Page 189 of The Husband Game

Dustin groaned as he skated up to the ref, unsurprised it was August Manning who’d spotted the penalty.

The guy had a hard-on for the rules.

While that was sort of a ref’s job, Manning was a total pain in the ass about it. He was young, which was probably part of it, so he was a total stickler about every minor infraction.

“Into the box, Arents,” Manning called out.

“What for?” Nico sputtered. “I didn’t do shit, Manning!”

“Two minutes for hooking.”

Nico snorted. “I’ve never hooked a day in my life. I’m definitely good enough in bed to get paid for it but I don’t exactly need the money.”

Manning looked unamused as he latched onto Nico’s waist, steering him toward the box, his dour expression making his handsome face look almost plain. “Enough with the jokes, number thirty-three. You’re not that funny.”

“Liar!” Nico shot over his shoulder. “I’m almost as hilarious as I am good-looking.”

“You’re a pain in my ass is what you are,” Manning grumbled.

“Only if you want me to be,” Nico said with a waggle of his eyebrows.

“Cut it out.” Manning pushed Nico into the penalty box none too gently. “Or I’ll add time on to the penalty.”

Nico turned, smirking. “For what? Flirting? I can’t help it. You’re so hot when you’re pissed off.”

“Rule 601,” he snapped. “Abuse of an official.”

“God you’re uptight. I’m starting to think you dislike queer players,” Nico threw back, his eyes narrowed, actually getting worked up now.

“Yeah, okay. Tell that to my ex-boyfriend.”

Nico opened his mouth to respond but Dustin had had enough. “Nico, cut it out! I don’t want to lose this game because you’re harassing a ref,” he said, exasperated.

Nico rolled his eyes. “Aww, you ruin all my fun, D. I thought you were going to support me in my time of need.”

Dustin scoffed. “What time of need? You know what? Never mind. I don’t want to hear it. Get in the box, Nico, or I’ll throw you in there myself.”

Nico gave him a disgruntled look but he waved his hand and slumped back on the bench. “Is this better?”

“If you keep your mouth shut, yes,” Dustin said as the official closed the penalty box door. “Behave!”

Nico made a face but he didn’t say anything else as he rubbed his head.

Dustin turned to face Manning. “Sorry about that. He gets a little mouthy.”

Manning crossed his arms over his chest. “Your guy has been pushing every last button I have tonight. If he does it again, it’ll be a game misconduct.”

That was definitely taking it too far but Dustin nodded. “I’ll make sure he understands.”

“You better,” Manning warned. “Because I’ve had it up to here with him.”

Game play resumed and, miraculously, they managed to keep the Otters from scoring on the power play.

The second period ended with a 4-1 score.

Dustin chewed Nico out during the second intermission and he mostly rolled his eyes but he did manage to keep his mouth shut long enough for Dustin to score twice in the third period, a few hats from Toronto fans raining down onto the ice in celebration.

The game ended in a 6-1 victory for the Fisher Cats and after some media time and a shower, Dustin left the locker room.

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