Contents
Chapter 10
Overview
Dean clashes with Sabrina after class, then unexpectedly thrives coaching the Hastings Hurricanes, bonding with Coach Ellis, Robbie, and Robbie’s sister Dakota. Later, Allie and Megan join the team at Malone’s for Fitzy’s birthday. Megan reveals doubts about her older boyfriend, while Dean’s teasing risks exposing his and Allie’s secret hookup.
Summary
After International Relations, Sabrina needles Dean about his intelligence and test scores. Dean fires back, then leaves, frustrated by their ongoing feud. He heads to his first volunteer session coaching the Hastings Elementary Hurricanes, grousing about O’Shea but agreeing to help.
En route he texts Fitzy about voodoo dolls, then arrives early and meets Coach Doug Ellis. Dean is assigned to bolster the defense and, during drills and a scrimmage, discovers he enjoys working with the eager boys, especially coaching Robbie on wrist shots. After practice, Ellis explains Robbie waits for his mom and gets supervised ice time; Dean offers to stay and keep teaching.
While Robbie skates, Dean meets Robbie’s ten-year-old sister, Dakota, bantering with her and helping with a Thanksgiving homework assignment. The experience deepens Dean’s appreciation for Ellis and the kids, hinting at a new sense of purpose.
Switching to Allie’s POV, Dean invites her to Malone’s for Fitzy’s birthday. Riding with Megan, Allie learns Megan’s boyfriend, Trevor, is a 37-year-old divorced pediatric surgeon with a five-year-old daughter. Megan is anxious about being asked to meet the child, and Allie advises her to honor her senior-year priorities before making such a serious step.
At the crowded bar, Allie and Megan join Dean, Fitzy, Hollis, Tucker, Pierre, Wilkes, and Ekberg. The team trades jokes; Allie orders water. Dean teases her about tequila, and Allie grows uneasy, worrying he might reveal their past hookup as he flirts and hints.
Who Appears
- Dean Di LaurentisProtagonist; feuds with Sabrina, thrives coaching the Hurricanes, mentors Robbie, charms Dakota, invites Allie to Fitzy’s birthday, and teasingly hints about their secret.
- Allie HayesAttends Malone’s with Megan; counsels Megan about an older boyfriend; at the bar, worries Dean might expose their hookup.
- MeganAllie’s friend; reveals she’s dating Trevor, 37, divorced with a daughter; conflicted about meeting the child; seeks distraction at Malone’s.
- Coach Doug EllisHastings Hurricanes coach; organized, supportive, praises players; arranges supervised ice time for Robbie; earns Dean’s respect.
- RobbieHurricanes player; practices wrist shots with Dean; stays for extra ice time while waiting for his mother.
- DakotaRobbie’s ten-year-old sister; chats with Dean, who helps her with a Thanksgiving homework assignment.
- Colin Fitzgerald (Fitzy)Dean’s teammate; turns 21; low-key about his birthday celebration at Malone’s.
- John HollisTeammate; jokes crudely with the guys and sits with Megan at the booth.
- PierreFrench-Canadian teammate; banters with Hollis and welcomes Allie.
- TuckerTeammate; sits by Allie, mostly occupied with his phone at the booth.
- SabrinaClassmate; taunts Dean about grades and integrity after International Relations lecture.
- WilkesTeammate; part of the birthday group at Malone’s.
- EkbergTeammate; joins the team’s banter during Fitzy’s birthday outing.