Full Strength: Utah Fury Book Seven Read online

  Full Strength

  Utah Fury Book Seven

  Brittney Mulliner

  Contents

  Also By Brittney Mulliner

  Exclusive Content

  Full Strength

  1. Grant

  2. Addison

  3. Grant

  4. Addison

  5. Grant

  6. Addison

  7. Grant

  8. Addison

  9. Grant

  10. Addison

  11. Grant

  12. Addison

  13. Grant

  14. Addison

  15. Grant

  16. Addison

  17. Grant

  18. Addison

  19. Grant

  20. Addison

  Thank you!

  Coming Soon!

  His Royal Request

  Charlie

  About the Author

  Find Out More

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Copyright © 2019 Brittney Mulliner

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13: 978-1096220688

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the author.

  Created with Vellum

  Also By Brittney Mulliner

  Romance:

  Utah Fury Hockey

  Puck Drop (Reese and Chloe)

  Match Penalty (Erik and Madeline)

  Line Change (Noah and Colby)

  Attaching Zone (Wyatt and Kendall)

  Buzzer Beater (Colin and Lucy)

  Open Net (Olli and Emma)

  Full Strength (Grant and Addison)

  Drop Pass (Nikolay and Elena) Coming Soon!

  Royals of Lochland

  His Royal Request

  Young Adult:

  Begin Again Series

  Begin Again

  Live Again

  Love Again (Coming Soon)

  Charmed Series

  Finding My Charming

  Finding My Truth (Coming Soon)

  Standalones

  The Invisibles

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  Brittney’s Reader’s club here

  Full Strength

  Full strength refers to when both teams have five skaters and one goaltender on the ice. All games start with both teams at full strength. Teams that take a penalty, go on the power play, or pull the goalie are no longer at full strength.

  1

  Grant

  I knew I’d screwed up when Addison texted me on my way to pick her up. All she said was that she couldn’t come. No explanation. No apology.

  We might not have known each other for very long, but I knew her well enough to know that a clipped response was a bad sign. She usually wrote long texts with details and emojis.

  There were no smiling faces or shoulder shrugs in this text.

  “Where is she?” Emma looked worried. I wanted to assure her everything was fine, but I couldn't lie.

  “At home, I think.” I tried to play it off like it wasn’t a big deal. Like Addison bailing on Olli’s return to normal party wasn’t a huge shock. Like I hadn’t pushed away one of Emma’s friends, making her stay away instead of supporting Emma and Olli.

  Her eyes narrowed and she took a step toward me. Emma wasn’t normally an intimidating person, her blonde hair and easy smile made her too loveable, but right now I wasn’t feeling any love. “What did you do?”

  I blew out a breath. “I’m not sure.”

  That was the truth. I wasn’t entirely sure what I’d done wrong but I knew I’d done something. I’d heard from the guys on the team that this was common in relationships. Their girlfriends or wives were upset and they had no idea why. All they need to know was that they were in the wrong. They always were.

  I used to laugh and shake my head when I heard about the punishment they were facing. Dish duty, sleeping on the couch, an expensive credit card bill. I’d avoided all of that. Women were drama and I didn’t need that in my life. A career in the NHL had enough ups and downs and twists and surprises for me.

  “You better fix this, Grant. You might be family, but Addison is too. Don’t screw with her.”

  I nodded and took a step back. I hadn’t asked for this. I was perfectly happy being the single guy, the one that gets invited to a couple’s trip alone. I was comfortable in my routine. My quiet existence.

  Until Olli crashed at my house and Emma introduced me to Addison. We were friends. Just friends. At least that’s what we’d agreed to but my body reacted to her in a way that was entirely unique to her. My stomach didn’t clench when I saw Emma or Chloe or any of the women from the Pride. Those women were my friends. Addison was more. Well, she could be more if either of us were brave enough to take the next step.

  I didn’t want to push her though. I was fine going at her pace. Not only was she the more relationship-experienced one, but she also had Elijah to think about. I knew her son came first, and I respected that. She was an amazing mother and I had no interest in taking time away from her that she could be spending with her baby. But when he was asleep....I wouldn’t mind some Addi time of my own.

  After making the rounds and congratulating Olli on his progress with his recovery and moving out of my guest room, I left. I needed to fix whatever I’d done. Beg for forgiveness, grovel if needed. Addi might only be a friend, but I cared too much about her to let her walk out of my life. I was determined to fix this.

  I got in my car and headed to her apartment. I needed something though. A peace offering of sorts. I ran my hand through my hair and sighed. What did she like? Ice cream, chocolate, smoothies, cake. It was only eight so most places would still be open I just needed to decide what would be best.

