In Her Own League Summary by Chapter | Liz Tomforde

Chapter 8: Reese

Reese is shaken by Jeremy’s presence and his patronizing “our girl” comment. Emmett ushers her away, and they decide to walk down the Vegas strip to clear their heads.

Reese gets a bit buzzed on wine and opens up about her marriage to Jeremy, revealing he tried to take the team from her during their divorce.

Emmett is furious on her behalf and offers a sincere apology for his behavior during the board meeting. They share a teasing, testing moment where they acknowledge they are on the same team.

Reese feels less alone for the first time in her new role.

Key Moment: Reese reveals the depth of Jeremy’s betrayal, and Emmett fully aligns himself with her.

Chapter 9: Emmett

Reese visits Emmett’s hotel room the next morning, surprising him while he is shirtless after a run.

She apologizes for word-vomiting the night before and suggests extending their truce. Instead of flying straight to San Diego, she takes him to a minor league game to watch Milo Jones, her proposed replacement for Kaiser.

Emmett is impressed by Milo’s talent and by Reese’s dedication—she traveled the country to meet every minor league player and their families during the offseason.

They share a deal to talk through major decisions together. Reese admits she hasn’t traded Kaiser yet because Emmett didn’t want her to.

Key Moment: Reese takes Emmett to see Milo Jones, proving she has a strategic and thoughtful plan for the team.

Chapter 10: Reese

In San Diego, Reese visits the dugout before a game and meets Emmett’s daughter, Miller, for the first time. Miller playfully teases Emmett about how much he talks about Reese.

The interaction is interrupted by Kelly, the reporter, who openly hits on Emmett and asks him to dinner. Reese becomes visibly jealous and cuts the conversation short, claiming they need to prep for the game.

Emmett notices her reaction and smirks, enjoying the sparring. He leans in close to tell Reese he doesn’t want to be just friends with her.

Key Moment: Reese exhibits blatant jealousy over Kelly, confirming her deeper feelings for Emmett.

Chapter 11: Emmett

Later that night, Emmett finds Reese in the hotel lobby at 3:00 AM, desperate for a room because hers is unbearably cold.

Since the hotel is fully booked, Emmett insists she stay in his room. Reese is hesitant due to the potential rumors but eventually agrees.

They are both exhausted and try to keep things professional, but the intimacy of the situation is heavy. Emmett asks for a rollaway bed, but none are available, leaving them to share the queen-sized bed.

Key Moment: Circumstances force Reese and Emmett to share a bed, pushing their boundaries to the limit.

Chapter 12: Reese

Lying in bed, Emmett pulls a shivering Reese close to warm her up. The tension is high as they embrace, and the conversation turns deeply personal. Emmett reveals the truth about Miller: she isn’t his biological daughter. Her mother, Claire, was his girlfriend who died of cancer when Miller was five.

Emmett adopted Miller and quit the majors to raise her in Colorado. Reese is moved by his selflessness and realizes how much he values family.

Emmett admits he never met anyone else after losing Claire because he didn’t have it in him to move on.

Key Moment: Emmett reveals his history as an adoptive father, deepening Reese’s admiration for him.

Chapter 13: Reese

Reese’s grandfather visits her and shows her an anonymous Reddit post claiming Reese was seen leaving Emmett’s hotel room in San Diego.

Reese realizes someone is watching her and feels a wave of panic and guilt. Her grandfather warns her that she is under too much scrutiny to give people a reason to talk. Shaken, Reese reads the comments on the post, one of which suggests Emmett is only getting close to her to secure his contract extension.

When Emmett finds her in the dugout, she is cold and resets their professional boundaries, telling him they must only communicate via email.

Key Moment: A public rumor forces Reese to pull away to protect their reputations.

Chapter 14: Emmett

A week has passed, and Emmett is frustrated by Reese’s sudden distance and “Best Regards” email sign-offs.

He runs into her at the stadium gym on a Friday night. They workout near each other in a tense, silent atmosphere, both clearly affected by the proximity.

