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

But Ryan doesn’t let the matter drop. “I can’t wait until I really canwalk again,” he mutters, half to himself but loud enough that his mother can overhear. “Then I can move back on campus and not have to deal with this shit. Then I won’t be treated like a baby just because I’m in a goddamn wheelchair—”


“Shh,” Dante murmurs. He sees Mrs. Talonovich’s knuckles whiten on the steering wheel and he nudges Ryan with his elbow to quiet him. “You don’t have to keep it up.”


“I’m just saying—” Ryan starts.


“Just don’t.” When Ryan pouts at him, Dante whispers, “Please. For me?”


Slowly, Ryan sighs, the anger bunched in him leaving as quickly as his temper flared. “Fine.” He turns to glare out the window, his hands curled into fists on his thighs.


Chapter 97