Page 49 of Slayer Mom
“He looks even better in makeshift zombie armor with a chainsaw. He always looks really good; it’s his most prevalent trait. It’s weird that I like him so much. I never liked drop dead men. They rely on their own looks and don’t develop anything else.”
“How many men have you known who dropped dead? You’re sounding a little bit suspicious. I shouldn’t have said that to Tom, should I? I mean, I get that he’s older, but we’re both adults, and it seems like he’s interested. He hasn’t ever kissed me. Ishould probably wait until after he kisses me to offer sex.”
“Or you could accept that he’s said that he’s a religious guy who doesn’t want casual hookups ever.”
“Define casual.”
“Anything other than a lifetime commitment.”
She winced. “Suddenly we seem wildly incompatible. Still, he’s so sexy. Maybe he’ll slip up.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t try to get other people to be different from how they already are, just because it’s more convenient for you.”
“Why shouldn’t other people change for my convenience?”
“Are you changing for theirs? I’m a believer in justice.”
She frowned thoughtfully. “You always have been very concerned with right and wrong, just and unjust. I guess it makes sense that you’d go vigilante. It’s cute that your husband’s going to be your side-kick in a hockey mask.”
“It is cute. So cute, particularly sprinkled with zombie guts. Good night, Gloria. I’ll sleep in the closet unless you want to.”
“I’ll take the closet.” She bounced off my bed with sudden energy. That meant that she’d crash hard the second she closed her eyes, and then she’d snore like an elephant. Maybe it was more romantic that Tom not sleep with her. He was a very light sleeper. He was probably sleeping with a dagger in each fist and one eye half open.
I put my knife in the harness on my leg. If I held it, I’d end up stabbing myself in my sleep. I was almost out when Hazen called me.
I answered the phone and rolled onto my side. “Are you there?”
“I am. I met the team I hired to find him. We’re at the school now, tracking his escape. He’s clever, allright. He snuck out with the delivery truck. The truck drove fifty miles away, so that’s where he probably got off. Do you feel safe?”
I thought about it. “I think so. I’m worried about you and Wat, but I think it was a good idea to call in some backup. Do you really think Wat will come here?”
“It’s probably where he wants to go.”
“But he was so happy to get away from me.”
“He was lying.”
I frowned and sat up. “But why—”
“I’ve got to go. I don’t want to disturb your sleep for too long. I love you. Good night.”
“Good night.”
He hung up, leaving me worried about Wat, but too tired not to sleep. Killing zombies was always so exhausting. Almost as exhausting as worrying about my kids and my husband.
When I woke up, I called Hazen right away, but it just went to messages.
“Hey, sweetheart. Just calling about Wat. I’ll eat and then probably go kill zombies with whoever, wherever the Grand Master thinks I should go. I love you.” I hung up and then got up to check on Gloria. She was sleeping with half her body draped off the bed.
I’d wake her up with hot chocolate. She used to love that. I headed downstairs, and then stopped when the enormous steroid woman moved into view.
“The Grand Master has ordered that I drive you down to the docks for this evening’s training. The redhead and the slayer will accompany us.”
“Sure. I’ll just get something to eat.”
“You will eat on the way.”
“I have to wake up my friend.”
