Page 33 of Playing Dirty (Leighton U #4)

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.

“Wait, what?”

“Focus, T,” Phoenix chimes in from where he’s spotting me from behind the bench. “What the hell, Wy. Don’t distract him.”

“Sorry, sorry,” our captain mutters, holding his hands up.

He backs off to give me space to finish out my remaining reps, but the words raid and tonight ring around in my head, and I’m not happy about it.

Morning lifting sessions are my haven—a sanctuary for me to work out all my sexual frustrations that’ve been building over the course of this week.

And I’ve needed it, especially after Madden snuck out of my room before either of us got off the other night.

Seeing him tonight was supposed to rectify that, but not if I have to go on this fucking raid over at Blackmore instead. And now Wyatt just ruined my mood for the rest of my time in the weight room on top of it.

On my last press, Phoenix helps me re-rack the bar, and I shift into a sitting position on the bench. Wyatt’s still within spitting distance, a look of excitement etched into his features when I finally meet his gaze.

“What do you mean ‘tonight’? You’re going out again?” I ask while wiping my brow with a towel.

A small group of them went over two nights ago to check a couple buildings on south campus, so I wasn’t expecting another attempt so soon after. But apparently Wyatt is determined to knock out as many hiding spots as possible before the season officially starts.

“Yeah, T. We kinda need to find the damn thing sooner than later,” he says in one of those get with the program tones. “I’ve got over half the team in for tonight, so we need you there.”

A sharp laugh leaves me. “I guess that means I don’t really have a choice, then, doesn’t it?”

“Glad to see you’re starting to pick up on how things work around here,’’ Wyatt says, a teasing smirk pulling at his lips now. “We’re gonna need like…six cars, I’m thinking.”

“Is this your way of telling me I’m driving too?”

He waves me off. “God, no. I was just thinking out loud. Your yellow Bronco is too ostentatious for us to take, so you’ll have to ride with Merce or someone else.”

“I’ve got him,” Phoenix confirms, and when I glance his way, I find him barely containing his laughter. But whether it’s at Wyatt’s shenanigans or my attitude, I have no clue.

Wyatt claps his hands before rubbing his palms together, looking ever the evil villain concocting his master plan. There’s even a devious glint in his eyes to match before he slowly starts backing away from us.

“I’ve got a good feeling about tonight, boys. I’m off to tell the rest of the gang, but be at the training facility at ten. I’ll put it in the group chat too.”

I nod and Phoenix shoots off a salute before getting back to the rest of our lifting session. My heart isn’t in it anymore, though, knowing I have to cancel on Madden tonight after all.

It shouldn’t be a big deal—both of us are busy, have our own school work and shit to do—but I don’t like the feeling it creates in my stomach. This swirling…guilt, almost. The feeling doesn’t go away either, sticking with me long after I shower and head to class.

I spend the first half of my sports broadcasting class trying to think of a way out of going, which is insane in itself, because I love going on raids.

A fact that I’m reminded of when the group chat with all my teammates starts popping off with excitement about tonight.

It’s the first raid some of the freshmen have ever gone on, and it’s their enthusiasm that renews my sense of reason for the Penny Play—why we go to the lengths we do to preserve this legacy created long before we ever arrived at Leighton.

Because it’s more than just a rivalry; it’s comradery and team building too.

It’s enough for some of the contrition to dissipate, at least for a moment. But then a text from Madden comes in, smacking me upside the head with a dose of reality.

Madden: Hey, you. All set for tonight?

Shit.

I type and retype my text a few times, trying to figure out the best way to word it to not make him suspicious.

The guilt rises within me all over again, swirling in my gut like a butter churn.

Only this time, it feels a lot more bittersweet, because while I still want to see Madden, I also want to be there with my team.

And there’s no way in hell I can have both.

Me: Something came up. Can’t hang tonight after all. Rain check?

All I can hope is that he’ll be somewhat understanding. It’s not like it’s been some long-standing arrangement or a…relationship. But I’d also be a liar if I said I’d be okay with this ending either.

Madden: First you leave me hard and waiting in your bedroom, and now you’re cancelling on me? Not a good look, Teddy Bear.

The tiniest bit of relief hits me at the sight of that stupid nickname, and I find myself fighting a smile while texting him back.

