Chapter Twenty-Two: Will – Summary and 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.
Complete Chapter Summary
Will arrives at the rink in high spirits after his date with Charlotte. Before morning skate, Coach Jensen introduces a new assistant coach, Mike Hollis, who immediately warns the team to stay away from his daughters. Hollis later corners Ryder, demanding access to “Dad Chat” – a group chat for fathers that he has been excluded from. After practice, Will meets journalist Tessa Diaz at a diner for an interview originally intended to profile his congressman father. Tessa reassures Will that the piece is a “puff piece” designed to build goodwill for future favors. Will speak openly about his stepmother Kelsey, his lack of interest in pro hockey, and his reluctance to work on his father’s campaign. He hints that he would rather support a more deserving candidate. Tessa also asks about the UCS scandal, and Will delivers a prepared answer. After the interview, Will receives a text from Charlie suggesting they meet the next night at his place with no expectations.
Key Events
- Coach Jensen announces Mike Hollis as the new assistant coach.
- Hollis gives a bizarre speech warning players not to pursue his daughters.
- Hollis asks Ryder for an introduction to Garrett to get into “Dad Chat.”
- Will meets journalist Tessa Diaz for a magazine interview.
- Tessa explains the transactional nature of puff pieces in political journalism.
- Will reveals he has little memory of his mother and positive feelings for his stepmother.
- Will admits he does not want to play pro hockey and would not campaign for his father.
- Tessa asks about the UCS scandal; Will recites a prepared response.
- After the interview, Charlie texts Will suggesting they hang out the next night.
Character Development
Will Larsen – Shows his guarded side during the interview, slowly trusting Tessa after she explains the purpose of the piece. His comments about his father reveal a desire for independence and a stronger moral compass. The text from Charlie demonstrates his growing emotional investment.
Mike Hollis – Introduced as eccentric and socially unaware, but also as a devoted father. His obsession with joining “Dad Chat” and his theatrical entrance add comic relief while hinting at a deeper desire for community.
Tessa Diaz – Portrayed as a savvy journalist paying her dues. She gains Will’s trust by being transparent about the article’s transactional nature, and her genuine interest suggests she may become a recurring contact.
Charlie Kingston – Though not present, her text to Will shows she is taking initiative to move the relationship forward on her own terms.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Transactional Relationships – Tessa and Will’s negotiations mirror the broader theme of exchange in the book: favors, trust, and media portrayal are all commodities. Will must decide what he is willing to trade.
Performance vs. Authenticity – Will delivers a stock answer about the UCS scandal but later speaks honestly about his father. The contrast highlights the pressure to play a role versus being genuine.
Community and Belonging – Hollis’s desperate desire to join “Dad Chat” reflects a yearning for inclusion and connection, a motif that runs through the series as characters navigate friendships and found family.
Control and Autonomy – Will’s resistance to his father’s political machinery and his decision to meet Charlie on his terms show him asserting control over his own life.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens Will’s character by placing him outside both his hockey and romantic contexts. The interview reveals his conflicted feelings about his father, his future, and his personal values. Hollis’s introduction injects humor and sets up potential subplots about the fathers’ group. Charlie’s text marks a pivot in their relationship: she is now actively seeking time with Will and Beck.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Will tell Tessa he would prefer to campaign for a candidate other than his father?
Will admits he connects better with someone else’s policies and overall approach. This reveals his growing independence and moral dissatisfaction with his father’s political career, despite publicly supporting him.
2. What is the purpose of the “Dad Chat” subplot in this chapter?
Hollis’s fixation on gaining access to the group chat underscores themes of belonging and the desire for male friendship. It also provides comic relief and connects the new coach to the broader network of characters from the series.
3. How does Tessa Diaz gain Will’s trust, and why is that significant?
Tessa pauses the recording and explains that the article is transactional fluff, not a trap. This honesty disarms Will and leads him to speak more openly. The moment is significant because it shows that transparency can build trust even in a manipulative environment.