Overview

In a flashback to high school, sixteen-year-old Rio plays a varsity hockey game and basks in Hallie’s unwavering support on her fifteenth birthday. After family congratulations, Rio drives Hallie to a babysitting job, where tentative hand-holding signals a turning point in their long-simmering feelings. That night on their shared roof and in Hallie’s room, they exchange her annual birthday mixtape and quietly acknowledge mutual love without naming it, cementing the intimacy of their bond.

Full Summary

Postgame at the rink, sophomore Rio, newly thriving on varsity, looks for Hallie, who has never missed a game and wears his jersey and stolen hoodie. Their parents and Hallie’s brother, Luke, arrive to congratulate him; the families’ closeness and Hallie’s birthday frame the scene, with Hallie skipping a dinner to babysit and save for college. Luke’s overprotectiveness spikes when an older teammate, Dylan, flirts with Hallie, and Luke warns her off his friends.

When Luke refuses to drive Hallie, Rio offers to take her to the babysitting job. In Rio’s old truck, they joke about Hallie’s boy band tape, and conversation hints that Hallie may like one of Luke’s friends. Hallie traces Rio’s friendship bracelet, then his hand; Rio intertwines their fingers, pulls off to the roadside because he is too distracted to drive, and keeps holding her hand, suggesting they not tell Luke. He slides Hallie next to him on the bench seat and drives the rest of the way carefully, agreeing to meet later on their adjoining roofs.

Back home, Rio’s mother teases him that he is obviously in love with Hallie; Rio denies it aloud but admits worries about Luke and risking the families’ bond. His mother stays supportive, offering a listening ear and downplaying the long-term fallout.

Near midnight, Rio meets Hallie on the shared roof for their birthday tradition. They talk about her tough babysitting shift, saving for college, and her wish to go away to school. Hallie returns Rio’s jersey and gives him her updated birthday mix—now a CD—signed with her distinctive heart. Rio admits he loves her unique heart doodle and they hold hands again, deepening the unspoken connection.

Inside Hallie’s room, Rio settles on the floor for one of his familiar sleepovers while Hallie plays the CD. Though he grumbles about boy bands, he listens as Hallie explains the moments she’d “rewind” from the year. The last track is the same song they played in the truck; Hallie says it marks when she realized Rio might feel the same way she has always felt about him. The confession silently confirms their mutual feelings without a kiss or formal declaration.

Who Appears

• Rio DeLuca — narrator; sophomore varsity hockey player; drives Hallie, initiates hand-holding, and quietly affirms mutual feelings.
• Hallie Hart — birthday girl, steadfast supporter; returns Rio’s jersey, gives her annual mixtape (now a CD), initiates touch, and admits she has always had feelings for Rio.
• Luke Hart — Hallie’s older brother and Rio’s friend; protective, warns Hallie off his friends, asks Rio to give her a ride.
• Mr. Hart — Hallie’s father; supportive, protective, asks Rio to be careful with Hallie.
• Mrs. Hart (Steph) — Hallie’s mother; congratulates Rio, considers a birthday dinner.
• Mrs. DeLuca — Rio’s mother; loving, perceptive, teases Rio about his obvious feelings and offers support.
• Mr. DeLuca — Rio’s father; affectionate with Rio’s mother, present postgame.
• Dylan — Luke’s lacrosse teammate (new); flirts with Hallie, prompting Luke’s warning.