Playing Dirty by CE Ricci Summary, Characters and Themes
Playing Dirty by CE Ricci is a contemporary romance that explores the blurred line between rivalry and desire. Set against the backdrop of college baseball, it follows two athletes forced into a complicated family dynamic when their parents marry.
Theo Greyson, the Leighton Timberwolves’ shortstop, and Madden Hastings, catcher for the rival Blackmore Falcons, are stepbrothers who begin as fierce enemies on and off the field. What starts as animosity slowly turns into an undeniable attraction that challenges their loyalty, identity, and understanding of love. The novel examines forgiveness, vulnerability, and the courage to embrace happiness even when it defies expectations. It’s the 4th book in the Leighton U series by the author.
Summary
The story begins during a tense college baseball showdown between Leighton and Blackmore. Theo Greyson steps up to bat in the final inning, facing not just the rival pitcher but also Madden Hastings, the opposing team’s catcher and his new stepbrother.
Their parents’ recent marriage has left Theo angry and resentful. When Theo is hit by a pitch and later tagged out at home by Madden, the loss intensifies their rivalry.
Madden’s mocking words after the game add fuel to the hostility that defines their early relationship.
Months later, Theo reluctantly returns home for Thanksgiving. His bitterness toward his father, who left his mother for Madden’s mom, Carla, remains unresolved.
During dinner, small talk quickly turns into confrontation when Theo lashes out over his father’s defense of Carla. The evening ends in a dramatic fight, where Theo declares their blended family a farce before storming out.
Meanwhile, Madden tries to comfort his mother, understanding her guilt but resenting Theo’s cruelty. That night, an argument erupts between the two young men in the hallway.
Theo accuses Madden’s mother of ruining his family, while Madden defends her. Their exchange grows harsh until Theo cruelly brings up Madden’s deceased father, prompting Madden to reveal his pain and walk away in silence.
Weeks later, Theo learns he must spend Christmas at a ski resort with his father’s new family. Though frustrated, he agrees, dreading the time he’ll have to spend with Madden.
His friends jokingly suggest using the trip to uncover where Blackmore hides their “Penny Play” pennant, a long-standing rivalry tradition. Theo dismisses the idea but keeps it in the back of his mind.
When the vacation begins, a booking mistake forces Theo and Madden to share a single bed. Their initial arguments give way to awkward truce and unexpected moments of warmth.
For the first time, Theo begins to see Madden beyond his resentment.
As the trip continues, their fragile peace grows complicated. Madden shows unexpected kindness when Theo injures himself skiing, but Theo responds with defensiveness, unable to accept his concern.
Despite trying to avoid each other, constant proximity at the resort blurs their boundaries. Theo’s growing attraction to Madden confuses him deeply.
A heated encounter in a hot tub breaks their denial—what starts as an argument ends with a passionate kiss. Overwhelmed by guilt and fear, Theo runs away, leaving Madden hurt and angry.
Madden leaves the resort the next day, unable to face the situation.
Back at school, Theo pretends nothing happened, hiding the truth from his teammates. When their schools’ rivalry resurfaces, Madden and Theo meet again at a college party.
The tension reignites instantly, revealing how neither has moved on from what happened during the trip.
Their connection evolves into a secret relationship built on desire and emotional intensity. Madden challenges Theo’s defensiveness, while Theo learns to confront his feelings honestly.
They begin exploring intimacy on their own terms, finding moments of laughter and trust that soften their sharp edges. Madden’s gentle patience contrasts with Theo’s impulsiveness, but their chemistry binds them tightly.
Their relationship faces hurdles when the rivalry between their schools resurfaces during a new “Penny Play” raid. Theo leads his team on a mission to retrieve the rival pennant but is caught by Madden, who taunts him before letting him go.
The encounter leaves Theo shaken, realizing that what once defined them—competition—has become meaningless compared to what they share privately.
Their secret becomes harder to hide as their emotional connection deepens. Theo opens up about his family, admitting that his anger masked years of hurt.
Madden listens without judgment, offering affection and stability. Despite occasional misunderstandings and jealousies, their relationship becomes more genuine, rooted in vulnerability and care.
When Madden introduces Theo to his close friends, Theo experiences a new sense of belonging. The evening is filled with laughter, teasing, and acceptance, marking a turning point for both of them.
Madden feels proud seeing Theo fit into his world, while Theo begins to imagine a life beyond rivalry and resentment.
