I went after him, grabbing him by the arm whenever he tripped over his feet. When we got out of the bar, I pulled out my phone and called a taxi, all the while keeping my hand firmly wrapped around him. He kept trying to wriggle from my grip, as if expecting to suddenly be hit with hulk-like strength.

“Sit down,” I told him, and without waiting for his cursed response, I shoved him to the ground, forcing him down on the sidewalk. “Taxi’s coming.”

“I gotta car,” he slurred angrily.

“You’re drunk. You’re not driving.”

“Glad to know you care about my well-being after you fucking punched me, buddy.”

I didn’t respond. I opened my wallet and took out a few bills. I threw them at him. “Use that for payment. I’m going back in.”

“Back to her, you mean.”

I hesitated. “I brought her here, Matt. She wanted to see where we took Ryker. So she’s my responsibility.”

“Is that what this really is?” he snapped, turning his face up to stare accusingly at me. “Because after what I saw in there, I can’t agree. You looked at her like you wanted her.”

I scoffed. “You’re so drunk, man, you don’t even know what you’re seeing –”

“I’m seein’ just fine, Heath.”

I glared at him, trying not to let the panic his words made me feel show on my face. I liked to think I had a good poker face, but then again I’d never felt this way for a girl before, and I was suddenly fighting against feelings I’d never had.

“You’re getting it wrong,” I stressed. “She’s my friend, Matt.”

He eyed me with those judgmental eyes before shrugging and looking out into the streets. “Whatever, man. Just keep your hands to yourself.”

Said hands were tingling with the urge to give him another rough lesson, but I stopped myself from reacting impulsively. I wasn’t an angry person. Not after witnessing all the shit the men in Mom’s life had put her through before she passed away. I vowed never to act that way. But this felt personal to me. Way too personal for my liking. I wasn’t the kind of guy that liked to explore my emotions. I wanted simplicity in every part of my life.

Nothing about Allie was proving to be simple, though.

I didn’t reply to Matt. I left him sitting there on the curb, moving back to the entrance of the bar when I heard a, “Yo, Lawson,” from behind me. I stopped and looked back to a solid man I’d never met before. He was around my age, looked like most of the ghetto thugs in Hedley, wearing baggy black jeans and an over-sized white tee. Silver chains were draped around his neck, his hair was thickly set in dreadlocks, and the corner of his mouth was grasping a rolled up joint that he was sucking the life out of.

I stood tall, looking warily at him as I said, “Yeah?”

He strode up to me with confidence. He carried himself like he was all power, and I suddenly had a bad feeling about him. I glanced around the crowded streets, wondering if he had guys lurking around that might take me down in numbers.

“Hey, man,” he said, extending his hand out for a slap/shake. “I’m Ricardo.”

I returned it and gave him a cool nod. “What’s up?”

He shook his head. “Nothin’, man. Look, I’m just gonna get straight to the point. Was in the neighbourhood and thought I’d have a word with you. Wasn’t hard finding you. Just askin’ around and everyone be callin’ you a fighter. Is that right?”

I shrugged. “People say a lot of things.”

He chuckled and nodded, probably catching my cautiousness. “Right, well, look, I’m just gonna out with it. Your brother worked for my boss. Did some… deals with him for a long time. I’m not gonna give you the details right now. I’m just going to let you know I’ll be around, and it’s fuckin’ imperative we have a chat about your brother’s failures. Know what I’m saying?”

I looked him over again. My spine stiffened and I might have cursed if I wasn’t grinding my teeth so hard. This situation wasn’t rocket science. The man was a thug. Obviously a part of a gang. A gang that I was certain was behind Ryker’s criminal activities.

That little shit was still causing trouble and he was in prison!

I bristled. “You know I have no part in what he did illegally, right?”

The thug smirked at me, showing off a gold tooth I wanted nothing more than to rip right off. “Yeah, I know, man. But see, where my guys and I come from, our world don’t care about whether or not you kept your distance. Point is you’re blood. Blood means you inherit the shit that resilient bastard left behind.”

“And what’s he left behind?”

He looked at me cryptically. “You’ll know soon enough.”

I glared at him. “How about just cutting to the chase and letting me know now? I don’t see the point waiting.”

“I’m part of a pyramid, man. I get told what to say and what not to say. Right now I just needed to tell you that you’ll be seeing me around.”

“At least give me something.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” He then threw his joint down on the ground and squashed it with the tip of his shoe. “Have a good night, man.”

He turned around and took off down the sidewalk, walking in that exaggerated side-to-side way that I was sure was exhausting as fuck. Only his movements seemed heavy with purpose. He was gone to report this conversation to someone. His boss.

Matt heard the conversation and was dutifully avoiding my gaze. I eyed him carefully. “Got any idea what that was about?”

He hesitated before shrugging. “I don’t know all that much. Just… You know Ryker was dealing drugs, right?”

“I didn’t know until after his arrest.”

“Well, he was tight with that guy. I’ve seen him around. Part of one of those big gangs.”

“Yeah, and?”

“And… what did Ryker get charged with?”

I started to get the gist of what he was saying. “Proceeds of crime. Had a shitload of money on him after he sold drugs.”

Matt nodded. “Yeah, so, this guy is coming around, telling you he’ll be having a word with you over Ryker’s failures. What do you think that means?”

“Means he wants to be compensated with what Ryker got caught with.”