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

He recognizes his street as Mrs. Talonovich guides the van to a stop at the curb. “Tomorrow then,” Ryan whispers, squeezing Dante’s hand.


Dante studies the shadows draped across his boyfriend’s face and forces a grin. I don’t want today to end yet,he thinks. Mrs. Talonovich says they’re here and parks, gets out of the van, disappears around the back. “Dante?” Ryan asks, concerned. “Give me a kiss goodbye?”


Closing his eyes, Dante leans against Ryan’s shoulder, turns his face up and touches Ryan’s cheek as their lips meet in a secretive, soft kiss. “Love you,” Ryan murmurs. Kissing one of Dante’s eyelids, he asks, “Are you okay?”


“Just…” Dante sighs. He doesn’t know, sad? Upset? How is he feeling right now? What is he supposed to feel? “I don’t know,” he admits, fisting a hand in Ryan’s hair. Ryan kisses him again and he tastes salty tears in the back of his throat. Empty, he decides. For some reason when he tries to focus on anything, he feels completely empty inside.


Chapter 86