The Score Chapter 15 Summary & Analysis
⚠️ 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
The chapter opens with Briar University’s hockey team losing to Yale 3–6 after a promising start. Dean Di Laurentis takes a foolish tripping penalty, contributing to Yale’s power‑play goals. After the game, Coach O’Shea pulls Dean aside and shows him an Instagram photo of the team drinking at a bar on Thursday night—a celebration of Fitzy’s birthday. O’Shea accuses Dean of violating the team’s alcohol policy and, in a heated exchange, references Dean’s “history with alcohol abuse,” referring to an incident when Dean was a teenager. Dean angrily defends himself but eventually backs down. On the bus ride home, Dean searches for his ex‑girlfriend Miranda on Facebook, finds her profile, and impulsively sends a friend request. Later, he texts Allie, proposing a late‑night hookup, but Allie declines because her roommate Hannah is home. They flirt via text, and Dean ends the chapter frustrated and aroused.
Key Events
- Briar loses to Yale 3–6 after a series of penalties and defensive mistakes, including a tripping call on Dean.
- Coach O’Shea confronts Dean over an Instagram photo showing the team drinking; Dean argues they are of legal age and were only having a few drinks.
- O’Shea brings up Dean’s teenage alcohol‑related incident, implying a pattern of abuse; Dean barely restrains his temper.
- Dean sends a Facebook friend request to his ex‑girlfriend Miranda, whose profile he searches on the bus.
- Dean texts Allie for a hookup, but Allie refuses because Hannah is home; they exchange teasing messages.
- Tucker is evasive when Dean asks about his recent absences from home.
Character Development
Dean Di Laurentis
Dean’s volatile temper is on full display. He is furious at O’Shea’s lecture, especially the personal jab about his past, and struggles to keep from punching his coach. His impulse to friend Miranda suggests unresolved feelings or curiosity about his ex. At the same time, his persistent pursuit of Allie shows his commitment to their casual arrangement, even as Allie sets boundaries.
Coach O’Shea
O’Shea appears rigid and vindictive, using Dean’s teenage mistake to undermine him. He enforces team rules strictly and seems to hold a grudge against Dean, likely stemming from Dean’s involvement with Miranda.
Allie
Even off‑page, Allie demonstrates maturity by refusing to risk being caught with Dean while her roommate is home. Her playful text exchanges reveal she enjoys Dean’s attention but maintains control over when they meet.
Tucker
Tucker’s secretive behavior continues. He avoids Dean’s questions about where he’s been, hinting at a subplot that will develop later.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Authority vs. Rebellion
Dean’s clash with O’Shea embodies the tension between a player’s desire for autonomy and a coach’s demand for discipline. Dean feels unfairly targeted, while O’Shea insists on absolute compliance with team rules.
Reputation and Judgment
O’Shea weaponizes Dean’s past drinking incident, showing how a single mistake can follow a person and be used to label them. Dean resents being judged as an “alcohol abuser” based on his teenage years.
Digital Footprints and Privacy
The Instagram photo triggers the conflict, and Dean’s Facebook search for Miranda shows how social media exposes personal lives. His impulsive friend request reveals lingering attachment.
Sexual Tension and Boundaries
The sexting between Dean and Allie highlights their physical chemistry, but Allie’s refusal to hook up when Hannah is home underscores her need for privacy and boundaries in their arrangement.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens several conflicts. Dean’s relationship with Coach O’Shea deteriorates further, setting up future clashes. The introduction of Miranda through a Facebook friend request opens a potential new storyline involving Dean’s past. The tension between Dean’s casual hookup with Allie and his lingering feelings for Miranda foreshadows emotional complications. Additionally, Tucker’s secretive behavior hints at a parallel plot that will intertwine with the main narrative. The game loss and O’Shea’s lecture also ground Dean’s larger character arc: his struggle to balance hockey discipline with his impulsive, hedonistic nature.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Coach O’Shea focus on Dean rather than the other players in the Instagram photo?
O’Shea says he chose to speak to Dean first because he was already aware of Dean’s “history with alcohol abuse.” This refers to an incident when Dean was a teenager and drank too much. O’Shea uses that past mistake to imply Dean has a drinking problem, which Dean vehemently denies.
2. What does Dean’s decision to send a Facebook friend request to Miranda reveal about his emotional state?
Dean is curious about Miranda and possibly still attached to their past relationship. The impulsive act happens right after his confrontation with O’Shea, suggesting he may be seeking connection or closure. The request is a small step toward reaching out to someone from his earlier life.
3. How does Allie’s refusal to meet Dean tonight show her character?
Allie prioritizes caution and respect for her roommate Hannah over impulse. Even though she enjoys Dean’s company, she won’t risk being discovered in a sexual situation. This shows she is level‑headed, values her friendships, and maintains control over the terms of their relationship.