Page 2 of Full Strength

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.”