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.

him. "Don't you

and I'll

lip and walked

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

as soon as I saw his place. I had seen this place before, and I knew what it looked like. But

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

everything?" I

"Have you been here

with questions, and my irritation

nearby room. "I stored

he needed in this place

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 rent

true; the rent prices here

one directly across from me?" I thought back

realized how clueless I'd been. He must

me directly.