Chapter 27 (Chapter 26) Summary: The Score by Elle Kennedy
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Allie and Dean are now openly dating but without a formal label. Dean is physically affectionate in public, which earns mixed reactions from friends—Garrett remains wary while Hannah is supportive. Dean invites Allie to meet him after his youth hockey practice. At the rink, Allie watches Dean coach a girls’ hockey team, the Hurricanes. He shows extraordinary patience with a young girl named Dakota, giving her skating tips and a nickname. Doug Ellis, the team’s former coach, tells Allie that Dean has a gift for teaching and should consider coaching or education instead of law school. After practice, Dean and Allie discuss her acting future; she admits she is uncertain about a Fox pilot because she wants to stay near her father, whose multiple sclerosis is worsening. Back at Dean’s townhouse, Dean’s younger sister Summer arrives unannounced, leading to an awkward meeting with Allie.
Key Events
- Dean and Allie’s relationship becomes public through their actions rather than an explicit declaration.
- Garrett repeatedly warns Allie that Dean might break her heart, but she insists she can handle it.
- Dean rents ice time to coach the Hurricanes youth hockey team.
- Allie observes Dean patiently teaching a young girl named Dakota how to skate, giving her pink skates and a nickname (“Koty” / “Dakota-y”).
- Doug Ellis approaches Allie and says Dean has a natural talent for working with kids and should become a teacher or coach.
- Allie defends Dean’s law school plans but later, in the car, relays Ellis’s advice to Dean.
- Dean asks Allie about her audition for a Fox pilot; she hesitates and reveals she is losing interest because her father’s MS is progressing, making her reluctant to move across the country.
- Dean realizes the weight of Allie’s fear and admires her strength.
- At the townhouse, Dean’s sister Summer bursts in and hugs him, creating a tense moment until Dean clarifies she is his sister.
Character Development
Allie Hayes
Allie shows new vulnerability regarding her father’s health, admitting she may choose stage work in New York over a television pilot to stay close to him. She also demonstrates growth by openly defending Dean to Doug Ellis, showing she sees more in Dean than his reputation suggests.
Dean Di Laurentis
Dean reveals a caring, patient side through his interactions with the young hockey players—far from his usual cocky persona. He listens to Allie’s fears without dismissing them, and his internal reaction to Ellis’s suggestion hints at possible reconsideration of his law school path. The memory of Miranda (“the painful memory”) surfaces briefly, indicating unresolved guilt.
Garrett Graham (off-page)
Although not present in this chapter, Garrett’s ongoing concern is referenced, showing how the relationship affects the friend group.
Summer Di Laurentis
Dean’s sister makes her first appearance, surprising everyone. She is energetic, calls Dean “Dicky,” and is unaware of his relationship with Allie.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Hidden Depths
Dean’s patience with the children—especially Dakota—reveals a nurturing side that contradicts his playboy image. The pink skates and the nickname symbolize Dean’s ability to connect with young people on their level.
The Weight of Family Obligation
Allie’s willingness to sacrifice a Hollywood opportunity for her father highlights the theme of family responsibility. Dean’s empathy toward her situation shows his emotional growth.
Coaching as a Metaphor for Relationships
Doug Ellis’s insight that Dean is “made for” teaching mirrors how Dean is learning to be a supportive partner—directing his attention toward Allie’s needs rather than his own ego.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in Dean and Allie’s relationship: they move from casual dating to genuine partnership. Allie’s career doubts and her father’s illness introduce long-term stakes, while Dean’s coaching scene challenges his life plan. The arrival of Summer sets up future family dynamics and potential conflict. The chapter deepens both protagonists’ inner lives beyond the romantic comedy surface.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Doug Ellis influence Allie’s understanding of Dean?
Ellis’s observation that Dean has “teacher written all over him” forces Allie to see Dean’s potential beyond hockey and law school. She later relays this to Dean, planting a seed that may affect his future choices.
2. Why is Allie hesitant about the Fox pilot?
She is not excited about the comedic role and, more importantly, wants to stay close to her father, whose multiple sclerosis is progressing. The chapter shows her struggling between ambition and family loyalty.
3. What does Dean’s coaching style reveal about his character?
Dean is patient, encouraging, and treats the children with respect. He gives individual attention (e.g., to Dakota) and makes corrections without harshness. This contrasts with his casual sex/lawyer plans and shows a hidden aptitude for teaching.