  I pulled into a grocery store and hurried in. I knew what I was going for, a double chocolate bundt cake. She’d had one a few weeks ago and said it was life changing. She savored it for almost five days. She had more restraint than anyone else I’d met.

  Now that I was armed, I headed to her place. I parked and stared up at her apartment for a moment. There was a light on in the living room, so at least she was awake. What if she had someone else over? Maybe that was why she couldn’t come tonight. That made me feel better for about three seconds before I realized that guest could be a male.

  I shouldn’t feel like punching a wall. We weren’t dating. She was free to have anyone over she wanted. Male or female.

  I blew out a breath. The not knowing was worse, so I got out of the car holding the cake and walked up the stairs to her door. I knocked quietly in case Eli was already asleep and waited. I heard footsteps and the lock turning. She opened the door a few inches and sighed when she saw me.

  “What are you doing here?” She opened the door fully and I was relieved to see the kitchen and living room were empty.

  “I brought you cake.”

  She eyed the dessert for several seconds before waving me in. Good thing I’d thought ahead. I was fairly certain it was the only reason she hadn’t shut the door in my face. I’d really done something bad. If only I could figure out what it was. I wanted to apologize and end this fight, or whatever this was, but I didn't know what I should be sorry for.

  She led us to the kitchen and turned with her arms crossed over her chest. “What is it, Grant?”

  I slid the cake toward her on the counter. “Emma missed you tonight.”

  Guilt washed over her face, but it only lasted for a second. “I’m seeing her tomorrow.”

  “Why didn’t you want to come tonight? Is Elijah okay?”

  She nodded, “He’s fine.”

  “Then why?”

  She ignored me, gathering plates and forks and a knife. She sliced a large piece and placed it on a plate then went back and cut a piece half the size. She slid that one toward me with a tiny smirk. I got it. I was in trouble, but she was still a good host.

  “I’m sorry for whatever I did, Addi. If I offended you or said something wrong or…” I trailed off hoping she would fill in the blank.

  She remained silent, enjoying the cake. I watched as she slid the fork out of her mouth, her perfect lips wrapped around it leaving no trace of chocolate untasted.

  It was cruel and I wondered if she was doing it consciously.

  “Addison, please give me a break. I can’t fix things if I don’t know what broke.”

  Her eyes finally met mine. “You don’t know what you did?” Her voice was filled with disbelief.

  I shook my head. I was an idiot. What did she expect?

  She sighed and narrowed her eyes. “Have you been talking to your attorney lately?”

  What? Why was she asking about my attorney? “I’m always in contact with him. He’s the one that reviews my contracts for endorsements and sponsorships.”

  Now she was looking at me like I was a liar. Things were getting worse and I had no idea what I was doing to dig my grave deeper.

  “Nothing else has come up lately?”

  I ran through recent conversations in my head. I’d just asked him about the new NHL team in Seattle. They were starting next season and would begin their extended draft soon. I wanted to know if I was protected from being picked. Maybe
she thought I was leaving?

  “You mean the Seattle Whitecaps?”

  Now she was looking at me like I was stupid. Keep digging that hole, Grant.

  “I can’t believe you won’t just say it.” Her voice rose with each word. I looked down the hall hoping it hadn’t woken up Eli. I knew I’d be blamed for that too.

  “I don’t know what you want me to say, Addi. You obviously have something specific you’re upset about, please just tell me what it is.”

  She set her cake down, this was serious. “I saw the papers, Grant.”

  Papers? I ran though my entire house in my mind trying to figure out what papers she was talking about. There was a contract for a sports equipment store that wanted me to do a few commercials. Why would she be upset about that?

  She wouldn’t. Think harder, Grant.

  “You can’t seriously not know what I’m talking about.” Her voice was passed annoyance. She was angry.

  I shook my head. “I’m not trying to play dumb…”

  “The papers about child support and paternal rights, Grant.” She practically growled my name.

  Oh.

  “I can’t believe you’ve been going behind my back.” She stopped and lowered her voice. “You have no right to go there. I told you, my ex is out of our lives.”

  I opened my mouth to explain but she continued.

  “He’s gone for a reason. He didn’t want to be a part of Eli’s life. He made that choice. Why would you push that?”

  I hadn’t meant to. I just wanted more information. I wanted to help her.

  “We’re fine on our own. Eli and I have everything we need. I don’t need or want my ex in the picture.” She shook her head. “I told you he walked out on me when we found out I was pregnant. Why would I want a coward like that in my life or around my son? I thought you understood that.”

  I did. I completely understood. “Addison, I swear-”

  “Don’t. Just don’t Grant. I cannot believe you went to your attorney about this, about me!” She was almost shaking now. “You had no right.”

