Simon looked up and stared at his brother for a moment; weighing what he should say. Generally he thought that Antoine Valentine didn't deserve a second thought, and the fucker could rot -- but he was Luke's friend. Or had been, anyway. It'd be hard to hear, especially taking into account the method that his brother had been suddenly left unemployed.
"I, uh," he licked his lips, glanced away, "I was in debt to him. Dragging my ass paying it back because times were... what they were. He gave me a deadline, said that if I couldn't pay he'd put it on your tab." Simon sucked his teeth, then sighed. "Made like it was a joke, but... I never thought it was funny. Been chewing on it a while, and, well. It ain't an excuse." Simon rubbed at his sore hand, looking anywhere but at his brother.