Page 86 of The Boyfriend Zone

"It's cute," Nate assured him. "In a slightly pathetic, completely whipped kind of way."

"Ignore him," I told Lucas. "He's just jealous because no one fusses over him."

"I don't need fussing," Nate declared loftily. "I'm a self-sufficient adult who—"

"Forgot to eat breakfast because he was too busy reorganizing his camera lenses for the fourteenth time," Lucas finished for him. "I had to physically shove a granola bar into his hands this morning."

Zach looked far too interested in this information. "Disorganizedandforgetful? How do you function, press boy?"

"Better than you, hockey goon," Nate fired back. "At least I remember to text people back when I say I will."

An uncomfortable silence fell at this pointed reference. Zach had the grace to look slightly abashed, while the rest of us pretended great interest in our immediate surroundings.

Coach's voice saved us from further awkwardness. "Press out! Time to focus, gentlemen."

As the reporters began filing toward the door, Lucas hesitated beside me. Then, in a move that surprised both of us, he pulled me into a tight hug, public setting be damned.

"You've got this," he whispered fiercely in my ear. "You're the best player on that ice and the strongest person I know. Go show them."

I held onto him perhaps a moment longer than was strictly appropriate, drawing strength from his unwavering belief in me. "Thanks," I murmured as we separated.

Lucas's smile was soft and private. As he turned to leave, we were treated to an unexpected sight: Nate, in an apparent moment of emotional bravery, had approached Zach with a hesitant expression.

"Good luck out there," he said stiffly. "Try not to fall on your face or anything."

"Wouldn't dream of disappointing my most supportive fan," Zach replied, his tone hovering between sarcastic and sincere.

Then, in a move that silenced the entire locker room, Nate leaned in and pressed a quick, awkward kiss to Zach's cheek. "For luck," he muttered, immediately turning several shades of red.

Zach looked thunderstruck, his usual confidence replaced by wide-eyed surprise. "I, uh—thanks?" he managed, his own cheeks flushing.

"Just keep your head in the game," Nate admonished, already backing toward the door. "And your stick on the ice, or whatever that hockey saying is."

"Keep your head up and your stick on the ice," Zach corrected automatically, then seemed to shake himself out of his daze. "Nate, wait—"

In two quick strides, he closed the distance between them, cupped Nate's face in his hands, and kissed him—fully, properly, no hesitation. The locker room erupted in whistles and cheers as Nate, after a moment of shock, kissed him back with equal fervor.

When they broke apart, both were breathing harder than the brief kiss warranted, staring at each other with a mixture of surprise and long-suppressed longing.

"What was that for?" Nate asked, his voice barely audible over the continued cheers and catcalls from the team.

"Should've done it months ago," Zach replied simply. "Sorry I'm an idiot."

"Well, that's been established," Nate agreed, a smile breaking through his surprise.

"Go to dinner with me after the game?" Zach asked, uncharacteristically vulnerable. "A real date, not just hanging out or whatever we've been pretending it is."

Nate's smile widened. "Yes. But only if you win. I don't date losers."

"Harsh but fair," Zach laughed, releasing him reluctantly. "Guess I better go win a championship then."

Lucas caught my eye across the room, his expression a delighted "did you see that?!" I nodded, giving him a thumbs-up. We'd both known this was coming for months, but the timing was unexpected—and perfect in its own way. Nothing like the pressure of a championship to force emotional honesty.

"Called it," Lucas mouthed as he backed toward the door, looking smug.

"We both did," I mouthed back, unable to suppress my grin.

As the door closed behind the reporters, Coach Barnett cleared his throat, drawing our attention back to the matter at hand. "Well, now that Nate and Zach have finally sorted out their obvious attraction, perhaps we can focus on winning a hockey game?"

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