Read Online Mania by J. R. Johansson - Free Book Online

couple of times I’d watched her dreams since she found this out, it seemed like knowing that Dad had left my mom to be with her had shaken her a little. She felt both guilt and some jealousy, which was probably normal …
    Or, at least, I guess it would be normal if we could use that word to describe anything about our situation.
    â€œHi, Mrs. Chipp,” I said as I walked in, and Chloe snuck in behind me, keeping her head tucked low. I couldn’t help but notice that Parker’s mom didn’t even acknowledge Chloe’s presence. She’d had a hard time even letting her in the house at first, knowing Chloe was a Taker and what she could do, but Parker and I had convinced her that we’d keep Chloe from causing any more damage.
    â€œI said you could call me Emily.” Mrs. Chipp put on a fake-stern expression that softened as she smiled. “But do whatever feels comfortable.”
    She placed a hand on my shoulder. It caught me off-guard and my spine stiffened a little, unsure of what to expect next.
    â€œI’m really glad you came back. I wanted to talk to you today, but then when I talked to Parker, he said you’d left.” She glanced behind me at Chloe, who took the hint and scooted past us to wait. It was hard not to feel bad for her, even if she was a Taker.
    â€œYeah. I’m hopefully only stopping in for a few minutes. I just need to talk to Parker about something.” The conversation felt uncomfortable already, and I wasn’t sure why. I wondered if I should assure her that I’d be out of their way soon. I’d definitely already overstayed a normal welcome at their house.
    Her hand dropped from my shoulder. “Do you have to go?”
    That wasn’t a question I’d been expecting, especially not from her. “I … have something I need to do.”
    She nodded slowly and brought her eyes back to mine again. She already knew enough about me to understand there were things I wouldn’t—and couldn’t—tell her. I wasn’t certain which details Parker had given her, but she knew our dad had given me a job to do. And that was really all I wanted her to know for now—from me, at least.
    â€œOkay. Well, what I was hoping is maybe when you’re done, or when you feel ready, or whenever, really … ” She shifted back and forth on her feet in obvious discomfort before finally blurting out, “Would you like to stay with us permanently?”
    My eyes blinked and my mouth opened, like it knew it was supposed to respond but my brain wasn’t supplying it with anything to say. I wasn’t prepared for this. She wanted me to live with her and Parker? Here—in an actual house without any wheels on it? In a place where you didn’t already have a plan for where you would go when you next had to run? My palms began to sweat at just the thought. The idea sounded at once like both heaven and hell. I couldn’t give her an answer, though, because I honestly didn’t have one.
    â€œI don’t … ”
    â€œPlease don’t answer right now,” she said, like she could read my thoughts. “Just say you’ll think about it?”
    I straightened my shoulders and tried to act like this wasn’t the most difficult question I’d ever been asked. “Okay, I will.”
    She smiled widely this time and then abruptly hugged me. It took me a few seconds to recognize that I knew the correct response to this action and awkwardly hugged her back. She laughed lightly into my shoulder and then pulled away. “I know we still don’t know each other very well, but as far as I’m concerned, you are family. Parker is your brother, and you know what he’s going through, being a Watcher too. I’m not like you two … it’s hard for me to understand. I spoke with Parker about it and he agrees. We need you. You should be here with us.”
    â€œI … thank