Their relationship culminates in a powerful moment after a theater performance with Madden’s friends. Discussing the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Theo argues that turning around isn’t a sign of weakness but of love—proof of someone’s refusal to let go.
The thought deeply moves Madden. Later, he leads Theo to a secret mezzanine where he’s hidden the Blackmore pennant, revealing he planted it there as a symbol of trust.
He offers it to Theo, choosing love over competition. Instead of taking it, Theo kisses him, understanding what Madden is trying to say without words.
Their connection turns intimate, marking the first time they make love. The experience solidifies their bond, but afterward, Theo hesitates to accept the pennant.
Madden insists, saying it’s no longer a symbol of rivalry but of them. The disagreement continues during their drive home, until Madden blurts out that he loves Theo and would sacrifice everything for him.
Before Theo can respond, a truck crashes into their car.
When Madden regains consciousness in the hospital, he learns Theo is alive but badly injured. Wracked with guilt, he visits Theo’s room.
Their reunion is emotional—tears, relief, and forgiveness replace the fear that had consumed them. Their love, once secret and uncertain, becomes something real and unbreakable.
Theo’s parents arrive soon after, leading to long-overdue reconciliation. His father apologizes for his mistakes and encourages Theo to live freely, while his mother expresses support for his relationship with Madden.
Years of resentment dissolve in that moment, replaced by understanding and peace.
When Theo returns home to recover, his friends finally discover the truth about Madden and the relationship he’d hidden for so long. Though shocked, they accept it, teasing him with affection and humor.
The revelation strengthens Theo’s friendships and bridges the gap between both rival teams. Even the long-standing “Penny Play” competition loses meaning—love triumphs where rivalry once ruled.
Six months later, Theo and Madden return to Vermont for an engagement party, now living together in Denver. Madden plays professional baseball, and Theo writes for a sports magazine.
Their life is full of lighthearted banter and shared dreams. At the resort, they joke with staff who remember their chaotic first stay, and during the celebration, they sneak away for a private moment.
When Madden finds Theo hiding playfully in a coatroom, they share a kiss, only to be caught by a relative, turning the scene comedic. As they rejoin the party, Theo turns back and says softly, “I’ll always turn around for you,” echoing their earlier conversation about Orpheus—symbolizing a love that endures, defies fear, and chooses to stay.
Their story closes with warmth, humor, and the certainty that love, once fought against, has finally won.
Characters
Theo Greyson
Theo Greyson stands as the emotional core of Playing Dirty, a young man caught between resentment, guilt, and the slow rediscovery of love. Initially, Theo is presented as fiercely competitive and emotionally closed-off — a talented baseball player whose anger toward his father’s infidelity manifests as hostility toward his new stepfamily, particularly Madden.
His bitterness is not rooted in pure hatred but in deep-seated pain from betrayal and abandonment. Theo’s sarcastic wit and impulsive temper often serve as defense mechanisms to mask his vulnerability.
Over the course of the novel, Theo’s character undergoes a profound transformation. The journey from animosity to affection toward Madden mirrors his path toward emotional healing and self-acceptance.
Beneath his rough exterior lies a compassionate and loyal person — evident in his relationships with friends like Phoenix and Wyatt, and later, in the tenderness he learns to show Madden. His evolution from a conflicted, angry son to a man who learns to forgive and love deeply gives the story its emotional heartbeat.
Madden Hastings
Madden Hastings is the perfect foil to Theo — composed, loyal, and quietly empathetic. As the Blackmore Falcons’ catcher and captain, he embodies control and strength, yet beneath that calm exterior lies a man weighed down by grief for his late father and the need to protect his mother’s happiness.
Madden’s moral integrity contrasts Theo’s volatility; he consistently strives to bridge the rift between their families even when Theo lashes out. His affection for Theo evolves slowly, born first from understanding and then from undeniable attraction.
Madden’s patience, emotional maturity, and willingness to see beyond Theo’s anger highlight his capacity for love that is both grounded and passionate. By the end of the book, Madden’s love becomes an anchor — selfless and redemptive.
His confession that he would sacrifice everything for Theo marks not weakness but profound courage, completing his transformation from rival to lover, and finally, to partner.
Adam Greyson
Adam Greyson, Theo’s father, is a figure of moral complexity whose past choices catalyze much of the novel’s conflict. His affair with Carla and subsequent remarriage create the emotional fracture that defines Theo’s worldview.
