Witness Read Online Free Page A

stuck out like a sore thumb in this town. It was parked three cars down from the entrance of the coffee shop.
    I thought about asking if there was a back exit so I could walk around to my car; I was almost positive there was, but I was too shy, and the risk of being seen was too big; instead, I pulled my hood further down around my face and took my place in line. I pulled out my phone, toying with the idea of calling someone to meet me here. My finger hesitated over Madison’s name I knew she needed to sleep, and I wasn’t fond of the idea of her being so close to Britain. I didn’t get what was going on or trying to go on between them. Draven...no way...he wasn’t coming this close to Bianca, even if it killed me. I scrolled to the A’s, looking for Aden’s number. Just when I opened the text box, one of the workers came to my side.
    “Excuse me,” he said over the rumble of conversation in the shop.
    I jumped, and my phone fell to the floor. The guy leaned down to grab it before I could decide if I was in danger or not.
    “Sorry – didn’t mean to scare you,” the young guy said as he tried not to laugh. I stared at him nervously, trying to understand why he was talking to me. His smile fell, and he cleared his throat. “Um…that man over there said to tell you that he’s already ordered for you.”
    I furrowed my eyebrows as my face flushed with fear. “What man?” I asked, ducking slightly behind the boy.
    “In the corner. I think he might be your dad – maybe?” the boy said, moving to point out the table. I looked past him to see Evan, Draven’s dad, sitting in the last booth. My shoulders fell, and my heart started to beat slower.
    “Thanks,” I mumbled as I stared in Evan’s direction.
    I didn’t know he was back, but I couldn’t be happier to see him right now. He was sitting at a booth by the window with an open paper in front of him. As I navigated through the crowded tables to his side, a nervous anticipation came over me again. I hadn’t been face-to-face with him since my memory had been taken. That boy wasn’t crazy to assume that Evan could be my father; in fact, Evan reminded me a lot of my dad. He had the same tall build, a powerful energy that commanded people to listen to what he said, yet a calm soul that made you feel safe. Draven had his eyes, that haunting green that was laced in black. He smiled slightly and nodded as I walked closer.
    “Hey,” I said nervously as I reached the table.
    He nodded for me to take a seat. I looked out the window – to the parked Aston Martin that was now just a few feet away – then slid into the booth with Evan.
    “I didn’t know you were back. Does Draven know?” I asked as I slouched a little in the seat, hoping that I wouldn’t be recognized through the slightly tinted windows.
    Evan looked out the window, then back at me. He reached for his steaming cup of coffee. “I’ve been home for a few weeks,” he said just as he took a sip of coffee.
    “What?” I said, sitting up. I was confused. Why would Draven not tell me?
    Evan tilted his head and smiled faintly. “I didn’t think you knew – I haven’t seen you around. Kara said you haven’t left the house in a while.”
    “I’ve been locked in my studio – you know how it is,” I said, letting my eyes fall to the table. I guess it had been a while since I left the house.
    “I do,” Evan said as he folded his paper and leaned forward. “Any breakthroughs?”
    “Nah…not what I’m looking for, anyway. Why didn’t Draven tell me that you were back?” I asked, looking up at him.
    A waitress came to the table at that moment and set a cup of coffee and a bagel in front of me. I nodded to tell her thank you.
    “I think that’s the way you like it – with all those added flavors and such,” Evan said, nodding to the coffee.
    “Yeah, thanks. I was...I was gonna take some coffee to your house...to Draven.”
    A relieved smile came to the corners of Evan’s lips.