  “I didn’t-”

  “Don’t deny it. I saw the papers with my own eyes.

  “I was trying to-”

  “To ruin everything, I’ve worked toward? Eli and I are fine. We don’t need your help.” She sighed, defeated. “I thought I could trust you, Grant. I thought we were friends.”

  “You can trust me, Addison.”

  She shook her head. “Not anymore.”

  I scanned her face. “I’m so sorry. Please just let me explain.”

  Her eyes looked sad. Disappointed. “You crossed the line, Grant.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I can’t do this anymore.” I stepped forward but she held up her hands. “I can’t trust you and I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to be friends anymore.”

  I couldn't have been more shocked if she punched me in the throat. It felt about the same.

  “Addi, please.”

  She shook her head. “Just go.”

  I didn’t want to do it. I didn't want to leave things like this, but there was no use in arguing right now. She wasn’t in the right mental space to listen. I’d wait for her to calm down then I’d explain everything.

  She would understand. She’d forgive me. I just had to be patient.

  “I’m sorry.”

  She didn’t meet my eyes before I turned and let myself out.

  I closed the door behind me and I hated how final it felt. This wasn’t the end.

  2

  Addison

  “Tell me exactly what you saw.” Emma held Jackson on her lap, bouncing one leg while sipping her iced coffee. As annoyed as I was with Grant, I couldn’t help but smile at how well she was doing. Having Olli home was exactly what she needed to overcome postpartum depression. She had no problem meeting me for coffee and bringing Jackson on her own. She’d come miles from where she was when we first met.

  “A bunch of legal documents. Paternal rights. Custody agreements. Child support information.”

  Emma nodded. “Was anything signed?”

  I pulled my eyebrows together. “Not that I saw.”

  “So, it’s not like he went behind your back and contacted your ex.”

  I fidgeted with Eli’s empty bottle. “He might have.”

  “Have you ever told Grant his name?”

  I shook my head. I hadn’t told anyone that didn’t already know. I’d closed that chapter in my life. Sure, Eli had his father’s eyes but the rest of him was all me. No daily reminder of his DNA donor.

  “Then I think I have to say it.”

  I met her eyes. “Say what?”

  “You might be overreacting, which I totally understand! It’s your child we’re talking about.”

  “Why would he even go down that road? He knows I don’t want my ex or his family in my life. They made it clear when they found out about the pregnancy. They told me to abort and I refused. They don’t get to be involved now.”

  Emma nodded slowly. “I agree. You’re both better off without them, but the child support would be nice.”

  She cringed as if I would react to her words. “I agree it would be, but I made it as difficult as possible for that to happen. I didn’t list him on the birth certificate for a reason. I didn’t want anything from him and I want to make him work for it if he thinks he wants anything to do with Eli.”

  Kendall sat next to us, holding a pitcher of iced coffee. “Refills?”

  “Thanks.” I opened my lid and held my cup out. This was a perk of coming to Kendall’s cafe, well the one she worked at. We could sit and talk with free refills all day. Or until her shift ended.

  I had a feeling she was dying to hear what we were talking about. I’d caught her watching us from the counter and it looked like she finally caved.

  “Can I get you guys anything else?” She smiled and looked between us but didn’t stand.

  “An attorney?” I said with a sigh. I might as well open up to her. From what I’d seen, things didn’t stay private between these women for long, not when they thought someone really needed help.

  Kendall turned serious. “What’s going on?”

  I opened my mouth but Emma answered first. “Nothing. Yet. Addi’s just worried about something she saw.”

  Kendall turned her attention to me. “What is it?”

  “I found some legal documents in Grant’s house.”

  Kendall leaned forward. “A prenup?”

  I laughed and shook my head. “No way.”

  She nodded. “You’re right. He’d never make you sign one.”

  “What? No, I meant no way are we getting married. We’re just friends.”

  They both looked at each other and giggled. “Sure.” Kendall said with too much sass for my liking.

  I waved her off. “That’s not the point. Grant crossed the line. He has no right to dig into things with my ex. I have no idea how to undo whatever damage he’s done.”

  “What has he done?” Kendall asked and I leaned back.

  Emma shot me an ‘I told you so’ look. “She doesn’t even know for sure. She just saw the papers and freaked out.”

  Kendall looked surprised. “Really? That doesn’t seem like you.”

  I appreciated her saying that. I wasn’t usually so hot headed, but when it came to Elijah the momma bear in me came out.

  “I guess I was just surprised. I had no idea Grant was looking into custody or child support. What business does he have doing that?”

  Kendall paused and looked to Emma, but Emma shook her head. “No. Stop it.”