Overdrive Read Online Free PDF

room is more than simple decor math—it practically breathes with her essence. Something about it doesn’t feel right.
    â€œSo what’s his angle?”
    Chelsea frowns. “Skeptical much?”
    When I don’t answer, she keeps talking. Her eyebrows knit with annoyance. “I get it. Roger can come off a bit . . .”
    â€œScattered,” Mat fills in.
    â€œHe’s definitely not firing on all pistons,” I add, a little under my breath.
    Nick huffs. “Harsh.”
    My face goes hot.
    Chelsea shrugs. “It’ll just take time, you know?” At my hesitant nod, she brightens. “Forget it for now. How about a dance-off?” Her arms and legs twist into some fucked-up side-shift-lunge move. “Bet you could kick my butt.”
    â€œI’m not much of a dancer.” The lie gets caught in my throat.
    Nick ejects Need for Speed and slips another disc into the Xbox. Blood whooshes to my head when the Grand Theft Auto logo pops onto the screen. Fuck. Me and my big mouth.
    He holds out a controller. “Come on, hotshot. Let’s see what you’re made of.”
    The edge in his voice is as sharp as steel. I take a step back, bumping into the wall. A hanging African-style mask tilts sideways. I note the plaque beneath it—another movie prop—and adjust the mask, stalling. “No, I couldn’t . . .”
    Nick slumps back against the sofa cushions. “Shoulda known you’re all talk.”
    My skin suddenly feels too tight on my body. I snag the controller and flop down next to him. Our thighs touch. The couch practically shakes as his muscles tense. Good. I want him on edge. “You asked for this.”
    Chelsea pulls a stool up alongside the sofa and winds her finger through a lock of red hair. “Well. This just got interesting.”
    While the game scene sets up, Mat and Chelsea make fun of the characters that flicker across the screen. I try to focus on deciphering Mat’s words, but I’m hyperaware of Nick. The way he slouches on the sofa, the smirk in the corner of his lip. Maybe it’s me that’s on edge.
    Gunfire spits through the speakers and the next thing I know, I’m in the midst of a virtual shoot-out.
    Chelsea leans forward on her stool. Her voice raises a full octave. “Get out of there!”
    â€œGrab the cash first,” Nick says, a little under his breath.
    I scrunch up my face. “I’m not a moron.”
    Mat slides a stool next to Chelsea and cracks open a can of soda. I toggle through a series of hallways until I find the bank vault. Collect the money. Outrun a security guard. Meet up with—
    Seriously?
    â€œUh, she’s . . . interesting,” Chelsea says.
    Mat whistles low. “Whoa, get a load of those chichis .”
    Ignoring their commentary, I gun my way through an obstacle course of police cruisers and cops, while bikini girl runs behind me screaming like a damn banshee. “God, someone ought to just put her out of her misery.”
    Chelsea points wildly at the screen. “Oh! Oh! Go left!”
    One of my thumbs slips off the controller, spinning my character in a one-eighty.
    â€œYour other left,” Nick mumbles.
    Screw you.
    I regain control and my character starts outrunning a couple of cops on foot—as if this entire scenario wasn’t already giving me epic déjà vu vibes. My heart thumps as I search for a set of wheels.
    Mat hoots with laughter. “My abuela is faster.”
    â€œI doubt your grandma is hot-wiring cars,” I say, smirking.
    Nick’s voice drops to a low growl. “Everyone’s got their secrets.”
    I duck my head so that my hair covers my blush. Maybe it wasn’t personal, but the dig burns a little hole inside me. What? Roger told them all I’m a car thief so I’m a household pariah? Fuck this.
    Mat grabs Chelsea’s water and chugs. “Things are really