(Hello Reader. When I started this series back in June, I had no idea where it was going to go. My muse gave me so many ideas and I started to explore them as much as I could until the story started to develop in a way that's hard to explain. Here it is six months later and I am submitting this one with 30 more ready to go. This storyline has no sign of slowing down. I hope you enjoy it. To my muse, I offer my gratitude for all the inspiration.)
It was a quick drive to get to the mall. As my neighbor guided me into the housewares store, my mind was still reeling from our wake up earlier. It was more thinking about something she said. As the numbers were going through my head, my neighbor pointed out a beautiful red cookware set. I looked at her for approval before grabbing it and placing it in the cart. Within twenty more minutes, we were in my car using the Google Maps to find her apartment.
Except, it wasn't really an apartment. It was a small, dingy apartment that was in the outskirts of the city. I double checked the address she gave my neighbor and it matched. I called Aubrey from my phone.
"Aubrey, can you see me flashing my lights?"
"I can, Leo. Did you want to come in?"
I stepped out of the car and carefully took my neighbor by the hand before she whispered about the cookware. I looked at her and smiled.
"I have a better idea."
As we neared the apartment, Aubrey opened the door. She was wearing a white bathrobe and her hair was tied back like she was getting ready to do a cheerleader routine. I edged closer before I pulled back to let my neighbor go first. Aubrey saw something she recognized in me before she ushered my neighbor in. I turned around and flashed the lights on my car before I stepped through the door. Aubrey looked at me before she said something.
"Leo, Green."
A long time ago, Aubrey and Missy came up with a code they would use to let me know whether things were alright or not so right. They based it on a standard stoplight. Red, as detailed in a previous story, was code for be careful. Green was kind of like an all clear, telling me I could relax. I was very protective of Missy, but even more on guard when Aubrey would go with us places. It was one reason why she knew I would go after her ex if she hurt her. It was kind of my thing. Luckily, I was the same way with my neighbor, but didn't get as extreme. I felt like I had to be on guard since I disliked the neighborhood Aubrey moved into.
"Leo, what's wrong?" my neighbor asked.
"It's alright. He's being his normal protective self."
I took a breath and relaxed before I started stressing the girls out more.
"Aubrey, how long was your lease for?"
