Page 32 of Guys Can't Write Romance
‘Eww,’ came a chorus from the girls, while the boys broke out in cheers of ‘Cool!’
Daisy raced out of the classroom while the kids rushed over to the window. A few seconds later, they saw their normally composed teacher race around the corner of the building and chase thedemon from hellacross the playground. Ms. Fields stopped for a moment to kick off her shoes and throw them at the demon, then took off barefoot after him. The kids watched as they dodged in and out of swings and around the merry-go-round and over the monkey bars.
Finally, the demon spun and raced toward their school building. Cindy and several girls screamed and backed away from the window as the demon barreled their way, then slowed just before it reached the window. The demon took off his pink hat and cape and threw them on the roof, then tore off toward the parking lot.
Ms. Fields stopped and stared in fury at the roof for a second, then yelled something that sounded like ‘pass pole’ at the demon.
By the time Daisy arrived at Chad’s apartment that afternoon, she was still fuming over having her bra and cardigan thrown on the school’s roof. The janitor had given her a knowing look as he climbed a ladder to retrieve them, and her first graders wouldn’t stop giggling every time they passed the playground.
She had already confirmed with Chad’s school that he was coaching baseball that afternoon, so she headed over to his place, stopping by a store on the way to pick up a few things. Hopefully, Rhino would be at the apartment, since she needed his cooperation for this next round of paybacks. She picked up a bag of cookies on the way to sweeten the deal for him.
Rhino answered on the second knock, sporting a bruised elbow from being on the roof all night. His eyes went to the bag of cookies in Daisy’s hand.
“If those are for Chad,” he growled, “I’m taking them and eating them myself.”
“Actually, they’re for you,” she said, handing him the bag. “They’re sort of my ‘sorry you got stuck on the roof with your idiot roommate’ apology.”
Rhino eyed the bag. “What kind?”
“Double chocolate chunk with sea salt.”
He grinned. “Apology accepted.” He grabbed the cookies and stepped aside. “Come on in. So, what’s in the other bag?”
“My secret weapon,” Daisy said, holding up a large department store bag. “How does Chad feel about pink?”
“He hates it. Why?”
“How would you like to help me get revenge? You, for getting stuck on the roof because he can’t keep his dating schedule straight. And me, for having my bra and cardigan thrown on the school roof.”
Rhino snickered. “He did that?”
“Yup. In front of my first-grade class. They’re still asking me why I took the demon’s pink hat and cape.”
“Ouch. So what’d you have in mind?”
“See these...” Daisy said, pulling out a brand new set of unwashed, bright red towels from her bag. “Guaranteed to turn everything we wash with them pink.”
Rhino burst into laughter. “Washing machine’s down the hall. I’ll help you round up his clothes.”
Daisy’s face broke into a broad grin. “Rhino. I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.”
“Sure hope so. ‘Cause you’re scary when you’re pissed.”
That evening, the back room of the Book Nook Cafe fell silent as Chad walked into the weekly writers’ group meeting wearing pink jeans and a matching pink t-shirt.
“Don’t say it,” he warned the room as he dropped into his chair, trying to maintain a shred of dignity.
Of course, Mags couldn’t resist. “Well, well,” she drawled, her reading glasses perched on the tip of her nose. “It appears that someone raided Barbie’s closet this evening.”
“Funny,” Chad grumbled.
Bernie chuckled as he clasped his teacup. “I haven’t seen that much pink since my granddaughter’s ballet recital.”
“You guys are a riot.”
Ruth pressed her lips together, trying to suppress a laugh. “It’s a good color on you, Chad. Really brings out your eyes.”
Daisy, who had been snickering quietly while trying to maintain a straight face, burst into laughter. “You look like a Valentine’s Day explosion.”