Emmett overhears Harrison Kaiser speaking to Reese in the locker room area in a demeaning and patronizing way.

Kaiser makes an inappropriate “Friday night plans” comment to her. Infuriated by Kaiser’s disrespect, Emmett confronts Reese and tells her to finally trade him.

Key Moment: Emmett witnesses Kaiser’s sexism firsthand and officially supports Reese’s decision.

Chapter 15: Reese

During a game, Reese watches from her suite as Emmett gets riled up with an umpire. Her grandfather reveals a major secret: the club-paid expenses Emmett requested for Kai’s son and nanny actually came out of Emmett’s own salary.

Reese is stunned to learn she had formed a wrong opinion about Emmett being greedy. She watches Emmett protect Isaiah from Kaiser during a dugout spat, realizing he is a gem of a human.

Despite her feelings, she tells her grandfather to give her number to Ed’s son, Michael, in an attempt to distract herself from Emmett.

Key Moment: Reese discovers Emmett secretly paid for team family expenses out of his own pocket.

Chapter 16: Emmett

Emmett attends a dessert day at Miller’s house with several players.

He defends Reese when the players joke about the tension between the owner and manager, reminding them of the professional standards she must meet.

He receives a surprise call from Nate, the video coach Reese fired. Nate calls to thank Emmett because Reese personally recommended him to Seattle, where he now has a better job and can be near his newborn daughter.

Emmett feels like an asshole for calling Reese heartless when she was actually taking care of Nate.

He immediately texts Reese, needing to apologize.

Key Moment: Emmett learns Reese secretly secured a better job for the coach she was forced to let go.

Chapter 17: Reese

Reese finishes an awkward friend vibe date with Michael. Emmett is waiting for her outside the restaurant and intercepts her, claiming a work emergency.

He insists on walking her home to apologize for his previous assumptions. They walk to her penthouse, and the sexual tension reaches a breaking point in her private elevator.

Emmett admits he is jealous of her date and challenges her to fire me so he can kiss her without the employee-boss dynamic.

Key Moment: Emmett dares Reese to fire him so he can cross the line without professional consequences.

Chapter 18: Emmett

In the stalled elevator, Reese finally gives in and uses the emergency stop button. They share a feverish, frantic first real kiss. Emmett takes charge, and they have an intense physical encounter in the elevator.

The moment is interrupted by an intercom call from security asking if Reese is okay.

After restarting the elevator, Reese admits that someone saw her leave his room in San Diego, which is why she was avoiding him. They both acknowledge that their relationship is too risky and agree that this can’t happen again.

Key Moment: The metaphorical dam breaks as they finally act on their attraction in the elevator.

Chapter 19: Reese

Reese meets with Kennedy and appreciates her backbone as a woman in sports. She is tempted to attend a team potluck but initially says no to keep her boundaries.

She runs into her grandfather and Emmett in the elevator. Emmett touches her back and the professional walls feel fragile again. He encourages her to attend the potluck, telling her she is part of the team.

He catches her on the second floor just to steal a couple extra minutes of her time, leaving her flustered but happy.

Key Moment: Emmett actively works to integrate Reese into the team culture by inviting her to the potluck.

Chapter 20: Emmett

The team potluck is held in Isaiah and Kennedy’s backyard. Reese arrives looking nervous and out of place, but Miller immediately welcomes her with a hug, breaking the ice. Emmett stays near Reese, helping her with her food and drinks to make her feel included.

They sit with Kai and Miller, and Miller drops a bombshell: she is pregnant. Reese is the first to notice and reacts with excited little gasps.

Emmett is overwhelmed with joy, realizing he is sharing this milestone with Reese by his side.

Key Moment: Miller announces her pregnancy, and Reese is included in the intimate family moment.

Chapter 21: Reese

After the potluck, Reese and Emmett walk together, and Reese feels a privilege in holding his future in her hands.

Emmett opens up about his fears of finding himself outside of being a parent now that Miller is starting her own family.

