The Score Chapter 33 Summary – Dean’s Confession and Consequences
⚠️ 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
Dean Di Laurentis wakes up with a black eye and a pounding headache, unable to remember everything at first. He touches his swollen left eye and gradually recalls the previous night: he missed Allie’s play, she broke up with him, and his roommate Garrett Graham punched him after discovering Dean had invited the football team over and allowed some linebackers to snort cocaine in the house. Shame floods Dean as he remembers making Allie’s little sister, Dakota, cry by refusing to take her to get “girl skates.”
Dean retreats to the bathroom, dry-heaves, and sinks to the floor, thinking about what he has lost: Allie and his best friend, Beau Maxwell, who died. He laughs uncontrollably at the absurdity of Beau’s death. Garrett knocks, apologizes for the black eye, and they hug—a real, comforting embrace. Logan joins in, and they joke about the bruise. Dean wishes he could drive to Bristol House to beg Allie for another chance.
At the arena, the team finds Coach Jensen and Assistant Coach O’Shea with a drug-testing official. Dean panics, realizing the molly he took the night before is still in his system. He pulls Coach aside and confesses he took MDMA. Two days later, Dean is kicked off the hockey team.
Key Events
- Dean wakes up with a black eye from Garrett, recalling the disastrous night.
- He remembers missing Allie’s play, their breakup, and making Dakota cry.
- Dean experiences a wave of grief over Beau’s death, followed by hysterical laughter.
- Garrett and Logan offer emotional support with hugs and jokes.
- The team is subjected to a surprise drug test.
- Dean privately confesses to Coach Jensen that he took MDMA.
- Two days later, Dean is expelled from the hockey team.
Character Development
Dean Di Laurentis – This chapter strips Dean of his usual bravado. For the first time, he openly acknowledges his grief over Beau’s death and his self-destructive coping mechanisms—drinking, drugs, partying. He accepts responsibility for hurting Allie and Dakota, and he makes no excuses when he confesses to Coach. Dean’s willingness to face the consequences marks a turning point in his personal growth.
Garrett Graham – Garrett demonstrates tough love: he punched Dean in anger but quickly apologizes and offers genuine comfort. His protective role as a friend and roommate is clear, and he agrees to cover for Dean without hesitation, showing loyalty.
Allie Hayes – Though not physically present, Allie’s influence dominates the chapter. Dean’s regret and longing to win her back highlight how important she has become to him.
Logan – He contributes brief humor and a supportive hug, reinforcing the theme of male friendship and vulnerability.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Grief and Self-Destruction – Dean’s inability to process Beau’s death leads him to binge drinking and drug use. The chapter shows how unresolved grief can spiral into reckless behavior.
Consequences and Accountability – Dean faces immediate physical (black eye) and long-term (expulsion) consequences. His confession to Coach represents a moment of accountability, choosing honesty over avoidance.
Male Vulnerability – The hugs between Dean, Garrett, and Logan break stereotypical masculine norms. The characters physically comfort each other, emphasizing that strength includes showing emotion.
The Black Eye as Symbol – Dean’s black eye is both a literal injury and a visible mark of his failures. It forces him to confront the mess he has made of his relationships and his life.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 33 (Chapter 32) is the emotional low point for Dean Di Laurentis. It forces him to stop running from his grief and his mistakes. The drug test and subsequent expulsion strip away his hockey identity, leaving him with no distractions. This chapter sets up his potential redemption arc by first making him lose everything he valued: Allie, the team, and his self-respect. It also deepens the bond between the male characters, showing that the “friends as family” theme at the heart of the series extends beyond romantic relationships.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Dean take MDMA the night of Allie’s play?
Dean uses MDMA as a way to escape his grief over Beau’s death. He has been drinking, smoking, and partying for three weeks to numb the pain, and the drug is another method to block out his emotions. -
How does Garrett balance discipline and support in this chapter?
Garrett first reacts with anger—punching Dean for the party and drug use—but later apologizes and hugs him. This shows that Garrett holds Dean accountable while still caring for him as a friend. He also agrees to hide the real cause of the black eye, protecting Dean from additional trouble with the coach. -
What is the significance of Dean’s confession to Coach Jensen?
Dean admits to taking MDMA without being forced to. This confession is a turning point: he stops lying to himself and others. It demonstrates that Dean is ready to accept the consequences of his actions, even though he knows it will cost him his place on the team.