In a Philadelphia hotel room, Scott plays poker with teammates Greg Huff, Carter Vaughan, and Eric Bennett. The group teases Scott about his love life, and Bennett jokes that Scott is seeing Huff’s brother, Howie. The joke carries anti-gay undertones, which makes Scott uncomfortable. He reflects that while his teammates have their own unique traits, being gay is still considered a joke in hockey culture.

Back in his room with his rookie roommate, Gillis, Scott texts Kip that he misses him. They exchange affectionate messages, and Scott invites Kip over for a home-cooked Valentine’s Day dinner on Friday. Scott later calls Kip from the hotel business center. They discuss the tuxedo for the gala, and Kip worries that Elena will become suspicious if she learns he has a free tuxedo. Scott encourages Kip to tell Elena about their relationship. They also discuss Valentine’s Day, and Scott mentions he was a latchkey kid who cooked for his sick mother. Kip says he wants to know everything about Scott, which deeply touches Scott.

After hanging up, Scott encounters Frank Zullo in the lobby, drunk with a young woman. Scott reminds Zullo of a morning video meeting and later finds Zullo’s rookie roommate, Brisebois, has been kicked out of their room. Scott invites Brisebois to stay in his room on a cot. The next day, Scott tries to speak with Zullo, but Zullo dismisses him with an anti-gay slur about Brisebois.

Meanwhile, Kip has lunch with Elena and tells her he is secretly dating Scott. Elena is thrilled for him.

During the game against Philadelphia, the Admirals lose badly, 6-2. Carter tells Scott the team is “off,” implying that Zullo is the cause. Despite the tension, Scott scores one of the goals, which Kip knows was promised to him. The next morning, Kip wakes to a text from Scott sent at 1:30 am saying he would give anything to see him. Kip sends Scott a sleepy selfie in response.

At work, Kip tells his coworker Maria he has applied for a job at the Museum of the City of New York. On Thursday, Scott is in Boston watching rival player Ilya Rozanov trash-talk the Admirals on television. During the game, Scott gets a five-minute penalty for punching Rozanov in the face. Watching on television with Elena, Kip sees the penalty, and Elena asks if he is sure he wants a relationship with Scott considering the baggage. Thinking of their intimate moments, Kip confirms that Scott is worth it.

On Friday, Valentine’s Day, Scott and Kip confirm their 6 pm date via text. After work, Kip goes to the gym, showers, and changes into a nice outfit. He struggles to choose an appropriate gift, feeling intimidated by Scott’s wealth. Scott anxiously prepares for the date, making a salad and setting a romantic table. He reflects on his new, deep feelings for Kip, which are unlike anything he has experienced before.

Scott meets Kip in the lobby, and they share a long, passionate kiss once inside the apartment. Both admit they have never celebrated Valentine’s Day before. Scott notes it is also the one-month anniversary of their first meeting. After a comfortable dinner, Kip gives Scott his gift: a pair of blue socks the color of Scott’s good-luck smoothie. Scott is deeply touched by the thoughtful, personal gift.

They begin kissing passionately, and Kip drops to his knees to perform oral sex on Scott. Scott orgasms quickly, admitting he had planned for the evening to go differently. When they move to the bedroom, Kip reveals he wants to fulfill Scott’s earlier fantasy of watching him masturbate. Scott sits in a chair and watches as Kip lies on the bed and begins to touch himself. Scott moves to sit on the bed, calling Kip “sweetheart,” and Kip orgasms while Scott watches. Scott crawls over and kisses Kip tenderly.

Scott cleans Kip with a damp cloth, then reveals his next plan: a bath in his enormous soaker tub. Kip settles into the tub between Scott’s legs. Scott confesses he has always imagined being able to share his things and his life with someone. He tells Kip he feels like he has “found the missing piece” (120) and clarifies he is not using Kip to escape his life, but that Kip completes it. Kip reassures Scott he is very happy with him.

They discuss the recent frustrating hockey games, and Scott vents about Frank Zullo. Scott reveals that Ilya provoked him by implying that he is still in a slump. Scott says if he was not a hockey player, he might have been a social worker. He talks about his mother’s charitable nature and how much he owes her. Scott confesses that someday he wants to start a charity to help queer kids in sports.

After the bath, Scott gives Kip a full-body massage. During the massage, Scott tells Kip he is breaking all his personal rules for him. The massage turns sensual, and the two have sex. They collapse happily, and Kip declares it the “best Valentine’s Day ever” (127).

The next morning, Saturday, they stay in bed talking and cuddling. As they begin making out, Scott’s phone buzzes repeatedly. Scott answers; it is his teammate, Carter. Carter informs Scott that Frank Zullo was arrested the previous night. Scott quickly dresses, apologizes to Kip, and leaves to handle the team crisis.

Scott joins Carter at the arena. He, Carter, and Huff meet with Coach Murdock, who informs them Zullo is off the team. They will temporarily call up a player from Hartford and hold a press conference without Zullo. In the dressing room, Carter and Huff tease Scott about his post-sex “glow.” A blushing Scott escapes to the lounge and texts Kip.

Kip spends the day at home, watching the press conference where Murdock announces Zullo has been cut. Kip receives a call from the Museum of the City of New York scheduling a job interview for Monday. Scott calls Kip that afternoon. They discuss the chaotic day and make plans for Kip to come over Sunday night. Scott offers to get Kip tickets for Sunday’s game against the Brooklyn Scouts, which Kip accepts after some hesitation.

On Sunday morning, Scott wakes up alone and feels a pang of loneliness. He watches highlights of his team’s win over Montreal the previous night. He sees a news report about Zullo and feels pity instead of satisfaction. Kip takes his father to the Admirals versus Scouts game in Brooklyn, using the tickets Scott provided. Kip gives his father a cover story about the ticket source to conceal that Scott arranged them. During a tense moment in the third period, Scott blocks a high-speed puck with his torso. Scott collapses on the ice, struggling to breathe.

Kip watches in horror as Scott is helped off the ice and taken away by the team doctor. Scott does not return to the game, which the Admirals win, 3-2. Kip texts Scott to ask if he is okay. An hour later, Scott replies that he is just bruised, then calls and asks Kip to come over.

At Scott’s apartment, Kip sees the massive bruise covering Scott’s side. Kip gets an ice pack and makes Scott rest on the couch while he cooks. Scott tells Kip he will be stressed during the upcoming week due to the trade deadline, which means a teammate will be leaving. Scott falls asleep with his head in Kip’s lap while they watch a movie. Kip wakes Scott to move to the bedroom. In bed, Scott asks Kip to stay over again the next night. Scott suggests Kip should keep some of his things at the apartment.

On Monday morning, Kip’s alarm goes off before 5 am. Scott makes coffee for Kip before he leaves for work. While watching the sunrise, Scott hugs Kip from behind and imagines a future where they can live together openly. Scott worries about the media scrutiny such a relationship would bring upon Kip. Scott kisses Kip goodbye, then feels a heavy sense of loneliness after he leaves. Alone, Scott imagines a future with more access to Kip, then immediately worries the secrecy would trap Kip and feels he is already messing this up.

At work, Maria teases Kip about his crush on Scott. After practice, Carter takes Scott to lunch. Carter discusses the paparazzi catching him with his girlfriend, Gloria Grey, noting how quickly the story blew over. Scott reflects that if he and Kip were caught, the fallout would be much more significant. Carter asks about Scott’s love life again, and Scott remains evasive. Carter asks if Scott is bringing his mystery girlfriend to the Equinox Gala. Scott is surprised to learn Carter will also be at the gala. Scott feels a deep sense of longing to be able to be open about his relationship with Kip.