Page 51 of Power Play

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 true, didn’t mean that was the reality of the situation. It could all be a coincidence. People wanted to see a pattern where there was none.

Right now was about taking care of me. Making myself a priority. I’d tell her that, and then I wouldn’t have to worry about any of her surprises.

18

Jason

Something in me changed that day in the car with Taylor. A locked-up piece of me rattled loose and even though the dull ache remained, it felt like I might actually heal for the first time. I didn’t tell my family about the experience, even though I knew they would be happy for us. It didn’t feel right to drag up the past for them as well.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go see this one?” Mom waved a brochure in her hands while shuffling the others on my kitchen counter.

I was hoping to delay this until they left, but once she got something in her mind, there was no stopping her. Since I was committed to four more years, I wanted to move into an apartment with a bit more space. My current one was just the first place I found with an available unit. The living space was a bit cramped, but I didn’t mind since I knew it was short term. Now, I was willing to invest a bit more into where I lived.

“Mom, I don’t need anything that fancy. That building has a lobby and restaurant. It’s more like a five-star hotel.”

“Why is that such a bad thing? I’d feel better about you living there.” She eyed my kitchen like it was suddenly offensive.

“This place has been fine up until now.”

She shrugged. “I just never said anything before.”

Dad chuckled behind her. “That’s true. She complained to me all the time.”

“Why?” I looked between my parents.

“It would be nice if you at least had a doorman or security,” she admitted.

“I have Frank,” I pointed out. He was supposed to be a doorman of sorts.

“He lets anyone into the building, even into your apartment,” Dad reminded me.

That wasn’t something I could argue. He wasn’t the best at his job.