Rival Darling

On Saturday night, Reed drives his younger brother Parker to the bonfire, feeling uncharacteristically nervous about seeing Violet. Parker teases him about his supposed girlfriend, which Reed denies. They arrive at the farm as Reed’s brother Grayson pulls up with Paige, a close family friend. When Paige slips on ice, Grayson catches her, revealing his obvious affection. The group walks to the party, where Parker immediately approaches girls and Paige drags Grayson to meet friends.

Reed’s best friend Matt finds him and offers a beer, which Reed declines since he’s driving. Reed lies, claiming he only came to supervise Parker. They watch Parker unsuccessfully hit on Sunshine Prep girls, which visibly annoys players from the rival Saints hockey team. After one girl slaps Parker, Reed confronts his brother about starting trouble. Parker reveals he was deliberately creating a distraction because he spotted Violet at the party. He points her out across the bonfire, and Reed is immediately captivated by her. Parker encourages Reed to approach her. Reed warns him not to cause trouble, while internally questioning if he can do the same around Violet.

Mia alerts Violet that Reed is staring at her from across the bonfire. Violet sees him, feels attracted, and quickly looks away. Mia warns that Reed is dangerous but then surprisingly suggests a fling with him would be effective revenge on Jeremy. When Violet loudly declares she’s done with egotistical jocks and that Reed must have “one of the biggest” egos (129), Reed walks up behind her and overhears. After Mia abandons her, a mortified Violet faces Reed, who flirts playfully about her comments. She tries to reject him again, citing her no‑jock rule, but he persists, asking if they can at least be friends.

Violet then spots Jeremy across the fire with Heather sitting intimately on his lap. Jeremy smirks at her expectantly, but his expression changes when he notices Reed. Fueled by anger, Violet impulsively grabs Reed’s jacket and kisses him. Reed returns the kiss intensely, making her anger fade into genuine attraction. Jeremy storms over, rips them apart, and shoves Reed while claiming Violet is his girlfriend. She denies this as a crowd gathers. When Jeremy tries to manipulate her into leaving and insults her as a future “puck bunny,” Violet desperately blurts out that she and Reed are together. Panicking that Reed will expose her lie, she watches as he wraps his arm around her waist and confirms to Jeremy that Violet is his girlfriend. To sell the lie further, Violet tells Jeremy she has finally found a “hockey player whose jersey [she] want[s] to wear” (137). Visibly hurt and furious, Jeremy warns that Reed will break her heart before storming away.

Reed holds Violet, reflecting that he instinctively went along with her lie because their kiss felt real to him. Violet apologizes for involving him in her drama. Reed takes her hand and leads her away from the party, calling her “babe” for anyone watching. He messages his brothers to leave as well, fearing Jeremy might retaliate against them. At his truck, Violet releases his hand and begins panicking about the consequences. She asks why he helped her. Reed avoids revealing his true feelings and deflects by asking why she kissed him.

Violet explains she only wanted to make Jeremy believe she had moved on and worries he’ll resume his pursuit when the truth comes out. Reed proposes they pretend to date, arguing it will convince Jeremy to leave her alone. When she asks what he gains, Reed invents a story that he needs a fake girlfriend to ward off unwanted female attention before his school’s winter formal so he can focus on hockey. They agree the arrangement will last until the formal in a few weeks.

They plan to meet the next day at the coffee shop where Violet works to discuss logistics. As she leaves to meet her cousin, Reed asks about his jacket. Violet playfully tells him that as his girlfriend, she gets to keep it, leaving Reed pleased by the comment despite knowing it’s all pretend.

The next morning at Hug in a Mug, Violet works with Mia and Nicole, anxiously awaiting Reed. Nicole voices concern about the plan, recounting rumors about Reed’s dangerous reputation. The friends discuss conflicting stories about Reed’s prominent neck scar—a street fight, bar brawl, or attack by a girl with an ice skate. A customer theorizes the ice skate incident happened because Reed led someone on, as Reed’s and his brothers are known not to date.

