Chapter 9 (Ryder): The Cost of a Slept-Alarm

⚠️ 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 wakes up furious after sleeping through his 6 a.m. alarm. He discovers that Carma, who stayed over after their hookup, changed the alarm to 8:30 because she thought practice started at nine. His Jeep won't start, so Carma drives him to campus. Despite her speeding, they arrive at the Graham Center at five to nine. As Ryder jumps out, Carma pulls him into a prolonged kiss, and Garrett Graham — watching from the parking lot — sees her on his lap. Graham is at the rink to help Coach Jensen run practice and to announce a summer coaching camp he leads with Jake Connelly. Ryder tries to apologize, but Graham tells him that his choice for the camp isn't based solely on skill; it's also about leadership, and so far Ryder is lacking in that regard. Embarrassed and angry at himself, Ryder takes the ice and realizes he let a random hookup threaten his hockey career and reputation.

Key Events

Ryder wakes up at 8:30 and realizes he missed his early-morning training session.
Carma admits she changed his phone alarm after hearing his 6 a.m. setting.
Ryder’s Jeep fails to start, forcing him to ask Carma for a ride.
During the drive, Ryder is tense and ignores Carma’s attempts at conversation.
In the parking lot, Carma climbs onto Ryder’s lap and kisses him just as Garrett Graham locks his Range Rover nearby.
Graham witnesses the scene and scowls at Ryder.
Inside the rink, Graham explains that he will be scouting players for the Hockey Kings juniors camp, which he runs with Jake Connelly.
Ryder approaches Graham to apologize, but Graham dismisses the compliments and questions Ryder’s leadership.
Ryder takes the ice, frustrated that he allowed a hookup to create a problem.
His teammates express concern, confirming that his tardiness is out of character.

Character Development

Ryder: This chapter reveals the tension between Ryder’s disciplined hockey identity and his momentary lapse in judgment. He is a self-described overachiever who has never been late to practice before, yet he let Carma stay over and then tolerated her interference with his alarm. His anger is directed as much at himself as at her, and he spends the chapter trying to salvage his reputation in front of his idol, Garrett Graham. The encounter forces him to confront that being an excellent player is not enough — he also needs to demonstrate leadership and responsibility.

Carma: Although she is not the point-of-view character, her actions drive the conflict. She acts with casual disregard for Ryder’s schedule, changing the alarm without asking and then delaying his exit with a kiss. She seems unaware of the stakes, which highlights the mismatch between her casual attitude and Ryder’s high-pressure hockey life.

Garrett Graham: The hockey legend appears as a gatekeeper of opportunity. He is not impressed by Ryder’s excuses and judges him based on what he witnessed in the parking lot. His comment about leadership suggests that Ryder has work to do beyond athletic ability.

Shane and Hugo: Ryder’s teammates show concern, reinforcing that his lateness is an anomaly. Their reactions underscore that Ryder is typically reliable and respected.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Discipline vs. Distraction: Ryder’s entire routine revolves around hockey discipline. Carma’s presence and her actions represent a distraction that derails that discipline, costing him time and reputation.
Reputation and First Impressions: Ryder is acutely aware of how he appears to Coach Jensen, the NHL scouts, and especially Garrett Graham. The parking-lot incident gives Graham a negative first (or renewed) impression that Ryder cannot easily erase.
Leadership beyond Skill: Graham’s statement that the camp selection is “about a lot more than stat sheets” introduces the idea that being a leader means making good choices off the ice, not just playing well on it.
The Cost of a Hookup: Ryder reflects that he “let a random hookup turn into a problem,” linking casual sexual encounters with professional risk — a recurring tension in sports romance narratives.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it introduces the major external conflict for Ryder in the Hockey Kings camp subplot. Garrett Graham’s presence and his judgment place Ryder’s NHL ambitions in jeopardy. It also deepens Ryder’s character by showing his internal struggle between his controlled, disciplined persona and the messy, impulsive behavior that Carma triggers. The chapter sets up a long-term consequence — not just a missed practice, but a damaged relationship with his idol — that will likely require significant effort to repair. Additionally, the mention that Case Colson previously coached at the camp and dated Gigi Graham adds layers to the existing social dynamics within the team.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Ryder oversleep, and how does Carma’s action affect his morning?
Answer: Carma changed Ryder’s phone alarm from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. because she assumed his practice started at nine, not realizing he also trained early. This causes him to oversleep, miss his early training, and arrive late to practice, which nearly gets him punished by Coach Jensen and disappoints Garrett Graham.
What opportunity does Garrett Graham announce at practice, and why is Ryder particularly concerned about impressing him?
Answer: Graham announces that he and Jake Connelly are selecting two NCAA players to help coach their Hockey Kings juniors camp. Ryder is especially concerned because he has learned from Graham before and sees the camp as a valuable chance to improve his skills and network with legends of the sport. Graham’s poor opinion of him after the parking-lot incident could cost him that opportunity.
How does the chapter develop the theme of leadership?
Answer: When Ryder tries to compliment Graham and explain his lateness, Graham responds that the camp selection is based not just on skill but on leadership qualities, and that Ryder appears “lacking” in that area from what he has seen. This forces Ryder to realize that his actions off the ice — including letting a hookup interfere with his schedule — affect how others perceive his leadership potential. The chapter suggests that true leadership requires consistent discipline and good judgment in all situations.