Contents
Chapter 16
Overview
Dean discovers unexpected fulfillment coaching kids and promises Dakota help learning to skate. Alone at the house, he invites Allie over; she’s stressed about a TV audition and has back pain. A sensual bath and candid talk escalate into sex, but Logan’s sudden arrival interrupts, threatening their secrecy.
Summary
In the elementary school equipment room, Dean banters with Dakota, who asks about his love life and confides her brother has a girlfriend. While shelving gear, Dean reflects that law school was always assumed for him, but he’s never felt passion for it; coaching youth hockey, however, makes him feel alive.
When Dakota shyly asks to learn to skate, Dean realizes she never had lessons because of family finances. He searches for spare skates, rejects too-big “boy” skates when she balks, and promises to find suitable “girl” skates. Coach Ellis arrives to collect Dakota, and Dean discusses upcoming drills with him.
Back home, Dean learns Garrett, Tucker, and Logan will be out. He texts Allie to come over and to bring her vibrator “Winston.” After dinner and prep, Allie arrives mid-call with her agent, Ira, about a Fox pilot audition tape. She’s stressed and has back pain from overtraining.
Dean draws a hot bubble bath to ease Allie’s pain. In the tub together, they flirt, joke about pegging and prostate play, and exchange brief stories about past same-sex kisses, both finding them unremarkable. The intimacy escalates as Dean teases Allie and aligns to have sex.
Just as they’re about to go further, Allie hears footsteps. Logan unexpectedly bursts into the bathroom, forcing a naked Allie to dive behind the door, abruptly halting the encounter and endangering the secrecy of their fling.
Who Appears
- Dean Di LaurentisNarrator; assistant youth coach who feels fulfilled, promises Dakota skating help, invites Allie over, initiates a bath and sex, interrupted by Logan.
- Allie HayesStressed about a Fox pilot audition and back pain; brings her vibrator; shares intimate bath and candid talk with Dean before being interrupted.
- DakotaYoung sister of a player; confides about her brother’s girlfriend; asks Dean to teach her to skate; wants “girl” skates.
- Coach EllisYouth hockey coach who checks in, collects Dakota, and discusses practice plans with Dean.
- LoganRoommate; says he’s going to Boston, later unexpectedly bursts into the bathroom, interrupting Dean and Allie.
- IraAllie’s agent on the phone, pushing for a TV pilot audition tape and stressing her out.
- GarrettTexts Dean that he needs a ride from practice; otherwise off-page.
- TuckerLeaves a note he’s out; house’s health-conscious cook whose groceries shape Dean’s meals.