Page 140 of The Husband Game

Dustin hadn’t gotten where he was without a shitload of patience.

Building a team took time. Sometimes there were setbacks. But if he knew anything, it was how to persevere.

He was good at showing up, day after day, and doing the hard work.

Sometimes it took weeks, months, years, to see the results on a team.

With Charlie, he didn’t have years. They were already a third of the way through their promised time together. But they’d come a long way already in the past few months so Dustin would be patient.

He’d keep showing up, day after day, and putting in the hard work with Charlie.

He’d prove to him he was steady. Reliable. He would be there when Charlie needed him. He wouldn’t flinch when things were tough or uncomfortable or ugly.

Charlie wasn’t ready to fully trust him yet?

Fine. Dustin would wait him out. He’d show him he was trustworthy enough to come to.

Dustin felt a flicker of doubt as he thought about the things he’d gotten wrong over the years.

His interactions with Noah following his knee surgery.

The way he’d completely missed that Gabriel was struggling with his father’s CTE diagnosis.

Not paying attention to Nico when he needed him.

He should have done better by them.

But he could do better by Charlie. He had to.

Unless he was willing to watch Charlie walk away after this year was up, he needed to prove himself.

He’d show Charlie their life together was good. Something worth fighting for.

Now, as he stared down at Charlie’s face, he realized he’d do anything to keep him. He’d walk away from his team if it came to that.

He didn’t want to go to Chicago. Didn’t want to leave Toronto or give up his captaincy and the life he’d built here. But if it was a choice between that and Charlie?

He’d request a trade.

“Dustin?” Charlie whispered, a little frown disturbing his pretty face. He reached up and gently touched Dustin’s jaw.

“Yeah, kitten?”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes,” he said firmly. He kissed Charlie’s fingertips. “Everything is going to be just fine.”

* * *

The cocktail party at the Henderson mansion was like every other old-money event Charlie had ever been to.

Stuffy. Boring. Traditional.

He knew he’d be pushing the envelope showing up in a form-fitting dress and heels, but well, this was who he was.

Dustin had sworn to him he was fine with it. He liked Charlie just the way he was. He was proud to have him on his arm.

So Charlie walked in with his head held high, his posture perfect, and his arm tucked in Dustin’s.

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