Chasing His Kickass Luna Back

#Chapter 72: Making Amends

Karl

I step out of Abby’s office, my heart still pounding. It’s like a battlefield in there with emotional shrapnel

all over the place.

But I’m not naive enough to think I’m a mere bystander, oh no. I’m pretty sure I’m the d amn cannon that

fired the first shot.

“Big moment, huh?” My wolf’s voice resonates through my mind. I’m so focused on the situation

between Chloe and Abby that it almost took me by surprise.

“You could say that,” I respond. “Chloe’s not exactly my biggest fan.”

“Well, maybe this is your chance,” he suggests. “Just like you did with John. Bury the hatchet, put aside

your differences for Abby’s sake. Start over.”

“I hope so,” I reply, running a hand through my hair. “But Chloe’s different. She’s never liked me, not

even at the beginning.”

I recall a camping trip years ago, back when Abby and I were still married. Chloe was there, along with

their other friend Leah. A mix-up with the tents meant we all had to share one. G od, that was a disaster.

The memory plays out like an old film reel in my mind. Leah, as always, was as chill as ever about the

situation while Abby was fairly indifferent. But for Chloe and I, it felt like the end of the world. To share a

tent with each other? I knew for a fact that Chloe would have rather died, because she said so herself.

That night, the tent was cramped, the tension palpable. Of course, Chloe and I ended up arguing about

something st upid—how to properly set up a sleeping bag or some such nonsense.

It eventually devolved into an all-out brawl. Chloe threw a folding chair. I chased her up the tree. You

know, the usual, until Leah and Abby had to step in. They were both in stitches over the ridiculous

situation, but it was real as hell for Chloe and I. We hated each other’s guts.

“But was that really all Chloe’s fault?” my wolf chimes in, snapping me back to the present.

“What do you mean?” I ask, genuinely puzzled.

“You were annoyed that you and Abby couldn’t have a private tent for you-know-what. You were

looking for a fight, and Chloe was an easy target.”

I chuckle, realizing he’s hit the nail on the head as usual. “Dam n, you’re right. I was cranky because I

wanted some alone time with Abby, and Chloe got in the way.”

“See? You’re not blameless in all this, and you never have been. But I think that if you go into this

conversation recognizing that, maybe it’ll turn out better than you expect.”

I take a deep breath, letting his wisdom settle into my bones. I just hope he’s right. “Okay,” I say,

steeling myself. “Let’s do this.”

The restaurant is buzzing with activity—customers chatting, employees hustling. A quick scan and I

spot her. Chloe’s seated at one of the patio tables, her arms crossed, jaw clenched. Anyone with half a

brain could tell she’s furious. This is gonna be a hard sell.

“You know I can’t just walk away now,” I say as I approach her. She looks up, and if looks could kill, I’d

be six feet under.

“Try,” she spits out, narrowing her eyes at me.

Ignoring her daggers, I sit down opposite her, careful to keep a respectful distance. “We need to talk.”

“And why would I want to talk to you, of all people?”

“Because it concerns Abby. And you and I both know that she’s our favorite person, so we need to

work this out.”

She raises an eyebrow, still skeptical but maybe a notch less hostile than she was before. “Go on.”

“Look, I know how you feel about me, Chloe. You think I’m toxic for Abby. Hell, maybe I was. But I’ve

realized my mistakes, and I want to be a better man. I’ve got a lot to make up for, not just to Abby, but

to everyone, including you.”

She looks surprised, as if she didn’t expect this level of self-awareness from me. “Well, look who’s

grown a conscience.”

“Better late than never, right?” I say, locking eyes with her. She glances away, but there’s a shift in her

demeanor. Maybe I’ve cracked the first layer of her icy fortress. “You can hate me all you want, Chloe,

but don’t take it out on Abby.”

Her eyes flash back to mine, and I see a glimmer of realization. “You think that’s what I’m doing?”

“I don’t know. You tell me.”

She sighs, folding her arms on the table, and the weight of her anger seems to lift just a little. “Maybe I

have been a little harsh. But you need to understand, Karl. Abby just got out of a relationship. She

doesn’t need another one right now, especially not with you.”

I flinch at her brutal honesty, but she’s not wrong. If this were a few days ago, I’d have been plotting to

swoop in the moment Abby was single. But I realize that would never work, not if I’m truly committed to

being a better person.

“I get it, Chloe. I really do,” I reply, finding the words strangely easy to say. “I promise, I’ll give her all the

space she needs.”

Chloe studies me for a moment. Her gaze is intense, as if she’s reading my soul, searching for any hint

of a lie. Then she nods, slowly, reluctantly. “Fine. Benefit of the doubt, Karl. But if you screw up—”

“I won’t,” I interrupt, holding up my hand. “I can’t afford to. I’m done being that guy, the one who

messes up everything he touches.”

“You better be,” Chloe says, getting up. She throws me a look that’s not exactly warm, but it’s far from

the glacial stare I got earlier. “I’m doing this for Abby, not you. Remember that.”

“I will,” I say, standing up as she starts to walk away. “Thanks, Chloe.”

“Don’t thank me yet. You’ve got a long road ahead.”

She leaves, and I’m left standing there, alone but oddly hopeful. Is it weird that I consider this

progress? A few minutes ago, I was the enemy, the root cause of all problems. But now, maybe there’s

a sliver of a chance for something better.

I look back toward the restaurant, my eyes automatically finding Abby through the window. She’s back

behind the bar, smiling as she talks to a customer. She deserves the best in the world, and if I have to

fight myself to be that for her, then so be it.

Maybe Chloe’s right. Maybe I do have a long road ahead. But as I take my first steps back into the

restaurant, back into the world where Abby shines so brightly, I can’t help but think that it’s a road worth

traveling. Even if it’s one step at a time, even if I have to tread carefully to avoid the landmines of my

past mistakes, I’m ready for the journey.

For the first time in a long while, I believe I can be the man that Abby deserves. And that’s not just a

promise to her, or to Chloe, or to anyone else.

It’s a promise to myself.