Overview

After a grueling road trip, Rio waits up for Hallie and reveals he has secretly paid off her loans and bought her a car, prompting a tense but ultimately affirming conversation about support, pride, and partnership. Their confrontation turns intimate in the hot tub, where Hallie agrees to quit her bar job on her terms, and they reaffirm their commitment. Rio continues to struggle with his mother’s hostility toward Hallie and the looming prospect of a Boston move, while admiring Hallie’s renovation progress and silently confirming he bought the house for her years ago. The chapter closes with Rio’s private resolve that the house is their dream home and a symbol of his enduring love.

Full Summary

Late at night after a two-game overtime road trip, Rio soaks in his hot tub with whiskey, unable to sleep until Hallie gets home. He reflects on his worsening conflict with his mother, who refuses to hear Hallie’s side regarding the past affair, and on his agent’s belief that Boston is clearing cap space to sign him. Torn between his lifelong dream and his renewed relationship, he admits to himself that Hallie now feels like his true dream.

Hallie arrives and confronts Rio after discovering both her loans were paid off. Rio carefully explains that he acted not to buy forgiveness but because he would have helped when her father first got sick and needs to forgive himself for past mistakes. He asks her to put down her armor, stressing that they are on the same team now. After initial resistance, Hallie accepts, and they agree to a deal: she will stop thanking him for the loan payoff if he stops apologizing.

Rio then reveals he also bought her a car, citing safety and practicality if he returns to Boston. Hallie bristles but ultimately accepts. He pushes her to consider quitting the late-night bar job so she can attend more of his games and be part of his life; amid teasing negotiation, she agrees to quit with a two-week notice, clarifying it is because her loans are gone, not because he told her to.

The conversation escalates into intense intimacy in the hot tub. They share whiskey, Hallie initiates play, and Rio pleasures her, then they have sex marked by a mix of roughness and tenderness that culminates in mutual climax. They exchange possessive affection, with Hallie tracing her tattoo that signifies Rio under her skin, and Rio responding that he belongs to her.

After, Rio carries Hallie inside to warm up and notices the renovation progress. When Hallie asks what he thinks of the house, he tells her he loves it and quietly reflects on her talent and pride in the design. He thinks about practical reasons to keep the home—Hallie needing a place when Wren’s house sells and his own visits if he moves—but is pained by the idea of her living there alone, since they once planned to fill it together.

The chapter ends with Hallie thanking him for the chance to design her dream home. Rio privately reveals in narration that this is indeed her dream home and that he bought the house six years ago with her wishes in mind, hoping that if both the house and he were waiting, she would find her way back.

Who Appears

• Rio DeLuca — NHL player and narrator; pays off Hallie’s loans, buys her a car, urges her to quit the bar job, struggles with his mother’s resentment and the potential move to Boston, reaffirms commitment during intimacy, and reveals he bought the house for Hallie years ago.
• Hallie — Rio’s girlfriend; confronts Rio about the paid-off loans, accepts his support after discussion, agrees to quit the bar with two weeks’ notice, participates in an intimate reconnection, and proudly advances the home renovation she designed.
• Rio’s mother — referenced; remains hostile toward Hallie and refuses to hear her side, increasing Rio’s stress.
• Boston front office — referenced; believed to be clearing cap space for Rio, heightening the likelihood of a move.
• Wren — referenced; her house next door is expected to sell, prompting Rio’s thought that Hallie will need a place to live.