Power Play - Brittney Mulliner Page 0,47
to talk. She lived in a mansion with him.
“Hey! I’m still the nanny. The hired help.”
Brandon rolled his eyes. “Both of you.” He mumbled something else which made me laugh.
“See I need to move. You can’t handle being outnumbered.”
“I’m the one that’s always on the losing side. You should see how the boys gang up on me! I need you here,” Sydney cried.
“Oh, boo-hoo!” Brandon mocked before turning back to me. “Chloe has connections with some building managers. Not all of the guys on the team live in luxury apartments. I’m sure she can help you find something in your budget.”
“She’s already done so much for me. She got me the job. I can’t ask her to help with this too.”
They shared a look.
“She’s new,” Sydney said.
“She’ll learn,” Brandon agreed.
“Um, excuse me?”
They laughed and then Sydney picked up a grape. “Chloe is the fixer. The planner. The boss. Whatever you need, you go to her.”
“You’re making this sound a little mobster.”
Brandon shrugged. “She’d be the Godfather.”
“The point is, Chloe thrives on being the one we all need. Even with a new baby, she’s still in the center of the action. If anyone can help, it’s her. I promise you, she won’t be bothered. She would be more upset if she knew you had a problem and didn’t come to her.”
“Would she cut off a finger?” I guessed.
Brandon nodded while Sydney slapped his bicep. “No, but she would find out.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll ask her.”
“I’m pretty sure she likes being the one to decide everything in our lives. She likes the control. She’s been the mastermind behind a lot, on and off the ice. We’re all just pieces in her game of chess.”
“Well, that’s ominous.” I scoffed. “Maybe I shouldn’t get her involved.”
“She already is,” he replied.
“Don’t fight it, Taylor. I’ve heard the stories. Heck, I lived one of them. Once Chloe gets something in her mind, she makes it happen. Her methods might be questionable at times, but I think we’re all pretty happy with her results.”
“You’re one of her stories?” I asked.
“Yeah, I met Chloe, Emma, and Kendall in a café. They were talking about how badly Brandon needed a nanny, and I went over and introduced myself. Next thing I knew, Chloe called and set up a meeting for me and Brandon. Then we fell in love. I’m pretty sure that was her plan from the beginning.”
“It totally was,” Brandon agreed.
“Wait, how could she have known?” I wasn’t sure I believed all this. They were giving her too much credit.
“She just does,” Sydney said with a shrug.
“She’s been involved in almost all of the relationships on the team.” He paused. “Yeah, in one way or another.”
Well, that was borderline creepy. “So maybe I shouldn’t ask her. I don’t know if I want her in a position of power over my job and where I live.”
Brandon chuckled. “As if you have a choice at this point.”
Sydney giggled. “Yeah, you were on her radar before you even moved here.”
“I didn’t meet her until I got here.”
“Doesn’t mean she wasn’t well aware of you.” She wagged her brows.
I shook my head. “You guys are messing with me.”
“No, if anything we’re downplaying it,” Brandon said. “Don’t worry. She mostly uses her powers for good.”
“Yeah, I mean we’re all better off after meeting her.”
“Syd’s right. We’re all happier, thanks to Chloe.” Brandon paused. “I wonder if anyone’s ever told her that.”
Sydney smiled. “Oh, we should.”
I could feel their attention slipping away. “Well, thanks for the advice. I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”
“Bye.” They waved and I headed back to my temporary home. At least they weren’t rushing me out. I could take my time to find the perfect place.
If what they were saying was, in fact, true and not a playful exaggeration, should I really get Chloe more involved in my life? They said they were happier … but how long could her streak last? What if the job was the best she could do for me? What about finding the kind of relationship Sydney and Brandon had?
I shook my head. I couldn’t think about relationships. I needed to prove myself at work first. And find a place to live.
Romance was a far-off thing. Nothing to concern myself with.
I should probably make that clear to her. I didn’t want her getting any ideas about setting me up with someone. Even if she was great at it.
Nope.
Stay strong, Taylor.
Just because they made her seem like a fairy godmother that went around making dreams and wishes come