Page 113 of Home With You

"Looks painful," I hear a guy say as I wait outside the deli. The line is out the door but I've been here enough times to know the line moves fast.

I turn and see the guy I met the night I took Raine to the Italian restaurant. The homeless guy who sings.

"I hurt my knee," I tell him. "What's your name, again?"

"Levi," he says with a smile. "Like the jeans."

"Got it." I face forward, hoping he leaves. I don't like this guy. He was being an ass to Raine that night, and from what she said, he's always like that.

"Old sports injury?" he asks, pointing to my knee.

"No. I just bumped it."

He leans in closer, lowering his voice. "If you need something for the pain, I can help you out."

I immediately think of Raine's story about how Jacob came up to her and commented on her walking funny because of her back.

Keeping my eyes forward, I say, "What have you got?"

"Come to my office and I'll show you." He keeps his voice low as he moves up with me in the line.

"Your office? You mean the street?"

"I'll take you around back. It's more private there. And because you friends with my girl, Raine, I'll give you a deal. First one is free."

My tired brain suddenly wakes up, on high alert after hearing those words. First one is free. It's the same thing Jacob told Raine when he was trying to get her hooked. He targeted her. He commented on her injury, just like Levi did. Is this a technique all these guys use or is it something Rob taught his sellers?

It's too similar for me to just ignore.

"What about the second?" I ask. "How much?"

"Tell you what." He glances around as he talks. "Since I like you, and I like your girl, Raine, I'll give you a deal. First three are free. If you still need some after that, we'll talk prices."

First three are free. Just like Jacob told Raine. Is it just a coincidence?

"Let's go." I get out of line and follow Levi down the street, then across to the street where he normally hangs out. We pass by the corner he usually sits at and walk around the side of the building to the back. It's a deserted lot with tall buildings surrounding it and I'm starting to feel like this was a bad idea. I get my phone out in case I need to call the cops, keeping it in my hand as Levi reaches down behind the dumpster.

He comes over to me holding out his hand, which is clenched. His lips curl up in a smile as he opens his hand. On his palm is a small white pill.

"Take this and your pain is gone," he says.

"I'm not sure I want it. How do I know it's safe? Shit you get on the street could be laced with most anything."

"You don't gotta worry about that with these." He picks the pill up and holds it in front of me. "This is pure medicine right here. No fillers. Just like you get at the doctor."

"Where'd you get it?"

"Now that I can't tell you." He sets the pill back on his palm.

"I need to know where it's from. Otherwise how would I know if it's legit?"

"You know me, man. You know I'm legit. I'm friends with your girl, Raine. How she doing, anyway? Haven't seen her around much lately."

"She's good." I nod at the pill in his hand. "I need more info before I take that. No offense, but I really don't know you. I met you one time. And Raine wouldn't exactly call you a friend."

He shrugs. "Her loss. So you want it or not? Because I got plenty of other customers who would snatch this up. And they'd pay for the shit."

"See? That right there. That's why I'm not sure I can trust you."

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