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NINETEEN

HANNAH

“When are you going to be in Boston?”

“We should all plan to be there for the last weekend in June.”

“Yes. Oliver and I will be around then. He’d love that.”

“I might be able to swing it.”

“That should work for me. My dad made me take summer classes, but I can probably leave campus early that weekend.”

“Awesome, I’ll make dinner reservations.”

I look from one little screen to another, my eyes bouncing from brother to brother. Like always, they’re all talking at once, making it hard to keep up with the family chat.

Oddly enough, only a few of them are actually related to one another. For most of the guys, the familial link is me. My mom was married to each of their dads at some point, but because they care about me, they all got close. And now, rather than being an only child, I have six brothers.

“Wait a second. I’m not even in town that weekend.” I deflate as I double-check the calendar hanging on the wall. I’ve marked off the days I’m not traveling for the whole season. It’s easier to note the ten days a month I’m home than it is to highlight the twenty days I’m gone.

“Oh, shit,” Riggs says.

His father was married to my mother when I was in elementary school. He’s a couple of years older than I am, but his brother Ash and I were in the same grade. Riggs is married and has kids, so his schedule isn’t easy to coordinate, and Ash works security for the Berkshires, who are basically American royalty, so he’s rarely in town either.

“What about August?” he asks. “We could come down before the kids go back to school.”

“No can do,” Tim says. “I’ll be back in school by then.”

His brother Kevin nods. “Yeah, I start law school the second week of August.”

Matt, their older brother, laughs. “So don’t plan on seeing Kevin at all for the next three years.”

“Hey”—Kevin points at the screen—“just because you lived in the library doesn’t mean I will.”

“I’ll be back to training in August anyway,” Noah says. “Besides, Hannah will be really busy then.”

I nod. August is one of those months that flies by. Between games and special events, I rarely have a day off. I have no idea how I’ll manage that with how tired I already am.

That thought reminds me of why I scheduled this phone call. Because despite how much I’d love to do this in person, the likelihood that I’ll get all of these guys in one place is nearly nonexistent.

“You guys should still get together the last weekend in June. I can’t be here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t all hang out.”

Six sets of eyes blink at me, and one by one, my brothers offer yeah, sure s. They’re placating me. Not a single one of them will follow up. I’m the glue that keeps us all together. We really are our own strange family. The six of them, plus Noah’s dad. Of all my mom’s exes, I’m closest to him and one other who doesn’t have kids.

“Anyway,” I say, dragging out the word. “I didn’t actually call to set up a weekend, although I’d love to see all of you when you have time.”

They all nod, but they’re quiet. They’re probably confused. It’s not like me to be evasive. I’m a get-to-the-point kind of person. No dillydallying. Not a single one of us has time for that.

So here it goes…

“I’m pregnant.”

There. That’s the old Hannah.

“You’re what?”

“Did she just say she’s pregnant?”

“Holy shit.”

“How?”

“Who’s the father?”

“When are you due?”

They all speak at once, and when they finally shut up, I do my best to tick off answers, looking at each of them as I do. It’s like handling reporters in the media room. I could do this in my sleep.

“I’m pregnant. Yes, pregnant. Though the how of it would probably require a discussion we don’t have time for. Kevin, maybe Matt could have a talk with you about the birds and the bees. The father is none of your business, and I’m due January twentieth.”

“He isn’t stepping up?” Riggs is the one who speaks, but the other five nod in agreement.

“Just give me a name,” Ash grits out.

Head tipped back, I groan. “Oh my god. I didn’t call you to enlist a brigade to go after the father. I called you because I wanted to let you know you’re going to be uncles again.”

Noah, naturally, is the first one to soften, though Riggs is right behind him.

“Aw, Han, I wish you were home so I could hug you,” Noah says.

I’m in Detroit, while he’s in Boston. That’s why I arranged this call. I didn’t want to tell him one-on-one and face-to-face because I was worried I’d break and tell him who the father is. And I’m not ready to handle that just yet.

Though I did tell Daniel he was free to tell whomever he wanted. So he very easily could share with the guys on the team. Though, if he’d done that already, I’d have heard from the girls.

“You okay?” Riggs asks softly.

I look straight into the camera, expression easy, and lie to all of them. “I’m perfectly fine. Now tell me how my nephews are doing.”

I’m patting my face dry when my phone rings and Noah’s name flashes on the screen.

With a laugh, I swipe to answer the video call. “I figured you’d be calling, but I thought maybe I’d get an hour or so reprieve since it’s Oliver’s bedtime.”

Noah frowns. “He talked me into letting him watch another episode of Joanna Gaines because he says it’s educational and I quote ‘I miss Auntie Hannah.’”

I laugh. “Total con artist.”

He doesn’t smile. No, that frown stays firmly in place. “Tell me it’s not Daniel.”

All I can do is stare at him.

“Jesus, Han.” He rakes a hand through his hair. “Does the kid know?”

“First of all, he’s not a kid?—”

He glares at me.

“Fine, he’s a kid. And yes, I’m not an asshole. I told him as soon as I suspected. We took the test together.”

My stepbrother hums, his gaze drifting away from the screen.

Unease rolls through me. “What exactly does hmm mean?”

He shrugs, his image jostling. “Just surprises me, is all. He slept over that night, didn’t he?”

Lips twisted, I lower my chin. “Yeah, he said he just wanted to hold me after we found out.”

“That’s…” He chuckles, his face finally relaxing. “That’s sweet.”

“I guess. Whatever.” Emotion rises in my throat, but I choke it back. “Anyway, I wanted to wait until after the doctor confirmed before I mentioned it. Now that we have, I don’t know, I was freaking out, and I needed?—”

“Your brothers,” he finishes for me.

Warmth blooms in my chest. “Yeah.”

Eyes swimming with genuine concern, he brings his phone closer. “How are you feeling about it all?”

My stomach tightens, and that pesky vulnerability rises in me again. “Honestly?”

“Always.”

“Nervous,” I admit. So fucking nervous.

“That’s understandable. I was beyond nervous when I found out about Oliver.”

“I just don’t think I’ll be very good at this.”

He doesn’t bat an eye. “You will.”

“And I barely know the father.”

“He’s a good kid.”

My only response is a glare.

He laughs. “I stand by the fact that he’s a kid. But that doesn’t change that he’s a good one. He’ll do the right thing.”

I huff. “Don’t you dare go putting any thoughts into his head. I don’t want him to feel obligated to do anything.”

“ Hannah .” His tone is the same one he uses when Oliver tries to go for the extra scoop of ice cream or argues about brushing his teeth.

“I’m serious.” Shoulders back, I keep my voice even. “No one forced you and Jen to get married. We’re not putting that on Daniel. Like you said, he’s a kid. I don’t need another one to take care of. I’ll have more than enough work being a mother of one.”

With a sigh, he gives me a comforting half smile. “You’re going to be fantastic.”

“You’re a pain in my ass.”

He barks out a laugh. “I love you and I’m proud of you.”

“Love you too.”

“Call me if you need me.” He brings his phone closer again, his eyes narrowed. “Any time.”

“Except when you’re on the ice.”

“Even then, Han. Even then.”