Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 226

Abby

No matter how hard I try, I just can’t sleep.

Between the noise of the reporters outside, the curious onlookers, the flash of the cameras and my own anxieties, I feel like I’m trapped in a state of exhaustion with no way out. I’ve tried tossing and turning. I’ve tried covering my head with my pillow. I’ve tried headphones, white noise, the couch, the bed, tea, meditation…

And none of it works.

Finally, after what feels like hours of futile attempts to sleep, I finally give up. With a sigh, I sit up and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. I decide to make my way to the kitchen to brew some coffee this time, figuring that if I can’t sleep, I might as well just get some caffeine in my system so I can power my way through the night.

Taking care not to turn on any more lights than necessary because I know that the reporters will just have a field day if they see the orange glow of a lamp through my blinds at midnight, I grab my robe off the back of my bedroom door and make my way out to the kitchen.

As I turn on the coffee pot and wait for it to brew, I lean against the kitchen sink and look out. The police car is still parked outside, with the officer sitting in the driver’s seat.

I can’t help but chuckle to myself as I watch. I never thought I would be the type to need my home under 24/7 surveillance, but here I am.

But then I notice something. The officer’s head is moving in a way that can only mean one thing.

He’s nodding off.

A surge of irritation, made worse by my current state of exhaustion, flashes through me. Is he seriously falling asleep out there?

I lean closer to get a better look through the tiny slat in the blinds, and just as I suspected, it’s true. He’s nodding back and forth. Then, finally, his head tilts back and rests on his headrest. His mouth is open, snoring.

“He’s asleep!” I hiss under my breath.

That’s not fair! How is it that the officer who’s supposed to be keeping watch over my house, the officer who’s supposed to be making me feel safe, is falling asleep right before my eyes?

Anger surges through me. Cursing under my breath, I storm over to the back door and shove my feet into my slippers, ready to storm out there and knock on his window.

I want to give him a piece of my mind; he’s being paid to be here. I’m not being paid to spend sleepless, anxiety-filled nights in my home, and here he is, sleeping on the job.

But then I hear it, blaring through the silence: my phone ringing on the kitchen counter. I nearly jump from the sudden sound.

Startled, I pick it up and see that it’s a call from Karl. I left him that voicemail hours ago, and I figured he was busy or something. But right now, I’m just glad to hear his voice when I need it the most.

“Hello?” I answer as I lift the phone to my ear.

“Abby.” Karl’s voice sounds warm and full of concern. “I got your voicemail. I’m so sorry I didn’t answer earlier. I was in the middle of interviews for my election manager, and then I listened to the voicemail but some stuff came up and I couldn’t call you back.”

I offer a tired smile, even though I know he can’t see it. “It’s okay,” I respond.

He pauses, then continues. “I didn’t wake you up, did I? I didn’t realize how late it is.”

I can’t help but laugh. “No way I can sleep tonight,” I say. “I’m actually at the end of my rope, so I’m making some coffee. Figure I might as well just force myself to stay up all night and reset my sleep schedule.”

“Abby, that’s not healthy,” Karl chides, although his voice holds no real heat. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I lie, just wanting to change the subject. “Tell me about the interviews. Did you hire someone?”

Karl’s voice brightens a bit as he responds. “Yes, actually. Her name is Sarah, and she seems very capable. I think she’ll be a great addition to the team. Maybe I actually have a chance at winning this.”

“You’ve always had a chance,” I say. “But I’m happy for you, Karl. I hope she’s a good asset for you.”

There’s a moment of silence, and then Karl finally speaks again. “No more deflecting. How are you really feeling?”

I hesitate for a moment, debating whether to share my current state of mind. But then I decide to be honest with him. It’s no use to lie; he can always tell. He’s always been that way.

“I’m just a little freaked out,” I admit with a wry chuckle. “The reporters and police outside are making it impossible for me to sleep. It feels like I’m under constant surveillance, and it’s really getting to me.”

Karl’s voice softens with concern. “Is there anything I can do to help?” he asks gently.

I appreciate his offer, but I also don’t want to burden him with my problems. He’s already done so much for me in the grand scheme of things, between the restaurant, the cook-off, and now this.

“I’ll be fine,” I assure him. I glance around at my dark kitchen, at the brewing pot of coffee and the white glare of camera lights seeping through the curtains.

“You sure?” he asks.

I can’t help but sigh. “I could use some distraction, I guess,” I admit. “Could you talk to me for a while? Maybe until I feel tired enough to finally get some sleep?”

“Of course,” Karl says without hesitation. “You know I’m here for you.”

I climb back into bed, holding the phone to my ear, and we begin to talk about anything and everything. Before I know it, it’s been more than half an hour.

It’s amazing how easy it is to lose track of time when you’re so engrossed in conversation with someone you care about. We discuss our favorite movies, childhood memories, and even share a few embarrassing stories.

As we talk, I can’t help but feel a warmth spreading through me, a sense of comfort that I’ve been missing in the chaos of the past few days. Karl’s laughter is infectious, and I find myself laughing along with him, feeling like a lovestruck teenager.

Eventually, as the conversation starts to wind down, Karl speaks up. “Abby, I am worried about you,” he says. “Maybe you should come here after all.”

I consider his offer carefully. The idea of escaping this chaos and being with Karl is incredibly tempting, but I also don’t want to interfere with his election preparations. “Karl, as much as I’d love to, I don’t want to get in the way of your campaign. You need to focus on that right now.”

“But Abby—”

“No,” I insist. “Really, Karl, I’m fine here.”

There’s a hint of disappointment in his voice, but he doesn’t seem to press any further. “Alright, Abby. I respect your decision. But promise me you’ll call the moment things get to be too much.”

“I will.”

There’s a silence, and without meaning to, I yawn. Karl, hearing this, lets out a chuckle. “Maybe it’s time to get some sleep.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” I reply with a chuckle of my own. “Thanks for talking to me.”

“Anytime. Goodnight, Abby.”

“Goodnight.”

I hang up, unable to hide the smile that’s lingering on my lips. Hearing Karl’s voice was exactly what I needed, and already, I can feel myself slipping off into sleep.

But at the same time, I can’t entirely deny the fact that I wish he was right here, next to me.