However, Adam’s portrayal is not that of a simple antagonist. Through the story, he evolves from a flawed man burdened by guilt into one seeking redemption and reconciliation.
His willingness to apologize and take accountability, especially in the hospital scenes, showcases his desire to mend his relationship with Theo. Adam represents the imperfect but hopeful side of parenthood — a man who learns that forgiveness, rather than avoidance, is the key to rebuilding trust.
His eventual acceptance of Theo and Madden’s relationship reflects growth and emotional courage, serving as a parallel to his son’s own journey toward acceptance.
Carla Hastings-Greyson
Carla, the stepmother who inadvertently becomes the center of family tension, is portrayed with quiet strength and compassion. Once the secretary involved in Adam’s affair, she carries the burden of being the perceived “homewrecker,” yet her actions throughout the novel reveal sincerity and warmth.
Carla’s attempts to create harmony — inviting Theo for holidays, organizing family trips — often backfire, but her persistence underscores her genuine desire for familial unity. Her nurturing nature contrasts sharply with the bitterness surrounding her marriage.
Through her eyes, readers glimpse the pain of being misunderstood and the resilience required to keep hoping for connection. Carla’s gentleness toward Madden and patience with Theo symbolize the maternal forgiveness that subtly supports both men’s emotional journeys.
Phoenix, Wyatt, Holden, and Camden
Theo’s friends — Phoenix, Wyatt, Holden, and Camden — serve as both his comedic relief and his conscience throughout Playing Dirty. Phoenix is loyal and sharp-tongued, providing the grounded perspective Theo often needs.
Wyatt, the jokester, embodies the brotherhood of sports rivalry but also displays genuine concern for Theo’s well-being. Holden and Camden, each with their quirks, represent the social and emotional environment in which Theo feels most himself — until Madden enters the picture and complicates everything.
Camden, in particular, acts as a mirror to Theo’s early confusion about sexuality, his teasing yet empathetic presence forcing Theo to confront his desires. Collectively, this friend group adds dimension to Theo’s character, emphasizing his need for acceptance and belonging beyond his turbulent family life.
Vaughn, Miles, and Torin
Madden’s circle of friends — Vaughn, Miles, and Torin — provide warmth, humor, and balance to his character. Each plays a vital role in humanizing Madden beyond the stoic athlete image.
Vaughn’s theatrical personality and philosophical musings, especially during the discussion of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, reflect the novel’s deeper themes of love and sacrifice. Miles acts as the steady emotional center of the group, offering empathy and guidance when Madden’s feelings for Theo become overwhelming.
Torin, often the playful instigator, adds levity to tense situations, grounding Madden’s internal struggles in camaraderie. Their acceptance of Theo during the game night scene symbolizes not only Madden’s personal growth but also the breaking down of barriers — between schools, rivalries, and prejudices.
Themes
Family and Betrayal
In Playing Dirty, the idea of family is fragile and fractured, marked by betrayal, infidelity, and resentment. Theo’s sense of identity is bound to his perception of his family, which has been irreparably damaged by his father’s affair with Carla.
This betrayal seeps into every interaction he has, shaping his distrust toward both his father and Madden, his new stepbrother. The family dynamic is a battlefield where loyalty, love, and anger collide.
Theo’s bitterness toward his father represents more than personal resentment—it becomes a shield against vulnerability, protecting him from the hurt of abandonment. Madden, too, exists in the shadow of family loss, having lost his father and watched his mother be labeled the “other woman.
” The emotional inheritance of both young men is built on grief and misunderstanding, which fuels their hostility. Yet, over time, the book dismantles the notion that family is defined by blood or traditional structure.
As Theo begins to forgive and open himself up to love, particularly through Madden, he redefines family as something chosen and earned rather than inherited. The final reconciliation with his parents, especially his father’s admission of wrongdoing, signals the completion of this emotional journey.
By the end, the novel transforms the concept of family from a source of pain into a foundation for healing, demonstrating that forgiveness—not perfection—creates belonging.
Rivalry and Identity
The rivalry between Leighton and Blackmore serves as the central metaphor for Theo and Madden’s internal conflict. The baseball feud, embodied in the “Penny Play,” becomes an external reflection of how both characters define themselves in opposition to each other.
For Theo, being a Leighton Timberwolf is not just about school pride—it’s about holding onto something pure in a life that feels corrupted by betrayal. For Madden, being a Blackmore Falcon offers control and identity after loss, a way to channel grief into purpose.