He admits he is excited to live life for himself for once. Reese realizes she is falling for him and wonders if she could ever be his person.

Key Moment: Emmett shares his excitement for a future that isn’t solely defined by fatherhood.

Chapter 22: Emmett

Emmett and Reese meet in her office to discuss the lineup, but the air is thick with flirtation. Reese reveals that the Kaiser trade is almost official.

Emmett tells her he prefers things a little rough, and Reese touches his tattooed hand, suggesting it would make a beautiful necklace.

They hold hands across her desk until they are interrupted by Scott. Scott demands a private word with Reese, and Emmett is forced to leave, feeling protective and suspicious.

Key Moment: A bold, flirtatious exchange in the office is cut short by the antagonistic Scott.

Chapter 23: Reese

Reese watches the game from her suite and sees Emmett being friendly with Kelly the reporter. She feels irrationally jealous and retreats to the gym after a team loss.

Emmett finds her there, and they have a massive argument about their respective dates—Reese’s guest Michael and Emmett’s interaction with Kelly.

Reese finally admits Emmett made her into a jealous and petty woman. The argument ends when Reese recklessly kisses him, deciding she is done fighting the attraction.

Key Moment: A blowout argument over jealousy leads to a reckless, passionate reconnection in the gym.

Chapter 24: Emmett

Emmett is thrilled Reese is taking her rightful throne on his lap. He makes sure there are no cameras and that the door is locked before they get intimate. He tells her he walks around this clubhouse with a constant hard-on from his boss.

They have a deeply passionate encounter against the gym mirrors. Reese admits she can’t get him out of her head, and Emmett realizes he has never felt this desperate for someone before. They both know it can’t happen again, but the emotional connection is now undeniable.

Key Moment: Their physical connection deepens into an emotional admission of mutual obsession.

Chapter 25: Emmett

The trade news breaks, and it is a PR nightmare as predicted. Milo Jones arrives at the stadium, appearing young and terrified. Emmett gives him a tour, feeling protective of the kid who is filling Kaiser’s shoes.

He finds Reese hiding in her secret dugout spot, reading hateful comments online.

He takes her phone away and tells her, “Fuck them,” reaffirming that they are running the team together. Reese admits the dugout was her personal fort as a child. Emmett realizes he wants to be her soft place to land.

Key Moment: Emmett comforts a wrecked Reese in the dugout, establishing himself as her emotional support.

Chapter 26: Reese

Reese feels humiliated and weak as she boards the team plane to Miami.

Emmett has saved her a seat and brings her a granola bar, sensing she hasn’t eaten. He offers her his hoodie to use as a pillow and makes a joke about her being a pillow princess to make her smile. Reese feels like she has a partner in this mess.

However, the game in Miami is a disaster; Milo strikes out at every bat and the team loses. Reese sits in the clubhouse after the game, convinced she made the wrong decision.

Key Moment: A devastating loss for Milo and the team causes Reese to spiral into self-doubt.

Chapter 27: Emmett

Emmett watches a viral sports podcast where the host brutally mocks Reese and Milo. He is furious but realizes he can’t fight her battles for her in public.

Reese comes to his hotel room that night, unable to sleep. She crawls into bed with him and admits her fear that she made a mistake. Emmett tells her he wholeheartedly trusts her gut and helps her find her confidence again.

They spend the night talking about his past with Miller and Claire, and Emmett realizes Reese is his person.

Key Moment: Emmett provides the emotional validation Reese needs to stand by her strategic decisions.

Chapter 28: Reese

The advisory board, led by Scott, attacks Reese in a meeting, calling her the laughingstock of the league. Reese tells them she sleeps like a fucking baby and walks out.

She goes to the dugout and finds Emmett and the players holding a private day-off practice for Milo to boost his confidence. Reese is moved by their loyalty.

Emmett tells her he’d do anything for you, and Reese realizes he is everything she wasn’t ever planning to go looking for.

