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

Mrs. Talonovich dismisses that with a wave of her hand. “Girls?” she prompts, signaling Josey and her sister to follow her to the back of the van. Dante thinks that he should be helping, but Ryan’s mother has effectively distanced him from Josey and for that he’s thankful. “You’re both sporty,” she’s saying, her voice drifting around to where he and Ryan wait. “You shouldn’t have any problem carrying these bags.”


Dante buries his nose in the top of Ryan’s hair and, breathing in the clean scent, whispers, “I love her.”


Ryan sighs lustily. “Wanna trade? She’s yours.”


Dante pushes Ryan’s wheelchair behind the small procession heading for the bus. It’s Mrs. Talonovich in the lead, of course—she’s in her element here. As they walk, Ryan tells Dante she lives for this stuff. “Every single away game,” he says over his shoulder, “and she’s in the parking lot, helping the team pack up. God, playoffs last year? I thought she’d end up coming withus. Thatwas scary.”


Chapter 116