Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

There was no response on the other end of the phone. There was just the sound of the call ending.

The door in front of me was still closed, but I knew I was right.

Moments later, the door opened to reveal Brandon in grey loungewear.

So, he was my new neighbor.

He hadn't stopped visiting me; he had moved in right across the hall.

He wasn't skipping night shifts; he had come early to stay here and protect me. But even though he lived right across from me, he hadn't told me.

Moreover, he must have planned to rent the apartment across from me when he helped fix my plumbing.

When I saw him, I understood everything.

"Come in," Brandon said calmly without a trace of embarrassment at being caught.

He hadn't done anything wrong by renting the apartment, so I was the one overreacting. Yet, I couldn't greet him calmly.

stood at the doorway and stared at him. "Don't you think you owe me

in, and I'll explain." Brandon

my lip and

was probably here for me, I was still angry that he had kept

as I saw his place. I had seen this place before, and I

gone. The living room had nothing but a couch. It was so empty it looked like it had

everything?" I asked

me. "Have you been

my irritation flared up again. I

to a nearby room.

he needed in this place

table, something to put a cup or a phone on. If he didn't like clutter, how come he didn't clear out my parents' room when he stayed there? I didn't ask that, but I did ask the

said, "The rent

the rent prices here weren't

there are many apartments in this complex. Why rent the one directly across from me?" I thought back to hearing him take

I'd been. He must have thought I was

me directly. "Because