Key Moment: Reese witnesses the players’ public and private support, realizing they are a united front.

Chapter 29: Emmett

In his office, Emmett is wrecked from the stress of the week. Reese visits him, looking lethal and confident again. She thanks him for taking care of her and then offers to take care of him.

They share a deeply intimate and vulnerable encounter in his office, where Emmett realizes he is willing to put everything on the line for a real shot with her.

Reese tells him don’t fall in love with me after this, and Emmett responds with don’t tell me what to do.

Key Moment: Reese and Emmett fully commit to their team dynamic, both personally and physically.

Chapter 30: Reese

Reese attends her grandfather’s retirement party, struggling to stay away from Emmett. Miller pulls Reese aside and tells her that Emmett has been lonely and that Reese makes him look less so. Miller gives Reese permission to be with her dad.

Reese runs into a former player, Mick, who tells her she knew the game better than some of the grown men. Emmett dances with Reese and tells her he wants her around all the time.

He admits he is willing to risk his job to be with her and tells her to fire me. Reese, terrified of him losing everything, runs off the dance floor.

Key Moment: Emmett professes his love on the dance floor, and Reese panics over the professional consequences.

Chapter 31: Emmett

Emmett waits for Reese outside the party, and she eventually pulls up in her red Porsche.

She takes him back to her penthouse, telling him he makes her feel safe to be herself. She admits that being alone was security, but she wants him regardless of the fear.

Emmett realizes she is inviting him into her life for real. They agree to stop fighting their feelings and spend the night together.

Key Moment: Reese fully invites Emmett into her safe space, choosing love over professional isolation.

Chapter 32: Reese

The next morning, Reese and Emmett share an intimate morning after where Emmett takes care of her by making coffee and just being there. Reese realizes he belongs here.

Later, Milo hits a home run against Boston, vindicating Reese’s trade decision.

Emmett winks at Reese from the dugout, and they share a secret celebration in the elevator afterward. Emmett tells her he is proud of her for getting through the worst of it.

Key Moment: Milo Jones’s success vindicates Reese’s leadership, and she celebrates with Emmett in private.

Chapter 33: Emmett

The relationship continues in secret, with stolen moments in offices and hotel rooms across the country. Emmett finds himself looking forward to road trips more than he has in years.

He notices Reese relaxing into their dynamic, no longer flinching when he touches her back in private moments.

The team’s performance improves as Milo gains confidence, and the media starts shifting its narrative. Emmett’s family notices he seems happier, though they haven’t figured out why yet.

Key Moment: The secret relationship deepens as both Reese and Emmett find genuine happiness in each other.

Chapter 34: Reese

Reese’s grandfather invites her to lunch and gently probes about her love life. She deflects, but he sees right through her. He tells her he only wants her to be happy, regardless of what the board or the media thinks.

Reese feels guilty for keeping Emmett a secret but knows the timing isn’t right. Later that week, Emmett’s entire family shows up at a game, and Miller gives Reese a knowing look that suggests she’s figured everything out.

Key Moment: Reese realizes Emmett’s family has likely discovered their secret relationship.

Chapter 35: Emmett

Miller confronts Emmett in his office, demanding to know if he’s seeing someone. When he hesitates, she correctly guesses it’s Reese.

Instead of being upset, Miller is absolutely stoked for them. She tells him Reese makes him light up in a way she’s never seen before.

Kai figures it out next and simply claps Emmett on the shoulder with a grin. Emmett realizes his entire family is on board, which makes keeping the secret even harder.

Key Moment: Emmett’s family discovers the relationship and gives their enthusiastic approval.

Chapter 36: Reese

Reese flies to New York for a meeting with the other MLB owners. She’s nervous, remembering how they dismissed her at the Vegas mixer.

To her surprise, several owners approach her with respect, acknowledging how she handled the media firestorm around the Kaiser trade.

She realizes she’s earned their respect by taking the heat and standing her ground. She calls Emmett from her hotel room, and they talk for hours about the future.

