Page 17 of The Boyfriend Zone

As I pushed through the gym doors into the crisp morning air, I tugged my hood up against the chill. The campus was still quiet, most students taking advantage of the early hour to sleep. I envied them their simple priorities, their freedom to be whoever they wanted without the weight of expectation crushing them.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to find a message from an unfamiliar number.

For the record, that didn't help me forget anything. In fact, I think it made things worse. But in a good way. -L

Same here, I typed back before I could talk myself out of it.But maybe we should try again sometime. You know, for journalism.

His response came almost immediately:I'm very dedicated to thorough research.

I laughed out loud, startling a passing jogger. For just a moment, I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like to actually date Lucas—to take him to dinner, to hold his hand walking across campus, to introduce him to my friends as more than just the reporter covering our team.

The fantasy was so enticing it physically hurt to push it away, to remind myself of all the reasons I couldn't have that. My father's expectations. The scouts. The team. My future.

But as I trudged back to my apartment, shoulder aching and lips still tingling from Lucas's kiss, I found myself wondering for the first time if hockey was worth giving up everything else that might make me happy.

Chapter 6: Lucas

I sat at my desk, staring at my laptop screen, trying to focus on the hockey article I was supposed to be writing. It was meant to be a straightforward piece about the team's season prospects.

Except all I could think about was Sean, and the kiss we'd shared in the gym.

Every time I tried to write about the team's "solid defensive line," my mind wandered to the feel of Sean's lips against mine, the surprising gentleness of his hands, the way he'd looked at me afterward with equal parts desire and confusion.

"Earth to Lucas," a voice said, accompanied by a finger snapping in front of my face. "Hello? Anyone home?"

I blinked, focusing on Ava, the campus newspaper's photographer, who was perched on the edge of my desk with an amused expression.

"Sorry," I said, rubbing my eyes. "Just trying to get this piece right."

"Uh-huh." She didn't sound convinced. "You've been staring at that same paragraph for twenty minutes. I've been watching you."

"That's not creepy at all."

"Says the guy who spent our entire staff meeting yesterday doodling little hockey sticks in his notebook." She grinned, pushing a glossy photo print across my desk. "Speaking of which, thought you might like this for your 'research.'"

It was an action shot of Sean from the game, perfectly timed as he checked an opposing player into the boards. His expression was intense, focused, a study in controlled power. Even frozen in a photograph, there was something magnetic about him.

"For the article," I said quickly, trying to sound professional. "Good composition."

"Oh please." Ava rolled her eyes. "I've seen how you look at Hockey Hunk over there. Not that I blame you—those shoulders should be registered as lethal weapons."

I felt heat creep up my neck. "It's strictly professional."

She chuckled, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Come on, Lucas. We've been friends for what, two years now? You think I can't tell when you're crushing on someone?"

There was no point denying it to Ava. She had an uncanny ability to read people, which made her both an excellent photojournalist and an occasionally annoying friend.

"Fine," I admitted, lowering my voice. "I might find him... interesting."

"Interesting," she repeated, eyebrows raised. "That's the adjective you're going with? Not gorgeous, or ripped, or—"

"Okay, okay." I glanced around to make sure no one was listening. "Yes, he's attractive. But there's more to it than that. I think he might be hiding something."

Ava's playful expression sharpened with journalistic interest. "Like what?"

I hesitated, torn between confiding in her and protecting Sean's privacy. "I think he has a shoulder injury. A serious one that he's not telling anyone about. And when I went to the gym the other day for that training piece, he was there doing rehab exercises. I saw him with an ice pack before he noticed me and tried to hide it."

Ava whistled softly. "That could be a story."

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