Slide (Boosted Hearts Book 3) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Contents

  Slide

  Blurb

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About Sherilee Gray

  Also by Sherilee

  Coming Soon

  SLIDE

  Boosted Hearts #3

  by

  SHERILEE GRAY

  www.sherileegray.com

  www.facebook.com/SherileeGrayAuthor/

  She’s forbidden fruit…but damn he wants a bite…

  To block out a nightmare past, retired car thief and mechanic Adam Grady has chosen a life of complete denial. So when he agrees to one final job, the last thing he expects to find in the car he’s just boosted is his biggest temptation – his best friend’s little sister. Now he’s on the road trip from hell, and the sexy she-devil riding shotgun is determined to make him sin…

  Lucy Colton’s specialty is burning bridges and epic mistakes, but now it’s time to sort out her life and get serious. Well, she will after succeeding in one final, reckless endeavor: seducing her long time crush Adam Grady. Forever might be off the table, but there’s a sizzling heat between them even he can’t deny. And she’s determined to test his limits.

  First Edition, February 2017

  Copyright © Sherilee Gray

  ISBN: 978-0-473-38609-2

  Kindle Edition

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced nor used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used facetiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Edited by Andrea McKay

  Proofread by Keyanna Butler

  Cover Design by Letitia Hasser at R.B.A Designs

  Interior formatting by Heather Boyd

  Formatting by Heather Boyd

  Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter. Visit sherileegray.com for new release alerts, giveaways, events, and other cool stuff.

  Boosted Hearts series

  Book 1: Swerve

  Book 2: Spin

  Book 3: Slide

  Chapter One

  Lucy Colton was a major screw-up.

  This was not news, not to her, and not to her family. But this latest disaster…well, let’s just say she’d hit the bottom of the screw-up barrel. Though screw-up seemed like too mild a word for what she’d done. The only way from here was up, right? Then again, with the way her life was headed, her barrel probably had a false bottom and there was a whole new low waiting that she’d yet to sink to.

  She jiggled her knee restlessly and stared out the window as the cab pulled up outside Colton Auto Repairs. Her brothers, Hugh and Joe, were both there, the hot LA sun glinting off the chrome bumpers on their trucks parked out front, like she knew they would be.

  There was only one way her unexpected arrival would go, especially with the news she had to share.

  Her stomach sank to her feet.

  And because the powers that be obviously hadn’t finished playing fast and free with her life just yet, and couldn’t wait to dish up some whipped cream with the steaming pile of shit pie they’d been serving her lately—Adam’s truck was there, too.

  Adam Grady was her brothers’ best friend and business partner. The guy was also an arrogant asshole, an unapologetic manwhore…and unfortunately for Lucy, the sexiest man she’d ever known. The man she’d always wanted—above all others. And worse, the man she’d fallen head over heels in love with when she was twelve years old.

  Well, he hadn’t been a man then, not quite, but that wasn’t the point. The point was, no matter how hard she’d tried, she hadn’t been able to fall out of love with him. And, oh boy, had she tried.

  In her numerous attempts to eradicate him from her heart and mind, she’d traveled down more than her fair share of…unwise paths. She wasn’t trying to shift the blame on him. How could she when Adam had no idea she felt the way she did? Even if he did, it wouldn’t make one lick of difference. No, her screw-ups were all on her. One hundred and fifty percent.

  And despite her feelings for him, she’d given up on him a long time ago. Adam Grady didn’t do relationships. Had never been in one. Ever. The man was broken, she knew that much, and though it had taken her a loooong time, and a few botched attempts, she’d learned he did not want to be pieced back together. Not by her—not by anyone. He was content in his brokenness. Wore it like a favorite sweater—but one that smelled of mothballs and had frayed cuffs, and no matter how many times you tried to throw that stinker out, he kept pulling it out of the trash and putting it back on. He was a hopeless case.

  Yep, Lucy had long since given up on anything happening between them. It just sucked that her heart hadn’t caught up with her head.

  She stared into the garage, through the large, open roller doors, and drew in an unsteady breath.

  Freaking wonderful.

  Like she needed an audience for the shit parade about to take place. And Adam of all people.

  The cab driver twisted in his seat. “You getting out here or what?”

  She was about to tell him to keep on driving, to take her anywhere but there, but Joe was already striding toward her, a frown creasing his forehead.

  Neat-o.

  “I’ll ah…get out here.” She handed him some money and turned to look at her brother through the window, a fake as hell smile on her face when he yanked her door open.

  “What the hell are you doing here, squirt?”

