One in the Same

CHAPTER 11

Aubrey 

"Okay, so the chances of us stopping his release are very slim. The most I can do for you is a restraining order." Shawn said as I played with my chipped nails. 

I really needed a refill. 

"Do we even know when he could be getting out?"

He sighed. "No."

" And what if he finds a way to get to me? Shawn you know what he's capable of." 

"I know and I'm going to make sure he can't get to you. Soon as he exits those doors, we will know and we'll get the restraining order. You're gonna be okay Aubrey."

I could hear the sincerity in his voice. I knew that when he called me to meet, something was going to be wrong. Nothing like caffeine to break some bad news. 

I sighed and got up from the worn out booth that we were sitting in. "Okay, I trust you. I gotta go, but please keep me updated." He nodded and got up from his seat to hug me. 

"Stay positive."

I gave him a smile and dropped a ten dollar bill for the coffee. Stay positive. That's the goal, I suppose. It was January 6, 2019. Exactly three days since I've talked to Patty. It felt like time was moving so fast. It was a new year and It didn't even seem like it. When I got into my car, a text came to my phone. 

Marshall: Rain check on the game night? Something came up. 

Well shit. There goes my plans. I tossed my phone in the passenger seat and started the car. I couldn't help but wonder what that "something" was. Since I found out that he still had contact with his ex, it's been on my mind heavy. I trusted him, weirdly, but a part of me wanted him to cut that shit off immediately. 

My car speaker began ringing and Stephanie's name popped up on the radio screen. 

"Yea?" 

"Hey,um.." There was silence for about 5 seconds. 

"Still there?"

"Can you come to the office please? I just need to talk to you about some things."

"Sure. Be there in 10." I ended the call and headed in her direction. 

I honestly have been dodging her. The whole thing with Patty had me on the fence about the salon and honestly, I wasn't sure if I still wanted to do it. After I kicked her out, her words replayed in my head. Was I moving to fast with Marshall? The past three days he's been staying at my apartment; shit there's so much of his shit there, I caught myself doing his laundry. 

I didn't tell him the details about the fight with Patty, he only knows that we got into it. It just seemed childish and petty, it wasn't important to share. The parking lot of Stephanie's office building was empty with the exception of what I assumed was her car and a black rolls royce. It was weirdly quiet in the building, it seemed like no one was there.

When I made it to her office door, it was cracked and I could hear three voices; one was for sure Patty's. Here we go.

I walked in to see Steph, Patty and oddly, Patty's mother. " Am I interrupting something?" Patty's mother, Victoria, smirked.