Chapter 15 Summary: Reese
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Reese's grandfather visits her office and shares a troubling rumor he found on Reddit: an anonymous post claims someone saw Reese leaving Emmett's hotel room early in the morning during a recent road series in San Diego. Though her grandfather dismisses it as fabricated gossip, Reese knows the post is true. She feels deeply guilty for being reckless and worries about the professional consequences. After he leaves, she finds the post and reads the comments, one of which suggests Emmett might be using a relationship to secure his next contract. That comment triggers Reese's self-doubt, reminding her of her ex-husband Jeremy's deception. Determined to protect her reputation and her team, she resolves to refocus on business and avoid personal entanglements. When Emmett discovers her hiding in the dugout, she coldly informs him she will not accompany the team on their upcoming trip to Detroit and insists they communicate only by email. Hurt but understanding, Emmett acknowledges the shift in boundaries.
Key Events
- Reese's grandfather stops by her office to warn her about an online rumor.
- He shows her a screenshot of a Reddit post claiming someone saw Reese leaving Emmett's hotel room.
- Reese confirms internally that the rumor is true; she had stayed in Emmett's room after the HVAC was fixed.
- After her grandfather leaves, Reese reads the post and comments, including one that questions Emmett's motives because he is up for a new contract.
- The comment causes Reese to second-guess whether Emmett is genuine.
- Reese decides to pull back from personal interactions with Emmett.
- She hides in the dugout, where Emmett finds her and notices her cold demeanor.
- Reese tells Emmett she is staying behind from the trip to Detroit and that all future communication should be by email.
- Emmett reacts with hurt, sarcastically acknowledging the boundary reset.
Character Development
Reese experiences a sharp turn from vulnerability to professional rigidity. Earlier in the book, she allowed herself to grow close to Emmett and even spent the night in his room. Now, confronted with the public rumor and her own history with Jeremy, she recoils. Her decision to enforce email-only communication shows her prioritizing her role as owner over her personal feelings. The chapter reveals how deeply the betrayal from her marriage has scarred her; she can no longer trust easily, even when she wants to.
Emmett is caught off guard by Reese's sudden distance. He tries to check on her with warmth, but her coldness visibly hurts him. His defensive sarcasm—asking if wishing her good luck is too inappropriate—shows he feels wrongly punished. He ultimately accepts the new boundaries, but the exchange suggests his feelings for Reese are genuine and not tied to contract motives.
Reese's grandfather (unnamed) appears as a caring figure who nonetheless reinforces the pressure Reese feels. He notes that she gave up her marriage for the team, which adds to her guilt. His mention of the rumor is protective, but it also plants the seed of doubt that Reese cannot ignore.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Rumors and Reputation: The chapter centers on the power of online gossip. A single anonymous post threatens Reese's credibility as an owner. The rumor spreads easily because of her gender and position, illustrating the double standard women in leadership face.
- Boundaries as Protection: Reese's insistence on email-only communication symbolizes her attempt to rebuild a wall between business and personal life. The barrier is both professional and emotional, intended to shield her from vulnerability and further scandal.
- Trust and Betrayal: The comment questioning Emmett's intentions echoes Reese's history with Jeremy. She cannot separate Emmett from the pattern of men using her for access to the team. This theme of eroded trust colors every interaction in the chapter.
- Self-Doubt: Despite her success and ownership, Reese internally questions her judgment. The line “I’m second-guessing myself” shows how external criticism can amplify internal insecurity.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 15 is a turning point in Reese and Emmett's relationship. The rumor forces Reese to confront the real-world consequences of her private choices. Her decision to distance herself from Emmett is not a rejection of him personally but a survival instinct shaped by past trauma and present scrutiny. This chapter also deepens the central conflict between professional duty and personal desire. The boundaries Reese sets now will likely create obstacles later, especially as the team continues its season and the two must work closely together.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Reese react so strongly to the Reddit comment that questions Emmett's motives?
Reese's ex-husband Jeremy married her with the intention of gaining part ownership of the team. She now fears that any man who gets close to her might have similar ulterior motives. The comment about Emmett's upcoming contract taps directly into that fear, making her doubt whether his affection is genuine or transactional.
2. How does Reese's grandfather contribute to her sense of guilt?
He reminds her that she gave up her marriage to keep the team and that she must work twice as hard to be taken seriously. Even though he is being supportive, his words reinforce the high stakes of Reese's position. She already feels responsible for his delayed retirement, and his warning makes her feel she has let her family down.
3. What is the significance of Reese choosing to stay behind for the Detroit trip?
By physically separating herself from the team and Emmett, Reese hopes to let the rumor die down. The decision also symbolizes her attempt to regain control over her professional identity. However, it creates new tension with Emmett, who interprets her withdrawal as a punishment, and it removes a source of personal support Reese may need.