Page 50 of Power Play

“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.