Forty-Two | Nathan

Nathan slips into the kitchen and unexpectedly finds his father, Ian, home. Ian admits admiration for Anastasia’s strength and reminisces about Nathan’s mother standing up to Nathan’s domineering grandfather. When Nathan asks why Ian cheated, Ian calls it a human mistake and accepts Nathan’s condemnation. Anastasia briefly interrupts to recruit Nathan’s help with a stubborn suitcase, and Nathan notices his father’s visible self-loathing.

On the flight back to LA, Anastasia reads a romance novel, and she and Nathan flirt over its content, lightening the mood. At the house, Sabrina monopolizes Anastasia’s time while the guys gather; Henry, still shaken by Anastasia’s recent fall through the ice, bluntly voices his fear that she could have died and withdraws to cool off.

Later in bed, Anastasia tells Nathan she doesn’t want to live in the guys’ house next year, especially with Nathan graduating and moving to Canada. She wants to return to her own apartment and try to make a professional path forward with Aaron, who has been medically cleared to skate. Nathan reacts defensively, implying she’ll have less time for him, then immediately regrets it. Anastasia affirms her love and asks for trust; Nathan apologizes and promises to support her decision despite distrusting Aaron.

The next day, feeling guilty, Nathan buys Anastasia peonies and, after JJ laments never receiving flowers himself, a bouquet for JJ as well. Nathan admits to himself he’s afraid of losing space in Anastasia’s life but chooses not to interfere, wanting to be the best, most supportive version of himself.

Nathan and JJ meet Coach Faulkner, who confirms Aaron’s clean bill of health and that team routines will resume. Coach gruffly warns Nathan about distractions in his senior year and pointedly lectures them about responsibility, underscoring that hockey is back—and that Nathan and Anastasia must now balance their relationship with returning competitive demands.