  She flipped him the bird. “Nice to see you, too, butt face.”

  Fake it till she made it—that was her new motto. Pretend her life wasn’t in a crumbling heap at her feet and give the crowd what they came for. “Bags are in the trunk.”

  She ignored Joe’s questions and grumbles and strode for the main doors. She had to do this quick. Like tearing off a bandage. The news would sting for a second or two, then they could all get over it and move on.

  Hugh, her eldest brother, was at the back of the workshop, under the hood of a car. His head swiveled on his thick neck when she walked in, brown gaze locking on her instantly. The big bastard had a sixth sense when it came to her, more parent to her than sibling.

  He straightened, face momentarily lighting up. “Lucy? What the fuck are you doing here?”

  But the light vanished, replaced by concern almost instantly, causing a lump to grow in her throat. “You need to come up with something original. Joe’s already said that one.”

  Joe walked in
at that moment, struggling with her bags, a scowl on his face. “I’m fine, really. I wouldn’t want you to break a nail carrying your own shit.”

  She smirked. At least with Joe there she had a buffer. “That’s why you’re my favorite brother.”

  “What going on?” Hugh rumbled. “Is everything okay?”

  “Um…”

  Joe moved up beside her, expression suddenly serious, and tugged on her hair. “Luce?”

  She couldn’t take it. Forcing a snort, she rolled her eyes. “Christ, when did you two turn into a couple of old mother hens?”

  Joe’s eyes narrowed. Shit.

  “Fine. How about you cut the cute bullshit?” Hugh said, wiping his hands and walking over to join them. “What are you doing here, Luce?”

  The smile on her face cracked, a nerve in her cheek starting to twitch. If she didn’t know it was physically impossible, she would swear there was a hamster running full speed on his tiny little wheel in her belly.

  Fake it till you make it, remember?

  If she didn’t brazen this one out, her brothers would get suspicious. They’d also run right over her and force her to spill her guts. If they learned the full extent of her stupidity, they’d lose their goddamn minds. Better they thought she was an uncaring, irresponsible delinquent than the ugly truth.

  “I quit,” she said into the deafening silence.

  One of her bags hit the concrete floor. “You what?” Joe barked.

  “I left school. I’m moving back.”

  Hugh stood motionless for several seconds then released a long breath, accompanied by a low growl that had the ability to start a mini tornado. “You what?”

  “Hugh, seriously. Joe already said that.” She shook her head. “Keep up, big bro.” Her knees were locked so they didn’t see her shaking. Her thigh muscle started to twitch as well and she felt ill.

  Now he looked concerned again. “Why would you do that? Is something going on, something you haven’t told us?”

  She shook her head, the lump in her throat getting thicker. “No, nothing’s going on,” she lied.

  “Does it have to do with that asshole, your psychology professor?”

  “No.” Yes.

  Hugh’s face went scary. “Is he getting pushy? Trying to start something back up with you?”

  “No,” she lied again. Because it had everything to do with Daniel. Hugh knew she’d had an affair with one of her professors, that he’d lied to her, omitting the fact he had a family. Her brother had also confronted him, and things had gotten ugly. But Hugh didn’t know the full extent of what went on during that time, how bad things got, and she would do anything so he didn’t find out. Her brother was protective to the extreme, both of them were. If they found out what happened, they’d go after him again and this time would be a hell of a lot worse. They’d get into trouble and she couldn’t let that happen, not because of her, and not when they’d both finally found happiness.

  Hugh’s brow furrowed, lips turning down. “I’m not buying it, Luce. This doesn’t add up.”

  Why did he have to go and get all worried, why couldn’t he just lose his shit and be done with it? “I just…I don’t want that anymore, any of it. So, I left.”

  He eyeballed her for so long she had to force herself not to start shuffling her feet.

  He planted his giant paws on his hips. “Lucy…”

  It was hard, but she held his probing gaze. “It’s not him, I promise.”

  He let out a rough breath. “Okay. So now what? You have no job. No college degree. No money…”

  “I haven’t exactly worked it all out yet, but—”

  “You haven’t worked it out?”

  “Well, no.”

  He frowned, brows lowering. “If you think I’m gonna keep paying for you to sit on your backside, you’re seriously mistaken.”

  “Have I asked you to pay my way?” His words hit like tiny daggers, each one slicing a little deeper. “I have money saved. You know I worked the whole time I was at school. I’m not here asking for a handout. You’re my brothers and I’m doing you the courtesy of keeping you in the loop.”

  “You can’t be serious—” Joe said.

