Bad Boyfriend Read online

  Bad Boyfriend

  Bad For Me #1

  © Lexi Hart 2020

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission in writing from the author except brief quotations in critical articles, news articles and reviews.

  Lexi Hart is the naughtier version of YA Author Sarah Addison-Fox.

  If you would like exclusive pricing offers, freebies, WIP snippets and first look at new covers, subscribe to Lexi’s VIP mailing list here.

  When she can find a spare three seconds, you’ll also occasionally find Lexi hanging out on Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, or Goodreads.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Books by Lexi

  Note to Reader

  Playlist

  Chapter 1.

  Chapter 2.

  Chapter 3.

  Chapter 4.

  Chapter 5.

  Chapter 6.

  Chapter 7.

  Chapter 8.

  Chapter 9.

  Chapter 10.

  Chapter 11.

  Chapter 12.

  Bonus Material *

  Coming Soon

  Stay in touch

  Author Bio

  "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

  Martin Luther King, Jr.

  Books by Lexi

  Amazon Links (*Also available via Apple, Kobo, Google and B&N)

  One Wild Weekend Series

  One Wild Weekend With Connor *

  One Wild Weekend With Hunter *

  One Wild Weekend With Carter *

  One Wild Weekend With Sawyer *

  One Wild Weekend With Zander *

  One Wild Weekend With Luther *

  One Wild Weekend With Tyler *

  One Wild Weekend With Xavier *

  One Wild Weekend With Dexter

  One Wild Weekend With Parker

  One Wild Weekend With Cooper

  Bad For Me Series (Bad Boy Fake Romance)

  Bad Boyfriend

  Bad Reputation

  After five years of wasting my Journalism Degree writing an advice column, my editor offers me my first real assignment.

  The catch?

  I have to work alongside a Private Investigator from out of town.

  Enter Grayson Cole.

  The broody and secretive bad boy who took my V-Card eight summers ago then broke my heart.

  After years of hating Grayson for leaving without saying goodbye, now I'm the only person who can pose as his girlfriend.

  Between the long hours working together and the public displays of affection, it's getting harder to tell what's real.

  I need to walk away before history repeats itself.

  But when Grayson shows up at my door in the middle of the night and tells me why he really came back...

  What started out as fake, becomes dangerously real...

  Note to Reader

  Bad Boyfriend is my first real deviation from writing my One Wild Weekend Series and will be the first book in a new ongoing fake romance series Bad For Me.

  While this book has some of the hallmarks of my Wild Weekend Series, Bad Boyfriend has an entirely different dynamic, involving two people who already know each other.

  Because of this, I’ve chosen not to include Grayson and Isabel’s first time together as I didn’t want to detract from the story as it unfolds.

  Just like all my books, Bad Boyfriend is a standalone novel with a HEA.

  Having said that, I have left a door open just in case readers would like to take another peek into Grayson and Izzy’s lives further down the line.

  Lexi XX

  Playlist

  Bad Boyfriend was very heavily influenced by the music I listened to while writing it.

  Everything from the title, to the angst, the betrayal, the sex, the lies, and the prose, were inspired by the music of Garbage.

  I’ve created a playlist of the songs that helped me refine the characters and truly set a soundtrack to a story that spans almost a decade.

  I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did.

  Lexi XX

  Chapter 1.

  Isabel

  I’m just settling down to demolish a giant bowl of pasta, a glass of wine and watch a documentary when my cell phone rings.

  Ordinarily, I’d let it go to voice mail, but when I check caller-display and see it’s my big sister, I pick up. “Hey, thought you were leaving to visit mom and dad today in California? What’s up?”

  I can tell by the sound of her rapid breathing something important has happened.

  “You need to sit down. I just saw someone walk through the arrival gate at the airport.”

  I slouch back and mute the TV. “I am sitting down. Who’s arrived? Is it someone famous?”

  She near squeals down the line. “No! Okay, I don’t have time for guessing games, my plane is boarding in twenty minutes.”

  I stare lustfully at my food going cold. “Just tell me.”

  She lets out a breath slowly as if she’s savoring the moment. “It’s Grayson. He’s here.”

  Heat blazes across my cheeks and I bolt upright. “What? Are you sure?”

  Her reply comes out muffled, and I strain to hear over the sound of my heart thumping. “Gretch? Are you sure it’s him?

  “Shit, sorry. I lost him. And yeah, it’s definitely him. I was going to give him a piece of my mind.”

  I can only imagine how that would have gone down. “Well, I’m glad you didn’t. I’m totally over it anyway.”

  She snorts. “Oh, right. You didn’t want me to slap him for disappearing right after he popped your cherry?”

  I groan. “You make it sound so sordid. It wasn’t. It was...he was—"

  She cuts me off. “Bad. That’s what he was. I was the one who warned you the first time, this is me warning you to steer clear of him now.”

  I wince. She did warn me off him. And for an entire summer, I kept my distance, wondering why the aloof, and seriously mysterious Grayson would barely look at me.