Key Moment: Reese earns the respect of the league owners after proving herself under pressure.

Chapter 37: Emmett

The team is on a hot streak, and the clubhouse energy is electric. Emmett watches Milo transform from a terrified kid into a confident player.

During a post-game interview, Milo credits Reese for believing in him when no one else did.

Emmett feels an overwhelming sense of pride in both of them. Later that night, Reese sneaks into his hotel room, and they discuss what life might look like after the season ends.

Key Moment: Milo publicly credits Reese, validating her decision in front of the entire league.

Chapter 38: Reese

Reese arrives at her office to find Scott waiting with a smug expression. He slides a manila envelope across her desk containing photographs from Miller’s wedding—clear shots of Reese and Emmett dancing, kissing, looking at each other like the world doesn’t exist.

Scott gives her a one-day ultimatum: step down as owner, name him President of Baseball Operations, or he releases the photos to the press. Reese feels her world crumbling.

Key Moment: Scott reveals his blackmail photos, threatening everything Reese and Emmett have built.

Chapter 39: Emmett

Emmett can’t find Reese anywhere. He checks her office, her suite, and finally the dugout. She’s sitting in their spot, staring at nothing.

When she shows him the photos, Emmett’s first instinct is to protect her. He tells her he’ll quit—he’ll announce he pursued her, that it was all his fault. Reese refuses to let him sacrifice his career. Emmett holds her and promises they’ll figure it out together.

Key Moment: Emmett offers to sacrifice his career to save Reese’s reputation.

Chapter 40: Reese

The morning of the deadline, Reese walks into the boardroom with her head high. Scott is already there, looking victorious. Emmett stands and announces he’s resigning effective immediately.

Before he can finish, Reese stops him. She reveals she’s been working with legal and HR for over a week to restructure the department. She fires Scott and the other three board members on the spot.

She promotes Ed to her direct supervisor on the coaching side, creating a professional buffer that allows her to keep Emmett on staff without conflict of interest.

Key Moment: Reese outmaneuvers Scott’s blackmail with a legally structured power play.

Chapter 41: Emmett

In the aftermath, Emmett watches Reese handle a curated interview with a major sports magazine. She goes public with their relationship on her own terms, controlling the narrative completely.

The response is overwhelmingly positive—the public loves a good love story, and the team’s winning streak helps.

Emmett realizes he’s never been more in love with anyone in his life. That night, he buys a ring.

Key Moment: Reese controls the narrative by going public on her own terms.

Chapter 42: Reese

A few months after the season ends, Reese reflects on her first year as owner. The Warriors made a strong playoff run, and Emmett has officially moved into her condo.

She no longer feels the need to prove herself to others—only to herself. She looks at Emmett sleeping beside her and realizes she’s finally found the home she never knew she was looking for.

Key Moment: Reese reflects on finding peace, love, and belonging in her new life with Emmett.

Epilogue – Reese

The Warriors are playing in the World Series against Houston—Harrison Kaiser’s new team. The stadium is electric, and Reese watches from her suite as Milo Jones steps up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth.

He hits a walk-off home run, securing the championship. In the chaos of the celebration on the field, Reese finds Emmett. Without thinking, she drops to one knee and asks him to marry her.

Emmett laughs, reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a ring he’s been carrying for two games. He tells her, “Don’t tell me what to do,” before proposing himself. They end the night as a power couple, rings exchanged, future wide open.

Key Moment: Reese proposes to Emmett on the field after winning the World Series.

Epilogue – Emmett

One year later, Emmett watches Reese across a crowded room at their engagement party.

His family surrounds them—Miller is showing, Kai is grinning, and even Milo showed up despite his busy schedule. Reese catches his eye and smiles. Emmett realizes he spent decades thinking he’d already lived the best parts of his life.

He was wrong.

The best parts started the day a stubborn, brilliant woman walked into his clubhouse and changed everything.

Key Moment: Emmett reflects on finding unexpected love later in life and building a future he never imagined.

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