Reed arrives, his intimidating demeanor softening when he sees Violet. As a prank, she serves him a pink Frappuccino loaded with whipped cream, marshmallows, and sprinkles, which he surprisingly enjoys. They establish rules for their arrangement: no flirting unless necessary to maintain their cover in public, and no kissing except for a cheek kiss if required. For their first “fake date,” Violet suggests attending his hockey practice the next evening, knowing Jeremy and the Saints practice afterward and will likely see them together.

Reed proposes that on each date, she can ask him about one rumor, and he’ll answer honestly. She asks if he was in juvenile detention the previous year. Reed denies it, explaining he missed school to help his father move his grandmother into a nursing home and work at Danny’s Garage, showing her photos as proof. As they finish, Violet adds a “golden rule”: no real “feelings” are allowed to develop (165). Reed agrees, promising not to hurt her. Noticing other students watching, Reed gives Violet a light kiss on the cheek before leaving. The kiss leaves her breathless and worried about enforcing their rules.

At Monday night’s practice, Matt alerts Reed that Violet has arrived at the rink early. Reed is pleased to see her and reflects that he hasn’t told anyone, even his brothers, that their relationship is fake. During a break, he skates over to talk with her. They banter about his hockey skills, and Parker interrupts to flirt. To explain her presence, Reed spontaneously tells Parker they’re going to dinner after practice. A surprised Violet plays along. Knowing she’s watching inspires Reed to play harder.

After practice, Matt points out that Jeremy is talking to Violet by the entrance, violating the rule that Saints players cannot enter during Devils’ practice time. Reed sees Violet looks uncomfortable and approaches, hearing her tell Jeremy to leave her alone. Reed puts his arm around her, and she visibly relaxes. He confronts Jeremy, who claims he thought Violet was there to see him. Violet supports their story, saying she came to watch her boyfriend. Reed leads her away toward the locker rooms.

Violet reveals Jeremy still believes she’ll take him back and worries their plan isn’t working. Reed reassures her they need more time to be convincing. At the locker room, he hesitates to leave her alone with Jeremy around. Violet teases him and thanks him for his support, calling him a good fake boyfriend. Reed showers and changes quickly while enduring teammate teasing. He rejoins Violet, takes her hand, and they walk past glaring Saints players. Outside, Reed makes good on his earlier lie and invites her to dinner at Nino’s, using the excuse that his brother expects it and that being seen in public will help their ruse. Violet agrees.

In the truck, Violet asks about her car; Reed says it’s nearly ready. He talks about loving work at Danny’s Garage and his commitment to play hockey for the Ryker Raiders in college, explaining it’s a family tradition. His father and uncle both played for the Raiders, and his dad’s NHL dreams were cut short by a knee injury. Violet uses her rumor question to ask if Reed’s dad is involved in organized crime. Reed laughs, confirming it’s false, and shares that his parents are high school sweethearts. Violet reflects on how loving Reed’s family seems compared to her own fractured one.

At Nino’s, students from both schools stare at them. Reed takes Violet’s hand to reassure her, then shoots the crowd an intimidating look that makes them look away. They get a booth, and Reed sits across from her. Their server openly flirts with Reed, but he pays little attention. Violet asks why he acts so intimidating. Reed explains he’d “rather be feared than loved” because it prevents people from hurting him (185). His reasoning resonates with Violet’s own trust issues from her father’s abandonment. She assures him that he doesn’t scare her.

Matt and his brother Owen arrive and crash their date, forcing Reed to sit pressed against Violet. She feels flustered but calms herself by remembering their no‑feelings rule. Matt shares embarrassing childhood stories about Reed. The conversation turns to Violet, and she bitterly explains she’s living with her uncle while her mother works overseas. Reed looks at her with concern. After they finish eating and leave, Violet thanks Reed for helping with Jeremy. He responds that he’s just doing his job, reminding her their relationship is only an act and leaving her disappointed.