Page 5 of The Boyfriend Zone

I shook his hand, appreciating his firm grip and friendly smile. "Lucas. This is my colleague, Nate. Thanks for letting us invade your space."

"No problem. We've been trying to get more campus coverage. The team deserves it." Tristan gestured around the room. "Feel free to talk to anyone. Most of these guys love attention, so you shouldn't have any trouble getting quotes."

As Tristan moved away to continue his preparations, another player sauntered over, a confident smirk on his face. "So you're the press, huh? Don't worry, we'll give you a good show tonight." He winked at Nate. "I'm Zach, by the way.Forward. First line."

"Nate, the photographer. Don't worry, I know how to make even the worst players look good."

Instead of being offended, Zach's smirk widened. "Feisty. I like it."

"And I like getting good shots, so try not to fall on your face too much out there," Nate retorted, though I noticed a slight flush on his cheeks.

"Oh, I never fall unless I want to." Zach's tone was playful, but there was something simmering beneath the surface. "And I'm very... deliberate about what I want."

I raised my eyebrows, looking between them. The tension was palpable, but it wasn't the friendly kind Zach had displayed with us initially.

Nate rolled his eyes. "Save the charm for someone who's buying it, Zach. I'm here to work."

"Sure thing, sweetheart." Zach's grin didn't falter. "But if you want any... exclusive content, you just let me know."

"I need to check my camera settings," Nate said abruptly, turning to me. "Where should I set up?"

Before I could answer, a voice from across the room made my heart stop.

"Zach, Coach wants us on the ice in five."

I knew that voice. I'd been replaying it in my head all morning.

I turned slowly, and there he was—Sean, from the club. He was pulling a jersey over his head, his face partly obscured, but there was no mistaking that build, that tousled hair.

When his face emerged, his eyes immediately locked with mine, and I saw the moment of recognition, followed quickly by something that looked like panic. He froze for a split second before his expression smoothed over into polite neutrality.

My stomach dropped. He was going to pretend he didn't know me.

"Thanks, man," Zach called back, oblivious to the silent exchange happening between us. "Hey, Sean, come meet the press. They're covering us this season."

Sean approached slowly, his face a careful mask. "Sean," he said formally, extending his hand to me like we were meeting for the first time. "Defense."

I stared at his outstretched hand for a moment before taking it, feeling none of the warmth from last night. "Lucas. The Daily."

If Zach noticed the tension, he didn't show it. "And this is Nate, the photographer with the smart mouth."

Sean nodded curtly at Nate, who was looking between Sean and me with narrowed eyes. My best friend missed nothing.

"We should get ready," Sean said to Zach, already backing away. "Nice meeting you both."

As they walked away, I heard Zach ask, "What's up with you? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I couldn't hear Sean's reply, but the set of his shoulders was rigid, nothing like the relaxed posture of the man I'd danced with last night.

"Lucas," Nate hissed, pulling me aside. "That's him, isn't it? Club guy?"

I nodded, still stunned. "Yeah."

"And he just pretended not to know you? What an asshole!"

"Keep your voice down," I whispered, though no one was paying attention to us. "Maybe he has his reasons."

"Like what? Being a closeted jerk?" Nate's protective instincts were in full swing. "Want me to get unflattering action shots of him? I can make him look like he's picking his nose mid-game."

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