Protective Arms (Completed)

6. Cleaning

Bethany walks up with brooms in her hand. I take one and Chasity takes the other. The three of us get set on trying to clean the glass up.

Officer Gaperal and Detective Gatlin left just a few moments ago. Speaking of which!

"Chasity, you never mentioned your brother is a detective."

"Uh, I didn't?"

"Nope. You never even spoke his name before. We only knew you had a brother but nothing more. You don't talk much about you family."

"Not much to tell really. Growing up, our parents spoiled us both and we grew up to do what we both liked our whole lives. Zack is older than I am."

"You don't have the same last name as he does though?" Bethany joins in.

"We have the same mother but not the same father. Zack's biological father passed when he was an infant. Mom found my Dad when Zack was a year old, they got together then had me within the first two years."

"My Dad is every much as his dad too, we were never treated any differently. Mom just kept Zack's last name by his real dad to keep his memory and name going." Chasity smiles.

"That is sweet." Bethany smiles to Chasity.

"I never brought it up because I know your childhood was not very good."

"Oh, don't need to hide something. Besides, Bethany's parents shown me what it was like once I was a teenager and over there all the time." I smile.

"You both have became good friends. I can't thank you enough still, so I have watched what I say really." Chasity laughs.

"Well no more, we want you, our friend, to be honest and who you are." I hug her and finish gathering the glass in the pile to throw away.

"Ladies, please take a seat back in the chairs and we will get your cuts finished." I smile over to them where they were waiting by door in the waiting chairs.

They walk over and take their spots once again. We finish their cuts up and they each still paid even though I repeatedly said not to worry. This happening, I wanted to make sure they were still taken care of and the kindest way was free haircuts.

Bethany being as quick as she was, thankfully called all other appointments and rescheduled. The ones we didn't get to call had walked in and rescheduled for the following day because of all the mess we had to clean still.

I move to the counter with the computer and pull up my shop insurance. I dial their number and wait to speak with someone.

The call didn't last to long, but the main thing is just waiting on the police report for this. Then the insurance will pay for the repairs.

I look up from the computer and Chasity is cleaning down her station. While Bethany is prancing up to the counter.

"So spill it Athena." Bethany smiles while perching her arms on the counter in front of me.

"Spill what?"

"Don't be all innocent. I seen you checking out a tall and very attractive looking detective. That also happens to be our new friends brother."

"I don't know what your talking about."

"Girlie! I have known you pretty much all our lives, so that won't work. I have never seen you look at a man like that. I have been worried you would live your life as a nun, until he walked in that is."

I roll my eyes, but smile.

"That right there is what I am talking about. Even in highschool those two you dated never had you smiling like that."

"He is the best man creature I have ever laid eyes on. Did you see the tattoo on the side of his neck that seemed to disappear under his shirt? I wonder what the design actually is."

"Here I thought you didn't know what I was talking about." Bethany laughs at me.

"She in dream land over my brother, Zack?" Chasity snickers perching next to Bethany.

"Oh yeah and hard. You should have told us about him like last month after we really started talking." Bethany laughs even more.

Feeling the heat rush to my cheeks, I look down. Aw, my shoes don't really match my outfit today, but they are comfy for standing so much. Wonder if he noticed?

Stop it Athena. Get it together. Someone with a face and sure sculpted body has someone else.

That pep talk does nothing to help me with how I am feeling.

"He is single you know." Chasity pipes up again, with a smirk.

"He is also the detective on this case and I am sure he is focused on work."

"Girl, you keep giving yourself to many excuses and you just may stay a nun for life." Bethany laughs and shakes her head.

"Hello?" The one deep voice speaks out that keeps replaying on my mind.

I stand and there he stands. When did the door chimes even ding?

Please tell me he didn't hear anything we was just saying.

"Hey, bubby. Did you need anything else? We are fixing to close in five minutes." Chasity speaks up first.

Bethany walks over to her station and gets to cleaning then placing her things away for the night.

"Uh, no." Zack rubs his neck some.

Here I thought detectives wore suites or uniforms. No he has to wear jeans and a loose fitting shirt.

"I actually brought my truck with me. I went by and got some boards to put up on your window for a temporary fix to help."

"Thank you. If you tell me the cost, I will gladly repay you for them." My voice comes out a little quieter than normal.

"No need. Just want to make sure where Chasity works stays in top shape. Plus, I didn't see a truck out back or around front when I was here earlier to haul the wood."

I laugh some at that. "I had thought about strapping it to the hood of my car. Thank you though this is very thoughtful."

I can tell everytime Chasity and Bethany look at me with the side of their eyes. Those little looks and smirks are not going unnoticed. Come tomorrow, I know they will relentless pick on me about this.

Chasity helps her brother place the boards. All the while, I clean up my shop more. Not going to lie either, I got some good looks at him working those boards and hot damn if my ovaires are not exploding with the arm muscles on him.

A/N---
Hey Hey Guys!!!

The girls are picking hard on Athena but they seem to want what would be good for her.

Is it sweet of Zack to bring wood to put up until she can have repairs done?

They should let the pull just happen right?