Flawless

Kip overhears the argument from his room and is shocked to hear about Rob. Summer snuggles with her father in his hospital bed and tells him the entire story about her past relationship with Rob. She also reveals that Rob continues to manipulate her even though he is now married to Winter. Summer falls asleep, comforted by being near “the one person who never stopped showing up for [her]” (334). Her stepmother, Marina, who is also a doctor, wakes Summer up and demands that she leave. Marina calls Summer a “homewrecker” and says that she has done enough damage to their family. Summer tells Marina that she pities her for being such a miserable person and making it her life’s work to drive a wedge between her and Winter. She curses Marina for ruining her relationship with Winter and forcing her to hide painful secrets.

Summer bolts from the hospital room in tears. Rhett has been in the waiting room all night because he wants to fix what happened. Summer angrily accuses him of betraying her trust by revealing a secret that she begged him to keep and that was hers alone to tell. Rhett argues that she shouldn’t hide damaging secrets and that the truth needs to come out. He admits that the timing was wrong, especially with Kip’s health scare. Summer adds that she would never destroy Rob’s career because that affects Winter too. Rhett reminds her that she places too much value on the opinions of others. Summer angrily reminds him that it is important to value others’ feelings and that perhaps he should try doing it more. Each time Rhett steps into the bull ring, his family worries that he might not survive, but Rhett never cares about their worries. Summer asks Rhett to leave, telling him that she is uncertain about how the day’s events will affect their relationship.

Summer texts Winter, begging to talk things over, but Winter refuses. Winter reveals that she is pregnant and doesn’t know what to do now that she knows her husband is a liar. It’s the day of Rhett’s last competition before the beginning of the World Championships in two weeks, and Summer is at home visiting with Kip. Summer tells him about Rhett and admits that she did exactly what he told her not to do; she says that she crossed a line and fully accepts that he may choose to fire her. Kip laughs and says that he can’t fire her for falling in love, but she insists that she doesn’t love Rhett. As she watches the competition, she feels guilty for not being there and admits that she misses Rhett. Theo rides first, but the bull throws him off. Just as the bull is about to attack Theo, Rhett jumps into the ring and uses his body as a shield.

Rhett and Theo are taken to the hospital. Though Rhett only has a few broken ribs, Theo was unconscious when they arrived. Summer runs into the hospital, crying, and Rhett is crushed to see that he has upset her. However, despite his injuries, he still plans to ride in the competition. Summer begs him not to, but out of frustration, he says that she shouldn’t feel empowered to tell him what to do just because they are sleeping together. Summer is hurt and leaves the hospital in tears.

Back at the ranch, Rhett limps around the house while Harvey questions Summer’s whereabouts. Although Rhett is too injured to compete in this competition, he will still qualify for the World Championship. Theo has been released from the hospital with a concussion, but he also still intends to ride. Cade bursts in after hearing about Rhett’s accident and chastises him for being reckless. He asks how long Rhett plans to continue risking his life. Rhett explains that he feels lost without bull riding. Cade accuses him of greed, but Rhett insists that he intends to invest the money in the ranch. Cade, however, does not want his charity. Having become a father, Cade understands the fear of wanting to protect a child. He tells Rhett that the family cares for him, and their lack of support for his career comes from their concern for his safety. Cade accuses Rhett of prioritizing bull riding over his relationship with Summer and advises him to reassess what he truly values and build a life around that instead.

Rhett repeatedly texts Summer, begging her for forgiveness. Summer is back at Hamilton Elite, and when Kips enters the office, he can tell that Summer isn’t happy. He asks her if working at Hamilton Elite is her dream. She says that she’s “happy enough,” but Kip says that that won’t suffice. In her heart, Summer wants to work in a gym and live out in the country with Rhett, but she can’t bring herself to admit it. Summer always assumed that Kip worked long hours to escape Marina’s ire after she was born. Now, Kip admits that his misstep with the nanny caused a fracture in his marriage. However, he doesn’t regret his decision because it gave him Summer. Kip says that he knows she is angry with Rhett but that she deserves to be loved by someone who loves her like Rhett does. Summer hadn’t planned to attend the championship in Las Vegas, but she can’t bear the thought of Rhett competing alone. Kip fires her on the spot and tells her to follow her heart. He urges her to be selfish for once and choose what makes her happy.

Rhett is in the boardroom for a meeting, and when he sees Summer walk past, he leaves the meeting and chases after her, begging her to hear him out. Rhett apologizes for hurting her and for sharing her secret in his defense of her. He also apologizes for calling their relationship “just sleeping together” and says that he has loved her since the first day he met her. Summer is his priority now; he loves her and will spend the rest of his life proving it to her. Summer can’t respond and cries quietly. Rhett’s ribs aren’t fully healed, but he still plans to compete in the World Championship. His willingness to risk his life to chase the championship tells Summer where his priorities lie.

Summer has brunch with Willa and tells her that Kip fired her. She also tells her that Rhett has prioritized the competition over her. Willa offers Summer advice, saying, “Maybe he doesn’t know what making you a priority looks like because no one has ever made him a priority” (380-81). Summer admits aloud for the first time that she loves Rhett. She also understands that he needs to hear her say it so that he can truly understand. Willa books them flights to Las Vegas that afternoon.

Rhett struggles to focus on the championship. All he can think about is Summer, and he feels lonely without her there to support him. His injuries are still painful, and he drew a tough, mean bull. Just before his ride, Theo’s accident is televised on the jumbotron. Seeing it for the first time makes Rhett realize how serious it could have been. For the first time, he feels fear at the prospect of riding a bull but tries to ignore this emotion. He hears a whistle from the stands and looks up to see Summer. She mouths, “I love you,” and Rhett dismounts. He immediately announces his retirement and runs to Summer in the stands. She gently hugs him, careful of his injuries, and tells him again that she loves him. Rhett puts his hat on Summer, saying that he doesn’t need to win a championship because Summer is his prize.

One year later, Rhett returns to Chestnut Springs after being on the road for two weeks. He is now a bull-riding coach, and he and Summer live in a house that they built on the ranch. Summer has bought the local gym and renamed it “Hamilton Athletics.” She still doesn’t speak to Winter or Marina, but Summer and Kip are closer than ever. When Rhett drives up in his new truck, Summer is standing by his old truck. She has fixed it up and painted it blue, just like he always dreamed. After they have sex, Rhett connects Summer’s freckles to spell out “Will you marry me?” and gets on one knee with a ring (402). Summer accepts his proposal.