Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 291

Abby

“Abby, I…”

Karl’s voice wavers ever so slightly, his words trailing off. There are a few moments that feel like an eternity as his eyes dart around the room, and I feel like I can’t take it anymore.

“Karl, just say it!”

His eyes widen slightly as my voice raises an octave, but I’m not backing down. I need to know what Logan meant; I need to know what this secret is that Karl seems to be keeping.

“Alright,” he finally says. “Can we sit down, though?”

I almost consider saying no, but the look in his eyes makes me soften. I nod and follow him over to the couch, where we both sink down onto the cushions, or knees touching. I’m perched on the edge of the seat, watching him intently as my fingers worry the hem of my shirt.

“Go on.”

He takes a deep breath, and finally he speaks.

“On the day of the competition, I wasn’t being completely truthful with you,” he says quietly. “Yes, it’s true that I didn’t try to bribe the judges or anything like that. I did just want to talk to Logan. But the things he said about you, Abby, I…”

Karl pauses, but I’m still watching intently, urging him silently to go on despite the pounding in my chest.

Finally, he continues. “Abby, I don’t know how to put this, but Logan said that you had no passion,” he says. “He said that you’re lazy, and that you foist off all of your cooking onto the men in your life.”

I stare at him, disbelief and hurt washing over me in waves. Logan’s words, delivered with that infuriating smirk, now take on a more painful clarity in my mind. I’ve always prided myself on my dedication to my craft, and the idea that I’ve lost my passion and become lazy in my work is a harsh blow.

“Why… Why didn’t you tell me this, Karl?” I manage to spit out. My voice trembles with a mix of anger and disappointment. “You promised we wouldn’t keep secrets from each other. I thought you would be honest with me.”

Karl rubs his temples, a pained expression on his face. “I didn’t tell you the truth that day because… because I wanted to protect you, Abby. I didn’t want to crush your spirit. I meant to tell you later, but you were so heartbroken that I just couldn’t do it.”

I bristle at his words, my frustration bubbling to the surface. I stand without meaning to, my hands clenched into two tight balls at my sides. “I’m not some fragile princess who needs to be coddled, Karl. I would have preferred to know the truth, even if it stung. How could you keep this from me?”

Karl’s shoulders slump, and he sighs heavily. “I know, Abby. I should have been honest with you, and for that I’m sorry.”

The room falls into a tense silence as we both process what has been said. My mind is racing, and I can’t help but wonder what else Karl might be hiding from me. The trust between us feels fragile, and I’m not sure how to mend it right now.

But what hurts even more is what Logan said about my passion. It feels like a blow that was aimed directly at me, and I don’t know how to handle it.