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

Over dinner, Ryan’s mother goes on and on about Dante and the race, as if she were there to see it. “Amazing,” she tells them, smiling around the table at her husband and son, until her gaze rests on Dante. “You’re like an angel out there on the ice, Dante. I bet your parents are so proud.”


From across the table, Ryan sees the discomfort flicker across his boyfriend’s eyes. “That’s enough, Mom,” he says around a mouthful of spaghetti.


“We go to every one of Ryan’s home games,” she continues. “Or we did. And next season we’ll be front row center. I’m so glad he found a skating friend—”


“Mom, stop.” Ryan glares at her defiantly.


“Well don’t.” Across from him, Dante looks up gratefully, the hint of a smile on his face. “You weren’t there—you didn’t see it.”


His dad speaks up. “Then you tell us, son.”


Chapter 65