Page 115 of With Stars in Her Eyes

“God, Marshall.” It was impossible to keep all the frustration out of my voice.

“Then he said my extreme reaction was just another sign I need to stop getting hit in the head. He said…” Marshall’s throat bobbed. “He said Mom wouldn’t have wanted me to waste my brain like that.”

“Ohno.”

“So, I said some other things. He said some other things. And we haven’t spoken since. Even when we’re in the same space we don’t talk.”

“When was that fight though? Just before I got here?”

He leaned his head back with eyes closed. “Two years ago.”

“Twoyearsago?”

Despite how big he was, he almost looked like a little boy when he looked up at me. “I should’ve mentioned I had some ulterior motives for wanting you to move here. Just needed someone around who didn’t think I was a stupid, stubborn jackass.”

A small snort escaped my nose. “Well, dude, youarea stubborn jackass.” I patted his head once. “But you’re not stupid. Probably why your dad’s so frustrated.”

His head hung over his knees. “And shit, I’m sorry I’m wrecking your night too. Did you talk things out with your girl at the book fair?”

“A little.”

A thought occurred to me. Strangely enough, of all the people around here, Marshall might be the one who understood what Courtney had been going through the best. Except unlike Marshall, who had to give up football for his health and safety, Courtneycouldtry again.

What if she had some perfect moment out there like what Marshall had described, and she was giving it up before she really had her chance? What if in Courtney’s case, her fear was making her look for reasons to give up something she really wanted?

“It’s not fixed, exactly. I’m going to meet her at Samantha’s later to talk though.”

“Good. It seems like she makes you happy, and you shouldn’t dump her for being a secret rock star.” His eyes were still wrecked, but a little bit of twinkle had returned, as if getting his secret out had made him feel better. “Why later?”

“Locksmith.” I swished my hand around the room as if this were obvious.

“You don’t need to stay. I can handle that.”

“You’ve been drinking.”

He shook his head. “I actually haven’t. Not a sip since last night. Jeannie said she needed a swallow of whiskey to listen to my self-pity. Those dicks took most of the liquor inventory, but they left a few bottles.”

“Well, weren’t they just so generous in their thievery.”

“Bottom line is I’m physically and emotionally capable of telling a locksmith what to do so that my ex–business partner doesn’t steal anything else from me or do any more damage to my dad’sbuilding. You can leave.” Sober or not, the man was a wreck. He needed to sleep. He looked like he hadn’t been sleeping well in weeks.

I bit the inside of my cheek. “Actually, I’m early because they’re still breaking down the book fair. Courtney’s meeting me here before walking to Samantha’s.” I held out my hand. “I’ve got this one, Marshall. I’ll bring the key home later, okay?Pleaselet me do this for you?”

“You’re sure? I don’t want to leave you alone—”

“It’s not even dark out yet. Go home and sleep. You can call your dad in the morning when you feel better.” I nodded to the jukebox by the door. “At least they didn’t take that.”

“That’smy dad’s. And it’s bolted to the floor. It’s been here since this was his drugstore. The kids always wanted to come and pick a song while they were waiting for their medicines. My sister worked here as a pharmacy tech, but my dad never trusted me in the pharmacy. Can’t say I blame him given how this all turned out.” Marshall’s head dropped down again. He muttered a few more things about failure that broke my heart. But there was no point in arguing right now. Feeling it all would probably help him later. “T-Thanks for doing this, Thea.”

“What’re best friends for?” After a tight hug around his massive shoulders, I closed the door behind him.

Marshall had been standing up to people his whole life. He tackled anyone who stood in the way of his goals, often literally. They were so different but the way he’d described that pass… it had been like watching Courtney pretend to play cello beneath the stars. But Marshall knew that his dad—and pretty much everyone else around here—would love him despite his mistakes. Did Courtney know that?

I absently scrolled through the jukebox songs until a knock jolted my attention to the door. Courtney stood there, eyes bright, looking at me with so much expectation it hurt my heart.

CHAPTER 41Courtney

Thea opened the door, and I resisted the temptation to comment on the disaster of the pub. Sam had filled me in on the big details of what was happening with Marshall, and Thea was probably worried enough about him without my input. And Marshall didn’t need to hear anyone pile on, even though he didn’t seem to be out in the main room.