Page 10 of The Husband Game

He had always managed to keep his nose pretty clean and avoid anything more than minor speculation in gossip blogs. Despite the string of relationships he’d had over the years, he’d never left anyone feeling vindictive enough to blab his private life everywhere.

Toronto was pleased and enjoyed trotting him out as the squeaky-clean poster boy for the NHL.

He’d royally fucked that one up last night.

In theory, being married should only add to his squeaky-clean reputation, but the venue and circumstances weren’t ideal and if it looked like he’d just gotten drunk, said ‘I do’ on a whim, then turned around and immediately filed for divorce, it wouldn’t look good.

“Obviously, no one can force you and Charlie to remain married.”

“Of course.”

“But how you want to handle what happens next will depend a lot on what both you and Charlie want. I’d like to sit down with you both and discuss all of the options before any decisions are made.”

“Charlie’s in the shower now,” Dustin said with a frown at the bathroom door. “But you can come over. I’m sure he’ll be ready by the time you arrive.”

“Okay. Shoot me a text with the hotel info and I’ll be over shortly.”

“Sounds good.”

Wade hesitated. “Dustin, tell me the truth. Do you have feelings for Charlie or was this some drunken idiocy? Because I’ve gotta say, we’ve been working together for a long time and this is completely unlike you. I know how hard you work and while you’ve certainly let off steam with the boys in the past, you’ve never had a single scandal until now. This feels wildly out of character.”

Dustin swallowed hard. “I … like Charlie. I know this was totally out of left field but I … have feelings for him. Obviously, it would have been smarter if I’d asked him out on a date instead of to marry me, but … you know, it seemed like a good idea at the time.”

Wade huffed out a laugh. “For the sake of my vacation, I definitely wish you’d gone the date route but we’re here now. We’ll figure something out, I promise.”

“Thanks, Wade.”

“See you in a bit.”

Dustin was still staring at his dark phone when Charlie stepped out of the bathroom.

He looked perfectly put together and Dustin wondered if they were alike in that way.

Earlier, Dustin had showered and dressed like he was putting on his Fisher Cats uniform, preparing himself to face the battle ahead.

Maybe Charlie had done the same.

“Wade Cannon is on his way over. He’s my agent.”

Charlie glanced over, expression remote and wintry as he curled up in a nearby chair. “I know who Wade is.”

“Good. That’ll make for a quick introduction.”

Dustin packed his belongings, then anxiously drummed his fingers on his thigh as he waited for Wade’s arrival.

He’d already tidied the hotel room, removing any incriminating evidence of their night together.

Charlie had refused to meet Dustin’s eye when he handed over the lavender lace underwear and Dustin had blinked at the number of condom wrappers scattered on the floor.

No whiskey dick for him last night, apparently.

“Are you gonna get the door?”

Charlie’s irritated tone pulled Dustin from his thoughts and he stood with a shake of his head, striding over to the door. Another knock came, this time more insistent.

“Wade,” Dustin said with a smile after he finally got the multiple locks undone and the door open.

Wade shot him a half-smile as he stepped into the hotel room carrying a leather briefcase. “Good, you are still here. I was starting to think you two had ignored my advice and snuck out.”