Chapter 17 (FOURTEEN): Summary 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

Sage returns home after teaching a ballet class and auditioning for the National Ballet, only to find her apartment engulfed in smoke and firefighters dousing her belongings. The cause: a magnolia candle she thought she had blown out. The fire has destroyed her comforter, lamp, clothes, and—most devastatingly—her laptop. She has no insurance, no savings for a motel, and no desire to burden her uncle, who has always doubted her ability to live alone.

As she stands frozen, Elias arrives early for their date. He rushes in, checks her for injuries, and immediately insists she cannot stay in the ruined apartment. Sage resists, joking to deflect her discomfort, but Elias sees through her and calls out her habit of hiding behind humor to avoid accepting help. He gives her an ultimatum: gather her things and come with him, or he'll carry her. She complies, and they drive to his place.

At Elias's apartment, Sage meets Summer, Aiden's girlfriend, who hugs her warmly. Aiden offers her a place to stay as long as she needs. Elias gives her his room and takes the couch. That night, Sage's chronic insomnia keeps her awake. She wanders out and finds Elias in the throes of a nightmare—his body twitching, sweat on his forehead. Remembering her brother Sean's night terrors, she kneels and takes his hand, which calms him. When he wakes, they talk. Sage admits she can't sleep, and Elias offers his bed. She asks him to sleep beside her, and after some teasing, he agrees.

In bed, Elias reveals that his nightmares have worsened since joining the league and that he's never told his parents, not wanting to burden them. He also admits he has never slept beside anyone before. Sage, surprised, asks if having someone helps. Elias replies that he wouldn't know, but he's beginning to think she'll always be the exception.

Key Events

Sage's apartment catches fire from a forgotten candle; firefighters extinguish it, but her belongings, including her laptop, are ruined.
Elias arrives early for their date and insists Sage stay with him, overriding her protests.
Sage meets Summer and Aiden at Elias's place; Aiden offers her a place to stay as long as needed.
Elias gives Sage his room and sleeps on the couch.
Sage, unable to sleep due to insomnia, finds Elias having a nightmare and holds his hand to calm him.
Elias agrees to sleep beside Sage, and they share an intimate conversation about his nightmares and his inexperience with physical closeness.

Character Development

This chapter marks a turning point for both Sage and Elias. Sage has always prided herself on independence, refusing to rely on anyone after losing her parents' home and living alone. The fire strips away her ability to cope alone, and Elias's insistence forces her to confront her fear of being a burden. Her initial resistance—joking about the situation and downplaying the damage—reveals a defense mechanism she uses to avoid vulnerability. Yet, when Elias calls her out, she finally lets herself accept help, a significant step toward emotional openness.

Elias, typically composed and in control, shows a raw, vulnerable side. His nightmares, which he has kept hidden from his parents, expose a deep-seated stress he carries. His admission that he's never slept beside anyone underscores his emotional isolation, despite his outward confidence. By allowing Sage to see this fragility and by agreeing to share a bed, he lets down his guard. His final line—that Sage will always be the exception—signals a deepening connection that goes beyond their fake relationship.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Fire and destruction: The candle fire symbolizes the fragility of Sage's carefully maintained independence. It also acts as a catalyst, forcing her to rely on someone else and leading to a new level of intimacy with Elias.
Insomnia and nightmares: Both characters struggle with sleep, representing their inner turmoil. Sage's insomnia reflects her constant vigilance and inability to rest, while Elias's nightmares reveal the pressure he hides. Their shared sleeplessness becomes a bridge for vulnerability.
The smooth stone: Sage notices a smooth flat stone on Elias's dresser, similar to one from their earlier date. This object hints at a private, sentimental side of Elias, suggesting he holds onto meaningful tokens.
Independence vs. accepting help: Sage's resistance to Elias's offer highlights her fear of being a burden. The chapter explores the tension between self-reliance and allowing others to care for you.
Displacement and home: The fire displaces Sage, and she finds temporary refuge in Elias's space. This physical displacement mirrors her emotional displacement as she navigates her growing feelings for him.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 17 is pivotal because it physically and emotionally brings Sage and Elias closer. The fire removes the barriers of Sage's apartment and her insistence on independence, forcing her into Elias's world. Their shared night—marked by a nightmare, a handhold, and a confession—creates a level of intimacy that transcends their fake relationship. Elias's admission about his nightmares and his never having slept beside anyone humanizes him, making him more than just a charming hockey player. For Sage, accepting help is a major step in her personal growth. This chapter sets the stage for the deepening of their bond and the eventual unraveling of the fake relationship into something real.

Study Questions and Answers

How does Sage's reaction to the fire reveal her character?

Sage's initial shock and her attempt to downplay the damage—joking about the firefighters and insisting she can manage—show her tendency to deflect vulnerability with humor. Her refusal to call her uncle or accept Elias's help stems from a deep-seated fear of being a burden, a trait developed after losing her parents' home. The fire forces her to confront this fear, and Elias's insistence ultimately breaks through her defenses.

What does Elias's nightmare and his confession reveal about him?

Elias's nightmare and his admission that they've worsened since joining the league reveal a hidden stress and emotional burden he carries alone. His refusal to tell his parents, to avoid making them feel guilty, shows his protective nature and his tendency to internalize problems. His confession that he's never slept beside anyone underscores his emotional isolation, making his willingness to share a bed with Sage a significant act of trust.

How does the chapter advance the theme of independence versus accepting help?

The chapter directly confronts this theme through Sage's resistance to Elias's help. She views accepting help as a sign of weakness or burden, but Elias challenges this, pointing out that she hides behind jokes to avoid asking for assistance. By finally letting him take care of her, Sage learns that accepting help can be an act of strength, not weakness. This shift is crucial for her character development and for the progression of her relationship with Elias.