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

The morning is rushed—Dante sleeps until 7:30 and wakes thinking he’s already running late, his dream is coming true. As he tumbles from the bed, the sheets still twined around his legs, Ryan turns from the sink, toothbrush in hand, and tells him, “Watch it. You’ll hurt yourself.”


“I’m late,” Dante says, shaking free from the sheets. When does he have to be at the rink? God, if he misses the first heat—


“You’re not late,” Ryan assures him. He turns back to the sink and starts to brush his teeth, stopping long enough to look up when Dante plants a quick kiss on the top of his head. “You’re not late,” he says again.


Dante isn’t so sure. In the bathroom, he leaves the door open so he can talk to Ryan, and as he washes his face, he asks, “What time do we have to leave? God, I don’t have time to eat—”


“You can eat,” Ryan sighs. “Jesus. The shuttle leaves at nine, you have plenty of time.”


Chapter 173