At the engagement party, Kyle works the bar and banters with his coworker, Aram, about the predominantly straight hockey crowd. Drawn to Eric, Kyle resolves to keep his distance and focuses on the steady stream of customers. When he notices Eric alone at the bar, he approaches him, and the two introduce themselves, engaging in a lightly flirtatious conversation. Eric reveals that he does not drink, and Kyle offers to make him mocktails, extending their interaction.

Their conversation is interrupted by a tipsy Kip, who enthusiastically introduces Eric and mentions his achievements, prompting Kyle to notice his wedding ring. As they continue talking, Eric and Kyle discover shared intellectual interests, including art and literature, and the interaction becomes more comfortable.

Across the room, Carter teases Eric for zoning out. Eric recognizes his pull toward Kyle but insists to himself that Kyle is too young and that acting on it would be inappropriate. Throughout the evening, Eric finds himself repeatedly watching Kyle, and when Carter presses him, he admits that although he does not miss his ex-wife, he misses companionship. He leaves the party determined to ignore the attraction, even as it lingers. Outside, he reflects more fully on his attraction to Kyle and acknowledges a long-suppressed interest in men, considering the possibility of exploring it while still rejecting Kyle as a viable option due to his age.

The morning after the party, Kyle discusses his unrequited crush on Kip with his roommate, Maria Villanueva, who studies human services. Over coffee, she directly asks how he is coping after the engagement party. Kyle admits that although he knows the situation is hopeless, he still struggles with it, pining for an unavailable man.

Maria bluntly reminds him that he and Kip will never be together, urging him to accept this reality. Kyle recounts how his crush began, including a moment when he kissed Kip after thinking there was a possibility between them, only to later learn Kip was secretly dating Scott at the time. Through their conversation, Maria also highlights Kyle’s tendency to be drawn to unavailable men, which he acknowledges with humor.

The chapter then shifts to Eric, who spends the morning doing yoga and reflecting on his ageing body, physical strain, and growing sexual frustration. His thoughts return to Kyle, and he interprets Kyle’s behavior at the party as evidence that he is still in love with Kip, while questioning his own feelings. Alone in his townhouse, Eric becomes more aware of his loneliness and the absence of companionship after his divorce. He continues to think about Kyle, particularly their shared interest in art, and begins to consider exploring his attraction to men. By the end of the chapter, Eric frames the idea of flirting with Kyle as a form of practice, a tentative first step toward dating and intimacy.

After a strong performance in a win against Ottawa, Eric joins Scott at the Kingfisher. Scott mentions that their sharp-eyed opponent, Ilya Rozanov, has asked to join them. At the bar, Eric watches Kyle work and feels a surge of jealousy when Kyle flirts with other customers.

Rozanov quickly infers and bluntly exposes both Eric’s attraction to Kyle and his likely retirement. Eric insists Rozanov keep both matters to himself. When Kyle serves their table, Rozanov makes a pointed toast to love and bravery, heightening Eric’s discomfort.

Later, Eric and Kyle share a tentative and slightly awkward exchange, during which they discover a shared fondness for an empanada shop near an art gallery Eric plans to visit. Eric invites Kyle to join him; Kyle declines politely, saying he might attend the gallery’s opening instead, as he remains wary of Eric, viewing him as another unavailable man who may not be fully open about his intentions. Afterward, Eric reflects on the secrecy surrounding both his impending retirement and his attraction to men, recognizing how isolated he has become even as his interest in Kyle continues to grow.

After replaying the awkwardness of asking Kyle out and questioning what he actually wants from him, Eric visits an art gallery and buys a painting that makes him wish Kyle were there to see it with him, which leads him to dwell again on his loneliness and what he is missing outside hockey. Approaching his 41st birthday and the likely end of his career, he becomes more aware of his desire for companionship and intimacy. In the locker room, he surprises his teammates by announcing he is hosting a birthday party at his townhouse on Thursday night. The team reacts with shock and jokes about his age, but Eric insists it will be a real party and encourages everyone to bring partners and friends. Scott confirms he and Kip will attend and suggests inviting Maria and Kyle as well. Eric agrees—perhaps a bit too quickly.

Meanwhile on Thanksgiving morning, a distant phone call from his parents leaves Kyle unsettled. In conversation with Maria, he expresses frustration with his life and unresolved feelings for Kip. Maria encourages him to move on, even suggesting her cousin, Rafael, though Kyle dismisses the idea. By the end of their conversation, Kyle settles into a more grounded acceptance of his situation, focusing instead on the support he has in his chosen family.

Privately, Eric thinks about Scott’s courage in coming out and his own desire to tell Scott he is bisexual. He feels selfish asking for guidance now, after Scott went through that process largely alone, and is not yet sure how to share the truth. Hosting the party feels like a step toward being more open and ready for whatever possibilities might follow.