Page 64 of Eleven of a Kind

“I’m confident you can make her see things differently.” A soft smile crossed his lips as he winked at me.

CHAPTER23

Piper

When we pulled into the parking lot by the emergency room, Gabriel sent a text to his brother to let him know we were there. Stepping through the double doors, Grayson was on the other side waiting for us.

“Come with me, and I’ll take you to her,” he said.

“How drunk is she?” I asked.

“Very drunk. She’s been unconscious since the paramedics brought her in, but she’s going to be fine.

I stopped in the doorway and stared at my mother, lying in the bed with facial swelling, bruising, and a large gash above her right eye.

“Who are you?” I asked the burly bald man as he sat in the chair.

“David. I was with Gloria at her home when she fell.”

“And how do you know my mother?” My brow arched.

“We’ve been seeing each other for about a month,” David said.

“So you know she’s an alcoholic, right?”

“I know she likes to drink. I heard a bang from downstairs and ran to see what happened. That’s when I found her on the bathroom floor. I immediately called 911.”

“Thank you for that.”

“Listen, I have to go. Do me a favor. When Gloria wakes up, tell her I won’t be coming around anymore and not to call me.”

“I’ll let her know.” I gave him a nod.

“I’ll check on her in a while,” Grayson said as he placed his hand on my arm.

I let out a sigh as I walked over to her bedside.

“Thanks for bringing me here, Gabriel. You don’t have to stay.”

He walked over and gripped my shoulders from behind. “I’m not going anywhere. When you’re ready, I’m taking you home.”

“I should just leave her here and never look back.”

“But you won’t.” His grip tightened. “I’m going to go out in the hallway and call Riley to let her know we’re here.”

“Okay.”

My mother stirred and slowly opened her eyes.

“Piper? What the hell happened?” She brought her hand up to her forehead.

“Long story short, Mom. You were so drunk that you passed out in the bathroom and totally fucked up your face.” I pursed my lips.

“Damn it. My head is killing me.”

“You’re going to be fine physically. By the way, David said to tell you that he won’t be coming around anymore and not to call him again.”

“That asshole. He was a loser anyway.”

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