Marshall’s hand is pressed against my chest. “Calm down, Jake.” He speaks low enough that only I can hear him.
“No,” I push forward. “He has to stop this bullshit. Why does he think he can do people that way?”
Randall’s laughter breaks through the air. “Oh, that’s rich. You used to be just like me. Remember? That’s the whole reason Tonya dumped your ass to begin with. So why don’t you be a little more hypocritical?”
I. See. Red. It’s taking all the strength Marshall has to keep me right where I am. “Dylan,” he yells. “Want to get Randall out of here?”
“On it,” Dylan calls back.
Soon I hear tires peeling out, then dust and gravel fly up, as Dylan does what Marshall asked.
“Dude, what the hell was that?” Marshall demands.
“I’m just tired of him always badmouthing Tonya.” I lean against the truck, sliding down until my ass hits the ground. “She’s never done anything to him.”
“It’s not himself he’s worried about. He’s looking out for you in his own weird way.”
Leaning my head back, I grunt. “More like asshole way.” I study Marshall. There’s something he’s not telling me, and I have a feeling I’m not going to like it. “Whatever it is your keeping from me, go ahead and spit it out.”
“It’s going to get out at some point,” he mutters. “I think he may be projecting his emotions a little bit.”
“Meaning….”
He sighs. “Meaning he had a thing for Tonya, and she chose you. He never even stood a chance, and it still gets to him.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yep,” he shrugs. “He doesn’t want you to feel the way he did when Tonya wanted to be with you.”
“That’s so stupid. It’s not even about her and Reaf.”
“That’s good since you’re seeing Charleigh. But what is it about?”
I roll my eyes. It all seems so absurd now. “It’s about my role in Layla’s life. I’m not sure where I’ll fit in when they get married.”
“You realize that it’s no different than now, right? You’ll still be able to form and build a relationship with her.” He joins me on the ground, leaning against the truck. “Tonya isn’t going to keep Layla from you, neither of them of will. She’s been a lot nicer than most people in this situation.”
“I know. It’s just weird, ya know. They haven’t even been together a year.”
Marshall laughs, “It may be weird, but you can’t put a timeline on love. When you know, you know.” He pauses. “Have you told Charleigh about Layla, yet?”
“Nope.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to give her a reason to run for the hills. I don’t even know where we’ll stand at the end of the summer. I’m supposed to go back to school, and I know she won’t go with me.” Marshall is giving me the condescending look he used to give me when I was a jerk to Tonya. I rush on, “Not that I’d ever ask her to give up everything she’s worked so hard for.”
“What do you mean ‘supposed’ to go back to school. Are you not going?”
“I’ll probably transfer somewhere here. I need to be here if I’m going to be a part of Layla’s life.”
“Look at you being all grown up.”
“Speaking of being grown up...” I begin. “What’s going on with you and Bianca?”
“It’s complicated.”
I chuckle, “Isn’t it always? She gives Charleigh a lot of shit when they’re at work. I don’t think she’s a fan so I hope you aren’t planning on inviting her to the bonfire.”