Chapter 21: Reese – Summary and Analysis
⚠️ 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 holds a check‑in meeting with team doctor Kennedy Rhodes. Kennedy reports a smooth transition and mentions that most players respect her, indirectly referring to Harrison’s patronising behaviour. Reese reassures her she is “taking care of that.” Kennedy asks how Reese is doing; Reese admits it has been “loud” with headlines and doubt. Reese declines Kennedy’s invitation to the team potluck because she feels her presence would make players uncomfortable.
Riding the elevator alone, Reese is flooded with memories of kissing Emmett in that same space the previous Saturday. Her grandfather Arthur joins her, noticing her flushed cheeks. On his floor, Emmett boards the elevator. Arthur calls Reese “Reese’s Pieces.” Alone again, Emmett and Reese share teasing words and brief physical contact. Emmett gets off on the second floor with Reese, even though he was heading to the clubhouse, admitting he wanted extra time with her. He persuades her to consider attending the potluck, saying she is part of the team. Reese leaves for her interviews, still unsettled by their proximity.
Key Events
- Reese meets with Kennedy Rhodes to check on her department and hear her concerns about player behaviour.
- Reese admits to feeling “loud” – overwhelmed by critical headlines and internal doubt – and is reminded that leadership can be lonely.
- In the elevator, Reese flashes back to kissing Emmett the previous Saturday; her grandfather Arthur interrupts her daydream.
- Emmett enters the elevator; Arthur teases him and calls Reese “Reese’s Pieces.”
- Alone together, Emmett and Reese share a charged moment, brushing arms and fingers, both struggling with the tension between them.
- Emmett exits on Reese’s floor despite having no business there, just to steal a few extra minutes with her.
- Emmett encourages Reese to attend the team potluck; she hesitates but does not give a firm no.
- Reese heads to interview receptionist candidates, still flustered from the encounter.
Character Development
Reese: This chapter deepens Reese’s internal conflict. Her professional armour – sharp, composed, in control – cracks when Kennedy asks about her own well‑being. Reese admits she feels the weight of being the first female owner/executive in baseball, constantly facing louder criticism than her male counterparts. Her vulnerability carries into the elevator scenes: she is physically drawn to Emmett yet afraid of the boundary violation. Her refusal of the potluck invitations stems from a belief that she cannot be both a leader and a teammate. By the end of the chapter, Emmett’s gentle insistence (“Just show up”) plants a seed of willingness.
Emmett (Monty Miller): Emmett shows he is attuned to Reese’s hesitations. He playfully pokes fun but also validates her as a vital part of the team. His deliberate act of getting off on the wrong floor to prolong their time together signals his emotional investment. He respects her need for boundaries while gently pushing them.
Kennedy Rhodes: Kennedy acts as a mirror for Reese – another woman in a male‑dominated industry who understands the need for a “backbone.” She models how to speak without fear of reprisal, offering Reese the venting space no one else provides.
Arthur (grandfather): Arthur’s easygoing presence contrasts Reese’s tension. His affectionate nickname (“Reese’s Pieces”) humanises Reese in front of Emmett, adding levity to an otherwise heavy chapter.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Loneliness at the top: The chapter title “Reese” underscores her isolation. She cannot fully share her burdens with employees (like Kennedy) and feels unwelcome at social events meant for the team. The elevator – a confined, private space – becomes the only place where she can drop her guard.
The elevator as a charged space: The elevator where she and Emmett kissed becomes a recurring symbol of forbidden intimacy. Every time they are alone there, the air thickens with unspoken desire and unresolved boundaries. It is a liminal space between work and personal life.
Loudness versus silence: Reese describes her struggle as “loud” – public criticism, media noise, inner doubt. In contrast, the moments with Emmett in the elevator are marked by quiet looks and soft touches, offering a respite she is not ready to claim.
Belonging and team identity: The potluck functions as a symbol of team cohesion. Reese’s refusal stems from a fear that her authority prevents genuine belonging. Emmett’s invitation reframes that: he sees her as a member of the team, not just its owner.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 21 is the first extended interior look at Reese’s emotional state since the kiss. It moves the slow‑burn romance forward by showing both characters actively resisting and yielding to the pull between them. More importantly, it deepens Reese’s character arc: she is not just a confident executive but a woman struggling with the expectations of her groundbreaking role. Her decision to consider attending the potluck marks a subtle shift from isolation toward community. The chapter also strengthens the parallel between Reese and Kennedy, reinforcing the book’s exploration of women in male‑dominated workplaces.
Study Questions
1. Why does Reese initially refuse both Kennedy’s and Emmett’s invitations to the potluck?
Reese believes her presence as the owner and decision‑maker would make players uncomfortable. She wants to maintain a professional boundary so the team can bond without worrying about their boss observing them socially. Emmett’s counter‑argument – that she is part of the team – prompts her to leave the door open.
2. How does the elevator setting reinforce the central tension between Reese and Emmett?
The elevator is the exact location where they kissed the previous weekend, so entering it together triggers immediate physical memory and desire. The confined space forces proximity and eye contact, making every accidental touch feel deliberate. It also isolates them from the rest of the ballpark, creating a bubble where normal workplace rules feel suspended.
3. What does Reese mean when she tells Kennedy that it has been “loud,” and how does this relate to her larger struggle?
“Loud” refers to the constant barrage of negative headlines, public criticism of her as a female team owner, and the internal doubts those voices generate. By describing the noise, Reese admits that leadership is not just about making decisions but also about enduring the relentless scrutiny that comes with breaking gender barriers. Kennedy’s reply – that only the people who work with her truly know her performance – offers a quiet counter to that loudness.