he whispers. With a grin, he adds, “I like it when you call me that.”


Then Mrs. Talonovich is there, asking how the race went and what Dante’s time was and did the boys want her to stop somewhere for lunch? She opens the side door to bring the wheelchair lift out, tells Dante to climb on in the back, he can sit with Ryan if he’s coming over their house? Did he want to stay for dinner?


No, Dante doesn’t want to ruin this, and when Ryan gives him a quick wink, he reminds himself to call his boy babyevery damn chance he gets.


Chapter 56