Rio called his mother on Sunday, fielding her playful guilt about eating, hometown Boston, and the hope he might join the Boston team when the season ends. He concealed the fact that Hallie is now in Chicago and on his mind, instead discussing recent games and arranging a future video call so his mom can share her Bolognese recipe with his friend Indy. Torn between his mother’s wish for him to come home and his love for his life in Chicago, Rio ended the call feeling the familiar pressure of family expectations.

At the Shays’ house for weekly dinner with his close-knit friend group, Rio joined Evan Zanders (Zee), Stevie, Indy and Ryan Shay, Kai and Miller Rhodes, and Isaiah and Kennedy Rhodes. While they ate homemade pizzas, Miller mentioned her new single general manager as a potential match for Rio. His lack of interest alarmed the group, leading him to admit he was pausing dating to avoid repetitive first-date small talk.

Stevie then brought up seeing Hallie outside practice, and Zee teased that Rio had looked at Hallie with clear history and emotion. Pressed further, Rio deflected, especially when Ryan asked about the start of his house renovation, a subject tied directly to Hallie’s involvement. Overwhelmed, Rio escaped to the kitchen to compose himself.

In the kitchen, Indy, Stevie, Kennedy, and Miller followed and gently pushed for honesty. Rio revealed that Hallie Hart was his Boston girl-next-door and that he had unknowingly hired her to renovate his house before asking for someone else due to their “sordid” past. He confirmed Hallie had pleaded for the project to secure a full-time position, but he refused to disclose what happened between them, protecting their shared history.

The women reacted with empathy and hopeful speculation about a second chance, which Rio rejected, insisting too much bad had happened. Indy then made a practical argument: Hallie knows him well and needs the job, and helping her aligns with who Rio is. Her words struck a chord, resurfacing Rio’s longstanding soft spot for Hallie despite the past hurt.

After the others left him alone, Rio gave in to that impulse. He pulled up Hallie’s number—obtained from Wren earlier in the week—and sent a decisive message: “You start tomorrow,” signaling that he would let Hallie lead the renovation.