Chapter 5 Summary: Emmett
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Chapter Summary
Emmett, the field manager for the Windy City Warriors, is in Cleveland preparing for the final game of the series. In the dugout, players Cody, Isaiah, Travis, and Kai joke about the new athletic trainer, Natalie, and Emmett warns them to stay focused. Kennedy, Isaiah’s wife, joins them. Emmett expresses frustration that team members keep marrying each other, referencing Isaiah and Kennedy’s romance with the former athletic trainer. Reese Remington, the new President of Baseball Operations, arrives in high heels. Everyone clears out, leaving Emmett and Reese alone. Reese tells Emmett they have a press conference scheduled to discuss their new working relationship. Emmett doubts their non-existent relationship, but Reese suggests they fake one.
Their conversation turns tense when Reese presses Emmett about firing a video coach named Nate, a soon-to-be father Emmett recently promoted. Emmett refuses, and Reese reveals she already fired Nate herself. Emmett is furious, accusing her of heartlessness. Reese coldly states, “Baseball is a business,” and leaves.
After the Warriors win the series, Emmett still broods over the firing. The press conference draws major sports networks. Reporters ask pointed questions about gender. Reese handles them professionally, but when one reporter implies Emmett is being “bossed around by a woman,” Emmett fiercely corrects him, asserting his objection is not about gender but about respect. Reese gives him a grateful smile. Another reporter asks Reese if she feels “in over her head” as a woman. Reese retorts she is the “right woman” for the job. A final insensitive question about balancing homelife and career gets a sharp comeback from Reese. Emmett nearly intervenes again, but Reese places a hand on his thigh to stop him.
The last question comes from reporter Kelly, who flirts with Emmett by asking for restaurant recommendations and hints at wanting a date. Reese abruptly ends the press conference. Afterward, Emmett catches up to Reese, who reveals her discomfort with Kelly’s advances. Emmett is surprised; Reese accuses him of using the workplace as a dating pool. Emmett smiles, amused by her fluster. Reese walks away, and Emmett, grinning, calls out a goodnight. She retorts “Don’t tell me what to do” as she leaves. Emmett realizes this sparring might be enjoyable.
Key Events
- Emmett warns his players to focus on the game instead of flirting with the new athletic trainer.
- Reese notifies Emmett of a planned press conference about their working relationship.
- Emmett refuses to fire video coach Nate; Reese fires him anyway, deepening their conflict.
- The Warriors win the game, but Emmett remains frustrated about the firing.
- During the press conference, reporters ask sexist questions about Reese’s gender and her ability to balance work and family.
- Emmett publicly defends Reese against a reporter’s sexist comment, earning her gratitude.
- A female reporter, Kelly, openly flirts with Emmett; Reese cuts the press conference short.
- Reese confronts Emmett afterward about the flirtation, leading to a tense yet playful exchange.
Character Development
Emmett shows his protective, principled side. He refuses to fire a man who needs his job, even if it means angering his boss. When reporters belittle Reese’s gender, Emmett’s reaction is swift and fierce – he corrects the reporter and makes clear he respects Reese as a professional, not because she is a woman. This reveals a man who values integrity and loyalty. At the chapter’s end, his amusement at Reese’s jealousy suggests a growing personal interest.
Reese is portrayed as ruthlessly efficient but also vulnerable. Firing Nate demonstrates her willingness to make unpopular decisions. She handles the press conference with poise and sharp wit, deflecting sexist questions. Yet her flustered reaction to Kelly’s flirting hints that she may not be as detached as she seems. The hand-on-thigh moment shows a subtle alliance forming between her and Emmett.
Isaiah and Kennedy provide comic relief and a model of a workplace romance that succeeded, contrasting with Emmett and Reese’s current antagonism.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Gender dynamics in baseball dominate this chapter. The press conference is a microcosm of the sexism women face in male-dominated sports. Reporters ask Reese whether she feels “in over her head” and whether she can balance a future family with her career – questions never asked of male owners. Reese’s calm, devastating responses and Emmett’s defense highlight that the real issue is prejudice, not capability.
Power struggles and communication are central. Emmett and Reese clash over authority: she insists on her role as boss, he sticks to his principles. Their inability to communicate honestly leads to the firing of Nate. The press conference forces them to present a united front, even as their private conflict simmers.
Protection and vulnerability emerge in Emmett shielding Reese from sexist reporters, and Reese shielding herself with professional armor. The brief physical contact (her hand on his thigh) symbolizes a tentative bridge between them.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the Emmett-Reese relationship. It moves them from avoidance to direct confrontation and then to a fragile alliance. The firing of Nate cements Reese as a hardnosed executive willing to make enemies, while Emmett’s principles solidify his character. The press conference forces them to publicly align, and Reese’s jealousy hints at romantic tension. The chapter establishes the central conflict of the book: two strong-willed people who must learn to trust and communicate, both professionally and personally.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Reese fire Nate, and how does Emmett react?
Reese fires Nate because Emmett refused to do so after she gave him a deadline. Emmett is furious, calling her heartless and asking if she understands the impact on Nate’s family. The firing deepens the rift between them and underscores their opposing views on loyalty versus results. -
How does Emmett defend Reese during the press conference, and what does this reveal about his character?
When a reporter asks if it’s “a bit different being bossed around by a woman,” Emmett immediately corrects him, stating that his issue is not with Reese’s gender but with the firing. He adds that he raised a daughter and will not tolerate such comments. This shows Emmett values fairness and won’t let others demean Reese, even when they are at odds. -
What evidence in the chapter suggests Reese might be jealous or protective of Emmett?
After the press conference, Reese is visibly annoyed that Kelly, a reporter, flirted with Emmett. She tells Emmett not to use the workplace as a dating pool. Emmett notices her flustered demeanor and laughs, asking if she is bothered by it. Her sharp “I could not care less” contradicts her actions, hinting at budding romantic interest.