Their rivalry extends beyond the baseball field; it infiltrates their emotions, their sense of loyalty, and eventually their love. Every interaction between them is layered with competitiveness and suppressed attraction, making victory and defeat deeply personal.
As their relationship evolves from animosity to intimacy, the rivalry transforms from a wall separating them into a bridge connecting them. It forces both men to question how much of who they are is dictated by external expectations versus authentic self-understanding.
By the novel’s end, when Madden offers Theo the Blackmore pennant, the rivalry ceases to represent opposition—it becomes a symbol of unity. Theo’s refusal to accept it as a trophy, insisting that love matters more than rivalry, cements his growth.
The destruction of the competitive boundary between them mirrors their emotional liberation, allowing both to see that identity is not defined by which team they play for but by the choices they make and the people they choose to love.
Love and Redemption
Love in Playing Dirty is messy, unexpected, and ultimately redemptive. The story’s emotional core lies in the transformation of Theo and Madden’s relationship from enemies to lovers.
Their journey is not built on an easy path to romance but on tension, misunderstanding, and vulnerability. Each character begins with emotional walls—Theo’s erected from anger and betrayal, Madden’s from loss and guilt.
When they collide, their attraction forces them to confront what they’ve been running from: the fear of being seen and the pain of caring again. Love becomes the catalyst for redemption, allowing both to reclaim parts of themselves buried under resentment.
The physical intensity of their relationship mirrors the emotional stakes; their passion becomes a language of both defiance and healing. When Madden confesses his love, willing to give up everything for Theo, it signifies the purification of a bond that started from bitterness.
The car accident that nearly claims their lives underscores how fragile love can be, yet it also becomes the crucible through which forgiveness and clarity emerge. Theo’s acceptance of his feelings, and his parents’ recognition of their love, completes the cycle of redemption.
What began as forbidden and chaotic ends as transformative and affirming. Love, in this story, is not an escape from pain—it is the force that redefines it, turning wounds into connection and resentment into grace.
Forgiveness and Healing
Forgiveness permeates every layer of the narrative, operating as the emotional resolution that both Theo and Madden seek but resist. Theo’s entire emotional landscape is shaped by the refusal to forgive—his father for cheating, Carla for replacing his mother, and himself for holding onto bitterness.
His hostility toward Madden is rooted less in genuine hatred and more in his inability to process the emotional wreckage left by his parents’ choices. Madden, on the other hand, struggles to forgive himself for his father’s death and for the guilt he carries about his mother’s happiness being built on another family’s pain.
Throughout the novel, forgiveness is shown as a slow and painful process, not an instantaneous absolution. It requires confrontation, vulnerability, and a willingness to accept imperfection.
The Vermont trip becomes the first step toward this healing—forcing Theo and Madden into proximity until anger gives way to understanding. Every argument, every awkward silence, becomes a rehearsal for empathy.
The moment Theo’s father finally admits his mistakes and asks for forgiveness mirrors Theo’s own need to let go. By choosing love over pride, Theo reclaims his ability to move forward.
The novel closes on a note of renewal, where forgiveness does not erase the past but transforms its meaning. In that sense, the story argues that healing is not forgetting what happened but learning to live beyond it, carrying the scars with peace rather than shame.
Self-Acceptance and Desire
Theo’s internal struggle with attraction and identity forms one of the most nuanced arcs in Playing Dirty. His initial hostility toward Madden disguises a deeper discomfort with his own desires.
The novel portrays Theo’s journey toward self-acceptance as both erotic and emotional, challenging traditional ideas of masculinity and sexuality. His denial of attraction becomes a metaphor for his repression—his refusal to confront not only his sexuality but also his feelings of vulnerability and need.
Madden, openly gay and unapologetically himself, becomes both a mirror and a catalyst for Theo’s transformation. Their relationship forces Theo to confront who he is beyond societal and personal expectations.
The sexual intimacy between them, often charged and boundary-pushing, is portrayed not as taboo but as liberating—a form of self-discovery that defies shame. When Theo finally embraces Madden publicly, it symbolizes more than romantic courage; it is the acceptance of his own truth.
The story treats desire not as something to be hidden or explained but as an integral part of authenticity. By the conclusion, Theo’s confidence in his relationship with Madden and his comfort in his own skin signify the triumph of self-acceptance over repression.
His final declaration echoes his complete reconciliation with desire and identity, transforming what once felt forbidden into something deeply human and profoundly right.