Brring!

       Y/N looked up as the bell tinkled for the door. In came Tom Hanson, a twenty-one year old cop, dressed in his civilian clothes. He wore a white t-shirt under a brown leather jacket, and blue jeans. His thick fluffy hair was windswept, and his eyes lit up when he saw Y/N. 

        "Tom, babe, what are you-"

        He leaned across the counter and kissed her gently. A few of the patients stared.

        She broke away, her hand under his jaw, cupping his face. "What brings you here? You don't have an appointment."

          He shrugged. "I just wanted to see you."

          She looked down bashfully, organizing some papers. "You saw me last night."

           He winked, and she shook her head. "You're not wrong, but I'm also at work, if you haven't noticed. Don't you have work?"

            Y/N worked as a receptionist at a dentist office. She was currently in college, studying to be a hygienist. This was just her part time job at the moment. 

            "I'm off today, and tonight's also bowling night. I invited some co-workers, and I was wondering if you'd like to come along too?"

            Tom loved bowling. It was one of his hobbies. He even had a catchphrase, calling his strikes  a  'Slammerino!"

           "I'm off at six, so yeah, I can come over about an hour after." Y/N shrugged. "Wait, Doug works with you."

            Tom pursed his lips. "I haven't told him, because you don't want me to say anything." He put his hands up gently, as if to reassure her. "But haven't we been sneaking around enough?"

             Y/N and Tom had met while he was working. She'd accidentally bumped into him while running to catch the bus, but he was calm about it, helping her pick up her books and papers before she went on her way.

      The next time they met, it was a diner when he was with a co-worker, Harry. She'd been with her friends and they'd walked by, in their civilian clothes, and she'd said hello to them both, talking briefly before the boys had to leave for work. 

             "Doug is my older brother, Tom. I don't know how he'd react. And honestly, I don't want to know."

              "He'll come around. It's not like you're my co-worker." He reasoned. "Come on, I just want you to meet Judy too, she's awesome. A bit sassy, but she's a great cop."

              "I bet she'd have to be sassy, being that she works around you guys most of the time." Y/N retorted, earning an eye roll from Tom. He tilted his head slightly. 

              "Fine, but I'll tell him, okay?"

              "Okeydokey." Y/N leaned in for another kiss, but a cough stopped them both. She turned to see her manager, standing with a raised eyebrow. "I bet you're real close with that patient, Miss Y/N." 

              They both pulled back, Y/N fixing her hair, while Tom stuck his tongue in his cheek. 

              "I'll see you later." He said to Y/N. "Ma'am." He nodded at the manager before leaving. 

              Oh, only four more hours. 

  -------------------------------------------------           Y/N put on a white shirt, knotted at the front, and comfy jeans. Then she ran a pick through her hair, before putting on some eyeliner, and Vaseline on her lips.        

          Checking the time, she grabbed a small purse, and a light jacket. It was autumn, so the nights weren't very cold, especially at seven thirty. 

           Since Doug lived on the other side of the city, they didn't get to see each other very often. But they would meet up at cafes or diners, or parks, and hang out.    

             Y/N was only a year younger than Doug, but sometimes she felt like the older sibling.

             She and Tom had been dating for about four months now, but so far, she nor Tom had said anything. She trusted Tom not to spill anything, and he hadn't.

          She got off the bus, walking straight to the bowling alley just a block away. The streetlights were on, and this part of town was always very busy at night.

           She got her bowling shoes, and then looked around.
 
          Her brother, Harry, Tom, and a Black girl with half up curly hair were at a seated area, laughing and talking.

           That's probably Judy.

           She went over, waving a hand. "Hi, guys!"

           "Y/N, you made it!" Doug said, getting up and hugging her quickly. She also gave Harry a quick hug, same with Tom, before turning to the girl. "I'm
Y/N Penhall."

            "You're Doug's sister? I can't believe it. I'm Judy, nice to meet you." Judy said, chuckling.

            After chatting for a bit, Tom went to have a few rounds at bowling, Harry cheering him on, while Doug kept teasing.

           "So how's work?" She asked Doug and Judy, who sat next to each other. "I heard you guys recently stopped a fire at a prom."

           "Who told you?" Judy asked. She leaned forward. "Doug." Y/N shrugged.

           Judy raised an eyebrow as Doug began sputtering in protest. "It was too cool to pass up, come on, Judy."

          Y/N laughed. He playfully punched her shoulder, before getting up and asking if anyone wanted a drink.

          Harry and Judy wanted water, Tom wanted a pop, and Y/N opted for a pop as well.

           When it was Judy's turn, at Tom's urging, she shook her head as she walked up. "You and your bowling, Hanson."

            Harry was with Doug, helping get the drinks. Tom scooted over to Y/N.

            "You could tell him, while we're all here. It's best if they all just knew right now." He urged, but Y/N quirked her lips.

            He did have a point, but while Doug wasn't crazy protective over her, he wasn't exactly a soft guy either. He could be all business when he needed to be.

           Y/N turned her head and pressed her forehead to his temple. "I just don't want him killing you." She teased, but Tom just scoffed, turning his head.

            They were close enough to kiss. She could smell his cologne, a strong warm scent, but light enough that it wafted over her like a flame.

           "I can handle him, thank you. But I don't see why not. There's only so many times we can sneak around before we get caught."
 
           Y/N sighed, her eyes lidding. "Just trust me. I'll tell him when we all get home."

           She kissed him, almost forgetting that they were both in public.

           At a bowling alley.

          Where, not too far away, were Doug, Judy, and Harry, witnessing the scene.

          "Why is he kissing her and how long have they been together and why don't I know?" Doug nearly dropped his beer.

           "Doug, hey, don't-" Judy protested. 

          "I'll bring flowers." Harry offered. Judy threw her hands up in surrender. "Ioki, did you know?"

           He shook his head. Judy shrugged. "Oh, well, here we go."

            But it was too late, for Doug had marched over, startling the couple, and pulled up Tom by his coat collar. "You have five seconds to tell me everything, Hanson."

           Tom glanced at Y/N, and they both nodded. "Y/N and I are dating, Doug."

            He glanced at Y/N, his eyes soft. "For how long?"

           "About four months. It's serious." Y/N replied, putting her hand on his shoulder. "Put him down, Doug, please."

           She looked at Harry, who had his jaw clenched, and Judy, who stood on the other side of Tom.

           After a moment, Doug put Tom down. He ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek, glaring at Tom, but addressing the both of them.  "If I ever walk in on you guys doing unspeakable things, I will kill you, Hanson."

          Or maybe just Tom.

           "Count on it." Tom chuckled, smoothing his coat before pulling Y/N into a hug.

      Harry and Judy escorted Doug back to their seats, where they all started sipping their drinks.

      Tom kissed Y/N's temple when their backs were turned.

           "I'm just glad it's out now." He went on, "No more hiding."

           "You definitely don't hide from me." Y/N winked, before pulling him closer.