Page 187 of The Husband Game

“It is,” Dustin agreed. “It won’t fix all of the problems in the league but some external oversight will help.”

“Exactly. Well, congrats on both then. You’ve been a very busy man lately.”

“Don’t remind me.” Dustin straightened. “Hey, speaking of Charlie, he wanted to talk to Simon about some art stuff. Could I give you his business card for you to pass along?”

“Yeah, of course.”

Dustin pulled Charlie’s card out and held it out but as he let go, he said, “Actually, I’d like to talk to you about one other thing.”

“Sure. What’s going on?”

Dustin hesitated, not sure how he wanted to word it. “So, we both know I didn’t handle your return to ice in the most graceful way, yeah?”

Noah gave him a little shrug. “Water under the bridge.”

“I appreciate that but I’d actually like your advice.”

“About what?”

“About how to be a leader,” Dustin said simply. “I’m captain but I have a long way to go to become the leader I want to be. If you’re willing, I’d like to learn from you.”

He’d had a similar conversation with his dad recently but he thought he could use all the help he could get.

Noah stared at him for a moment before he nodded and clapped Dustin on the shoulder. “I think you’re better than you give yourself credit for but yes, of course. I’d be happy to sit down and talk with you.”

“Thanks, man.” Dustin let out a huge sigh of relief. “I’d really appreciate that.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

“Oh my God, are you wearing an Otters jersey tonight?” Charlie asked, a little scandalized.

Emily grinned and slid into the seat next to him. “Ehh, you know. Gotta keep it interesting. Besides, I enjoy pissing off my brother.”

Charlie snorted and looked to his other side to see Taylor also wearing an Evanston jersey. Presumably, Jamie’s name was on the back of his.

“I guess I am outnumbered tonight. Emily, this is my best friend, Taylor. Taylor, this is my sister-in-law, Emily.”

Charlie was unsurprised when the two of them hit it off and they were gabbing away like old friends by the time the lights dimmed, indicating the ceremony was about to begin.

When the lights came up again, former Fisher Cats goaltender Noah Boucher stood on the carpet rolled out on the ice.

Charlie sat up straight.

“Otters fans.” Noah’s voice rose over the crowd. “Tonight we will be celebrating the retirement of three of your most talented players in franchise history. You may be wondering why I was chosen to speak tonight but although we may have been rivals on the ice, let me assure you no one has more respect for Anders Lindholm, Zane Murphy, and Ryan Hartinger than I do.”

Fans shouted and clapped until Charlie’s ears rang from it.

“To me, hockey has always been about more than the game played on the ice. It is also about the strength of character, integrity, and perseverance of the players. Not only did all three of these players lead this team to two Stanley Cup wins—”

The crowd cheered and Noah stood there silently until the noise died down.

“But they did it under the kind of circumstances none of us would ever want to face. They stared unflinchingly at someone in need when it would have been easier to look away. They stood up for what was right when it would have been easier to remain silent.

“So tonight, while we celebrate their on-ice victories, let us also remember their other accomplishments. Let us remember that as important as this game is, it is what we do off-ice that will show the world how great our legacy should be.”

The noise of the crowd was deafening.

“So congratulations to the three of you. Your retirements are a loss to the game of hockey but a gain for the rest of the world. Thank you for all you have given to the league and may you have long, happy retirements.”

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