Rival Darling

On Sunday morning, Violet arrives at the ice arena and discovers Reed teaching a beginner figure skating class for young girls. When the class ends, Reed admits this was not what he wanted to show her. He gives Violet skates and convinces her to join him on the ice for one lap, supporting her as she struggles.

Reed explains his scar: It was caused accidentally by his sister Cammie’s skate blade during a figure skating practice lift when they were younger. He has been covering Cammie’s class temporarily and is terrified his hockey rivals will discover he can figure skate, which would destroy his reputation. When Violet playfully demands proof, Reed performs a flawless Axel.

The arena lights darken and soft music begins to play. In the intimate atmosphere, Reed tells Violet she is the only girl he cares about. They share a genuine, passionate kiss before being interrupted by a children’s birthday party. Violet realizes she must leave for work, and they agree to meet the following day. As she departs, Violet acknowledges she has broken her rule against dating hockey players by falling for Reed.

At school on Monday, Mia informs Violet that the Devils and Saints will play each other this weekend, news that surprises Violet since Reed never mentioned it. That evening at the ice arena, Jeremy intercepts Violet before she can meet Reed. He grabs her arm and insists Reed is using her to throw him off his game before the big match.

Jeremy reveals he and Reed were once childhood friends. He claims a girl named Natalie chose him over Reed in freshman year, prompting Reed to break his nose in jealousy. Jeremy alleges Reed has sought revenge ever since and is now dating Violet as part of that vendetta. To prove they were friends, Jeremy shows Violet a trophy case photograph of them as children with their arms around each other.

The photo shakes Violet’s confidence. She recalls Reed saying he would do whatever it takes as captain to ensure victory. The timing feels suspicious when Violet realizes their fake relationship is set to end on the day of the game, and Jeremy’s story gains credibility in her mind. Violet’s old doubts about dating hockey players resurface, and she resolves to end things with Reed immediately.

After practice, Reed encounters Jeremy, who taunts him about winning back both the game and Violet. Reed finds Violet staring at the trophy case, but she is distant and will not meet his eyes. She asks about the game this weekend, and Reed confirms he “would do just about anything to win” (336). When he invites her to watch him defeat Jeremy, his words cause her visible pain.

Violet tells Reed she can no longer continue their arrangement because it has become too complicated. Reed assumes he scared her by coming on too strong with their kiss. He tries to reassure her that he is different from the hockey players, but Violet questions whether she can truly know that. Reed confesses that their relationship became real for him when they kissed and insists it was never fake.

Violet looks torn but ultimately says she “heard a rumor [he] couldn’t be trusted” (338) and believes it might be accurate. She walks away without looking back. Reed is left devastated, believing he scared her away by revealing his feelings and confirming her fears about dating another hockey player.

Violet spends the week regretting her involvement with another hockey player while ignoring Reed’s calls and messages. She remains convinced that Jeremy’s story was true and that Reed’s comment about doing anything to win proved it.

On Friday after school, Grayson waits by Violet’s car. He tells her Reed has been struggling all week, barely getting out of bed and performing poorly at practice. Grayson insists that family, friends, and Violet matter more to Reed than any game. He reveals Reed only agreed to the fake relationship because he genuinely liked Violet and saw it as his only chance to spend time with her. Grayson’s parting words—that he did not think Violet was someone who saw “the worst in Reed” (345)—leave her conflicted.

On Saturday, Paige bursts into the coffee shop where Violet works and says Reed is playing terribly. When Violet explains she believed Reed was using her for revenge over a girl named Natalie, Paige corrects her: Reed and Natalie were dating when Jeremy stole her by cheating behind Reed’s back. The betrayal broke Reed’s heart and caused him to close himself off emotionally until he met Violet.

Violet realizes Jeremy lied and that she let fear and doubt damage her relationship with Reed. She decides to attend the game, and Paige drives her to the arena.

Reed takes the ice for the big game against the Saints, but he is completely unfocused because of his breakup with Violet. Grayson warns him to control his anger toward Jeremy, but Reed plays poorly throughout the first two periods. Despite his struggles, the Devils manage a lead until Reed makes a critical error in the second period, accidentally passing the puck to Jeremy, who scores to put the Saints ahead.

Coach Ray confronts Reed during the break, demanding he get his head in the game and not let the team down. Before the third period begins, Jeremy skates up to Reed and taunts him. He admits he lied to Violet on Monday, telling her Reed was only using her for revenge. He adds that if Reed wins the game, it will only prove to Violet that Jeremy’s story was true, meaning Reed will lose her forever. The taunt plants doubt in Reed’s mind.

As Reed prepares for the face-off, he looks into the stands and spots Violet. Seeing her, he suddenly understands what he must do to prove she is more important to him than winning the game.

Violet and Paige arrive at the arena to find the Devils losing and Reed playing poorly. As the third period begins, Reed’s eyes lock with Violet’s from the ice. To the shock of everyone, Reed drops his stick, gloves, and helmet—not to fight, but to perform Cammie’s figure skating routine in the middle of the game. He glides around the rink performing jumps and spins while referees chase him unsuccessfully. The initially stunned crowd erupts into applause. Reed finishes with a blown kiss to Violet before being escorted to the penalty box.

Violet borrows a Darling 23 jersey from a fan and rushes to the penalty box. Through the glass, Reed explains he had to show her that “nothing is more important than” her (370). Violet tells him she believes him, admits she was wrong to run, and says she wants to be with him for real. However, she insists he must go back and win the game. While Reed is in the penalty box, Jeremy scores again, increasing the Saints’ lead.

When Reed returns to the ice, he is completely transformed. He scores twice to tie the game at four goals each. With seconds remaining, Jeremy illegally checks Reed and receives a penalty. Reed scores the game-winning goal as time expires. After the game, Reed finds Violet and they embrace. Outside in the fresh snow, Jeremy confronts them but leaves defeated when they present a united front as a real couple. Reed and Violet share a kiss in the falling snow.

Reed picks up Violet for the winter formal, having reached a comfortable understanding with her uncle Luke. When Violet appears in her dress, Reed trips over the coffee table while complimenting her. Luke establishes a midnight curfew and warns against any improper behavior.

At the dance, Parker reveals Reed’s new nickname is “Reed the Darling Dancer” (381), though some younger hockey players express genuine admiration for his figure skating skills and consider taking lessons themselves. While dancing with Violet, Reed observes his twin brother, Grayson, dancing awkwardly with Paige. He tells Violet he believes Grayson is in love with Paige, but she remains oblivious to his feelings.

Violet teases Reed about his on-ice performance, but he clarifies he was focused on winning her over, not just the game. She assures him he succeeded long before his figure skating display. When Violet mentions she heard a rumor that Reed might like her, he dramatically dips her low and whispers in her ear that the rumor is completely true.