Page 73 of Playing Dirty

My phone vibrates in my palm, drawing my attention away from Theo and Phoenix and back to it.Rather than texting me a response, Dillon sent a photo in our texting thread. At first, I don’t know what I’m supposed to be looking at other than Wyatt and another guy I don’t recognize at the checkout counter with a pile of…walkie-talkies?

What the…?

I’m smacked upside the head with realization as the puzzle pieces come together seamlessly. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to do anything about it, because the door to Theo’s room creaks open and I drop my phone back to the mattress.

“Hey,” he whispers, face instantly pulling into a smile when he spots me still in his bed. The sight creates a warm, tingling sensation through my extremities, and it grows when he flicks the lock back in place.

“I’m surprised you’re still here,” he murmurs as he drops down on the bed beside me. “Pleasantlysurprised, I might add.”

I shoot him a little glare. “Didn’t wanna risk being caught sneaking out your window by one or more of your roommates, thanks.”

“Good thinking, ’cause you definitely would’ve been while they were bringing boxes inside,” he muses, a little glint of amusement in his eyes.

That makes sense why I’d been hearing so many footsteps.

“So you weren’t kidding about the stray.”

“Nope,” he says, and his face becomes sort of pinched, like he’s tasted something sour, before adding, “Another roommate just means there’s one more person for us to worry about catching you around here.”

Part of me is tempted to bring up the option to have these little “study sessions” at my place, but I know he’s more comfortable here. Especially after having been caught by Torin and Miles the one and only time he was over.

But my phone buzzes on the bed again, reminding me of the conversation I’d just overheard…and the bit of information Dillon just shared with me too. Information Ireallyneed to do something with before it’s too late.

“Well, on the note of being caught,” I start, keeping my gaze locked with him, “I think I should get going, actually.”

“What? I thought you were waiting for me so we could…” He trails off and makes some awkward motion between the two of us and the bed.

“I think the term you’re looking for ishook up,” I supply, unable to keep the amusement from my tone.

His lip curls back in a grimace. “It just sounds so cheap to put it like that.”

I tend to agree with him, especially with the way things have been progressing as of late. But it feels a bit too early to push him to define whatever is happening between us, so I just shrug and rise off the bed.

“Regardless of what you wanna call it, it’s getting late, and we both have studying to do.” I aim him a knowing look before tacking on, “Studying that definitely won’t get done if I stay here.”

He’s not happy about it, but he concedes to my point. Though, not without stealing a long, drawn-out kiss before I sneak out the window the way I came.

I’ve learned to climb this tree to the point where it only takes two seconds for me to drop to the ground and make a break for my car. But I stop to check my phone the second I’m out of sight from the townhouse, reading the text Dillon sent only five minutes ago.

Dillon: Did I stun you speechless, or are you not putting two and two together?

Fucking smartass.

Me: Have you left yet?

Dillon: Just got to my car. Why?

My fingers fly over the keyboard with an instant response.

Me: Go back in and buy one.

Twenty

Theo

“We need you for the raid tonight.”

I’m mid-set on the bench press when the words register over the sound of Bring Me The Horizon blasting through the weight room speakers. Looking behind me slightly, I find Wyatt staring down at me intently, as if waiting for a response.