  He’d just sit on the porch of his uncle’s beach house, looking broody, and glaring at everyone who walked past.

  Until the night he threw a party, and I somehow managed to get close enough to him to see he wasn’t what he appeared to be.

  I shake my head. “I’m completely in control of myself.”

  She sounds as worried as she always does when we discuss Grayson. “I highly doubt that. I know you still fantasize about him. One summer stalking him, and you turned into a slut the first opportunity you got.”

  I release a sigh and lean my head back on my couch so I can stare up at the ceiling. “I slept with him once, and you’re calling me a slut?”

  “Yeah, well, that’s why I’m calling. He looks incredible. But you cannot get within two feet of him, okay? I know you; you still think he’s salvageable.”

  I screw up my face. “I do not. I just want an explanation as to what happened. That’s all.”

  I can almost hear her rolling her eyes at me. “He was only there for the summer. And you had one night with him. What did you expect? A proposal? You need to stop thinking about him.”

  I growl down the line. “I hadn’t for months until you called to tell me he’s here! Now I can’t help but think about him.”

  She has the grace to sound sorry. “I know. But I needed to warn you. I don’t want you to get hurt again. You need to close the book on him. Once and for all.”

  I release a shaky sigh as memories I’ve tried to forget run on a loop. “He’s probably just back to see his uncle or something,” I mumble.

&nb
sp; “Yeah. But still. It’s a small town, and you’re bound to run into him, even if he’s just visiting for the summer again. If you do, just play it cool and whatever you do, don’t let on how much that night meant to you. Trust me, you’ll only set yourself up for disappointment if you do.”

  A wry smile tugs at my lips. “I know. You’re right. I do need closure. And if I see him, I’ll be the epitome of cool calm and collected.”

  She near chokes on a laugh. “Three things you will never be around him. You’ll probably stalk him again, get drunk and demand he tell you why he’s not on social media.”

  I frown hard; even though it’s always driven me insane I haven’t been able to track him down.

  In this day and age, everyone has some social media presence. “If I see him, I might slip that into the conversation,” I say.

  She sighs heavily. “Just don’t drop anything else into the conversation. And don’t for a second think you can pick up where you left off. Guys like Grayson never stick around. And temporary guys make bad boyfriends. Then and now.”

  I grind my back teeth together because even though I hate that I still think about him and what might have been, I know she’s right.

  I can’t pin my hopes on him even remembering the night we spent together. And I certainly shouldn’t expect him to offer me anything by way of apology.

  “I know and don’t worry, I’m totally over him.”

  “Ha! No, you aren’t. You’ve built him up to be incredible. And maybe it might be a good thing if you find out he isn’t all you thought he was? Hey, sorry. I gotta go. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  I end the call and close my eyes as my stomach twists into knots.

  I should be grateful I’ve gotten a warning he’s back. Gretchen knows better than anyone how long it took me to get over Grayson.

  But no matter how hard I tried, there’s a part of me that never really got over the rejection and hurt.

  Even though I knew he’d be leaving, I still got way too attached to the broody bad boy with the dimpled smile.

  And after one incredible night together in his uncle’s beach house, I stupidly thought it meant something to him.

  But I’m not a teenage girl with ridiculous notions about romance anymore.

  And fixating on Grayson Cole isn’t healthy or productive.

  Besides which, what are the chances I’ll even see him again, let alone have a chance to demand an explanation?

  GRAYSON

  I take the stairs two at a time and hope my contact here will be as accommodating as I need him to be.

  Luckily, the owner of The Standard, Haven Beach’s only independent paper, meets me at the top of stairs.

  Mike’s greeting is laced with a sardonic bite. “Here he is. The hotshot investigator.”

  I manage a smile as I take in the heavy-set man dressed casually in jeans and a shirt.

  He makes a big deal about looking at his watch before he extends his arm. “We run on Eastern time here.”

  I smirk at him and grasp his hand. “I’ll try to keep that in mind.”

  He steps back and gestures around the almost empty newsroom. “Feel free to use anything you need. But I’m sure Jerry told you, we’re just a rag running on the bones of our ass. Our resources aren’t limitless.”

  I barely glance at the room or the people in it. “I’ll be working from my hotel room. The less time I spend here, the better.”

  He nods sagely and gestures to his office. “Jerry hasn’t given me the details of why you’re here, just that I’ll benefit from agreeing to this.”

  I nod as I take a seat inside his messy little office and hope no one recognized me. “You’ll benefit.”

  He leans back in his chair and eyes me. “What exactly is it I can do for you? Jerry wasn’t clear.”

  This is why I came, so I choose my words carefully. “I need a research assistant and someone who can accompany me to events. In return, I’ll give you the exclusive rights to the story.”

  His bushy eyebrows rise. “And the story is?”

  I keep my expression blank. “For now, the details are confidential. But it involves prominent residents of Haven Beach.”

  “And you want me to ask one of my staff to be your personal assistant?”

  At the incredulous expression on his face, I know that’s too much of a stretch. “I’ll pay for expenses and reimburse you for any hours they work.”

