Overdrive (31 page)

Nick raises an eyebrow, impressed. “Straight life seems to be agreeing with him.”

With all of us, so far. We have Chelsea's dad to thank for that. After the police raided the warehouse, Riley and his crew–including Kevin, who they found trying to cross into Mexico–ended up in jail. Roger might have been as well if Chelsea's dad hadn't used his influence to keep Roger out of the slammer–his way of saying thanks for taking Chelsea in. And, in his own way, making up for the fact that he let her leave so easily. I thought I'd be envious that she has that, a family that wants her, but mostly I'm just happy she's home.

A chunk of the cars from the Trophy Case were confiscated and returned to their rightful owners. Roger says he plans to reopen it someday. Legally. Regardless of whether he can get his hands on any of the dream vehicles on his wife's list. It's not as easy as handing over some cash. I was wrong before–not everyone has a price.

Nick presses his fingers against the champagne cork and points the bottle to the ceiling. Emma puts her hands over her ears. The cork explodes and hits the flickering
NICK'S GARAGE
sign over the workbench.

“Holy crap, you guys making enough racket in here or what?”

“Chelsea!” Emma jumps off the end of the workbench and goes running. She stops before hugging her. “Wow. I love that dress!”

Not surprising, Chelsea looks like she's stepped off the runway rather than the hospital halls where she's volunteering for extra credit. Roger used his pull to get her into Harvard next year, but now that she's back living with her parents, she spends most of her time studying. Senior year promises to be a big year–for all of us.

Chelsea crouches down to Emma's level. “And you, Miss Diva, are still adorable.” She stands to give me a hug. “I hear we've got some celebrating to do.”

“Jules started her dance studio,” Emma says. “And I'm her very first client.”

Chelsea raises an eyebrow. “Except you don't have to pay.”

Ems laughs. “That's true.” Her eyes turn wistful. “I wish Matty could be here.”

My sentiments are the same. It hasn't been the same since he left last week, chasing the lead Roger gave him on the whereabouts of his family. Much as I want him to find them, it worries me to think he may never come back. We–I–feel a little lost without him.

“I'm here,” comes a muffled reply.

Nick peers around the corner, but the shop's empty. “Am I hearing things?”

“Oh!” Chelsea pulls her cell out from the wire trappings of her bra and turns the screen so we can all see. Mat's face swims into view. “He's on FaceTime.”

I decide not to comment on the fact that Mat's face has been smooshed between Chelsea's breasts for an undetermined amount of time. Nick and I have a bet on how long it will take the two of them to admit they like each other as more than friends.

We all gather around the phone.

Emma leans in close. “Where are you?”

“Mexico,” he says, panning the screen across a stretch of white sand beach.

Nick hands each of us a disposable red cup topped up with bubbling champagne. “Have you found them yet?”

“No, but I'm getting closer.”

Emma grabs the phone and kisses the screen with a loud smack of her lips.

Mat blinks. “What was that for?”

Emma beams. “Good luck.”

Mat's dimples grow bigger. “I'm sorry to miss out on the celebration.”

“When you get back, we'll do it again,” Nick says.

“And we'll have something else to toast to,” Chelsea says, holding up her glass. “To you finding your family.”

My chest swells with emotion and I blink away the tears. I look around at my sister, the wide smile on her face, and pull Nick to my side. “I'll toast to that right now.”

My love of muscle cars began long before I saw
Gone in 60 Seconds
, though I admit, it was this movie that inspired my '67 Shelby GT 500 obsession.

I took my driver's test on a stick shift, hoping–praying?–that this would convince my stepdad I was worthy of driving his rusted old Camaro, the Silver Bullet. Sadly, I drove it only once before he sold it. That was enough.

It should come as little surprise then that
Overdrive
is not only a true book of my heart, but one fueled by the adrenaline of everything that I love–a true dream project. I have a lot of people to thank for helping me bring it to fruition.

To Agent Awesome, Mandy Hubbard, who dreamed up a story conceit that even today feels too good to be true. Thank you for trusting me with it. In this crazy industry, filled with highs and lows, I am so grateful to have you standing at my side. Sometimes I still pinch myself. I couldn't ask for a more amazing agent and friend. Truly.

I am so thankful to the entire team at Simon Pulse for believing in me and supporting this story, in particular Karina Granda, who created a brilliant cover (you nailed what this book is about), and to my wonderful editor, Jennifer Ung. Thank you for “getting” this book, for pushing me to write better, for being a beacon of hope at the end of writerly self-doubt, and for loving this story (and Jules) as much as I do. You took this book to a level I didn't even realize was possible. Also a nitrous-oxide injected thanks to copyeditor and proofreader extraordinaires, Beth Adelman and Stacey Sakal, whose keen eyes kept me from much future embarrassment.

