Page 182 of The Husband Game

Taylor dragged Charlie down to the rec area and settled in on the big comfy couch. He pointed to a pitcher and two glasses on the table. “Help yourself.”

Charlie studied the plum-colored drink. “Huh. I thought you meant the white wine one you usually make.”

“I’m experimenting with something for fall. We’re having the team over for Thanksgiving next week.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Charlie said with a sigh. He poured Taylor a glass of the red-wine concoction, then poured one for himself. “The contractor claims they finished the kitchen today but I still have to sign off on it. It would be great if it was done though because we’re also having the team over for Thanksgiving. Also, gah, I am so mad I’m not home to see it!”

“I can’t wait to have you give me a tour via video chat,” Taylor said with a smile.

“You’ll be the first virtual guest I have,” Charlie promised, then took a sip of the drink. “Holy shit this is good. What’s in it?”

“A bottle of shiraz, some brandy, crème de cassis, spicy ginger beer, soda water, a dash of vanilla syrup and some blackberries, cherries, and sliced plums.”

“Send me the recipe. That is definitely going on the menu.”

Taylor pulled out his phone. “Done. But start talking. How are you feeling?”

“Really good,” Charlie said. “Lots to unpack in therapy for sure but I’m feeling solid.”

“And your mother is never allowed anywhere near Toronto?”

Charlie laughed. “I can’t keep her out of Toronto. But she’s been banned from anything connected to the Fisher Cats. And we’re working on an actual restraining order.”

“Wow. I didn’t think they ever gave them out unless the person went full-on knife-wielding psycho mode. Or is that a Canadian thing like universal healthcare and bagged milk?”

“I think it’s more of a ‘Dustin is a BIG DEAL there, thing,’ Charlie admitted drily. “I’m not usually into him throwing his weight around but in this case, I’ll take it.”

“Good.”

“Nothing is a done deal yet though,” Charlie said cautiously. “The hearing hasn’t happened yet. But a fancy lawyer is working on it all.”

“It’s something,” Taylor said.

“It is.” Charlie took another sip of his drink.

That was gonna be dangerous. It mostly tasted fruity and delicious but from what Taylor said, it sounded like it was also incredibly boozy.

Charlie was gonna get so drunk.

Ahh well, he deserved it and he had nowhere he had to be until Dustin’s game against the Evanston Otters tomorrow tonight.

“And your dad?” Taylor prompted.

“We’re … emailing a little. Nothing major. He sent me pictures of the bird outside his office window. I shared a recipe I’d made the other night. You know … it’s … cautious. A little awkward.”

“But you feel good about it?”

“I do,” Charlie said firmly. “I’m keeping an eye out for potential pitfalls but I am okay keeping the communication channels open. One sign of Mom and I am fucking out of there though.”

“Good.”

“Dad did say he’d talked to a lawyer about filing for divorce but nothing is official. I’d like for him to leave her but that’s gonna be hard,” Charlie acknowledged. “They’ve been hideously codependent for decades so … I’m not gonna expect it to happen overnight or maybe ever. But if you’d asked me a couple of years ago if he’d consider the idea, I’d have said it would never happen in a million years so …”

“People do change.”

“They do,” Charlie agreed. “Just look at me! No one would have guessed I’d end up a happily married man and yet here I am.”

“Here you are.” Taylor held out his glass and Charlie lightly tapped them together. “Congrats by the way.”

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