Pucking Around

Ilmari focuses before the game featuring FIHA scouts. Jake asks if he can help Ilmari account for his injury, which irritates him. Jake references their relationship, which leads Ilmari to muse on his difficulties making friends. He worries that his moodiness will result in his being ejected from the relationship.

Rachel worries that her presence in the stands will distract Ilmari, but Caleb calls it motivation, saying she looks like a “hockey wife.” Both Jake and Ilmari will play hard, wanting to impress her. Caleb taunts Jake until he notices Rachel wearing Ilmari’s jersey, which annoys him.

Jake fumes over Ilmari’s moodiness and Caleb’s antics even as he considers how much he enjoyed seeing Caleb wear a Compton jersey. He vows to take out his aggression on his opponents.

Jake’s mood leads to a particularly energetic game, delighting Caleb and causing Rachel to worry that wearing Ilmari’s jersey was a mistake. Jake assists a goal and Ilmari makes an impressive save, exciting the fans. Rachel, feeling mischievous, tells Caleb to switch jerseys with her after the game.

After the game, neither Jake nor Ilmari are pleased with Rachel and Caleb’s antics. Ilmari confirms his health to the Finnish press. They spot Caleb and Rachel, who have switched jerseys. Jake’s jealousy causes Ilmari to worry about his status in their relationship. He is reassured when Jake insists that they drive home together. Caleb video-calls Jake, revealing that he and Rachel are beginning sex without Jake and Ilmari—in Jake’s room. Caleb is delighted to incite their jealousy. Ilmari gets Jake to admit that he is romantically attracted to Caleb, then asks where he himself “[fits] into this love triangle” (528). This characterization irritates Jake, who shouts that he wants Ilmari to be fully a part of their relationship, but that he has no sexual interest in him. They both feel better with matters clarified between them and agree to get revenge on Caleb for taunting them.

Rachel, blindfolded and restrained, is having sex with Caleb when Jake and Ilmari come home, so she only hears the men’s scuffling as they blindfold and restrain Caleb. Rachel is happy that all four of them are together. Jake reiterates his interest in marriage. They have sex, with Jake, Rachel, and Ilmari expressing their love in English and Finnish. She asks for Caleb to be released. He joins in their encounter while Jake and Caleb have anal sex: another progression in their relationship.

The four of them have simultaneous intercourse. Rachel feels transformed by the sense of rightness in their relationship. She decides that she wants to make their relationship public. They all sleep together on a series of mattresses on the floor, which makes Rachel cry happily. She feels secure in the realization that they all love one another.

Langley asks Rachel about Tess. Rachel doesn’t think the two will suit one another and tries to convince him of this, suspicious that something has happened between them. Poppy interrupts because rumors are circulating that Rachel has either rejected Jake for Caleb or rejected Jake for Ilmari. Rachel claims that the stunt with the jerseys was “an inside joke between friends [who] all work together” (559). She frets about what the press will do if their relationship becomes public. She also fears Jake will be directed to choose between their relationship and his career, and Ilmari between their relationship and the Olympics. Poppy reassures her, but Rachel’s panic mounts. She calls her brother Harrison.

Two players, seeing press coverage of Jake and Caleb at the previous night’s game, ask if Caleb and Jake are a couple. Caleb dismisses the rumors, but the players don’t fall for his deflection. They claim that Avery spurred the gossip about Caleb’s sexuality, which was openly discussed in the PT room until Ilmari stopped them. The players mention Avery’s poor reputation and emphasize that if Caleb comes out, they will support him. However, Caleb still denies the romance between him and Jake. The players report that Rachel was in the lobby with “some hunky guy” (571), and Caleb storms off, jealous.

Harrison, who heard the rumors about Rachel dating a Rays player, is in Jacksonville. Rachel tells him about her relationship.

Caleb retrieves Ilmari, and they seek Rachel out. Ilmari warns Caleb that Rachel won’t like his jealousy. At a small ice rink in the area, they find Rachel with a man. To Caleb’s dismay, she looks as though she has been crying. The man she is with claims to be her husband.

Caleb bristles as Harrison laughs at his own joke. Jake arrives, instantly recognizing Harrison. Harrison teases the men, revealing that he knows their relationship status. Jake invites Harrison to stay at their house, and Rachel attempts to remain calm despite her fear of the press.

Rachel tells Ilmari about her worry over the rumors, giving him an opening to break up with her before he becomes publicly involved in a scandal. He is hurt. Jake and Caleb arrive, immediately detecting tension. Ilmari says he chooses Rachel and asks her not to use his nickname of “Mars” anymore. He urges her to depend on all of her partners so she can stop making choices based in fear. He states his desire to be part of their permanent family, and Jake seconds his desire for them all to be together in public. Rachel checks with Caleb, who calls for a vote on ending secrets, which Rachel realizes means confessing his feelings for Jake as well as going public. They agree to wait until after the next day’s game to make their plan.