Harris reviews photographs that Gen took of Troy and finds him extremely attractive, though he recalls what he interpreted as Troy’s contemptuous reaction to his Pride pins. He reflects on the accusations against Dallas Kent and his frustration with the hockey world’s silence, noting that Troy stood alone in publicly believing Dallas’s accusers.

In his hotel room, Troy discovers that Adrian, his ex-boyfriend of two years, is now publicly out and engaged to film director Justin Green. The revelation devastates him. He has no one to confide in since no one knew about Adrian in the first place. He recalls learning about the accusations against Dallas just two days after being dumped and how he was devastated by the details the women shared. After exchanging supportive texts with his mother, Troy attempts to create his mandatory public Instagram account, but he abandons the task when he sees vicious comments about him from both supporters of Dallas and Ottawa fans.

Before Troy’s debut game, Wyatt tells Harris that Troy is difficult but dedicated and that he believes Dallas’s accusers. Harris reviews the overwhelmingly negative social-media responses to Troy’s arrival in Ottawa.

Troy plays poorly in the game, missing passes and making multiple mistakes, though Ottawa still defeats Pittsburgh thanks to Wyatt’s goaltending and two goals from Ilya. After the game, a reporter asks Troy if he regrets his comments about Dallas. Troy spots Harris giving him a sympathetic look in the background and then refuses to discuss the matter. When Harris approaches afterward to ask about filming a promotional video, Troy declines, saying that he wants to focus on hockey. He feels guilty watching Harris walk away disappointed, though he considers his relatively gentle refusal a sign of personal growth.

Harris tells Gen that he thinks Troy seems sad and could use a friend. Gen warns him that everyone considers Troy difficult, though she hopes he wasn’t complicit in Dallas’s crimes.

Troy unexpectedly arrives at Harris’s office to apologize for his rudeness the night before. During their conversation, he finds himself drawn to Harris’s warmth and authenticity. He abruptly agrees to film a promotional interview on the spot. Before they begin, Troy tells Harris that he isn’t antigay and explains that he stared at Harris’s Pride pins due to surprise, not judgment. During the interview, Troy names openly gay player Scott Hunter as his favorite current player, impressing Harris. He struggles to answer personal questions, though Harris’s playful teasing briefly makes him genuinely smile.

The narrative moves forward to the day of Troy’s first away game with the Centaurs. Troy wakes up hungover in his Vancouver hotel room. Ilya arrives, gives him Gatorade, and warns him never to drink before a game again. He also informs Troy that his father, Curtis Barrett, is waiting in the lobby. Troy meets with Curtis and two business associates, enduring his father’s dismissal of Dallas’s accusers and his suggestion that Troy apologize to Dallas. Troy plays poorly against Vancouver, and the team loses.

In Edmonton, Troy is demoted to the third line. He scores what appears to be a legitimate goal, but it’s disallowed for goalie interference. Enraged, he shoves the referee, earns a game misconduct, and destroys his stick in the tunnel. Ottawa loses again.

Ilya tells Troy that he needs to play for the team instead of for himself. Troy reflects on years of hiding his sexuality behind aggressive antigay bias modeled after his father and Dallas, and he feels deep shame over his past cruel treatment of former teammate Ryan Price, who came out to the Toronto team.

Harris drives to his family’s apple orchard for Sunday dinner, where he’s warmly greeted by his parents and their dogs. His father expresses concern about his health, referencing Harris’s congenital heart condition and multiple past surgeries. Harris reassures him but internally resents being viewed as fragile.

Harris’s older sisters, Anna and Margot, arrive with their husbands. During dinner, Harris’s father mentions Troy’s recent on-ice outburst and jokingly tells Harris to keep him out of trouble. The family teases Harris about his love life, and he reflects that his job has consumed his social life and that he feels lonely.

Wyatt encourages Troy to attend a team barbecue at Zane’s house, and Troy accepts a ride from Harris. Before the party, Troy brings Harris coffee and cake pops as a friendly gesture.

At the barbecue, Troy receives a cautious but warm welcome. Evan Dykstra tells him that his wife works with sexual-assault survivors and that he supports Troy for confronting Dallas. Zane admits that he used to think poorly of Troy due to his association with Dallas but hopes to be proven wrong. The group’s open discussion of Wyatt’s sister and her wife signals the team’s inclusive culture, though Troy still doubts his own moral character and feels like an intruder.

Watching the affectionate couples makes Troy miss Adrian intensely. He finds himself observing Harris across the fire and imagining what a loving boyfriend he would be. On the drive back, Harris plays music performed by Fabian Salah, the boyfriend of Troy’s former gay teammate Ryan. Troy feels a quiet sadness for himself because he didn’t know that Ryan was in a relationship and didn’t try to befriend him when they were teammates. At the hotel, Troy finds it difficult to leave the warmth of Harris’s truck, and they share a meaningful look before he forces himself back into the cold.