Overview

Rio returns to his Boston family home with teammate Zanders and is confronted by memories of Hallie next door. He fields repeated calls from his estranged father, leading to a raw confrontation about the affair that broke their family and how it warped Rio’s views on love and his past with Hallie. Inside, Rio accidentally confirms to Zanders and his mother that he may leave Chicago for Boston and reveals he’s reconnected with Hallie, sparking conflict with his mother. The chapter ends with a call from Wren: Hallie is driving to Minnesota because her father has been hospitalized.

Full Summary

Rio arrives in Boston with Oliver Zanders and immediately fixates on Hallie’s former house next door, recalling their shared past. Zanders asks why Rio never told the team about Hallie; Rio admits he spent years trying to forget her. Before they can continue, Rio’s mother greets them warmly and ushers them inside for lunch.

Outside, Rio answers a call from his father, who has been trying to reach him. When his father mentions attending the game and wanting to see Rio, Rio’s anger erupts. He confronts his father for cheating on his mother, insisting he has no “right” to anything in Rio’s life. Rio explains how the affair destroyed their family, left his mother alone, and pushed him toward considering a move back to Boston. He also reveals the deeper impact: years of chasing and then rejecting the idea of love because of his father’s betrayal, which affected his relationship with Hallie. He hangs up, sickened and resolved to apologize to Hallie.

Rio calls Hallie and, when she doesn’t answer, leaves a voicemail apologizing for blaming her and saying he wants to talk. He texts Wren for a welfare check when Hallie remains silent. Back at the table, his mother talks about the excitement in the neighborhood and hints at Rio coming home to play. Zanders deduces Rio hasn’t signed his extension in Chicago, effectively confirming Rio is considering leaving, which disappoints him but he remains supportive.

Rio, tired of hiding, tells his mother he’s waiting to hear from Hallie. His mother is alarmed and angry, accusing Hallie of betraying her by not disclosing the affair years ago. Rio defends Hallie, stressing she was nineteen, terrified, and not responsible for the affair. He states he never stopped having feelings for Hallie and refuses to keep blaming her. This escalates into a tense exchange where his mother warns him against idealizing childhood love; Rio insists their relationship is not a replay of his parents’ marriage and admits he took out his fear and pain on Hallie in the past.

As the argument subsides, Rio’s phone rings. Wren reports that Hallie didn’t want to distract him before the game but that Hallie’s father has been taken to the hospital in Minnesota. Hallie left about an hour earlier and is driving there, clearly scared. The call leaves Rio alarmed and focused on Hallie’s crisis.

Who Appears

• Rio DeLuca — protagonist; returns to Boston, confronts his father over the affair, defends Hallie to his mother, admits enduring feelings for Hallie, and learns Hallie is driving to Minnesota due to her father’s hospitalization.
• Oliver “Zee” Zanders — Rio’s teammate and friend; travels with Rio, asks about Hallie, deduces Rio may leave Chicago, offers support while feeling disappointed.
• Rio’s mother — hosts lunch; excited about Rio potentially returning, resents Hallie for past secrecy, clashes with Rio but hears his defense of Hallie.
• Rio’s father — estranged; calls repeatedly, plans to attend the game, is confronted by Rio about his affair and its lasting damage.
• Hallie — discussed; doesn’t answer calls, becomes the center of Rio’s apologies and defense, is en route to Minnesota due to her father’s medical emergency.
• Wren — friend; informs Rio that Hallie’s father was hospitalized and that Hallie is driving to Minnesota.
• Uncle Mikey — mentioned; plans to come to the game.