Prologue Summary, Analysis, and Key Takeaways

⚠️ 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

The Prologue opens three years before the main story, on the anniversary of Isaiah Rhodes's mother's death. Isaiah, the starting shortstop for the Windy City Warriors, is hiding in the women's restroom outside the team's clubhouse. He explains that this is his secret hiding spot, used for the past six years whenever he needs a private moment. He describes himself as the wild, reckless, cocky member of the team, someone who makes himself the butt of the joke to make others smile. He does not want his teammates to see him upset, so he retreats to the restroom to compose himself.

Isaiah reflects on his mother's death: she died when he was thirteen, when her car wrapped around a tree during a storm. His brother Kai, two years older, broke the news to him. Isaiah notes that he typically spends this day on a preseason bonding trip, distracted by parties, but this year the season starts early and baseball is not enough of a distraction.

As Isaiah prepares to leave, he hears voices outside the restroom. He recognizes Dr. Fredrick, the team's lead doctor, speaking with a woman. Isaiah hides and listens. Dr. Fredrick accuses the woman of lying on her application, but she insists she did not lie, explaining that Kenny is a nickname for Kennedy. Dr. Fredrick tells her the doctor position is no longer available and that he can only offer her an entry-level athletic trainer role. He admits he had a different idea of who he was hiring, and the woman correctly concludes it is because he thought she was a man.

Dr. Fredrick warns her that if she comes on board, she must not be a distraction to the players, saying there is a reason he does not hire women. Kennedy responds that she spent two years as one of only three doctors for the University of Connecticut's athletic program and has nothing in her history that would question her professionalism. Dr. Fredrick dismisses her, saying those were children, not men. Kennedy says she will give her answer by noon.

Isaiah, still hiding, ducks back into the restroom as Kennedy enters it. She talks to herself, trying to compose herself, then calls her stepbrother. She tells him her first day is going great, though it clearly is not. After hanging up, she says a quiet curse.

Isaiah reveals himself, and Kennedy is startled. He explains he was there first and overheard her conversation with Dr. Fredrick. He offers to talk to HR or the field manager, Monty, but Kennedy refuses, saying this is not the first time she has dealt with a sexist boss. She does not know who Isaiah is, and he deliberately keeps his identity hidden, saying he is simply someone to talk to.

Kennedy explains her situation: she graduated at the top of her class at Columbia, received glowing references from her residency, and was the youngest person to become Lead Doctor at a division one school. Despite this, she cannot get a job in professional sports. She adopted the name Kenny after receiving six denial letters when she used the name Kennedy. She moved to Chicago for this job, and Dr. Fredrick rescinded the offer when he realized she was a woman. HR forced him to hire her in some capacity, which is why he offered the athletic trainer position.

Isaiah asks what she wants to do, and Kennedy realizes she should take the job to get her foot in the door, even though she is unhappy about it. She worries about how the players will treat her, and Isaiah promises to make sure the other guys do not give her a hard time. She asks who he is, but he deflects.

As they leave the restroom, Kennedy asks Isaiah not to tell anyone about what Dr. Fredrick said or about her qualifications. He agrees not to say anything about her, but insists he will report Dr. Fredrick's behavior. Kennedy stops him, saying she can handle it on her own and does not want to start the working relationship with a complaint. Isaiah agrees, and they share a knowing moment.

Cody, the first baseman, calls out to Isaiah, revealing that he is a player. Kennedy is shocked and upset, realizing she has been confiding in a member of the team. She tells him the conversation never happened and bolts away. Isaiah calls after her, promising to make sure the other guys do not give her a hard time, but noting he never said anything about himself.

Back in the clubhouse, Isaiah changes into his uniform. Travis, the rookie catcher, asks where he has been. Isaiah watches Kennedy speak with Dr. Fredrick and notes the moment she tells him she is taking the job. Travis and Cody comment on her appearance, and Isaiah asks what color her hair is. Cody describes it as auburn with copper tones, like a penny.

Isaiah tells Travis and Cody that Kennedy is his future wife, and they laugh. As Kennedy tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, Isaiah notices a diamond ring on her left ring finger. He realizes she is married, and the chapter ends with him thinking it is the worst day of the year again.

Key Events

Isaiah hides in the women's restroom on the anniversary of his mother's death.
He overhears Dr. Fredrick rescinding Kennedy's doctor position and offering her an athletic trainer role instead.
Dr. Fredrick warns Kennedy not to be a distraction to players.
Kennedy and Isaiah meet in the restroom, where she confides in him without knowing he is a player.
Kennedy decides to accept the athletic trainer position.
Isaiah promises not to reveal her qualifications.
Cody reveals Isaiah's identity as the team's shortstop.
Kennedy leaves upset, telling Isaiah the conversation never happened.
Isaiah tells his teammates Kennedy is his future wife.
Isaiah notices Kennedy's engagement ring, realizing she is married.

