Chapter 23 Summary: Rewind It Back by Liz Tomforde
⚠️ 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 chapter opens with Rio soaking in his new hot tub after a tough game, nursing a sore back. He reflects on the two weeks since returning from New York—he has kept his promise not to pressure Hallie, instead showing up consistently: leaving vanilla almond milk lattes with foam art at her door, driving her home from work, and visiting her at the design firm. He feels calm around her and believes they are still the same two people who were once in love. He is about to leave for a road trip to Philadelphia and Boston, where he will play in front of his hometown crowd and his mother—an important showcase ahead of free agency. As he gets out of the hot tub, he finds Hallie in his kitchen, examining renovation samples. She has used her key to enter. Their banter is flirty: she admits to “eye-fucking” him from the window, and he teases her about breaking and entering. He touches her back, tucks her hair behind her ear, and asks her to stay until he finishes packing. As he heads upstairs, he notices music playing throughout the house—music that Hallie turned on, a small but significant shift from her earlier reluctance to engage with music in his space.
Key Events
- Rio soaks in the hot tub, appreciating its view of Hallie’s bedroom window.
- He mentally reviews the past two weeks of quiet, consistent gestures toward Hallie.
- He anticipates his upcoming road trip, which includes a game in his hometown of Boston—an opportunity to impress potential free-agency suitors.
- Hallie enters his house using her key, carrying tile and cabinet samples for the renovation.
- The two share a playful exchange about her watching him shirtless from the window and her using the key to enter.
- Rio places his hand on her lower back and tucks her hair, showing physical affection she leans into.
- He asks her not to leave without saying goodbye and heads upstairs to pack.
- He notices that Hallie has put on music, a change from her earlier stance.
Character Development
Rio: This chapter deepens Rio's patience and commitment to winning Hallie back through actions rather than words. He deliberately avoids pushing her, instead rebuilding trust and familiarity through small daily routines—lattes, drives, visits. His internal monologue reveals how calm he feels in her presence, and his emotional connection to "home" is split between his childhood city (Boston) and his current home with Hallie. His physical confidence has grown since his teenage years, and he enjoys showing off for her.
Hallie: While she initially told Rio she couldn't listen to music while working, she now chooses to play it in his house—a subtle sign of opening up. She initiates the encounter by coming over and using her key, showing she is comfortable in his space. Her flirting ("free pass to see what you’re working with") indicates she is receptive to Rio’s presence, though she still maintains a boundary by saying she is there to work.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Patience and Small Gestures: Rio's approach of showing up daily without demanding a conversation models a slow-burn reconciliation. The lattes and notes symbolize his effort to communicate care without pressure.
Home and Belonging: The chapter plays with multiple meanings of "home"—Rio's literal house in Chicago, the city of Boston where he grew up, and the emotional home he feels with Hallie. Her presence in his kitchen, using a key and choosing the music, suggests she is part of that home.
Music as Emotional Resurgence: Hallie's earlier refusal to play music represented her guardedness; her choice to play it now signals a crack in that armor, an emotional softening toward Rio.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in the second-chance romance arc. While Rio and Hallie are not yet back together, the chapter shows tangible progress: Hallie initiates contact, uses her key, and allows physical touch. The music motif reinforces her emotional re-engagement. Additionally, the stakes of Rio's upcoming free agency and a potential move to Boston introduce an external tension that could disrupt their reconnection.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Rio demonstrate his promise not to pressure Hallie during the two weeks before this chapter?
Rio keeps his word by performing small, consistent acts of care: leaving a latte with foam art at her door each morning, driving her home from work, visiting her at the design firm, and letting those drives extend into shared time. He never asks for another chance or pushes for a conversation about their relationship.
2. What does the music Hallie plays signify about her emotional state in this chapter?
Earlier, Hallie said she wouldn’t play music while working—likely a defense mechanism. By putting on music in Rio’s house, she shows she is becoming more comfortable and open. It suggests she is allowing herself to enjoy his presence and the memories associated with their past.
3. Why is the road trip to Boston particularly significant for Rio, both professionally and personally?
Professionally, playing a solid game in Boston could attract attention from teams during free agency, which could determine his future contract. Personally, Boston is his hometown where his mother lives, and playing there connects him to his roots. The trip also creates a separation from Hallie, testing their newfound closeness.