Sever (The Ever Series Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

different floors. So, anyway. There’s this vending machine in the break room, and I can’t count the number of times it’s stolen my money. It is literally possessed.”
    I wince.
    “Then one night, after the damn thing stole my last crisp dollar bill for the millionth time, someone comes up behind me, taps the silly thing once, and out pops my granola bar.”
    Another server arrives at the table and asks who ordered the French toast.
    “Right here!” my mom says.
    She looks delighted and oblivious. When my omelet arrives, I don’t pick up my fork, waiting with morbid fascination to see what Rick will do. He looks up at me and winks.
    “I’m starving,” he says enthusiastically.
    He begins eating, and it looks like he’s really enjoying himself.
    “How long have you been practicing in Portland?” Ever asks.
    “Since my residency at OHSU.”
    I frown. Is there a human in there somewhere, I wonder, or is he all monster? I lower my mental wall, intent on getting a peek at what this thing is, but before I can, Ever grips my hand in his and nods toward my breakfast. Scowling, I relent. I looked that deeply into Ever’s eyes once—and I woke up in the hospital. Besides, brunch with my mom isn’t the time to tempt fate. My eyes travel across the restaurant, and I practically jump out of my seat when I see Chasen—and Audra—seated at a table by the window. Audra —who’s supposed to be finishing her freshman year at Cambridge. In England.
    Some cocky-looking guy, probably in his early thirties, walks by, ogling Audra like Chasen isn’t even there, and I can’t help thinking that even if this guy doesn’t know that Chasen is the Rottweiler of the immortal world, he’s clearly nuts. I wait rigidly for Chasen to pop out of his seat and snap the guy in two before calmly sitting back down. When Chasen stays seated, I relax. Taking a bite of my omelet, I wish I could enjoy it as much as the thing across from me is enjoying its meal. When he crams an entire sausage into his mouth, I have to force myself to swallow and not gag.
    “Wren, I’d love to have you and your mom out to my place one of these days, so we can get to know each other a little better. I make some mean veal cutlets.”
    I try not to make an awful face. I have no idea what to say. The first thing that comes to mind is: Hell no! In fact, I would prefer my mom dated Mr. Chernoff, the vice principal of Springview—or anyone really. Finally I manage a noncommittal smile and force myself to nod. I eat the rest of my breakfast quickly, relieved when Ever stands up as soon as I’m done.
    “Caroline, if you don’t mind, Wren and I have plans with friends.”
    My mom looks at me, and I know she’s wishing I would stay longer. The problem is that if I do, I’m going to end up attempting an exorcism on Rick in the middle of the restaurant. Ever offers me his hand, but I hesitate, worried about leaving my mom alone with this thing. Then I look across the room at Chasen. When he nods, I reach out and take Ever’s hand. I don’t want to leave my mom here, but what can I say to her that would make her leave? You’re date’s a monster ? Right. That would work. The best thing I can do right now is find a way to send Rick screaming back to wherever he came from.
    As we step out of the restaurant, I look up at the sky. The rain has picked up, causing the passing cars to kick up a spray of water, reminding me that we haven’t made it to summer yet. I realize that a part of me had hoped the storm would pass over me—that somehow I would wake up and everything would be right again. But it was never right to begin with; I know that now. And when I had tried to make things right, I only ended up making things worse.
    Things are far from right, and I need to snap the hell out of it and accept the way things are.
    Stepping off the curb, I look both ways. When we reach Ever’s car, he opens the door. I pause as a woman passing by looks from me to Ever and then