Character Development

Isaiah Rhodes is introduced as a man who uses humor and recklessness to mask his grief. He describes himself as the wild one, the guy who makes himself the butt of the joke to make others smile. His hiding in the women's restroom reveals a private, vulnerable side that contradicts his public persona. He is deeply affected by his mother's death, even fifteen years later, and he finds meaning in signs on this day, believing his mother may have sent Kennedy to him. His instant attraction to Kennedy is clear, and he is protective of her, offering to report Dr. Fredrick and promising to keep her secret. His declaration that Kennedy is his future wife shows his impulsiveness and his belief in fate, but the discovery of her ring deflates him.

Kennedy Kay is introduced as a highly qualified doctor who has faced sexism throughout her career. She is independent and determined, refusing Isaiah's offer to report Dr. Fredrick because she wants to handle it on her own. She is pragmatic, deciding to take the athletic trainer job to get her foot in the door in professional sports. She is also guarded, immediately shutting down when she learns Isaiah is a player, likely because of Dr. Fredrick's warning. Her decision to use the name Kenny to get past hiring bias shows her resourcefulness and the systemic barriers she faces.

Dr. Fredrick is established as the antagonist. He is sexist, dismissive, and manipulative, using HR rules to his advantage to demote Kennedy rather than hire her as a doctor. His warning about being a distraction reveals his prejudice and sets up a conflict that will likely continue throughout the book.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Grief and Loss Anniversary: The chapter is structured around the anniversary of Isaiah's mother's death. This day is described as the worst day of the year, and Isaiah's hiding in the restroom is a way to cope privately. His grief is a constant undercurrent, and his belief that his mother may have sent Kennedy to him suggests he is looking for signs of hope on this painful day.

Sexism in the Workplace: The central conflict of the chapter is Dr. Fredrick's discrimination against Kennedy. He rescinds her job offer because she is a woman, offers her a lesser position, and warns her not to be a distraction. Kennedy's experience of receiving six denial letters when using her real name highlights the systemic nature of this bias.

Public Persona vs. Private Grief: Isaiah's hiding in the restroom illustrates the gap between how he presents himself to the world and how he feels inside. He is the fun, reckless teammate, but privately he is grieving. This theme is reinforced by the photo of his mother taped inside his locker stall, hidden from view.

Identity Concealment: Both Isaiah and Kennedy conceal parts of themselves. Isaiah hides his identity as a player, and Kennedy hides her qualifications and her real name. This mutual concealment creates a dynamic where they connect as strangers, and the revelation of Isaiah's identity shatters that connection.

Fate and Signs: Isaiah believes in fate and finds meaning in things on this day. He wonders if he was supposed to overhear the conversation, if Kennedy needs someone to talk to, and if his mother sent her to him. This belief drives his impulsive declaration that Kennedy is his future wife.

The Engagement Ring as Obstacle: The diamond ring on Kennedy's left hand is a symbol of an obstacle to Isaiah's hopes. It appears at the end of the chapter, deflating his optimism and returning him to the grief of the day.

Why This Chapter Matters

The Prologue establishes the central premise of the novel: Isaiah's instant attraction to Kennedy and the obstacles that stand in their way. It introduces the key characters and their dynamics, including the sexist workplace environment that Kennedy must navigate. The chapter also sets up Isaiah's grief as a defining part of his character, explaining why he hides his emotions and why he is drawn to Kennedy on this particular day. The revelation of Kennedy's engagement ring creates a major obstacle that will likely drive the plot. Additionally, the chapter establishes the secret between Isaiah and Kennedy, which may create tension or connection as the story progresses.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Isaiah hide in the women's restroom, and what does this reveal about his character?

Isaiah hides in the women's restroom because it is the anniversary of his mother's death, and he needs a private place to compose himself before facing his teammates. He describes himself as the wild, reckless, cocky member of the team, and he does not want to appear vulnerable or upset in front of them. This reveals that his public persona is a mask for his private grief, and that he values appearing strong and carefree even when he is struggling.

2. How does Dr. Fredrick's treatment of Kennedy reflect broader themes of sexism in the workplace?

Dr. Fredrick rescinds Kennedy's doctor position because he assumed she was a man, then offers her a lesser athletic trainer role. He warns her not to be a distraction to players, implying that her presence as a woman is inherently problematic. Kennedy's experience of receiving six denial letters when using her real name shows that this is not an isolated incident but a systemic pattern of discrimination in professional sports.

3. What is the significance of Isaiah's declaration that Kennedy is his future wife, and how does the discovery of her ring change the chapter's ending?

Isaiah's declaration reflects his belief in fate and his instant attraction to Kennedy. He sees her as a sign on the worst day of the year, possibly sent by his mother. The discovery of her engagement ring shatters this hope, returning him to the grief and disappointment of the day. The ring serves as a symbol of an obstacle that may complicate the romance the novel is setting up.