  “I’m twenty-two years old. I don’t even owe you an explanation…still, here I am giving you one—”

  “No, you haven’t,” Hugh interrupted.

  “What?” She curled her fingers into tight fists at her sides.

  “You haven’t given us an explanation, not really.”

  Her pulse started to speed up, the vein in her throat throbbing. “It just…it wasn’t for me. Okay? I quit and now I’m home.”

  “Lucy—”

  “I’ll pay you back the tuition money, every cent.”

  “Don’t want your money. I want you to tell me—”

  “Can I use Joe’s old apartment or what?” She was not having a deep and meaningful with these two. Not there. Not ever. Living above the garage wouldn’t be ideal, especially if she didn’t want her brothers hounding her for answers constantly, but right now her choices were limited. “I’ll pay rent.”

  Hugh let out another long-suffering sigh. “Even after all the irresponsible shit you’ve done—”

  “The parties,” Joe added.

  She spun to Joe. “Now hang on—”

  “The fucking off to God knows where on summer break, with fuck knows who and not telling us where you are—”

  “That was—”

  “Getting arrested by campus police—”

  “That was two years ago, and that wasn’t my fault, you know that.”

  “But this is a whole new level even for you,” Hugh said, ignoring her and Joe completely.

  Lucy snapped her mouth shut. Ouch. That one cut the deepest. She wasn’t letting him see it, though. “So, is that a yes to the apartment?”

  “Shit.” Hugh shoved a hand through his hair. “Do whatever the fuck you want. That’s what you’ve always done, right, Luce?” Then her eldest brother turned and walked out the door.

  He got into his truck, started it up, and drove out. She turned to Joe.

  He held up his hands and shook his head. “I’m with Hugh on this one. Shit, I’m actually disappointed in you, Luce. Thought you had more brains than this.”

  “Joe—”

  “Take your shit upstairs to the apartment. I need to close up.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a bunch of keys. Removing one, he tossed it to her. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Then he walked away from her as well.

  Lucy stood there for several seconds, staring after her brothers. She knew they’d be pissed, but she hadn’t been prepared for disappointed. That was so much worse.

  Grabbing a couple of bags, she took them upstairs and let herself in. After dumping them on the bed, she moved to the window. Joe was out front. His girlfriend, Darcey, had driven in with her little brother, who she was now legal guardian for. Noah jumped out of the backseat, wearing a baseball uniform and a huge smile on his face. Joe said something that had the kid breaking down in hysterics.

  Darcey was perfect for her brother. Lucy liked her a lot. She and Darcey actually had a huge amount in common, not that Joe would ever admit to that. Lucy had hoped they could get closer now she was home; Hugh’s fiancée, Shay, as well, especially as she was having a baby. But after the way both her brothers had just reacted to her quitting school, she didn’t see any big family get-togethers anytime soon.

  Her bag was still slung over her shoulder and she slipped her hand inside, gripping the small leather volume of poetry at the bottom, worn and soft, in her fingers. Usually reading her favorite poets filled her up when she was empty.

  But there was no filling the gaping hole inside her. She hadn’t opened the book in her hand for months, or any of her books.

  After dumping her bag on the bed, she headed back down to get the rest of her things and immediately wished she hadn’t when she walked back through the garage door.

  Adam was standing on the far side o
f the workshop, leaning over one of the benches, and whatever he was working on made the muscles in his forearms and biceps bunch and flex.

  Don’t look at his muscles!

  How long had he been there? Had he been standing behind her the whole time she spoke to her brothers? Just great. Effing wonderful.

  She was about to back up and get out of there before he noticed her, when he turned toward her, that damn smirk he often wore—especially when she was in the vicinity—curving his sexy as hell mouth.

  “You weren’t going to sneak away without saying hello, now were you?”

  Good Lord. The dreams she’d had—of the day and unconscious variety—about that mouth. She mentally shook herself. “How long have you been there?” The words were out before she could zip her damn lips.

  He straightened his long lean body, and it was hard but she managed to keep her eyes above his neck and not eat up every inch of him like she was desperate to. God, that feather tattoo on his neck was hot. Stop it, Lucy! How could you want to strangle someone and jump their bones at the same time? That was the question she’d been asking herself for the last ten years. But that’s exactly how she felt about the smug bastard in front of her. She’d love nothing more than to slap that smirk off his face—then drop to her knees and worship the impressive bulge currently straining the zipper of his jeans.

  “Long enough.”

  Her eyes shot up from his crotch to his now annoyed expression. Why he was annoyed she had no damn clue.