Chapter 27: Emmett – In Her Own League Summary & 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
Emmett spends the day orienting newly called-up minor league player Milo Jones. The atmosphere is tense because Reese’s trade of Harrison Kaiser to Houston has ignited a storm of sexist backlash from fans and media. Emmett guides Milo through the training room—where Kennedy introduces herself—and past the gym (which triggers a private memory of Reese). He reassures the nervous rookie, telling him the team believes in his ability and instructs him to focus on his job rather than the public outcry. After settling Milo with the other players, Emmett searches for Reese and finds her hiding in the dugout, scrolling through hateful comments on her phone. She admits she didn’t sleep and feels hated. Emmett comforts her, reminding her that they made the right trade and that he’ll help Milo succeed. Reese acknowledges their hookup from the previous night was reckless; they both agree to cool things off for now, though neither is happy about it. Reese reveals she has used this dugout hideout since childhood as a private sanctuary. Emmett vows to be a soft place for her to land.
Key Events
- Emmett gives Milo a tour of the stadium facilities, including the training room and clubhouse.
- Emmett reflects on the online sexist abuse Reese is receiving for trading Harrison Kaiser.
- Milo expresses extreme nervousness about being called up; Emmett shares his own first-day terror and encourages him.
- The team warmly welcomes Milo, with Cody and Isaiah taking him under their wing.
- Emmett leaves to check on Reese and finds her alone in the dugout, reading hateful comments on her phone.
- Reese admits she didn’t sleep and feels hated; Emmett reassures her by saying “Fuck them” and reaffirms their joint belief in the trade.
- Reese and Emmett discuss the previous night’s intimacy, agreeing it was reckless and that they cannot continue given the increased scrutiny.
- Reese shares the childhood memory of using the dugout as a fort to hide from her parents.
- Emmett claims the dugout as “his seat” but says he doesn’t mind sharing it with her.
Character Development
Emmett Montoya: His protective instincts surge as he witnesses Reese’s pain, yet he respects her need to keep their relationship concealed. He also steps into a mentorship role with Milo, showing patience and empathy rooted in his own experience as a young single father.
Reese : For the first time, readers see her vulnerability under the weight of public criticism. She admits to being hurt (not just angry) and retreats to her childhood safe space. Her decision to cool things with Emmett demonstrates her priority of protecting her professional credibility.
Milo Jones: A bundle of nerves, he embodies the pressure on any rookie called up in a controversial situation. Emmett’s guidance and the team’s welcome begin to ease his fear.
Isaiah Rhodes : His quiet concern for Reese shows his emotional intelligence and solidarity with Emmett.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Gender double standards: The backlash against Reese is explicitly described as worse than normal management criticism because she is a woman. Emmett notes that the insults and names target her gender, not the business decision.
The dugout as sanctuary: Reese’s childhood hiding spot becomes an adult refuge. The partition walls that once made a “personal fort” now shield her from the building’s chaos. Emmett recognizes the value of this space and offers himself as an additional safe haven.
Mentorship: Emmett guides Milo through his first major league day, mirroring the support Reese needs from Emmett. The chapter links veteran leadership on and off the field.
Restraint and connection: After a night of passion, Emmett and Reese choose restraint to avoid compromising Reese’s position. Their intimate moment in the gym contrasts with the disciplined way they now have to behave.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 27 crystallizes the external conflict (sexist media and fan reaction) while deepening the internal relationship between Emmett and Reese. It shows Reese at her most fragile, giving Emmett the chance to be more than a partner—he becomes her emotional shelter. The introduction of Milo Jones sets up a subplot about proving the trade’s worth. The scene also reinforces the theme that public perception often distorts the truth behind a strategic roster move. For readers, this chapter humanizes Reese beyond her powerful façade and tests the boundaries of Emmett and Reese’s secret romance.
Study Questions & Answers
1. What reason does Emmett give Milo for why he was called up?
Emmett tells Milo that Reese and the team believe he is ready—that the decision was planned and not a fluke. He encourages Milo to prove the critics wrong by focusing on his job, not the noise.
2. Why does Reese say last night was “reckless”?
Because now there are “more eyes” on her than ever before due to the trade backlash. She and Emmett agree that any further physical intimacy could damage her authority and credibility, so they must stop for the time being.
3. What is the symbolic significance of the dugout hideout for Reese?
It represents a private fortress from childhood where she could escape pressure. As an adult, she returns there when overwhelmed, and Emmett’s discovery of it shows he sees the vulnerable person behind the tough owner.