“Isn’t that what you wanted?” Greer asks just as the teachers’ lounge door swings open. I hold my breath, hoping it isn’t Pike, but when my cardigan-wearing brother walks through, a different kind of nervousness runs through me.
He spots us immediately and walks up to our table. He places one hand on the back of Greer’s chair, lifts her chin, and places a kiss on her lips. “How’s your day so far?” he asks her.
“Better now.”
Ugh . . . seriously, let me go puke in the sink. These two are nauseating.
Arlo turns to me and says, “Coraline, I didn’t know you were coming in today.”
“Impromptu lunch.” I smile and nod toward the counter. “I brought in donuts for the staff.”
“I’m sure everyone loves you for it.” He eyes me. “Have you thought about those stocks I sent you?”
See? Boring.
Ever since he’s gotten married, it’s like he’s completely dulled out. Where’s the pizazz in this man?
He’s just content now. A snooze-fest.
“Haven’t had a chance,” I say as Stella snickers next to me.
“Well, you have the money to invest now. You need to consider it. Might be time to drop the job at Frankie Donuts and focus on something that you can grow into.”
“I’m fine with where I am right now,” I say, knowing full well that even though Arlo was supportive at first, deep down he hates that his sister works for a donut shop.
“I just think—”
The door to the teachers’ lounge bursts open and in walk four men, all dressed in white-and-red striped suits, wearing old-timey hats, and sporting rather impressive mustaches.
“Is there a Coraline Turner in the room?”
Oh.
Dear.
God.
“Oh, right here,” Stella says, pointing toward me.
I swat at her hand. “Shhh.”
But it’s too late. They walk up to me, followed by a woman with arms full of balloons, chocolates, and a teddy bear wearing a shirt that says “I love you.”
“This might be my favorite day,” Stella whispers as the woman drops the paraphernalia in my arms.
I don’t even dare to look at Arlo, but I know he must be confused.
One of the men from the barbershop quartet blows a petite whistle, and, together, they bounce up and down while singing, “Bum, bum, bum, bum.
Cora dear, I’m at such a loss.
Is it really me you want to toss?
I want to know the girl you are.
What do you say? Meet me at the bar?
Tonight at eight, let’s make a plan.
Love your truly . . . devoted man.
Your beloved husband who—”
“Stop!” I shout, standing from my chair, so much fear inside me that I might puke, right here, right now, all over the “I love you” teddy bear. “That’s—that’s enough.” The room silences and the quartet look between each other. “Thank you for the obnoxious song. Got the picture. You can move on.”
Confused, the barbershop quartet stares at me.
When they don’t move, I shout, “Begone!”
Now insulted—I don’t blame them—they take off, shuffling through the quiet and still teachers’ lounge.
How freaking humiliating.
Horrifying.
The poem wasn’t even good. Did Pike write that?
Not that it matters, because I can’t seem to focus on anything but the fear of God Arlo has begun in me with his hands on his hips as he looks at me for answers.
“Coraline, my room. Now.”
I swallow hard. “You know, I actually, uh, I have something I need to take care of.”
“Coraline.”
I ignore the stern voice of my brother and shuffle past him, clutching the chocolates, balloons, and bear to my chest. I head toward the door and throw it open, only to see Pike standing in the doorway of his classroom, arms folded, a look of satisfaction across his face.
“Looking spoiled, Miss Turner,” he says casually.
I mouth back to him, “I’m going to murder you.”
“Bring it,” he mouths back.
Arlo is hot on my heels. “Coraline, we need to talk.”
“Later,” I say, shuffling away. “Much later.” And then I take off down the hallway and out the door, my tail tucked between my legs, balloons bumping along the hallway walls.
Greer: Arlo is asking questions. I don’t know what to do. I don’t like lying to my husband.
Stella: Romeo is asking questions too, because Arlo asked Romeo to ask. I silenced him with a blow job. He’s now passed out on the bed, but I’m not sure how long I can keep his dick in my mouth to silence him.