Romantic same-sex relationships
The romantic relationship between Eric and Jack is not only a major plot point in the novel; it is an important theme. Although the two love each other tremendously, they are at different points in their journey to accepting their sexuality. On one hand, Eric has fully come out and accepts his sexuality. On the other, although Jack privately acknowledges that he is gay, he has never fully come out. If he comes out publicly (or even with his family), Eric fears that his professional hockey career will falter and people around him will never accept him. Although Eric understands Jack's predicament, Jack's not being out affects their relationship and forces them to be secretive. Nevertheless, despite all of this, their relationship is portrayed in a loving, supportive way; they appear to have the same relationship as straight people.
Balancing personal passions and external obligations
Eric is a talented individual who has several varied interests. He enjoys baking, hockey, vlogging, and spending time with his friends and family. However, there are a finite number of hours in the day, which forces him to balance his hobbies and the things he has to do out of his obligation to his team (like playing hockey). Each of Eric's hobbies represents a different aspect of his personality. For Eric, baking is soothing and is an outlet for self-expression. Hockey, on the other hand, is a way for Eric to compete and work as a team to accomplish a communal goal. This theme underscores the idea that adults are often forced to find a balance between personal passions and external obligations.
