Kendall stared at the guy in front of him. He couldn't be his brother! It wasn't possible! It just wasn't! Then again, how did Logan know who his dad was? And he had reacted strangely when he saw the birthmark, but it could all just be coincidence . . . besides, a lot of people looked at his birthmark. He didn't mind it.

"I think you must have the wrong guy," he said uncertainly.

"No, I really think I'm right!" Logan sat down next to Kendall. "Tell us. Where did you come from? And be honest!"

"He said he was from St. Paul," James said, glancing at the blonde next to him.

Kendall sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine; I lied. My dad's a total jerk; he keeps me locked up all the time and I finally managed to get out today."

"Where did you get all your bruises?" Carlos cut in. James rolled his eyes. Great job, Mr. Tactful.

Kendall wouldn't look any of them in the eye. "I . . . um, I . . . he . . . I mean . . ."

"Ok, we'll skip that one. Do you know who your mom is?"

"No. My dad never mentioned her and whenever I asked he got really pissed."

Logan nodded thoughtfully. "I know you don't believe me, but will you please come back with me to meet my mom? I dunno; she might recognize you or something. Please?" Kendall looked doubtful. Logan tried a different approach. "Anyway, if you've run away from your dad that means you need somewhere to sleep."

Kendall sighed. "Alright, fine." He got up. "So, how do you know about me, anyway?"

Logan briefly explained as the four of them began walking through the park. Kendall was lost in thought. Something had just popped into his head, and he didn't know what to make of it. A memory. It wasn't very clear; it was just of a woman with dark hair, laughing and smiling at him. It was strange. The walk to Logan's house was quiet. Everyone was thinking to themselves, and all snapped out of their daydreams as Logan unlocked the front door and lead them all into the house. "Mom? Are you here?"

"In the kitchen, Logan!"

They all walked in. Kendall was startled at the woman sitting at the table, looking up from her magazine. She looked exactly like the woman who he's just been thinking about . . . weird . . .

"Hi, boys. Who's your friend?" She looked closely at him, an unreadable expression on her face as she got to her feet. "Logan?"

"Mom, this is Kendall. He . . . uh, his dad's name is Simon Mitchell, he has a birthmark, and he doesn't know who his mom is." He pulled Kendall forward. "I thought, maybe . . . he could be my brother?"

Logan's mother stared at Kendall with wide eyes. "Logan, would you mind if I talked to you in private for a second?"

Logan nodded, and James quickly led the other two boys into the living room. Logan's mother sighed. "Logan, I understand how you feel, but you know it's unlikely he's your brother."

"But he might be." Logan lowered his voice slightly. "Anyway, he needs help. His dad is a total dick to him."

"Don't swear."

"It's true! Did you not see the bruises on his arms? And that one on his face, above the birthmark?"

"Yes, but . . ."

"You've always said it's important to help people!"

She sighed. "Fine. I'll check to see if he has any serious injuries. And I'll get Holly to come. Maybe she can find out if we're family."

"How about I call Holly and you check Kendall?"

"Still, it might be a lot of trouble for her—"

"Holly likes to help people. She won't mind," Logan cut in stubbornly. His mom rolled her eyes. "Fine. Call and ask if she's free."

DNA tests had always fascinated Logan. It only took a split second to find out every possible thing about someone. Holly came without hesitation; she'd been his mom's best friend for years. She'd taken a test and told them she'd go straight to the office and call when she got results. It was funny how what some people would consider such a complicated thing to get done only took a simple phone call for them.

Kendall was fine, other than the scars and bruises. And when Carlos offered to go out and do Miss Mitchell's shopping for her, Kendall went with him. Logan didn't know why; maybe he just wanted to get out of the tight space. Either way, practically the second they'd shut the front door, James had dragged Logan upstairs and into his room, buzzing.

"How is it that you have a totally gorgeous brother and I don't even know? Seriously, it's just my luck! Do you think he likes me?"

"You sound like a thirteen year old girl," Logan smirked, sitting on his bed.

"I can't help it!" James leaned against the wall. "It's so weird; I knew I was gay, and I've been attracted to guys before, but never a lot. Never like this." He smiled. "I swear, I was so close to jumping him back in the park—"

"Hey!" Logan cut in, making an angry face. "That's my little brother you're talking about!"

"Yeah, but I'm not gonna lie and say I thought about him in a totally nonsexual way—"

"Seriously, enough!" He shuddered a little, though he couldn't help laughing. "It's starting to gross me out. A lot."

"Sorry," James replied, chuckling quietly. "I'll keep it to a minimum. So, do you think he's really your brother? It is a little unlikely."

"I know that, but I just have a feeling in my gut that he really is my brother. Maybe it's just because I want to meet my brother so much that I'll accept anyone I think it might be, but I'm serious about Kendall."

They both fell silent for a few seconds. Then they both heard footsteps thundering up the stairs. "Carlos," they both said at once. The bedroom door was flung open. Carlos and Kendall were standing there. "Hey, we're back!"

Logan was surprised at how well they all got on with Kendall. They'd known him for . . . what, ten minutes? Yet it was like they been friends for ages. Still, that was how he'd been with both James and Carlos. They were talking about Minnesota Wild when they heard the phone ring. They all looked at each other for a split second before simultaneously rushing out the door and down the stairs. Miss Mitchell had already answered it. "Hello? Holly! So, did you get to the office?"

They all watched and waited.

"Uh huh . . ."

Carlos was biting his nails.

"Uh huh . . ." Miss Mitchell's face lacked all expression.

"Uh huh . . . ok, thanks so much, Holly. We should really go out at the weekend. On me." She hung up, looking at each boy in turn. Then, totally at random, she burst into tears. Then she threw her arms around all four of them. "Logan, how on earth did you do it?"

Logan didn't answer; he was totally bemused. Then she pulled back and there was a huge smile on her face. Then Logan smiled back. Then they were all smiling, and Miss Mitchell was hugging Kendall tightly, laughing and crying at the same time. "Does this mean I'm really your brother?" Kendall half-whispered to Logan.

Logan just nodded, biting his lip to avoid bursting into laughter. Then they were all hugging each other. "I can't believe you're here!" Miss Mitchell was crying.

Kendall was almost crying himself. "I can't believe it either."

"You've grown so much." She laughed a little. "I never thought you'd be taller than Logan." She sniffed. "I'm so sorry."

"Why?"

"Because I let this happen. I was only gone for ten minutes, but he took you and I couldn't do anything about it."

"Well, that's all in the past now, right?" Kendall smiled. "I'm here now and I'm not leaving."

Miss Mitchell hugged him again. "So, Kendall, have you ever been to school?"

"No, but my dad actually taught me a lot when I was smaller. So, I'm not totally clueless."

"You're starting next Monday. Until then, we'll just get you settled in, ok?"