Free Under the Bridge by Michael Harmon Page A

spotting Indy, then hopped down. “Be right back, huh?”
    Sid whistled under his breath. I turned. “What, Sid?”
    “Watch yourself, Tate.”
    “With what?”
    Sid leaned back, hitching his thumb toward them. “I heard Will doesn’t like you too much. I also heard he’s setting up shop selling dope. He has a line from Texas. A big one.”
    A squirrel clawed at my belly. “So he is dealing?”
    Sid nodded. “He caught up with Mike Thorburne over the weekend. Word is Will gave him a choice. Sell for him or end up in the hospital. Mike’s his bitch now.”
    Piper looked across the park. “Why don’t we head on over with you, Tate? Might be better that way.”
    I shook my head. “I don’t have a problem with the guy. It’ll be fine.”
    Piper saluted me as I turned and skated through the park. It wasn’t too busy, with it being Tuesday. I ignored Angie and Will as I walked toward them, looking at Indy. “We’ve got to talk.”
    Indy studied my face for a moment. “Not in the mood, bro.”
    I glowered at him. “Get in the mood, then. You can’t leave me hanging.”
    He craned his neck back, staring at the underside of the freeway for a few seconds, then focused back on me, smiling. “Still not in the mood.”
    “Come on, Indy.”
    Will looked at me. “He said he didn’t want to talk.”
    I turned to Will. “I don’t even know you. Back off.”
    He smiled, his eyes dark and sharp. “Or what?”
    I tensed. “Listen, Will, I’ve got no problem with you. Leave it alone.”
    He stepped closer to me. “We’ve got business that’s none of your business, so turn your ass around and walk away.”
    I looked at Indy. “So, you’re dealing now? Is that it? Is that how you got the money for the board?”
    Will moved between Indy and me, cocking his head at me. “I said leave.”
    I shoved him hard, sick of his mouth and his attitude. He flew back, almost falling as he grabbed the walkway handrail. I braced him, ready for what I knew would be a hell of a fight. It didn’t come, though. He stood there studying me, no expression on his face except that wicked smirk and those eyesdead steady on me. His voice came soft and menacing. “You just made a big mistake.”
    For the first time in a long, long time, I realized I was facing a guy I
didn’t
want to fight. There was something in those eyes that sent a chill down my spine, but I knew one thing. I wasn’t leaving my brother because Will told me to. I had no choice. “Bring it, asshole.”
    Indy stepped forward, grabbing my arm. “Come on. I’ll talk, Tate. Will, just leave it alone.”
    My eyes were locked on Will’s, and after a moment, Indy pulled me away. He stared at the ground as we walked away. “Dude, what’s the deal with you?”
    I grabbed his shoulder and spun him around. “What’s my deal? What’s your deal? Why are you hanging with him? He’s trouble, man. Not even fun trouble. Just scum.”
    He swallowed hard, shaking his head and looking away. “What do you want, Tate?”
    “Why are you doing this? You’re burning some major bridges here.”
    His face fell, and he shrugged. “Things change, and besides, I didn’t do it. Dad did.”
    “Dad said you could come home.”
    “Well, I’m not.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because I’m fine.”
    “You’re fine high all the time and staying with a guy named Porkchop in a shitty trailer? That’s fine?”
    “I said I’m fine.”
    I shook my head, piecing things together. Will was hedging in on becoming a major player, and that meant trouble. “Is Porkchop dealing for him now?” I eyed him. “Sid told me Mike Thorburne is.”
    “I’m not staying with Chop anymore.”
    “Why?”
    “He and Will don’t get along, and when I told Chop we were buddies …” He paused, looking away. “Listen, Tate, I don’t want to go home. Dad is just too much.”
    “Where are you going to stay?”
    “Will said I could hang with him for a while.”
    “You are dealing, aren’t