In January 2007, Riley and Adam are at a Toronto club with teammates. Adam whispers their code phrase—he wants to get some air—and they return to their shared apartment. Riley reflects on their history as inseparable Northmen rookies and his years of hidden love for Adam, recalling their first kiss at 21, when a drunk Adam initiated it and asked if it was acceptable.

Riley wants this encounter to last longer and for Adam to stay afterward. They have sex, and Adam lingers in bed afterward, kissing Riley’s palm. Feeling bold, Riley confesses he loves Adam. Adam reacts with shock, laughing and insisting that the two are not gay. Devastated, Riley leaves to hide his tears. When he returns, Adam has already gone.

The next morning, Adam acts as if nothing happened, discussing hockey instead. Riley is both relieved and furious at Adam’s compartmentalization. He considers moving out but admits he isn’t strong enough, worried that Adam’s rejection will end their sexual encounters.

Adam calls his ex-wife Maggie from his motel room and reports that his visit with Riley went poorly, explaining Riley’s grief and his desire to comfort him. He recounts Riley’s eulogy with pride and heartbreak. Maggie encourages him to stay a few more days so Riley can adjust to his presence.

Years into his marriage with Maggie, Adam realized he was gay and finally told Maggie, who was relieved, having suspected an affair. He also confessed to being unfaithful with Riley during their marriage. For the past two years, Maggie has urged Adam to contact Riley, but he has resisted, assuming Riley had moved on. Now, Adam remembers Maggie suggesting that Riley needs him and decides to stay in Avery River at least another day.

Lying on his motel bed, Adam reflects on his lonely life since retirement and divorce. He’s closeted to his hockey friends and has been using apps to meet men, but has no gay friends. He acknowledges he’s in love with Riley and wants to repair their relationship. He recalls sleeping with Riley once after marrying Maggie and panicking afterward; Riley ended up in Dallas thereafter, cutting off contact with Adam despite his attempts to stay in touch and make amends. Now, Adam resolves to start afresh.

That evening, the Tucks hold a gathering at their home. Lindsay finds Riley hiding in the sunroom with his dog, Lucky, and brings him food. When she mentions Adam, Riley tenses, snapping when she asks if Adam is staying in town but immediately apologizing for getting upset. He promises not to drink, sharing his plans to visit the family store tomorrow to stay busy. Alone, Riley talks to Lucky about his grief and Adam’s complicated presence.

Back at the gathering, Riley mingles with his cousin Cory, store employees, and his friends Darren and Tom, a married gay couple who offer comfort and dinner invitations. Susan eventually tells Riley to go home, then mentions that Adam is staying for a few days and suggests Riley reconnect with him. Riley dismisses the idea internally but agrees verbally. On his way home, he deliberately drives past Adam’s motel.

The next morning, Adam goes to the Tuck home looking for Riley. Lindsay informs him that Riley isn’t there, but invites Adam in. During their chat, Adam tells Lindsay he and Maggie are divorced. Lindsay warns him that Riley is fragile and doesn’t need additional pain; Adam insists he isn’t there to hurt him.

When Adam asks if Riley has anyone, Lindsay reveals he is single. Susan enters, greets Adam warmly, and says they have missed him during the summers. (Adam vacationed in Avery River with Riley in years past.) The conversation turns to Adam’s chronic shoulder injury; Lindsay, a physiotherapist, asks about his multiple surgeries. She starts to say something critical about hockey players and mental health—specifically about Riley—but stops herself. Susan mentions that Riley is at the family store, and Adam quickly volunteers to bring him lunch. After a shared look, Susan and Lindsay agree.

At the sporting goods store, Riley has torn the place apart trying to rearrange displays. Adam arrives with lunch from Susan. Riley rudely tells him the shop is closed, rejects his help, and, after throwing a hockey stick in frustration, confronts Adam again, demanding that he leave his family alone. Adam calmly agrees to leave but gives Riley his motel room number and tells him his phone number hasn’t changed.

After Adam leaves, Riley looks at a framed photo of himself and Adam celebrating a goal during their years as teammates and secret lovers, then at a photo of his father. He decides not to contact Adam.

That evening at his parents’ house, Riley lies about how his encounter with Adam went. Lindsay announces she’s staying in town longer but will take their father’s truck back to Halifax to sell it. A devastated Riley escapes to the kitchen. Susan finds and comforts him, and they share tearful laughter. Before Riley leaves, Susan suggests that Riley accept Adam’s help.

Back at his own house, Riley collapses on his sofa, thinking about his unresolved feelings for Adam. A flashback reveals that he experienced depression and substance use after leaving Toronto. For months, he had been dealing with undiagnosed mental health issues and suicidal thoughts before Lindsay convinced him to come home. He quit the NHL at 29  and slowly rebuilt his life in Avery River through therapy and medication. He resolves to forget about Adam and not make bad decisions.

In his motel room, Adam feels he has run out of reasons to stay in town. He reflects on his past with Riley, acknowledging he was in love with him even during their early NHL years, yet couldn’t admit he was gay due to internalized antigay bias and hockey culture. Looking in the mirror, he tells his reflection not to confess his feelings, deciding Riley needs a friend, not complications.

Around 11 that night, Riley knocks on Adam’s door, rain-soaked and agitated. He demands to know why Adam is really in town. Adam says he came for Riley. Riley says he doesn’t want or need him, then leans close and taunts him—suggesting Adam wanted sex. Riley steps back and sits down, then quietly admits the week has been overwhelming. He apologizes for his behavior and concedes that his father would have appreciated Adam attending the funeral. He says he wrecked his dad’s shop, and Adam offers to help fix it. As they talk, Adam places a hand on Riley’s knee, then removes it, suddenly conscious of the intimate setting.

Riley says he can’t deal with their situation right now. He tells Adam not to call him by his nickname, says he has friends, and declares they are finished. He hesitates at the door, looking at Adam with regret, before saying goodbye and leaving.