Page 99 of Absolution

I knew nice Kyle wouldn’t last. I was just waiting to see when the mask would slip. And now it has. Whatever. I don’t care. He wants to act like a child? Fine. I can act like one too.

“You, okay?” Charlie asks.

“Of course,” I say. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

He glances pointedly at the crushed paper straw between my fingers. “You look… angry.”

I debate how much to say. Charlie’s someone I met through Kyle, technically. One of those big legal parties, years ago, suits and small talk and way too much wine. He was standing near the bar, no tie, sipping something dark and expensive like he actually knew the difference. We only exchanged a few words that night, but I remembered him. His easy charm, the way he smiled with one side of his mouth, like he knew something you didn’t.

We ran into each other again the week after the kids’ birthday, at that café off Lamar. I was there for the quiet, he was there for the espresso. We recognized each other instantly. He said something about fate. I rolled my eyes but gave him my number anyway.

This is our fourth date. He’s easy to be around. Comfortable. Older than Kyle by maybe six or seven years, with streaks ofsilver at his temples that make him look distinguished instead of tired. He owns a chain of hardware stores now, nothing flashy, but steady. He’s been divorced once too, no kids. He doesn’t fill silences with questions or pressure. And sometimes that feels like a gift.

It’s strange, though. He doesn’t just know Kyle, he once hired him. Back when Charlie and his business partner split, he brought Kyle in to handle the paperwork. That was almost a decade ago. They haven’t crossed paths since. So, there’s that.

“I’m just thinking,” I say finally, tracing the rim of my water glass. “I’m gonna have to tell Kyle. Even though it’s his week, I should still let him know I’ll be out of town.”

Charlie raises an eyebrow. “Are you going to tell him about me?”

I laugh under my breath. “Kinda have to.”

He leans back; arm draped lazily along the back of the chair. “I think he won’t mind. Kyle seems like a solid guy.”

I stare at him for a second, unsure if I heard him right. Then I look away, swallowing the small knot in my throat.

“Sure,” I say. “Solid.”

He doesn’t push. Just reaches for the wine and tops off my glass, like he knows some things are better left sitting in the air a while.

The following Sunday. I drop the kids off like usual. Kyle seems to linger longer than he needs to, standing in the lot with his hands in his pockets.

“Kyle,” I say. “Can you stay a minute? I need to talk to you about something.”

He nods, watching as the kids run upstairs.

Before I can say anything, he speaks first. “I’m sorry,” he says. “I acted like a jerk. Then I doubled down instead of just owning it. I… I’m sorry.”

I blink, surprised. “Wow. Thank you.” I pause, softer. “I’m sorry too. I was just… worried.”

He nods slowly, but when I don’t follow up, he studies me. “So… if that it-?”

“I’m going to Kerrville,” I interrupt.

“Kerrville?”

I take a breath. “I’m seeing Charlie. He invited me to his cabin in Echo Reach. Just outside of town. This week.”

Kyle stares at me. “Wait. Who is this guy? How well do you even know him? Jackie, that could be-”

“It’s Charlie Pine,” I say, cutting in. “The guy who owned RJ’s.”

His face shifts. “Oh. That Charlie Pine.”

“Well, I’m going,” I say. “I just thought I should let you know. In case the kids need anything, or…”

He’s quiet for a long beat, eyes searching mine like he’s trying to read something that isn’t there.

Finally, he clears his throat. “Right. Well… good luck.”

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