Free White Witch by Trish Milburn Page B

what I expected. But it’s cool.”
    “Thank you.”
    Keller points at me. “What other surprises are you hiding, Jax Taylor?”
    I’m glad for the dimness where we’re sitting because I’m not sure the fear that surges up inside me isn’t reflected on my face.
    “An insane fondness for cheese straws?”
    Keller laughs then squeezes my hand before heading to the bar to refill our drinks. I turn my attention toward the dance floor, forcing myself to focus on something other than how my life is turning into a minefield of lies.
    I spot Eric and Paige totally enjoying each other’s company and personal space. And Toni is in her element, rocking out with her pink-streaked hair flying. Seeing them all happy lifts my mood. I shouldn’t feel sorry for myself. I’ve already had more fun and freedom in the past few days than I have in my entire life. I renew my vow to focus on the positive and not worry about what-ifs until I have to.
    I talk to Keller about favorite books—I like romances and fantasy while he’s a nonfiction kind of guy. He rolls his eyes when he finds out I’m as big a Whedon fan as Toni, and I tease him when he says his favorite show is Dirty Jobs . I almost giggle at the idea of host Mike Rowe doing an episode on supernatural hunting. I think I could talk to Keller about the U.S. Revenue Code and still be happy.
    The evening ends much too soon as Keller twirls me through one last song before the barn lights come up and people start streaming out to their cars, back to parents and curfews and life outside this teen cocoon.
    Our group waits until the band breaks down the equipment and gets it all loaded, with Eric and Keller lending a hand. When everything is secured in the van, we head for Keller’s truck. I feel like floating as Keller holds my hand, but floating would definitely stand out as not quite normal.
    I slide into the front seat, cursing the console that sits between Keller and me. But he holds my hand with one of his as he drives with the other.
    “Man, I’m drowning in hormones,” Toni laments with much drama from the back seat. “I’ve got Mr. and Mrs. Smoochy Lips back here, and the Googly Eyes in the front. I’m so writing away for a mail-order date next time.”
    “Hey, Keller, pull over at the Kwik Stop. I’m thirsty,” Eric says.
    “Ya think that might be because all your saliva is gone?” Toni asks.
    Paige giggles, and I love hearing how happy my friend sounds. But my heart hurts a little for Toni. She always puts on a brave face, but I wonder if deep down Toni really does wish she could write away for a gorgeous date so she didn’t have to endure fifth wheeldom.
    Keller pulls into the side parking lot of the Kwik Stop, a brightly-lit convenience store plopped down in the middle of nowhere. During the day, the road is fairly busy, but now the attendant looks bored out of his mind.
    We all pile out of the truck and wander inside to feed our late-night munchies and make use of the facilities. Once inside, we spread out like spilled marbles—Toni to the restroom, Eric and Paige to the drink coolers at the back of the store, Keller to the candy bar aisle. I’m not hungry or thirsty, so I peruse the magazines at the front of the store.
    “Y’all been to The Barn?” asks the attendant, a red-headed guy who appears to be in his mid-twenties.
    “Yeah.”
    “I sure miss going up there, but I get stuck here every Friday night.”
    “That sucks.”
    “Tell me about it. So—” He’s cut off by someone’s loud entry into the store.
    I turn just as a man in a baseball cap and dark glasses levels a gun at the store clerk and says, “Give me everything in the register.” As he says it, he notices me and Keller, who is standing two rows over from me. The robber mutters an expletive, like he didn’t expect to have an audience.
    My heart goes nuts in my chest, hammering against my ribs like it wants to break free and make a getaway. I don’t blame it. If the guy decides