Driving Hannah Wells back to campus after the Sigma party, Garrett Graham keeps pressing her about Justin Kohl. Hannah refuses to talk at first, but Garrett is determined to win her over because he urgently needs help passing Professor Tolbert's class. As Garrett thinks about Coach's warning that bad grades could cost him his hockey eligibility, he also reflects on how central hockey is to his life and how much of his drive comes from wanting to outdo his hated father, former hockey star Phil Graham.

Instead of dropping the subject, Garrett changes tactics and challenges Hannah's pride. He tells Hannah he thought she was bold and honest, not someone too scared to admit she likes a guy. The provocation works: Hannah reluctantly admits she is interested in Justin, though she says he makes her nervous and that she barely knows him.

Once Hannah admits the crush, Garrett argues that Justin already knows she wants him and will not pursue her because there is no challenge. Garrett claims that if Hannah shows up publicly as Garrett's date, Justin will suddenly see her as desirable and out of reach. He proposes a specific plan: Hannah tutors him until the makeup exam next Friday, and then the two of them attend Beau Maxwell's birthday party on Saturday, where Justin will be present and can watch Hannah arrive on Garrett's arm.

Hannah says she cannot commit to tutoring Garrett for the whole semester, but Garrett promises he only needs help for the coming week. After weighing the idea, Hannah finally agrees to the arrangement, and Garrett is thrilled that his persistence has worked. When he drops her at Bristol House, they make plans to meet after Hannah's shift the next evening, at Garrett's place rather than her dorm. Hannah thanks him for the ride before leaving, and their bargain is officially in place.