Me: Sorry, MadDog. Trust me, I’m not happy about it either.

Madden: Guess that means you’ll have to make it up to me.

Me: Can’t wait ;)

Madden: We’ll see if you feel the same way when you find out what I have in store for you.

A little zap of lust hits me in the stomach while reading his message, and I’m sure that was part of the reason he sent it. At this point, the anticipation to get my hands on him again just might kill me, but I have no doubt it’ll be worth it.

Wyatt really does manage to wrangle well over half of the team for tonight’s raid over at Blackmore, and as we all pile out of the half-dozen vehicles driven to their campus, there’s an intoxicating buzz in the cool winter air.

And while I’m slightly annoyed about missing out on the naked time I was supposed to have with Madden tonight, I’m still glad I came—even if I might freeze my dick off in the process.

Of course, when I realize we’re parked only a block away from Madden’s place, a twinge of guilt hits me square in the gut again. I hate thinking about him sitting at home right now, and I can’t help but wonder what he’s doing instead.

An idea about sneaking over there during the raid—or even after we’re done—starts to form, but then I remember I rode here with Phoenix, and it disappears just as quickly. There’s no way I could get away without raising his suspicions.

“We look like a bunch of spies,” Sawyer says, pulling me from my reverie.

Glancing around at everyone decked out in all-black outfits, I can see where he’s coming from. We do look an awful lot like a group of guys ready to head out on a heist.

Phoenix chuckles while zipping his jacket higher. “I think that’s why Holden is so pissed I wouldn’t let him come. He doesn’t get to play secret agent.”

“Not our fault the football team doesn’t have anything this cool,” I chime in.

“That’s what I said,” my roommate says, shooting me a wry grin.

“Okay, okay. Come on, guys, shut up so we can get going,” Wyatt says, gathering us around as best he can. “We’re gonna break into teams by vehicle, that way if a quick escape is needed, no one is left stranded without keys or a ride.”

“He really planned this shit out, didn’t he?” Phoenix mutters to me under his breath.

Unfazed by the commentary, Wyatt continues talking, assigning each group a designated building to search tonight. I have Phoenix, Cooper, and Sawyer with me to tackle Falcon Hall—the main lecture hall with a bunch of classrooms on the upper floors—which shouldn’t take very long if we split up.

The adrenaline in the air is palpable now, and it keeps growing as flashlights are passed around to everyone. But then a walkie-talkie is thrust into my hand, making me glance up at Wyatt like he’s lost his goddamn mind.

“Really, Wy? This is a little overkill, don’t you think?”

He frowns. “How else are we gonna communicate?”

“There’s this thing all of us already have called a cell phone. Which is a lot quieter and already has a team group chat in it,” I remind him.

“But what if you can’t check your phone? You’ll hear this no matter what,” Wyatt supplies in a very matter-of-fact tone.

Phoenix nudges me with an elbow before whispering, “Just let him have this one.”

I wave him off as Wyatt goes back to rattling off information for all the guys gathered around.

“All the buildings should be unlocked. The pennant won’t be behind a locked door, so don’t waste time on those.

Spread out as much as you can to cover more ground, and make a rendezvous point for when you’re done.

Flashlights only, if you can help it, but be thorough.

This thing could be anywhere, even the bathrooms.” He aims a pointed look at a few of the freshmen who’ve yet to experience a raid.

“And whatever you do, don’t get caught.”

One of them, Leo, looks ready to shit himself when he asks, “We’re not gonna get arrested if we do, right?”

Wyatt chuckles and shakes his head. “As long as you stick to the rules, no. This game might be school sanctioned, but that doesn’t mean the guards can’t be dicks if they catch you snooping around. So if they spot you, run like fucking hell back to the car and alert the rest of us.”

With everyone attuned to the game plan, we quickly disperse with our respective teams. Wyatt’s group heads off toward the main admin building, quickly disappearing across the lawn into the night along with Tripp’s crew, planning to raid one of the smaller classroom buildings.

The team led by our catcher has already made themselves scarce, having been the first ones to break off to hit the law quad, and our first baseman has taken his group to the science building.

That just leaves Jesse—our closing pitcher—and me to lead our groups.

“See ya,” he whispers before heading off in the direction of the business school.