  He rubs at his chin stubble before he leans forward and taps on his keyboard. “I can’t spare any of my experienced staff. But if you’re looking for a hard worker, who’s qualified, and is on my payroll, I may have someone.”

  I nod my head. “I’ll take whoever you have. But a woman works best for this. Pretty and young would be ideal.”

  He pauses and frowns. “I have a junior who assists the reporters here when needed, but since we’re short on office space and equipment, she mostly works from home.”

  I nod quickly. “Do people know she works for you?”

  He shakes his head. “She writes the advice column under a pen name.”

  At the hesitation in his voice, I know he’s withholding something. “What’s the problem?”

  He shrugs his hefty shoulders. “I’m not sure she’s up to something of this caliber. She mostly does background research.”

  I near growl the words. “I don’t have time to mess around. I need to be in place ASAP.”

  A catch a flash of anger on his face and know I’ve pushed a little too hard. “Watch it, son. You might have helped Jerry out, and Lord knows I owe that man, but I don’t know you, and I’m not about to foist you and your ego onto one of my junior staff.”

  He looks so pissed; I have to admire the way he’s protecting his staff. I lean a little closer and make sure he knows I’m sincere. “You have my word; I’ll keep her out of harms’ way.”

  He doesn’t look entirely convinced, but he nods warily. “See that you do. Isabel Riley is a good girl, and I’d hate to see her mixed up in anything.”

  Ice trickles through my veins and I have to clear my throat. “Isabel Riley works here?”

  He scratches his chin. “Has done since she graduated.”

  I nod vaguely, trying to hide my surprise that Jack didn’t tell me she was still here.

  But I never really told him about Isabel or that we stole his Malibu the night I lit a bonfire on the beach.

  He eyes me. “You know her?”

  Know her is an understatement. And now instead of thinking about the job I came here to do, pleasant memories are tickling at my brain.

  Blonde hair, blue eyes, and curves in all the right places. The good girl I never should have gotten involved with. The good girl who left way too big of an imprint on me considering we only had one night together.

  Fuck, fuck.

  I force a smile and rise to my feet. “I spent a summer here a long time ago, I think she worked at the hotel or something.”

  I’m not sure he’s buying it, there’s an element of wariness that wasn’t present before I opened my big mouth, but he rises and tells me where I can find Isabel.

  When he shakes my hand again, I’m barely aware of what I’m saying to him.

  I’m already formulating how I’m going to explain this all to Jack.

  ISABEL

  Early morning sunlight making me squint, I push open the door and I’m greeted with a smile as I enter the coffee shop directly below The Standard’s offices.

  Chloe, the barista, and one of the few people who know I write the Agony Aunt column is cleaning a table as I walk in.

  Her purple streaked hair is tied back, and her grin is as warm as her home-baked muffins. “I thought you might stop by. The column’s due, isn’t it?”

  I smile back at her and hold up the USB drive. “Mike decided I can write from home, but he refuses to use the drop box, so I still have to come in.”

  She chuckles as she steps back behind the counter. “Yes, but thanks to you, t
he newsroom has been dragged into the twenty-first century.”

  I lean against the counter and drool slightly at the array of muffins and homemade pastries on display.

  “Usual?” she asks.

  I nod, eyes locked on a Cronut, I absolutely should not be considering eating. “You’re the devil,” I mutter.

  Her eyebrow rises as she follows my gaze. “Are you talking to the Cronut or to me?”

  I screw up my face. “Both. Seriously, do not let me eat any more of those. I’ve put on three pounds since you started making them.”

  She looks me up and down as she tampers down my coffee. “Oh, puh-lease. You look exactly the same as you did in high school.”

  Since I know for a fact I don’t because I was reading my yearbook last night, I’m ready to argue the point, but when Chloe inhales sharply as the door opens behind me, I don’t even have to turn around to know who it’ll be.

  To confirm it, I turn slightly and find Grayson Cole staring right at me. His eyes are locked on mine, and he’s still just as intense as I remember.

  Only Grayson Cole isn’t sixteen years old anymore. He’s bulked out, has a beard, and he smells as incredible as he looks.

  I’ve lost all ability to speak, and I’m no longer sure if it’s the baked goods making my mouth water or the man standing right in front of me.

  He looks at Chloe, then his gaze lands on me again, but there’s a hint of uncertainty in his voice that surprises me. “Isabel?”

  I swallow hard and wish I’d taken a little more care with how I dressed. I try for a smile and am painfully aware Chloe is taking in this awkward little reunion.

  I clear my throat and try to sound casual. “Grayson? What are you doing here?”

  He doesn’t reply but looks over my shoulder at Chloe. “I’ll take a quad shot black to go. And put whatever she’s having on my bill.”

  Chloe looks bemused as she nods and pushes my coffee towards me. “She’ll take a couple Cronuts to go then.”

  My mouth opens, and I’m ready to protest when he drops his voice so low, I have to lean in to hear him. “Your boss told me you’d be here. He’s agreed to loan you to me.”