Tethered (Book Two of The Invisible String Series)

Happy New Year

Y/N POV

Following the familiar path we walked yesterday, Lizzie and I made our way down the sidewalk and towards the sounds of music and laughter. The majority of shops and businesses that Main Street consisted of were dark and empty, save for Bluetick and its surrounding area, where a rather impressive crowd has managed to form already. It doesn't surprise me, honestly. Bluetick isn't the only bar in town, but it is my favorite and it's definitely earned its place.

I manage to somehow get us both through the crowd and into the bar, keeping a tight hold onto her hand. The inside isn't nearly as crowded as the outside is, and I'm instantly thankful for it as I lead Lizzie towards the bar and glance around to get a feel for everything.

Currently there are about as many couples making out in a few dimly lit corners as I expected, and it looks like half are already extremely drunk even though it's only barely past eight as they dance to the bass of the song playing over the bar's speakers.

Amused, I turn my attention towards my girlfriend as we finally make it to the bar and we settle ourselves. "So what do you think?"

The brunette glances around with a smile on her face before her green eyes settle on me. "I think you neglected to tell me this was a gay bar. I never would have thought there'd be a place like this out here."

I laugh a little as I put our drink orders in with the bartender, a woman who looks to be around my age who welcomes us with a wide smile before moving to make our drinks. "It didn't have the best start. Its first year someone actually tried to set it on fire, but the owners managed to save it and since then a lot of the community comes from other cities and towns to support it."

Lizzie hums as she leans into my side, one of her hands resting against my shoulder. "And this is the place where you first start performing, right?"

Nodding, I quickly thank the bartender as she places our drinks in front of us, taking a light sip of my soda before pointing to the empty stage off to our left. "Yep. I spent a lot of time playing my Dad's old guitar on that stage during high school and afterwards."

"I think I actually like it. It feels very homey and safe."

"It is. Joel and his husband always wanted this place to feel welcoming and like a place where people could come and be their truest and authentic selves."

I watch as a smile slowly starts to form on Lizzie's face, my curiosity getting the better of me as I gently nudge her to gain her attention, wondering what's currently running through her head. "What's got you so smiley?"

The brunette turns to fully face me, the small smile on her face widening. "I was just imagining a very cute teenage version of you making all the ladies swoon at you with your music and charm."

I can't help but laugh at that image of me my girlfriend has constructed in her mind, knowing very well that I was nothing like that. Sure, I had experimented here and there, but not to the extent that I had any type of reputation. "I did not do that. I'll have to know that I was the quiet one in high school."

Lizzie cocks an eyebrow at me, amusement written all over her features. "So you didn't use your music to score with girls?"

"She most certainly did."

The two of us turn to see Joel, the co-owner of the bar as he approaches us, smirk firmly in place. I instinctively move away from my girlfriend to embrace him, letting out a light laugh at his words. "Please do not go putting any wrong ideas into my girlfriend's head, Joel."

Joel keeps an arm wrapped around my shoulders after I pull away, keeping me tucked up against his side as he lets out a dramatic gasp. "I would never do such a thing! But first you have to point out who this girl of yours is, because I know it can't be this gorgeous lady standing here. She's wayyy to far out of your league, Y/N."