Page 6 of Love Overdose: St. Louis

“You don’t understand the pressure I’m under. She asked me how many pans of macaroni and cheese she should make. I gave the wrong answer once, and now she doesn’t trust me.”

“You shouldn’t be trusted. Didn’t you tell her one pan was enough for Easter?”

“I underestimated how greedy our family is.”

“You’ve known us your whole life.”

“And yet, I continue hoping we’ll change.” A door shut on his end of the call. “Anyway, everybody’s meeting at Soulful Friday at seven. Dad says he has an announcement.”

I leaned back in my chair. “Another brother?”

“Don’t put that into the atmosphere.”

“I’m asking a reasonable question.”

“We know about all the brothers now.”

“According to the same man who said that before introducing us to another one.”

Silence met me.

“Fair,” Xander conceded. “But I don’t think this is about a secret child. He sounded excited.”

“That could still mean a secret child.”

“Friday. Seven o’clock. Be there.”

“I’ll check my schedule.”

“No. You’ll tell the hospital you have a family dinner and show up on time like the rest of us.”

“I don’t tell the hospital when brains are allowed to bleed, Xander.”

“You’re a neurosurgeon, not God. They have other doctors.”

“Not as good as me.”

His laughter rolled through the phone. “Look at you. Humble as ever.”

“I work hard to remain grounded.”

“Is that what we’re calling it?”

“It’s what I’m calling it.”

“Well, while you’re being grounded, consider bringing a date.”

My attention drifted to the dark computer screen on the corner of my desk. “A date?”

“Yes, Elijah. A woman who willingly spends time with you in a social setting.”

“I know what a date is.”

“I wasn’t sure. You spend most of your time with unconscious women.”

“That sounded disturbing.”

“But it’s accurate though.”