Several brave and kind souls read various drafts of this book. Without their insight, words of encouragement, and tough love, I might still be stuck in first gear. Thank you, Sue Worobetz (the numbers are safer now!), Hailey Pelletier, Izzy Jones, Kyle Kerr (multiple, impossible-to-count thank-you's!), Karen Dyck, Rocky Hatley, Denise Jaden, Louise Gorenall, Megan Grimit, Claire Donnelly, Nancy Traynor, Anne Tibbets  (
♥), and my soul sister, Jessica Bell.

Thank you, Kitty Keswick, for reading the terrible first draft and telling me you loved it. Thank you for reading the slightly less-terrible second draft, and still loving it. And thank you for reading the third, fourth, and fifth drafts. For dropping everything to read, even when you had projects of your own to complete. For investing in these characters, in me, and in our friendship with absolute abandonment. And for being the kind of critique partner every writer needs, and I honestly don't deserve. Thank you. I don't know a life before you.

Publishing my debut novel,
Anne & Henry
, was a magical experience, not only because it fulfilled my lifelong dream of seeing my name on a hardcover book in an actual bookstore, but also because I met so many wonderful people. Thank you, Kathy Coe, for being my first fan and an unwavering pillar of support. Our friendship began with
Anne & Henry
, but continues with brilliant TV, wine, and a full slate of adventures ahead. To Anthony Franze (go read his book,
The Advocate's Daughter
–it's so good!) and Barry Lancet (his Jim Brodie series is classic thriller!) for taking me under your wings at
The Big Thrill
, and becoming more than mentors, but dear friends. Cheers to many beers at Thrillerfest! And to Nancy “Remarkably Raven”–a fan, a confidant, fellow Canadian, and kick-ass friend. Thank you for always waving your pom-poms for me.

Speaking of cheerleaders, I have an impressive squad–Kyle (you get another mention because no one works as tirelessly to boost me up, promote my writing, and put up with my fragile ego as you. I love you.), James Grasdal, Bessie McLaughlan, Betty Morris, Kate Cosgrove, Carolyn Adams, my awesome sister-in-law (♥) Trisha Dalton, and my number one fan (sorry, Jeff), Jessica Driscoll. It's true that you can't choose your family, but even if I had the power, I couldn't pick a more amazing sister. Thank you for inspiring, encouraging, and loving, but most of all, for believing. I love you to the moon and back.

As always, I thank my mentors Gary Braver, Steve Berry, Jacqueline Mitchard, and James Rollins, who believed in me when I didn't, and taught me to write often, write tight (thanks, Steve!), and write well. I am forever in your debt.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the love of my very large family (sorry, Dad, not a millionaire yet! I'll keep trying . . .), and the continued support of my readers. Thank you. You are all infinitely awesome.

And last, but never least, to my amazing husband, who not only bought me a sporty RX-8 to commemorate
Anne & Henry
, but who also raises only one eyebrow when the (occasional) speeding ticket arrives in the mail. Fast cars may feed my adrenaline, babe, but it's you–always–that makes my heart race. I love you.

DAWN IUS
is a short-story author, novelist, screenwriter, professional editor, and communications specialist. She is the cofounder and senior editor of
Vine Leaves Literary Journal
, developmental editor and marketing director of Vine Leaves Press, managing editor of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) Association e-zine,
The Big Thrill
, and the author of fifteen educational graphic novels. When she's not slaying fictional monsters or swooning over book boyfriends, she can be found geeking out over things like fairy tales, true love, Jack Bauer, Halloween, sports cars, and all things that go bump in the night. She lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband, Jeff, and their giant English Mastiff, Roarke. Visit her online at
dawnius.com
.

SIMON PULSE

SIMON & SCHUSTER, NEW YORK

DAWNIUS.COM

Visit us at
simonandschuster.com/teen

authors.simonandschuster.com/Dawn-Ius

ALSO BY DAWN IUS

Anne & Henry

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

SIMON PULSE

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First Simon Pulse hardcover edition September 2016

Text copyright © 2016 by Dawn Ius

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Jacket designed by Karina Granda

Interior designed by Mike Rosamilia

The text of this book is set in Adobe Garamond Pro.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Ius, Dawn, author.

Title: Overdrive / by Dawn Ius.

Description: Simon Pulse hardcover edition, | New York : Simon Pulse, 2016. |

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Jules Parish turned to stealing cars to try to get her sister out of foster care, but after she is caught, a wealthy eccentric offers a promising—but perilous—solution.