Chapter 34: Ryder – Secrets, Superstitions, and a Bathtub Surprise

⚠️ 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 in the locker-room showers after practice, where Ryder and Case (Colson) argue about the importance of complimenting teammates. Case suggests Ryder should be more encouraging, but Ryder counters that Case himself never praises the former Eastwood players who are now part of Briar. The discussion ends unresolved.

Coach Jensen then calls an impromptu team meeting. With visible reluctance, he presents a PowerPoint titled "Porn Addiction and You," prompted by an incident in the library. The room erupts in laughter, and Rand openly mocks Shane Lindley. Shane glares at Ryder, knowing Ryder is the real reason Shane was in the library—he was covering for Ryder and Gigi. The team doctor gives a clinical lecture on dopamine and masturbation, making the situation even more absurd.

Later that night, Ryder and Gigi are in his bed. Ryder recounts the meeting, and Gigi finds it hilarious. While showing her a text from Shane, Gigi notices a message that reads "I'm aching for you." She immediately becomes jealous and accuses Ryder of lying to her. Ryder explains it's a pre-game superstition from the Eastwood group chat, started when their teammate Patrick (the Kansas Kid) accidentally sent a romantic message to the team chat before a playoff game—and then they won. The team now repeats it before every game. Gigi apologizes, and they reconcile.

During their intimate time, Gigi opens up about her childhood dream of winning the Stanley Cup, which her father had to explain was impossible for a girl. He redirected her to aim for Olympic gold instead. Gigi admits she wants to make Team USA for herself but also to make her father proud. She's anxious about not hearing from scout Brad Fairlee.

After sex, Gigi needs to shower. Ryder escorts her to the bathroom, but when she pulls back the shower curtain, they find Will Larsen hiding fully clothed in the bathtub. Before Ryder can get an explanation, Beckett appears in the hallway, revealing that he and Will have been secretly "hanging out"—watching the Timeline franchise and discussing time-travel theories. Shane then emerges from his room, admitting he already knew about the friendship because he caught them weeks ago. In a cascading confession, Beckett admits that he was the one who reported Shane's library behavior to Coach, thinking Shane had a genuine porn addiction. Shane is furious but quickly realizes the misunderstanding is resolved. Will and Gigi each extract a promise of secrecy: Will won't tell Case about Gigi and Ryder, and Gigi won't tell anyone about Will and Beckett. Ryder ends the chapter feeling uneasy about whether the secret will hold.

Key Events

Ryder and Case argue about team camaraderie in the showers.
Coach Jensen delivers a forced, awkward PowerPoint on porn addiction, targeting Shane.
Shane is outraged, knowing Ryder is responsible for the library situation.
Gigi misinterprets Ryder's group-chat superstition text and confronts him.
Ryder explains the origins of the "I'm aching for you" ritual.
Gigi shares her Olympic dream and her fear of not hearing from the Team USA scout.
Will Larsen is discovered hiding in Ryder's bathtub.
Beckett reveals his secret friendship with Will.
Shane admits he knew about Beckett and Will's friendship.
Beckett confesses to tipping off Coach about the library porn incident.
Will and Gigi agree to keep each other's secrets.

Character Development

Luke Ryder: Shows a stubborn side in his conflict with Case, but also a protective and honest nature with Gigi. His guilt over Shane taking the blame for the library incident reveals a growing sense of responsibility.
Gigi Graham: Displays jealousy and insecurity when she sees the group chat message, yet quickly apologizes. Her vulnerability about her Olympic ambitions deepens her character beyond the confident athlete.
Shane Lindley: Goes from being the butt of a joke to a key keeper of secrets. His willingness to cover for Ryder and Gigi, and then for Beckett and Will, shows loyalty and discretion.
Beckett Dunne: Redefines himself beyond the "fuckboy" label by forming an intellectual, secret friendship with an opposing player. His confession that he reported the library incident out of misplaced concern adds complexity.
Will Larsen: Humanized through his nerdy interests and his fear of Colson's reaction. His secret friendship with Beckett challenges team loyalties.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Secrecy and Trust: Multiple secrets are juggled—Ryder/Gigi, Beckett/Will, and the true reason for Shane's library visit. The chapter explores how trust is tested and maintained through these hidden truths.
Superstition in Sports: The repeated "I'm aching for you" text exemplifies hockey players' superstitious rituals, linking camaraderie and performance.
Ambition and Legacy: Gigi's story about the Stanley Cup illustrates how gender limitations shaped her path to Olympic gold, tying her present drive to her father's promise.
Miscommunication: The jealousy over the text message highlights how easily assumptions can damage relationships, resolved only by open explanation.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter serves as a turning point for multiple relationship dynamics. It publicly reveals (to the reader) the extent of the secret network among the characters: Shane is not a porn addict but a loyal friend; Beckett and Will have a hidden bond that crosses team lines; and the tension around keeping Gigi and Ryder apart intensifies. The bathtub discovery forces honesty among the housemates and sets up potential conflict with Colson. Gigi's Olympic dream adds personal stakes to her overall arc, while Ryder's honesty with her strengthens their connection. The chapter balances humor with emotional depth, advancing both the romance and the broader ensemble story.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Gigi initially react so strongly to the "I'm aching for you" text on Ryder's phone?
Gigi misinterprets the message as evidence that Ryder is cheating or still interested in another woman. Her jealousy stems from the intensity of their exclusive relationship and her own fear of being lied to, especially after learning about Ryder's past with other women.
How does Ryder's explanation of the group chat superstition diffuse the jealousy, and what does it reveal about the Eastwood team culture?
Ryder shows her the entire thread of identical messages from all his former teammates, proving it's a ritual. The tradition started when teammate Patrick accidentally sent a romantic text to the team chat before a playoff game, and they won—so now they repeat it before every game. This reveals a tight-knit, superstitious team culture that bonds them through inside jokes.
What is the significance of the staged confession between Beckett and Shane regarding the library porn report?
Beckett admits he informed Coach because he genuinely believed Shane had a problem with masturbating in public. This confession clears up Shane's anger and exposes the web of misunderstandings. It also shows that Beckett was acting out of concern rather than malice, which deepens his character and allows the group to move forward without resentment.