Beg Me to Slay Read Online Free PDF Page A

his face, he cleared his throat.
    “Forgot my clothes out here.”
    “Oh, okay.” She made a beeline for the fridge, hoping to keep him from seeing her cheeks flush. “Looks like we’ll have to go out for breakfast.”
    “No problem.” He offered her a crooked grin, and a wet curl drooped onto his forehead. “I’ll add it to your bill.”
    She chuckled and rolled her eyes, but as he closed the bathroom door the smile lingered. And for the first time in years, it felt genuine.
    Her cell phone buzzed and “Mom” flashed on the screen. She answered and sat on the edge of the bed. “Hi, Mom.”
    “Tegan! I wanted to make sure you remembered the dinner party tonight.”
    Her shoulders tensed, smile fading. “I don’t think I’ll be able to make it.” She looked up when Gabe walked out of the bathroom. “Something came up.”
    The hurt came through loud and clear in her mother’s voice. “What will I tell everyone when they come to your birthday party and you aren’t here?”
    “My birthday was last week.”
    “You were the one who asked me to wait until this weekend to celebrate.”
    “I’m sorry.” Tegan sighed. “Look, I’ll try, okay? That’s the best I can do right now.”
    “We’re always here for you. All you need to do is ask…”
    “I know. Thanks.”
    “See you tonight…I hope.”
    “I’ll do my best.”
    She set the phone on her bed and groaned.
    “Crazy ex-boyfriend?” Gabe pulled on his black boots.
    “Worse. My mother.”
    He shook his head. “Moms are the best. What’s wrong?”
    Tegan hesitated, surprised by his answer. “I forgot she was planning a birthday party for me tonight.”
    He stood up gesturing to his pants. “Good thing I brought my nice jeans.” He tucked his old clothes back in the duffel bag.
    Tegan frowned. “You aren’t invited.”
    “I thought we covered this last night.” His gaze locked on hers, no sign of a smile. “Until I catch that demon, I’m glued to you.”
    “It’s not like I’d be alone in a dark alley. I wasn’t planning on going, anyway. We need to stop this guy before he hurts someone else.”
    “And we will, but you’ve got to eat dinner anyway, so you might as well make your mom happy at the same time.” He slid a comb back through his wet hair. “We can check out the beach where you saw him and see if I can pick up any clues. Then by tonight you’ll be ready to eat with your folks.” His expression sobered. “You shouldn’t take them for granted.”
    “I’m not.” She bristled at his words. “I’ve just got a lot on my plate, and I’d like to keep them out of it.”
    “And we will.”
    “There is no we .” She picked out some clothes and turned toward him again. “I’ve taken care of myself just fine for the past four years. I think I can survive a party at my parents’ house without a bodyguard.”
    He pulled his wet hair back, his jaw clenched. “Tegan.” He made her name sound good even when he was annoyed with her. Hesitating, his shoulders relaxed and he blew out a breath. “I would like to come with you.”
    She bit back a smile. “Are you asking me to invite you?”
    “Do you always make things difficult?”
    “Probably.” She gripped her clothes closer to her chest. “Still want to come?”
    A playful sparkle flashed in his eyes. “Definitely.”
    She laughed, surprising herself. “That path leads down a dangerous road.”
    “How bad can it be?” He went into the kitchen area and found a glass, completely comfortable in her tiny apartment. Probably more comfortable than even she was these days, and certainly more comfortable than her parents.
    “Ever since the attack, my parents have been worried about me. If I show up with a guy, it’s possible they’ll spontaneously combust with hope thinking I’ve turned a corner and started dating again.”
    He poked his head around the fridge. “Nothing wrong with a little hope.”
    “This will be a ginormous amount of hope. And it’ll burst