Chapter 40 (Chapter 38): Hustle Thursday – 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

Thursday evening unfolds through a text-message conversation between Evie and her dance partner, X. They start by discussing the hustle dance, with X comparing it to disco dancing with a partner. The tone is playful: X tries (and mostly succeeds) to impress Evie with a fact he read online. X then invites Evie’s friends to a show on Saturday. Evie teases that she wants to come too, but confirms her friends like X and will likely say yes.

Later, Evie brings up a prior conversation about her father’s wedding. She tells X she hasn’t decided what to do but is thinking about it. In turn, X reveals he is considering Evie’s earlier comments about his school situation—still thinking, too. Their mutual honesty signals growing trust.

At midnight, X revisits a romance novel they’ve discussed, quoting a line about a guy smelling like cinnamon chocolate buttercream. When X asks what he smells like, Evie sidesteps with “odorless,” but X playfully claims he smells like rock and roll, man sweat, and the blood of his vanquished enemies. Evie’s response is laughter, ending the exchange on a lighthearted note.

Key Events

Evie and X flirt and bond over a shared interest in the hustle dance.
X invites Evie’s friends to a Saturday show, and Evie agrees to ask them.
Evie reveals she is actively considering X’s advice about her father’s wedding.
X confesses he is still thinking about what Evie said regarding his schooling.
Late-night texting turns playful with X’s exaggerated description of his own smell.

Character Development

Evie: Shows a willingness to contemplate difficult personal decisions, particularly regarding her father’s wedding. Her teasing responses (“only a little,” “odorless”) reveal comfort in the relationship with X.
X: Demonstrates vulnerability by admitting he is still pondering Evie’s comments about school. His playful self-description (rock and roll, man sweat, vanquished enemies) highlights his tendency to use humor to deflect seriousness, but the earlier honest exchange shows depth.
Evie’s friends: Though not present, they serve as a bridge between Evie’s separate worlds; X actively seeks their approval, suggesting his investment in Evie’s life beyond dance.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Dance as connection: The hustle dance—improvised, partnered, rhythmic—mirrors the evolving back-and-forth of Evie and X’s relationship.
Texting as intimacy: The chapter is told entirely through SMS, a medium that allows for pauses, reconsideration, and layered meaning. The spaces between messages (8:55 PM, 9:38 PM, 12:05 AM) suggest thoughtfulness and the slow unfolding of trust.
Romance novels as shorthand: The repeated reference to “reading cupcakes and kisses” and the specific smell description (“cinnamon chocolate buttercream”) acts as an inside joke and a barometer for X’s willingness to engage with Evie’s interests.
Personal decisions: Both Evie and X are “still thinking” about each other’s advice, showing that their influence on one another extends beyond dance and flirtation.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 38 deepens the emotional stakes of the novel. It moves the relationship between Evie and X from casual dance partners to people who actively shape each other’s life choices. The invitation to the show and the reciprocal reflections on family and school indicate that their connection is no longer just about learning steps; it has become a source of mutual support and gentle challenge. The chapter also reinforces the novel’s use of non-traditional narrative forms (text messages) to build character and tension without physical description.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What does X’s comparison of the hustle to “disco dancing but with a partner” reveal about his personality?
X’s comparison shows he values simplicity and directness, but he also admits he read it online—underlining his attempts to appear insightful. This blend of confidence and honesty is central to his character.

2. Why does Evie bring up the topic of her father’s wedding again in this chapter?
Evie is processing X’s earlier suggestion that she should consider attending. By telling X she is “thinking about it,” she signals that she trusts his opinion enough to give it serious weight, moving the decision from avoidance to active consideration.

3. How does the late-night texting exchange about smell function in the story?
It serves as a playful coda that relieves the earlier serious tone. X’s exaggerated self-description (“rock and roll, man sweat, blood of my vanquished enemies”) contrasts with Evie’s dry “odorless,” reinforcing their dynamic: X over-the-top, Evie grounded. The exchange ends with Evie laughing, indicating comfort and genuine enjoyment in their rapport.