Page 18 of The Boyfriend Zone

"Or it could be nothing," I cautioned, suddenly protective. "Maybe it's just a minor strain."

"Then why hide it?" she countered, always the pragmatist. "Players get injured all the time. It's only a big deal if it's serious enough to affect his performance or the team's season."

"Exactly." I frowned, remembering Sean's evasiveness when I'd asked about it. "And I think it might be. He's definitely in pain, but he's playing through it."

"If you're right, that's a legitimate story, Lucas. The star defenseman hiding an injury that could compromise the team's championship hopes? That's headline material." She leaned closer. "But you'd better be sure before you run with it. Accusations like that can blow up in your face."

"I know. That's why I haven't written anything about it." I sighed, closing my laptop. "And honestly, I'm not sure I want to."

Ava tilted her head, studying me. "Because you like him."

It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "Yes. And because it feels invasive. Using something I observed during a private moment to potentially cause problems for him."

"That's literally our job, though," she pointed out. "Observing things and reporting on them, even when it might cause problems for someone."

"I know. But there's a line between reporting facts and exploiting someone's vulnerability." I picked up her photo of Sean, studying his face, trying to reconcile the fierce competitor on the ice with the conflicted man I'd kissed in the gym. "I need more information before I decide how to handle this."

"Fair enough." Ava's expression softened. "Just be careful, okay? I don't want to see you compromise your journalistic integrity for a pretty face."

"It's more than that," I found myself saying. "There's something about him that makes me want to understand him, not just report on him."

"Oh boy." Ava patted my hand sympathetically. "You've got it bad, don't you?"

Before I could respond, the editor's door opened, and Mia stuck her head out. "Lucas! Just the person I wanted to see. Got a minute?"

I nodded, grateful for the interruption. Ava gave me a "this isn't over" look as I stood and made my way to Mia's office.

The editor-in-chief of The Daily was a senior journalism major who ran the paper with military precision and an almost supernatural ability to spot a buried lead.

"How's the hockey coverage coming along?" she asked, gesturing for me to take a seat. "Getting good material?"

"Definitely," I said, settling into the chair across from her desk. "The team's been very cooperative. I'm working on a piece about their season prospects now."

"Good, good." Mia shuffled through some papers on her desk. "What angle are you taking?"

"I'm focusing on their team chemistry," I explained.

Mia nodded, but I could tell she wasn't particularly excited by my approach. "Sounds solid. But you know what would really make your coverage stand out? Finding the story no one else is telling."

I swallowed. "What do you mean?"

"I wantThe Dailyto dig deeper. Anything beyond the usual 'we're working hard and taking it one game at a time' nonsense?"

My mind immediately went to Sean—his hidden injury, his closeted sexuality, the pressure he seemed to be under from his father. Those were certainly stories "no one else was telling." But they weren't my stories to tell.

"I'm still getting to know the team," I hedged.

"Good. Keep at it." Mia leaned back in her chair. "We could use a standout piece for the sports section. Something that gets attention beyond campus."

As I walked back to my desk, I couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling that I was caught between my journalistic ambition and my growing feelings for Sean.

My phone buzzed with a text notification, and my heart jumped when I saw it was from Sean.

Team's going to Hat Trick's tonight to celebrate the win. Press welcome, according to Coach. You coming?

I stared at the message, trying to decipher its subtext. Was this a professional invitation or a personal one? Was Sean reaching out because he wanted to see me, or just doing his duty as a team member?

Probably. Nate and I are supposed to do a human interest piece on team bonding, I replied, keeping it professional just in case.

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