Hendrix (Raleigh Raptors 3)

“You bet your ass! I want pictures. What’s my new nephew’s name?”

“Hunter Robert,” she whispered.

Robert. “After Dad.” My chest tightened.

“Yeah.” She sniffled, and the sound of a tiny, frustrated grunt filled the silence. “I’m so proud of you, but I wish you were here.”

“For fuck’s sake, Shell. I’m not in Siberia. I’m only three hours away,” I teased her. “Give me an hour, and I’ll be on the highway.”

“Really? I just know you’re busy—”

“Stop. Besides, I have to get my hands on my nephew before your husband turns him into a Panthers fan. I love you, sis.”

She cried while we hung up, and Savannah was off her call by the time I walked back into the bedroom.

“Everything okay?”

It was an absolutely insane thought…but there it was.

“Want to go to Virginia with me?”

“You did what?” My sister’s jaw dropped across the kitchen table the next morning. Her blonde hair was heaped on top of her head in a messy knot, and there were bags under her eyes, but she’d never looked more beautiful to me. More at peace.

“Shh, you’ll wake him up,” I whispered, peering down at the sleeping, blanketed bundle resting against my chest.

“We can’t accept it.” She shook her head, sending a pointed glance to the pile of things I’d picked up at the store last night. “I mean, look at all that.”

“That’s nothing,” I assured her. “The hospital bill was nothing.”

“Greg…” She sighed. “He’s…”

“Shelly, you’re my only sister. Greg is a great guy, and teachers aren’t paid enough. Just tell him that insurance covered it if he asks.” My hand shifted as Hunter started to squirm. Damn, he was tiny.

“I’m not going to lie to my husband, Hendrix.” She arched a tired eyebrow.

“Then let’s just hope he doesn’t notice.” I grinned as Savannah walked in, already dressed in jeans and a tank top, her hair pulled back and face freshly washed. I’d had no problems sleeping next to her in my childhood bedroom—in my very adult-sized bed, but she’d blushed scarlet the moment I’d told my mom we didn’t need the couch made up.

“Like he was supposed to not notice that you paid my car off when I graduated college?” She tilted her head.

“It was a graduation gift.” I shrugged. “I was a rookie with money to burn, and besides, you should have let me get you that sexy little Corvette.” I would have bought her anything she wanted. “Hell, let’s go get you one now. I bet we could find one that fits a baby seat.”

“I don’t need a Corvette,” she laughed, then turned to Savannah. “He always worries.”

“I can’t help it. We grew up in a one-bedroom apartment where we were never even sure the lights would turn on when we got home from school, or if we’d be able to make the food stamps stretch.” I shook my head and glanced between Savannah and Shell. “I’m never letting anyone in this family worry about where dinner is coming from ever again. Ever. I mean it.” I would die before I let Mom or Shell stress over shit I could fix as easily as writing a check.

“And you know how much I love you for that, but seriously, we’re doing okay.” Her gaze swung to Savannah. “Maybe you can help him ease up a bit on the worries. He even paid off the house after we’d agreed to take over the mortgage payments when we moved in to take care of Mom.”

“Uh, good morning?” Savannah’s eyes widened, glancing between us like we were a tennis match.

“Mom wouldn’t let me buy her a new one!” So much for doing a big red-bow surprise like I’d wanted, but I’d done what I could.

“Because this one works just fine,” Mom said, gently pushing past Savannah in the doorway. “I’m making bacon and eggs. Who’s hungry? Don’t bother answering, Hendrix, I know you are. Savannah? You could use a little bacon. Shelly? You’ll need the calories for Hunter there.” She took everything out of the refrigerator without anyone answering. It wouldn’t have mattered what we said anyway. Mom’s love language was food. “Is Greg up?” She patted the silver streak in her hair back into place and slipped on an apron.

“He’s still sleeping. He was up all night with us,” Shell replied.

Savannah took the seat next to me and smiled at Hunter.

“You should be, too. Sleep when the baby sleeps, honey. Like right now. He seems pretty content with Hendrix. I’ll make your breakfast first, and then you can nap,” Mom started up the bacon.

Shell studied her sleeping son. “Or maybe I could shower and then eat?”

“Go for it,” I urged her. “We’ve got him.”

Shell’s eyebrows knit while she decided, but she finally nodded and slipped out of the kitchen with a promise to be back as quickly as humanly possible.