Iron Cross: The Dartmouth Cobras #6 by Bianca Sommerland Page A

it would be his kid. Which was pretty cool.
    Screw how fun being the awesome uncle is. I’m gonna be a daddy!
    Jami’s eyes went big and she looked like she was gonna cry as she threw herself into his arms. His burger hit the floor and Bear was suddenly there, all big floppy ears and wagging tail, almost tripping them both as he snatched the patty and took off.
    “Hey! That’s mine, brat!” Luke laughed, knowing full well he’d never get it back. Besides, Jami was so cuddly and crying for some reason , and he had to take care of his pregnant woman. Hormones probably made her all sensitive. He squeezed her gently and kissed her hair. “It’s gonna be okay. Some of the other players are dads, so we can make it work. How far along are you? Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl? Not like I care, but—”
    Bubbly laughter rose from Jami’s lips as she tipped her head back. “I’m not pregnant yet, Luke. But you’re amazing , and I love that you’d be like this if I was.”
    “Oh.” He tried not to be disappointed. And to figure out how he could change Seb’s mind about trying to have a baby. Sighed as he remembered Seb was not too happy with him. Baby talk is gonna have to wait. He reached for the extra burger. “Might have softened our man up a bit. Baby news would have done it, but you’ll find another way.”
    “I will not. You’re gonna fix this yourself, stud. But not tonight.” Jami poked the center of his chest before spinning around with his replacement burger in hand. “Give him some time to cool off.”
    “He seems cool enough. Be better if he’d yell at me.”
    “You know he won’t. He’s a little too calm though. I wouldn’t want to be you.” She spun again at a sound from the doorway and her eyes lit up. “Good! It fits! You hungry?”
    A cupboard door opened and closed. Luke didn’t turn. He had a very , very bad feeling, but wasn’t sure why. He was forgetting something that had happened around the car going through the garage door. Before the cops showed up.
    Crunching. A familiar voice. “Starving, but the shower made me feel a lot better. Thank you so much, Jami. You’ve been awesome.”
    Sam. His half-sister. The little punk was here ?
    Eyes narrowed, he looked over his shoulder at her.
    There was a box of Keebler Chips Deluxe in one of her hands. Open. And she was eating them!
    “Those are mine.” He took a step forward. Jami tugged him back. He grunted and leaned against the counter, grumbling. “Well, they are.”
    “That’s all you’ve gotta say after not seeing your sister in years? Seriously?” Jami brought his burger to the table, gesturing for the punk to sit. “Don’t mind him, he got drunk and in trouble and he’s grumpy.”
    “It’s all right.” The punk didn’t look at him. Just finished the cookie and started eating his burger. She spoke around a mouthful of his delicious bacon and juicy Angus beef. “I caught you all at a bad time.”
    Really? He stared at her, her blonde hair all wet and tangled, looking bloodstained with those streaks. She was wearing one of Jami’s cute little nightgowns—the one with the cherries on it. He’d broken the strap the last time he’d taken it off Jami—she’d only fixed it recently. Seeing the punk wearing the nightgown was weird. He shuddered and looked away. She could keep it now.
    Jami rubbed his sister’s arm, then glared at him. “You’re not really this pissed about the cookies, are you?”
    “No. I’m just tired. And hungry.” He went to the fridge to get a frozen patty. Wouldn’t be as good as the fresh ones Jami had made, but he had to eat or he’d never be able to get through practice in the morning. “Sorry, Punk.”
    “It’s fine, Bro-ha.” Sam gave him a hesitant smile. “Umm …how’s your mom doing?”
    Damn. He put the patty back in the box. Slammed the freezer door. “She’s fine. Did you ever manage to pay her back?”
    The punk’s face went red. “Luke, I—”
    “Yeah.