Page 113 of Eleven of a Kind

“Hey, can you come over right after work?”

“Sure. What’s up?”

“I need to talk to you about something.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I just need to talk to you.”

“I’ll be over as soon as I get home.”

“Thanks, bro.”

I made a call to Dr. Anna Chung and explained to her who I was and that Carter was here to see me. I faxed the release form to her, and she sent a copy of his medical records within the hour. She wasn’t happy that he flew to Los Angeles.

When I got home, I went to the pottery studio and found Riley there making a new piece.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hi, sweetheart.” I walked over and kissed the top of her head. “How was your day?”

“Good. How was yours?”

“Interesting.” I sighed. “Listen, as soon as Piper gets home, I need the two of you to go out to dinner.”

“Without you?” Her brows furrowed.

“Yeah. Someone is coming to the house—”

“There’s my sexy man and beautiful girl.” Piper wrapped her arms around me from behind.

“Hey, babe.”

“Dad was just telling me that we need to go to dinner without him,” Riley said.

“Why?” Piper asked.

“He said someone is coming to the house.”

“What’s going on, Gabriel?” Piper asked.

“Riley, get cleaned up and come into the house.” I glanced at my watch. “He’ll be here in forty-five minutes.”

“Who?” Piper asked.

“A man who claims that he’s my brother.” I walked out of the studio.

“WHAT!” Riley and Piper said together.

“Gabriel, what the hell is going on?” Piper asked as she followed me into the house.

“This guy, named Carter Kind, came to my office today and told me that he’s my and Grayson’s brother. He’s sick and needs our help.”

“And you believe him?” Piper asked.

“Yeah, sort of. I know he’s not lying about being sick. I had a copy of his medical records sent over from his doctor in North Carolina.”

“What’s wrong with him, Dad?” Riley asked.