The Protective Beta (Jai Brooks Fanfic)

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"Cora wake up!" I yelled as I was in the kitchen making scramble eggs for breakfast.
My phone began ringing as I groaned and picked it up knowing it was my boss.
"Hayley where the hell are you? No one is at the shop you were supposed to be here 20 minutes ago." She said.
"I'm so sorry Brenda, I'm running late." I said using the same excuse as I did all the other times.
I scrunched my nose as it smelt like something was burning as I look seeing the eggs on the stove. I hung up cussing under my breath as I began to take care of my mess.
"Cor--"
"I'm here." She said as she was all ready and waiting for her dinner.
"I made some burned eggs is that fine?" I told her.
"Hayley you don't have to try making breakfast, I'm fine just eating an apple." My little sister told me.
"I know it's just that you used to love scramble eggs when mom made them." I spoke.
"Used to." She said grabbing her bag and an apple on the way out of our apartment.
I turned off the stove and grabbed my keys along with my stuff as I locked the door and went to the car as Cora was waiting in there for me.
I drove as I reached her high school as I looked at her.
"Have fun." I said.
"I won't." She said as she kissed my cheek and out the door.
"I love you." I told her as she said it back quickly.
****
"Speaking of the devil she's here!" Thomas said as him and my boss looked at me.
"I'm so sorry." I said.
"It's okay Thomas skipped his break and covered up for you." Brenda said.
"Thanks Thomas." I said as he smiled at me.
I was already in my uniform and went behind the counter as Brenda left.
"You owe me." Thomas said.
"Big time." I added as he chuckled.
"Dropped off Cora?" He asked as I nodded.
"Why don't you and Cora just live with your grandmother." He asked for the 20th time.
"She's in a senior home in Chicago remember? And besides after my parents death I think I should be responsible to take care of Cora, she's only a 15 year old girl." I told him.
"She looks 18 to me." He winked as I rolled my eyes in disgust.
"I'm joking you know I only got my eyes on you." He said.
"In your dreams Thomas." I said laughing as he smiled and went for his lunch.
I sat on the stool doodling waiting for some customers as I worked at a small shop where we sells like wood equipment and construction stuff.
I heard the door open as the bell on the top of the door rang. I thought it was just Thomas back from his break but I was wrong.

There were three guys as they looked new in town. All of them looked at me as I awkwardly looked down at the magazine I was flipping through.

They walked through the aisles as they were laughing and mumbling stuff to each other which I couldn't hear.

Curiously I looked up as two of them were fooling around as one was just looking at me.

I quickly looked away as they slowly made their way to the counter.
I looked at their items as it was a weird mix. I didn't question them as I began to scan them.

"So why does a pretty girl like you work at a shop like this?" The green eyed asked me.

I was taken back as I uncomfortably laughed not sure if I should answer him.

"Are you going to answer him?" The other guy said to me as I looked up.

"I need the money." I told the green eyed guy.

"I'm Beau." He spoke as I wasn't sure what he was trying to do.

"And you're Hayley." He finished as I nodded.

"Nice name." The other brown eyed said.

"I'm Daniel by the way." He said as I nodded as I glanced over at the boy who was staring at me before but now he was barely giving me eye contact.

I think Beau noticed me glancing over at him as he said something.
"He gets shy around hot girls like you." He said as the boy gave a pissed off look to Beau.
I told them the total as Beau got out his money and placed it on my hand.
I grabbed change and gave it to him as I touched his hand noticing how warm it was.
I looked at him as he smirked at me and grabbed his bag.
"Thanks cutie." He said as they all three went away.

I looked out the window seeing them getting into their car and speeding away.

The door opened again as it was Thomas.

"New customers?" He asked.

"I guess so." I replied to him.