Page 110 of Absolution

I hesitate, then sigh. “I’ll tell you when we get there.”

He doesn’t like that, I can tell. But he lets it go.

We drive in silence for a while, the hum of the tires and the soft patter of rain filling the space. I stare out the window, not ready to go to his apartment, but needing to see the kids.

When we finally pull into the lot, he parks. Before I can unbuckle, he reaches over gently.

“Your turn.”

I take a breath. “Remember when you went to Boston?”

He nods, cautious. “Yeah.”

“I went there too. To surprise you. Only… I was the one surprised when I saw you andher.”

He lowers his head, jaw clenching in shame.

“Well, I waspissed,” I say, my voice shaking. “Like,stab-you-in-the-dickpissed. But I was also scared. Because of the prenup. And everything.”

He frowns. “Wait, what?”

“Anyway, I thought I could just swallow my anger. But I couldn’t. So… I kinda… drugged you?”

His head jerks up. “Youwhat?”

I say quickly, before I lose my courage. “I gave you this hormone drug. It’s supposed to help with estrogen balance and… stuff.”

He turns to look out the windshield, jaw working. “So, the nipples, and the weird mood swings and…” He groans. “Oh my God. Icried, Jackie.”

“What?” I ask, eyes widening.

“I messed up a brief at work and my boss yelled at me and I juststarted crying. Like, fully crying. Jackie,stop laughing.”

“I’m sorry,” I gasp, wiping tears from my eyes. “It’s not funny.” I try to be serious. Then burst out giggling again. “Did… did everyoneseeyou cry?”

“Yes,” he mutters. “But I said it was allergies.”

“Did they believe you?”

“I don’t know.” He yells.

The giggles slowly fade. I look at him more seriously now. “I’m not sorry.”

“Yeah, the laughing kind of gave that away.”

“Are you angry?”

He’s quiet for a beat. “I don’t know. Why’d you tell me now?”

“Well… I stopped giving you the drug before you left for New York. So, your maybe-heart attack, might’ve been related.”

He blinks. Then lets out a soft laugh. “Well, if that’s what finally snapped me out of it, then… I guess it’s fine. But Icould’velived without thinking I was dying.”

“Iamsorry about that,” I say, gently.

He glances at me. “I’ll forgive you on one condition.”

I narrow my eyes. “What?”

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