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

In his arms Dante sighs, a sad sound that ends in a forced laugh. “You know,” he murmurs, taking Ryan’s hand in his, “I can’t even begin to think out what I’m going to do. My mind just goes around in circles—it’s like I’m not comprehending this yet. I don’t have a job. I have no money, State’s coming up and I have no sponsorship, no funding, nothing.”


“I’m going to help,” Ryan begins.


Dante cuts him off. “You’re right, I should practice. But I don’t feel like it right now, okay? I’m just not in the mood.”


Pressing his lips to Dante’s shoulder, Ryan whispers into his shirt, “I know.”


With another abrupt laugh, Dante tells him, “I keep thinking I can practice tomorrow. Then I think no, I have to work. Then it’s like, no wait, I don’t have a job, remember?” His laugh dissolves into a sob, and Ryan closes his eyes, holds onto Dante as hard as he dares. “Oh God.” Squeezing Ryan’s hand, he says softly, “Tell me something happy, baby. Anything, just talk to me.”


Chapter 77