Page 38 of The Boyfriend Zone

Put that way, it did sound ridiculous. But fears aren't always rational, especially when they've been reinforced your entire life.

"What should I do?" I asked.

"About Lucas or about your shoulder?" Zach raised an eyebrow.

"Both, I guess."

Zach thought for a moment. "For the shoulder, you need to tell Coach or Dr. Shaw how bad it really is. Let them bench you for a couple of weeks to heal. It'll suck, but it's better than blowing it out completely and never playing again."

"And the scouts?" I couldn't keep the worry from my voice.

"Will still be there when you're healthy," Zach assured me. "Hell, they might be impressed by your maturity in handling an injury the right way instead of being a stereotypical hockey meathead who plays until something breaks."

I hadn't considered that angle before. "And Lucas?"

"That's trickier," Zach admitted. "But if he means something to you—which, based on that dopey look you get when his name comes up, he clearly does—then maybe stop pushing him away every time he gets close."

"I kissed him," I blurted out. "In the locker room. Right before Jensen and Martinez walked in."

Zach's eyes widened. "Damn. No wonder Jensen was running his mouth. Did they see?"

"I don't think so," I said, tension coiling in my gut at the memory. "But it was close. Too close."

"And how was it? The kiss, I mean."

Despite everything, I felt a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Good. Really good."

"And after?"

"I froze up," I admitted. "Pushed him away again. Told him I'd text him later."

"Have you?"

I shook my head.

"Classic Sean," Zach sighed dramatically. "Always making things harder than they need to be. Look, just text the guy. Tell him you're sorry for being weird, that you like him, and that you're figuring things out. Communication, bro. It's this amazing invention where you use words to express feelings."

"Says the guy who ghosted Nate for weeks after one kiss," I retorted.

"And I'm trying to make up for that now, aren't I?" Zach's cheeks colored slightly. "I'm learning from my mistakes. You should try it sometime."

"I'll think about it," I promised, adjusting the ice pack again. "All of it."

"Good." Zach stood, stretching. "Because no offense, but watching you pine while also being in pain is getting old. I prefer you brooding and healthy, not brooding and self-destructive."

I laughed despite myself. "Thanks for the ice. And for whatever this was."

"Tough love," Zach supplied. "With emphasis on the love part, you idiot."

After he left to shower, I sat alone with my thoughts, the ice numbing more than just my shoulder. Zach was right—I'd been making everything harder than it needed to be, letting fear dictate my actions instead of being honest with myself and others.

I pulled out my phone, staring at the blank message screen. What could I possibly say to Lucas that would make up for how I'd been treating him?

In the end, I settled for simplicity:I'm sorry about earlier. You deserved better. Can we talk tomorrow? Somewhere private?

I hit send before I could overthink it, then set my phone aside, not expecting an immediate response. To my surprise, it buzzed less than a minute later:I'd like that. My place? Nate's got a shoot all afternoon, so we'd have privacy.

The thought of being alone with Lucas, away from the rink and the team and all the complications they represented, made my heart rate pick up. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

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