Page 71 of The Boyfriend Zone

Ah, now their interest made sense. "So this isn't about my work-life balance at all. This is about you wanting to hang out with Zach, and Ava wanting to photograph drunk athletes doing stupid things for her portfolio."

"Two birds, one stone," Ava shrugged, not even bothering to deny it. "Besides, Sean will be there."

"Sean and I already have plans to study together tomorrow," I pointed out, though my resolve was weakening at the thought of seeing him in a more relaxed setting. With finals and end-of-semester projects, our time together had been limited lately.

"Studying," Nate repeated skeptically. "Is that what the kids are calling it these days?"

I threw a crumpled paper at his head, which he dodged easily. "Yes, studying. Some of us take our education seriously."

"And some of us know that all studying and no fun makes for a very cranky Lucas," Nate retorted. "Come on, it'll be good for you. One night to relax before we all split up for break."

He had a point there. Winter break was approaching rapidly, and with it two weeks of separation from Sean as we both headed home to our respective families. The thought of not seeing him every day was already making me antsy, though I tried not to show it.

"Please?" Ava added, deploying her most persuasive smile. "For me? Consider it your holiday gift."

I sighed, knowing when I was beaten. "Fine. One hour, maybe two. But I'm not drinking much because I still need to finish this essay tomorrow."

Ava clapped her hands triumphantly. "Excellent! Wear something cute. Not one of your grandpa sweaters."

"My sweaters are comfortable and practical," I protested.

"They're hideous," Nate corrected. "And while Sean seems to find your questionable fashion choices endearing, perhaps spare him the embarrassment at his team party."

I was still grumbling about their fashion critiques hours later as I stood before my closet, debating what constituted "cute but not trying too hard" for a hockey house party. I eventually settled on dark jeans and a blue button-down that Sean had once mentioned brought out my eyes. Not that I was dressing for him specifically. Much.

"Ready to party?" Nate appeared in my doorway, looking unfairly attractive with minimal effort. His relationship—or whatever he and Zach were calling it these days—had brought out a newfound attention to his appearance.

"As I'll ever be," I replied, grabbing my phone and wallet. "Remember, two hours max. I have work to do tomorrow."

"Sure, sure," Nate agreed with a dismissive wave. "Let's go."

The infamous Hockey House was located just off campus, a slightly dilapidated Victorian that had been passed down through generations of team members. As we approached, I could already hear music pulsing from within, the windows glowing warmly against the cold December night.

"Maybe this was a mistake," I muttered as we climbed the porch steps. "I'll just feel out of place."

"You'll be fine," Nate assured me, pushing open the door without knocking. "Just relax and have fun. Novel concept, I know."

The living room was already packed, bodies moving to the music, the air warm with the press of people and the subtle scent of spilled beer. Red and green Christmas lights had been strung haphazardly around the room, giving everything a festive if slightly disorienting glow.

I scanned the crowd, looking for Sean, suddenly feeling like a fish out of water. Despite how far we'd come, I still sometimes felt like an outsider looking in.

Then I felt a warm hand at the small of my back, and turned to find Sean smiling down at me, eyes bright with pleasure at seeing me.

"You came," he said, leaning in to be heard over the music. "I wasn't sure you would."

"Ava and Nate were very persuasive," I replied, already feeling more at ease with him beside me. "And I wanted to see you."

His smile widened, and he kept his hand at my back as we moved through the crowd, a protective gesture that made my heart flutter embarrassingly. Sean waved to teammates as we passed, calling out greetings, completely unselfconscious about my presence at his side.

We found Zach by the kitchen, proudly showing off a keg that had been decorated to look like a reindeer, complete with pipe cleaner antlers and a red pom-pom nose.

"The lovebirds arrive!" he declared, handing us each a red plastic cup filled with something that smelled potent. "Drink up, it's my special holiday punch."

Sean took a cautious sip and immediately winced. "Damn, Zach. What did you put in this?"

I tried mine and nearly sputtered. "Did you pour half a bottle of rum into the mix?"

"Only a third," Zach grinned unrepentantly. "It's festive! Candy canes and alcohol poisoning, name a more iconic holiday duo."

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