Chapter 110 Summary: Ice Bath Therapy, Sauna Confessions, and a Condom Slip
⚠️ 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
Ryder meets Gigi at the arena the morning after a hard-won hockey victory. Both plan to use the ice bath for muscle recovery. Their teammate Beckett teases them about dating before heading to the weight room. Alone in the therapy room, Gigi insists on playing an African savanna nature recording during their soak. While shivering in the cold water, Gigi brings up her father Garrett Graham’s opinion of Ryder. She encourages him to connect with her father over a shared interest in history. Ryder reluctantly shares a painful childhood memory: at age ten, a foster family forgot him at a North Carolina gas station for seven hours, and he was later punished for having the family’s son’s video game. Gigi expresses sympathy, but Ryder deflects. The conversation turns to their undefined relationship. Ryder accidentally calls Gigi “baby,” which leads to a “what are we” talk. Both insist there are no feelings involved, but Ryder feels a stab of disappointment when Gigi agrees. They move to the sauna, where the heat and tension build. After some teasing, they have quick, unprotected sex. Ryder realizes mid-climax that he forgot a condom and pulls out in time. Gigi assures him she is on birth control and disease-free. She then invites him to come with her to her afternoon plans, leaving the reader curious.
Key Events
- Ryder and Gigi meet at the arena for post-game ice bath therapy.
- Beckett jokes about them being a couple, and Gigi denies any interest.
- During the ice bath, Gigi plays a recording of African savanna sounds.
- Ryder recounts being forgotten at a gas station in North Carolina by his foster family at age ten.
- Ryder accidentally calls Gigi “baby,” prompting a discussion about the nature of their relationship.
- Both claim they do not want feelings, but Ryder feels disappointed by her agreement.
- They move to the sauna, where sexual tension escalates.
- Ryder and Gigi have sex without a condom; Ryder pulls out just in time.
- Gigi confirms she is on birth control and clean; they exchange test statuses.
- Gigi invites Ryder to join her for her afternoon plans (unrevealed in this chapter).
Character Development
Ryder reveals more of his traumatic past: being a foster child, neglected and forgotten, and physically punished. This backstory explains his guarded nature and reluctance to open up. His unguarded slip of “baby” suggests he is more emotionally invested than he admits. The condom slip shows he is losing control around Gigi, breaking his own strict rules.
Gigi demonstrates empathy and curiosity. She pushes Ryder to talk about his childhood but respects his boundaries. Her insistence on a “no feelings” agreement feels defensive; she may be trying to protect herself. Her willingness to invite Ryder to her plans indicates she is not as detached as she claims.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Ice as emotional coldness: The ice bath symbolizes the characters’ attempts to suppress feelings. The freezing water forces them to confront discomfort, much like their emotional conversation.
- Sauna as vulnerability: The heat of the sauna strips away pretenses; they act on impulse, risking exposure.
- Nature sounds vs. urban hockey life: Gigi’s nature recording creates a surreal backdrop for a deeply personal talk, contrasting the controlled sports environment with raw, untamed emotions.
- The condom slip: Represents a breakdown of Ryder’s usual caution, highlighting how Gigi disrupts his discipline.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the emotional stakes of Ryder and Gigi’s relationship. By sharing his foster-care trauma, Ryder becomes more vulnerable, and Gigi becomes a confidante. The condom slip introduces a new layer of physical intimacy and risk, forcing both characters to confront their “no feelings” agreement. Gigi’s invitation sets up the next chapter with anticipation.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Ryder hate North Carolina?
He was forgotten at a gas station there at age ten by his foster family. They left him for seven hours, and when they returned, he was punished for taking the family’s son’s video game. The memory reinforces his feelings of neglect and being a second-class child.
2. What does the condom slip reveal about Ryder’s state of mind?
Ryder prides himself on being cautious and always using protection, but with Gigi he loses control so completely that he forgets. This shows that his emotional and physical attraction to her overrides his usual discipline, underscoring how deeply she affects him.
3. How does the ice bath setting influence the conversation about feelings?
The freezing water creates physical discomfort and forces the characters to sit still together, making emotional vulnerability harder to avoid. The cold makes them seek warmth and connection, yet they claim to want no feelings—an irony that underscores their internal conflict.