Page 39 of Caught Stealing

Theo: Sure. That your room? I thought you were taking the master?

Me: I am. It’s Kason and Holden’s.

The three little dots in the corner appear and disappear for a straight minute while Theo types and retypes his response about a hundred times until one finally comes through.

Theo: Why do I feel like you’re scheming?

My lips quirk up in a grin.

Me: Don’t worry about it. Just tell me you’ll do it.

Theo: I can’t do that until I know the plan.

Me: It’s need to know.

Theo: I feel like all evil masterminds are supposed to share their plans with their sidekicks.

I roll my lips inward to keep myself from laughing.

Me: You’re not a sidekick, you’re an ally.

Theo: Like there’s a difference?

Me: One has plausible deniability. Which you’re definitely going to want.

Theo: Fair point. But I’m still not happy about it.

Me: Thank you. So do we have a deal or not?

Theo’s response of another thumbs-up emoji sends a spike of serotonin coursing through my bloodstream I hadn’t realized I needed. But it’s enough to have me leaning back to enjoy the rest of the ride to the condo, knowing all hell will break loose once we arrive.

“Holy shit,” Noah whispers as we pull up to the condo that’s been in my family for as long as I can remember. “You really are fuckin’ loaded.”

“Parents,” I correct again.

“Same shit, different pile.”

I snort out a laugh and shake my head, though I can’t help the pride surging through me as both he and Holden gape at the place we’ll be staying for the next week and a half.

It’s a three-story, single-family unit with six bedrooms in total, but the entire condo could easily sleep fifteen people; it’s that large. First floor has all the living spaces, a bedroom, a bathroom, and some storage, and the second floor has three bedrooms and a couple of bathrooms to share between them. Finally, the top floor has a fifth bedroom, a laundry room, and a killer master suite complete with a massive balcony opening to the beach. The whole thing is raised on stilts, leaving space for a carport large enough to fit Theo’s Bronco and Holden’s Jeep more than comfortably. But my favorite thing about the condo has to be the in-ground infinity pool out back, and past it, a nearly panoramic view of the Gulf and St. Pete’s Beach.

It truly is a paradise I’ve been lucky to have growing up.

The four of us pile out of the car, grabbing all our crap before heading into the condo, and Noah wastes no time exploring the entire thing the moment he walks in. He doesn’t even stop to drop his bag, instead carrying it with him as he races though the house like a kid on Christmas morning.

Meanwhile, Kason, Holden, and I join the other four where they’re lounging around in the living room that boasts a massive balcony with a stunning view of the gulf.

“Look who finally decided to show up,” Luca calls from where he and Harrison are playing some card game I’ve never seen before.

“Wyatt was driving like he committed a crime,” Theo reminds them before shooting an unamused look at our third baseman,who just grins sheepishly.

“You were just as ready to be out of the car as I was,” he reminds Theo before shoving off the couch to head for the kitchen. “Besides, there’s only so many times I can listen to the Top 40 before I start losing my mind.”

“It’s called Bluetooth,” Kason says, dropping his bag to the floor near the kitchen island. “I’m assuming y’all already claimed rooms since you’ve been here a while?”

“Yeah, three of us grabbed all the bedrooms on the second floor,” Theo mentions from the couch, eyes locked on his phone. “And I think Noah asked Luca to room with him, so they’re in the one with the twins down here.”

I smirk, realizing my devious little plan is working out perfectly, thanks to my teammate. Because if all the bedrooms on the first two floors are filled, and I get the master, that only leaves—

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