Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 59: Stay Away
The city lights blur past us as Karl drives, the tension in the car so thick I could slice it with a knife. My

mind is still spinning from the events of the last hour—the creepy guy on the subway, the group of

leering men, and then Karl, showing up like a storm, sweeping everything away.

My eyes shift to him for a moment, taking in his stern profile, the jaw set in a hard line. His knuckles are

white on the steering wheel. It’s clear he’s still riled up.

“Hey… Thanks for picking me up,” I finally manage to say, breaking the oppressive silence.

“You don’t have to thank me. It’s the least I could do,” he replies, his eyes never leaving the road. The

words hang in the air, laden with unspoken emotions and thoughts neither of us is willing to navigate

right now.

Soon enough, we pull up in front of my apartment building, and Karl kills the engine. We both sit there

for a moment, contemplating the space between us, both literal and metaphorical.

“Let me walk you up,” he finally says, a subtle softness creeping into his voice.

I hesitate, weighing my options, but then nod. After everything that’s happened so far tonight, some

company up to my apartment door would be appreciated.

“Okay. Thanks, Karl.”

We step out of the car, and as we walk to the building, I can’t help but notice a dark red stain on his

pristine white shirt. It’s blood. My stomach churns at the sight.

“You’re hurt,” I blurt out.

He glances down, a wry smile pulling at his lips. “Don’t worry. It’s not mine.”

Despite the churn of emotions and the image of Karl punching that guy square in the jaw flashing

through my mind, relief washes over me. “Even so, you should get that cleaned before it sets in.”

We reach my apartment door, and I unlock it, pushing it open. The familiar scent of home envelops me,

offering a much-needed sense of normality after what just happened. I gesture inside. “You could come

in for a minute. Let me clean that for you.”

The tension between us is palpable as we stand in the threshold of my apartment. For a moment, it

if we’re both teetering on the edge of something

and daring to

you sure?” Karl finally asks, breaking the moment, his eyes scanning my face

meaning.

say with a soft chuckle, even though the feelings inside of

really needed someone.

reply, my voice firmer

just a moment longer, as if weighing his

him inside, closing the door softly behind us. The apartment

our footsteps as we

under the kitchen counter, I gesture for him to

soda. It should

the cupboard under

grab a clean cloth from the drawer, dousing it in the

closer to him, the atmosphere in the room changes subtly, becoming charged,

my nerves, I reach for his shirt, gently dabbing

a palpable reminder of the strength that lies just beneath

for this,” he says, his Adam’s apple moving as he speaks. His voice is

I

especially when he would first

think about what it would be like to wake

quickly push those

say. “It’s a nice shirt. I’d

just buy another.

close, and my thoughts betray me, drifting to

around me, the

that deep voice.

where’d you go tonight?” I ask, my voice a little

the party early tonight without saying

mine for just a second before looking away. “I had some things

about.”

air, like a puzzle

expression stops me. The mood feels too fragile to probe,

to risk with

only by the sounds of our breaths.

just as affected by my closeness as I am to his. And for an

close the distance

forgotten as we

silence that says more

to the floor, suddenly aware of how dangerously

complicate everything.

lowering my hand. “Wash it when you get home.

lifts to my